The use of marijuana as an alternative source of medicine has skyrocketed. More people are now turning to it. Medical marijuana has lots of medical benefits. You can use it to maintain everyday health issues. Besides that, you can use it to manage chronic ailments. But what is medical marijuana, and how can you use it? Below is a comprehensive overview of this organic source of alternative medicine and some of its health benefits.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is a cannabis-based product that’s used to treat different conditions. The product usually contains marijuana plant extracts or chemicals. It’s basically the same product as recreational marijuana. However, this one is specifically used for medical purposes.
Marijuana is a plant that naturally contains over 100 different chemicals. The chemicals are known as cannabinoids, and each has a unique effect on the body. CBD and THC are the most popular cannabinoids, and they are generally used for medical and entertainment purposes, respectively.
Uses of Medical Marijuana?
The medical benefits of marijuana are diverse. This is a plant that contains a wide range of medical properties. You can use it to manage the symptoms of mental and physical health issues. The medical uses of marijuana include:
Easing Muscle Pain
Marijuana is known to be an excellent muscle relaxant. That’s why some people use it to ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It can significantly reduce muscle pain and help to lessen muscle tremors.
Promoting Weight Loss
Marijuana can be useful in promoting weight loss. Some people use it to attain their weight loss. It has different functionalities that allow it to accelerate the burning of excess body fat. This includes suppressing appetite and promoting the feeling of satiety.
Relieving Nerve Pain
Some people swear that this organic product can help to ease nerve pain. Well, while there is still the need for more research studies, current reviews show positive results. The effectiveness of marijuana in easing chronic pain is based on the fact that it reduces inflammation. That’s why it’s ideal for managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Note: the popularity of marijuana in treating nerve pain, in general, is due to the fact that it doesn’t have sedating effects, unlike clinical medications. Most opiates that are used to manage nerve pain usually result in sedative effects. So, patients end up getting disengaged from their daily activities. It should also be noted that opiates can be highly addictive, unlike medical marijuana.
Managing General Pain
Medical marijuana is commonly used to treat pain. While it isn’t strong enough to manage severe pain, it’s still quite effective in managing chronic pain. Millions of people are currently using it to control painful conditions such as arthritis, which doesn’t cure.
It’s clearly safer than NSAIDs that are highly addictive. Besides that, long-term use of NSAIDs can lead to medical problems such as ulcers and kidney issues. On the other hand, medical marijuana doesn’t have severe effects, if there are any.
Managing PTSD
Many veterans have reported significant improvement in their mental health after using medical marijuana. Well, reports from therapists indicate that it has calming and therapeutic effects. As a result, it helps to ease symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.
Note: the medical benefits of marijuana are many. However, there is still a need for more research studies to effectively determine how it works. This will also help to determine the right dosage for different medical conditions and their severity.
Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana
The uses of this organic product directly reflect its health benefits. At the moment, there are two synthetic types of marijuana. But doctors usually prescribe both of them to treat epilepsy and the side effects of chemotherapy. Some of the medical marijuana benefits include:
Treating Pain
Marijuana can be used medically to help reduce pain. Well, the product can effectively alter the body’s pain perception pathways in the brain. As a result, it’s highly effective in treating diseases that cause chronic pain. This includes conditions such as:
- Migraines
- Endometriosis
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
Besides that, the product is also useful in minimizing the effects of cancer treatment. This includes side effects such as nausea and loss of appetite typically.
It should be noted that medical marijuana can be medically prescribed in place of NSAIDs. It’s an effective alternative that’s ideal for long-term use.
Treating Inflammation
Inflammatory medical conditions can have devastating effects on the body. However, medical marijuana contains CBD content that has anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it useful in treating inflammatory medical issues such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Note: by easing inflammation, CBD also helps to improve the user’s overall health.
Treating Neurological and Mental Health Issues
CBD content in medical marijuana usually has effects on the limbic system. So, some medical professionals may opt to prescribe medical marijuana to treat mental and neurological health conditions. These include:
- Tourette syndrome
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Epilepsy
- Anxiety
Managing Insomnia
Issues such as insomnia and sleeplessness don’t have a medical cure. The only way to manage them is by using an alternative form of medicine such as marijuana. The good thing is that this product can help to improve the symptoms of sleep disorders. It has therapeutic effects and has helped the body to relax.
Side Effects of Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is generally safe. Even though it has fewer risks than synthetic opioids, it can still result in unwanted side effects. This is because it can generate opioid-like effects on the central nervous system. Potential side effects of medical marijuana include:
Hallucinations
Marijuana has hallucinogenic effects. So, it can lead to altered perceptions of reality or even result in poor motor skills. Due to these effects, it’s essential to use this product under caution. There are specific activities that are also considered unsafe to engage in after taking marijuana. They include driving and operating heavy machines.
Depression
Marijuana has depressant-like effects. Using it may end up triggering the symptoms of depression. In fact, the symptoms are usually similar to those seen in alcoholics. While it may make you feel relaxed and calm, you might end up having poor coordination and concentration.
It should be noted that your mental or emotional well-being might change significantly. This is usually characterized by an extreme feeling of sadness or happiness. The imbalance can wreck your mental health, especially if you already have an underlying mental health issue.
Stimulating-Effects
The stimulating benefits of marijuana can help to boost mood. In addition to that, it can also result in conditions that feature hyperactivity, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. In some people, they may end up with increased blood pressure as well. However, the stimulating effects of medical marijuana aren’t as common as its depressant effects.
Other side effects: different people react to medical cannabis differently. So, the type of side effect and severity may vary from person to person. Other possible side effects include:
- Increased appetite
- Change in sleep patterns
- Dry mouth or the cottonmouth effect
- Bloodshot eyes
Is Medical Marijuana Legal?
There are many reasons why medical marijuana should be legal. A lot of people have actually benefited from its organic health properties. Besides that, it’s cheap and affordable compared to most medical drugs. But is medical marijuana legal?
After the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, medical marijuana became legal in the US federally. It was no longer classified as a Schedule I substance by the FDA. As long as the product contains less than 0.3% THC content, you can buy it without a prescription.
However, there are still some state limitations. Different states have different regulations when it comes to the use of marijuana. To ensure that you are safe, ensure that you understand your state’s laws.
How to Buy Medical Marijuana
You can buy medical marijuana from multiple online stores. Currently, many retail outlets stock these products. Alternatively, you can also opt to use a written recommendation from a licensed doctor in states where marijuana is legal.
Conclusion
The use of medical marijuana has significantly increased due to its health benefits. This plant extract contains cannabinoids, the active chemicals that help to improve overall wellness. Current research studies indicate that it plays a more significant role in improving movement, sleep patterns, memory, and appetite. However, there is still a need for more studies to effectively determine how medical marijuana works.
However, this doesn’t mean that medical marijuana is totally safe. In some instances, it can result in unwanted side effects. They are usually mild, but in rare circumstances, the side effects can be severe. To ensure that you are safe, always exercise caution when using medical marijuana products. Only use products from reputable manufacturers. Ensure that medical cannabis doesn’t have any contaminants or toxins.
