Medicinal benefits of cannabis

1. Pain Relief

Studies show that THC activates pathways in the central nervous system which work to block pain signals from being sent to the brain. Likewise, cannabis has been shown to be especially effective against neuropathic pain, or nerve-related pain.

2. PTSD

People suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is another common reason to use medical marijuana. The high from THC is also associated with temporary impairments of memory.

While this may be as a drawback for some marijuana users, impaired memory is often therapeutic for those who struggle to forget painful memories, especially patients who suffer from PTSD. Recent studies have shown that oral doses of THC can help relief a variety of PTSD-related symptoms including, agitation and nightmares.

3. Nausea and Vomting

THC has been available as medication in pill form for treating nausea and vomiting in cancer patients since the 1980s.

A pill containing synthetic THC, called Marinol, was the first THC-based medication to be approved by the FDA for just this purpose. Since then, other THC pills have been developed and prescribed to patients undergoing chemotherapy, including a pill known as Cesamet.

4. Appetite Stimulant

THC is also known to work as a powerful appetite stimulant in both healthy and sick individuals. Marinol and Cesamet are regularly prescribed to boost appetitie in patients with cancer and HIV-associated wasting syndrome.

A number of studies conducted with Marinol suggest that THC can also stimulate weight gain in people suffering from anorexia.

5. Asthma

Medical marijuana might not seem safe for the treatment of asthma but as it turns out, THC’s ability to improve breathing in asthmatics is supported by research dating back to the 1970s.

Following trials that supported the research, scientists tried to develop an inhaler that could deliver THC but ultimately failed to do so. While the THC inhaler was abandoned, some say that modern-day vaporizers might be a solution.

6. Glaucoma

THC is also known for its potential to relieve eye pressure in patients with glaucoma.

After studies in the 1970s showed that smoking marijuana could reduce symptoms in glaucoma sufferers, scientist have tried to develop a way to administer THC in eye drops but they have failed. The idea proved to complicated due to the fact that THC is not soluble in water.

While some glaucoma patients rely on medical marijuana, The American Glaucoma Society maintains the position that its effects are too short-lived to be considered a viable treatment option.

7. Sleep aid

Many, both users and non-users, are aware of the sleep-inducing effect of marijuana, and research shows that THC is largely responsible. Trails conducted in the 1970s found that oral doses of THC helped both healthy individuals and insomniacs fall asleep faster.

Interestingly, more recent studies suggest THC may also improve nighttime breathing and reduce sleep interruptions in those who suffer from a common disorder known as sleep apnea. Researchers are currently working to develop a THC-based medicine for treating the condition.

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Facts about cannabidiol

CBD is a key ingredient in cannabis

Cannabidiol is one of over 80 compounds found in cannabis that belongs to a class of molecules called cannabinoids. Of these compounds, CBD and THC are usually present in the highest concentrations, and are therefore the most recognized and studied.

CBD and THC levels tend to vary among different plants. Marijuana that’s grown for recreational purposes often contains more THC than CBD.

By using selective breeding techniques, cannabis breeders have managed to create varieties with high levels of CBD and next to zero levels of THC. These strains are rare but they have become more popular.

CBD is non-psychoactive

Unlike THC, CBD does not cause users to get high. While this makes CBD a poor choice for recreational users, it gives the chemical a huge advantage as a medicine, since health professionals prefer treatments with minimal side effects.

CBD is a non-psychoactive because it does not act on the same pathways as THC. These pathways, called CB1 receptors, are highly concentrated in the brain and they are responsible for the mind-altering effects of THC.

CBD has a wide range of medical benefits

Although CBD and THC act on different pathways of the body, they seem to have many of the same benefits.

CBD reduces the negative effects of THC.

CBD seems to offer natural protection against the marijuana high. Numerous studies suggest that CBD acts to reduce the intoxicating effects of THC, such as memory impairment and paranoia.
It also appears to counteract the sleep-inducing effects of THC, which may explain why some strains of cannabis are known to increase alertness.

Both CBD and THC have been found to present no risk of lethal overdose. To reduce potential side effects, medical users may be better off using cannabis with higher levels of CBD.

CBD is sill illegal

Even though CBD shows much promise as a medicine, it remains illegal in many parts of the world. Classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States and a Schedule II drug in Canada.

On the other hand, the FDA recently approved a request to trial a pharmaceutical version of CBD in children with rare forms of epilepsy. The drug is made by GW Pharmaceuticals and is called Epidiolex.

According to the company, the drug consist of “more than 98 percent CBD, trace quantities of some other cannabinoids, and zero THC.” GW Pharmaceuticals makes another cannabis-based drug called Sativex, which has been approved in over 24 countries for treating multiple sclerosis.

A patent awarded to the U.S. Health and Human Services in 2003 (US6630507) also covers the use of CBD as a treatment for various neurodegenerative and inflammatory disorders.

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