People have been using medical cannabis or hemp as a natural remedy for numerous medical conditions for centuries. Historically, people used cannabis pastes and tinctures for topical use on diseased skin and cannabis extracts as an edible medicine to relieve pain and stress.
Additionally, recent studies support the use of medical cannabis for numerous health conditions. The number of people using medical cannabis has increased over the last few years. It is gaining popularity among therapists and medical experts due to its tremendous healing capabilities.
Here are some of the amazing health benefits of medical cannabis.
Healing components of the Cannabis Sativa plant
There are many components of a cannabis or hemp plant, and it is possible to extract many chemicals from it. Two of these components are worth mentioning, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Although THC is used for healing purposes, it has psychoactive effects like euphoria; on the other hand, CBD offers the same health benefits without causing any “high”.
Due to the potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis, there has been a relaxation in cannabis laws, allowing more states to grow cannabis and manufacture CBD products. There are two main cultivation areas in the US to grow cannabis – the first one includes Tennessee, West Virginia, and Kentucky, and the Western region comprises Hawaii, Oregon, and parts of California.
Areas like Pigeon Forge in Tennessee are loved for their CBD products, including oil, lotion, tincture, balms, ingestible pills, vaporized sprays, shampoos, conditioners, creams, and edible gummies and capsules. If you’re looking for organic CBD products, look up hemp store Pigeon Forge online to find various products.
Health benefits of medical cannabis
Medical cannabis decreases symptoms of epilepsy, pain, and mental health issues. It is a chemical and does not have an addictive tendency. It interacts with neuroreceptors which signal the body cells to regulate immune systems, movement, and emotional stability.
Besides its healing capabilities, medical cannabis is highly effective in countering drug addiction, and for the same reason, it is widely used as drug addiction treatment across the US.
Scientists have established the medical benefits of medical cannabis or CBD medical benefits. According to a survey, 1 in every 7 adults uses CBD products as medicine. Here are some science-backed health benefits of medical cannabis:
1. Heroin addiction treatment medication
Studies conducted on animals and clinical trials on humans display a noticeable decrease in opioid dependency after the use of medical cannabis. Medical cannabis counters the chemicals and toxins that induce addiction and decreases withdrawal anxiety and cravings in patients dependent on different drugs. These characteristics make medical cannabis one of the most effective medicines to cure drug addiction. Many medication-assisted treatment centres are using medical cannabis as a heroin and opioid addiction treatment medication to relieve symptoms associated with it.
2. Relieve pain
Scientists have discovered that medical cannabis contains chemicals that help relieve unmanageable pain. The endocannabinoid system of the human body regulates sleep, hunger, pain, and immune response. Cannabis has a proven ability to send signals to the brain, which affects endocannabinoid activity. It stimulates the brain to release chemicals that decrease muscular or joint pain. Cannabis can be applied superficially in oil and topical lotions to relieve pain.
Some scientists have successfully established a connection between cannabis and pain related to arthritis and multiple sclerosis, but with the combined effect of CBD and THC (marijuana plant extract).
Mental disorders like anxiety and depression are often treated with medications that develop dependency and have numerous side effects like insomnia, headaches, sexual dysfunction, and infuriation.
During clinical trials, medical cannabis has shown a visible decrease in anxiety and related symptoms without any significant side effects. Medical cannabis helps treat people with chronic anxiety and minimizes the probability of panic attacks. It is also extremely effective in treating other mental health-related issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
4. Treatment of epilepsy
Epilepsy is a life-threatening neurological disorder that causes seizures in patients due to abnormal brain activity. Studies show that medical cannabis or CBD is highly effective in treating epilepsy. 86% of epilepsy patients who received a medical trial of medical cannabis showed incredible improvement in the disease and a sharp decrease in seizures.
5. Treats sleep problems
People suffering from insomnia and sleep apnea are often prescribed medical cannabis products. A careful combination of CBD and THD makes the brain release chemicals to induce sleep. Such products are non-addictive and have no major side effects.
6. Reduces inflammation
Medical cannabis products tend to soothe inflammation in joints and muscles. For this reason, many physicians and medical experts prescribe these products to reduce inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
7. Diabetic control and prevention
Medical cannabis helps reduce the risk of developing obesity, reducing the risk of developing diabetes later in life. Medical cannabis can suppress insulin levels, making it a natural tool for regulating and preventing diabetes. Medical cannabis can control blood sugar levels and improve blood circulation and normal blood pressure.
8. Treatment of autism
Cannabis is known to help people calm down and control their moods. For this reason, it is extremely helpful for controlling mood swings and hyperactivity in children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome). Medical cannabis helps increase attention span, control violent mood swings, and decrease repetitive movements in children with Autism and ADHD.
9. Controlling the development of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is just one of the many ageing diseases caused by cognitive degeneration. With age, cognitive degeneration becomes almost unavoidable. People who show early symptoms of Alzheimer’s need immediate medical intervention to stop Alzheimer’s from advancing. Medical cannabis contains endocannabinoid, which helps eliminate inflammation in the brain and control cognitive denegation.
10. Safer to use
Medical cannabis is a herbal treatment and is safer than other pharmaceutical drugs available on the market. Although an overdose is not recommended, an accidental overdose doesn’t cause serious side effects. The natural chemicals in medical cannabis cause little or no dependency on the medicine, making it a perfect alternative for certain over-the-counter anti-depressant and anti-inflammatory medicines.
Final thoughts
Medical cannabis is one of the best gifts nature could give to cure various diseases and control certain health conditions. Due to its increasing popularity, scientists are trying to study its effect on other life-threatening diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, hepatitis C, and cancer. If you’re interested in what medical cannabis can do for your health, it is important to consult your healthcare provider and buy products that suit your health condition.
Simona LeVey did her degree in psychology at Tel Aviv University. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
