Disclaimer: This article might contain information about illegal substances in India, Please read the below article very article under self-discretion. Please view the disclaimer for more information

What is Medical Marijuana? Definition & Meaning

Marijuana was earlier viewed as an illicit substance for many years, but it is now being reconsidered on a cultural and legal basis. According to recent data, several people favour legalizing Marijuana for medical or recreational use. Marijuana is now legal and preferred for medical use in many countries and states, including India.

However, some scientists and legislators want to see additional studies to back up certain marijuana benefits. In addition to more excellent research, there are worries that Marijuana’s potential hazards may occasionally outweigh its advantages. Are you wondering whether the benefits of this substance live up to their hype? We have outlined a handful of the most well-studied advantages and some crucial factors of Marijuana.

Marijuana without the High

CBD is the extract from the Hemp plant, also known as cannabidiol. It is the least contentious because it contains little to no psychoactive qualities. More than 100 active ingredients are found in Marijuana alone. Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, is the substance that gives Marijuana its characteristic “high.” Patients report little change in consciousness when using CBD-dominant strains because they contain little to no THC.

However, patients mention various advantages of CBD, from treating potentially fatal illnesses like Epilepsy to reducing insomnia, anxiety, stiffness, and pain. For example, Dravet syndrome, a specific type of infantile Epilepsy that is nearly impossible to treat, reacts remarkably to Charlotte’s Web, a CBD-dominant cannabis strain. Dramatic videos exist of this.

Learn more about how Hemp is different from Marijuana

Why is Marijuana Appropriate for Medicinal Use?

According to studies, medical Marijuana may be beneficial for several diseases. However, the criteria patients must have to use medical Marijuana differ by state. Check your state’s laws before considering using Marijuana for medical purposes.

You might be able to use medical marijuana therapy depending on your state’s laws if you meet the prerequisites and suffer from one of the following conditions:

Alzheimer’s condition
MSA (amyotrophic lateral) (ALS)
HIV/AIDS
Crohn’s illness
Seizures and Epilepsy
Glaucoma
Muscle spasms and Multiple Sclerosis
Persistent and severe pain
Vomiting or severe nausea brought on by cancer treatment

What are the Health Benefits and Risks of Marijuana

The following list of marijuana advantages includes some mentioned most frequently, anecdotally, and in scientific studies.

Pain Management

The cannabis in Marijuana may lessen pain by changing the brain’s neural pathways that deal with it. The following conditions, which lead to chronic pain, might benefit from this treatment:

Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Endometriosis
Migraine

Additionally, it might lessen the adverse side effects of cancer treatment, like appetite loss. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, which might have significant side effects, are often said to be replaced with medical Marijuana in some cases.

Reduced Inflammation

Marijuana CBD is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. Theoretically, this may help inflammatory conditions like:

Crohn’s illness
Inflammatory bowel disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Overall health can be enhanced by reducing inflammatory processes in the body.

Cancer

There is evidence that oral cannabinoids help treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and a few small trials have suggested that smoking cannabis may also help to reduce these symptoms. dependable source

According to specific research on cancer cells, certain forms of cancer may be killed or slowed down in growth by cannabis. However, an early study that tested this theory in humans showed that while cannabinoids are a safe medication, they are ineffective at preventing or treating cancer.

Neurological and Mental Disorders

Doctors occasionally recommend Marijuana to treat the following neurological and mental health disorders because of its limbic system-activating properties:

Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety
Parkinson’s condition
trauma-related stress disorder (PTSD)
Tourette disorder

Sleep Management

Marijuana’s calming properties may aid in treating sleep issues like insomnia. And when marijuana use reduces pain, it may also lead to better sleep.

Epilepsy

One of the many chemicals found in cannabis is CBD. It has no psychotropic effects. The CBD in the medication for these diseases has been purified. The results of the study and clinical studies served as the basis for the approval.

CBD consumption significantly reduced the number of seizures in Dravet syndrome children, also known as Epilepsy. Seizures associated with the Dravet syndrome are protracted, frequent, and sometimes fatal. 1 in 5 Dravet syndrome sufferers does not live to be 20 years old.

According to the study’s findings, the youngsters who received the CBD solution went from experiencing about 12 seizures per month to having, on average, only six episodes per month. Children under this treatment also experienced a minor decrease in seizures, from an average of 15 per month before the trial to 14 episodes per month throughout the study.

Is Marijuana safe and effective as Medicine?

Although further research is required to provide an answer, the following Medical Marijuana adverse effects could occur:

Hallucinogenic Effects

Mild hallucinations, poor motor coordination, or changed real-world perceptions can all be brought on by Marijuana. For these reasons, consuming Marijuana before engaging in risky tasks like operating heavy machinery is advised against. Likewise, if you’ve recently used Marijuana, don’t drive. Even in states where consuming Marijuana is permitted, it is unlawful to go after doing so because it is risky and against the law in every state.

Some medical marijuana is designed to relieve symptoms without the euphoric, depressing effects of marijuana use for recreational purposes.

Mood-altering Results

Similar to the depressive effects of alcohol consumption, marijuana usage may also have these effects. While you may be at ease, you can also have trouble focusing and moving around. As a side effect, some persons may experience depressive symptoms.

Stimulating Effects

While Marijuana may improve mood, it can also make people hyperactive, breathe quickly, and experience increases in their heart rate and blood pressure. However, compared to depressive effects, Marijuana has fewer of these side effects.

The Takeaway

From a legal and health standpoint, Marijuana is undoubtedly one of the most divisive issues in today’s society. To understand Marijuana’s use for medical and recreational purposes, further study on the drug’s health advantages is required for both sides of the argument.

Meanwhile, speaking with a doctor first is crucial if you’re curious about the potential advantages of Marijuana for your health. Depending on where you live, they can assist you in weighing the advantages against any possible hazards and the legal requirements for acquiring a medical marijuana card. Never attempt to treat a medical condition on your own with any drug or substance. This includes supplies derived from plants, such as Marijuana.

How to Talk to Your Doctor about Medical Marijuana

Many patients are in the position of wanting to learn more about Medical Marijuana but are reluctant to discuss it with their doctor out of fear of looking foolish. This is due, in part, to the medical profession’s general overreaction to this problem. Doctors are currently trying to catch up with their patient’s level of understanding on this matter. Other patients already use medical Marijuana but are hesitant to disclose it to their doctors for fear of reprimand or criticism.

We would advise patients to have high expectations of their doctors and to be completely honest and transparent with them. Inform them that you view this as a component of your care and that you anticipate them to be knowledgeable about it and able to, at the very least, guide you in the direction of the facts you require.