05 Medicinal Health Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis, a controversial plant that is widely abused in many developed nations. Recently, it has captured the interest of many researchers due to its medicinal benefits.
Numerous states have legalized Cannabis, both for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Each cannabis plant has hundreds of chemical components known as Cannabinoids. The term “Medical Marijuana” refers to those several components that play a role in treating particular conditions. Among these tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are widely known.
Wondering what potential benefits are linked with this plant? The following are commonly discussed medical conditions that are benefited from the use of Cannabis:
1. Cancer
FDA has approved two medicines; Dronabinol and Nabilone, containing Cannabinoids to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
As per some studies, Cannabinoids have also been shown to slow down the growth or kill some types of cancer cells.
2. Epilepsy
In 2017, a study published in The New England Journal is Medicine shows the effective decrease of seizure frequency in children with Dravet Syndrome by the use of Cannabidiol.
Epidiolex- a CBD-based drug was approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2018, for the treatment of two rare types of Epilepsy that are Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
3. Pain Management
In the United States, Medical Marijuana is most commonly used for relieving pain in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), arthritis, and other chronic illnesses.
4. Inflammation
Many studies found that the action of CBD on the endocannabinoid system in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract effectively reduces inflammation in conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
5. Anxiety and depression
Cannabis acts on several receptors present in the brain that are involved in controlling emotions, stress, sleep, and appetite.
Many patients have reported the benefits of using Cannabis for mental disorders varying from anxiety and depression to Schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Others
More studies and research are needed to support the medicinal effects of Cannabis in conditions like Eating disorders, Obesity, Asthma, Glaucoma, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and HIV/AIDS-related weight loss.
Side Effects of Cannabinoids
Besides all these amazing beneficial discoveries of Cannabinoids, the negative effects associated with them cannot be neglected. The reported side effects are:
- “High”, which is an altered state of consciousness is the most known psychoactive effect of THC.
- Bloodshot eyes and dilated pupils
- Increased heart rate
- “The munchies”, commonly known as increased appetite
- Hallucinations
- Increased anxiousness and suicidal thoughts.
Conclusion
Cannabis’s therapeutic benefits are one of the reasons it is becoming more and more well-liked among people.
Both the health-related effects and negative effects of Cannabis are supported by data.
The future of Cannabinoids appears more optimistic now that more research is being carried out to support the positive effects of the several components of this plant.
