Medical marijuana has proven to be a suitable option for treating a wide range of illnesses and medical conditions. Although there are prescription drugs available to treat some of these conditions, medical marijuana does not have the harsh side-effects that are seen with prescription medications. If you want to know more about the plant, here are nine benefits of medical marijuana:
1. Medical Marijuana is an Effective Way to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
A study conducted by Kim Janda from the Scripps Research Institute found that marijuana can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Another study that was published in the 2006 journal called Molecular Pharmaceutics concluded that the active ingredient in marijuana, which is known as THC, hinders amyloid plaques from forming by blocking the enzyme in the brain that is responsible for producing them. Amyloid plaques are responsible for killing the brain cells, which is what leads to Alzheimer’s.
2. It Can Stop Cancer Cells From Spreading
According to researchers at the California Pacific Medical Center, CBD, which is another active ingredient in marijuana, could stop cancer from spreading. Cannabidiol prevents cancer from spreading by shutting off a gene known as Id-1, which was found in a study published in the journal called Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. Cancer cells produce more copies of this gene as opposed to non-cancerous cells. The researchers used breast cancer cells that had high levels of Id-1, which were exposed to cannabidiol. When the treatment concluded, the cancer cells had a reduced Id-1 and were not as aggressive.
3. Marijuana can Help Treat Lupus
Medical marijuana is used for the treatment of Lupus, which is an autoimmune disease, which is when the body will attack itself without any reasons. According to Native Roots Dispensary, “The chemicals in marijuana can have a relaxing impact on the immune system, which is how it controls the symptoms.” Individuals with Lupus also experience pain and nausea, and marijuana can also help treat those symptoms as well.
4. It Treats Glaucoma
Medical marijuana is being used to prevent and treat glaucoma. Glaucoma adds pressure to the eyeball, which causes damage to the optic nerve and will result in vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, marijuana will reduce the pressure inside the eye that is caused by glaucoma. As a result, the effects of marijuana could slow the disease and prevent blindness.
5. Medical Marijuana can Reverse Lung Damage
A study that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2012 reported that marijuana does not hinder lung function. Furthermore, the study found marijuana can increase lung function capacity. Those who smoke tobacco will lose lung function over time, and marijuana can increase lung function capacity, which would reverse the damage caused by cigarettes.
6. It can Control Epileptic Seizures
A 2003 study proved that marijuana can be an effective way to treat epileptic seizures. Marijuana extract was administered in epileptic rats. After given the marijuana extract, the seizures stopped for around 10 hours. Cannabinoids and THC work to control seizures by interacting with the brain cells that control excitement and regulate relaxation.
7. Medical Marijuana can Reduce Symptoms Caused by Dravet’s Syndrome
Dravet’s Syndrome is a condition that causes individuals to suffer from severe seizures and developmental delays. A family known as the Figi’s decided to treat their five year old daughter, who has Dravet’s Syndrome, with medical marijuana that had a high concentration of cannabidiol and a low concentration of THC. After the child started taking marijuana, her seizures dropped from 300 a week to only one a week. There are 40 more children using the same strand of marijuana to treat seizures caused by Dravet’s Syndrome, and the treatment seems to be successful. The medical experts who suggested the treatment said the cannabidiol in the marijuana has an impact on brain cells, which will calm the excessive activity in the brain that leads to seizures.
8. Medical Marijuana can Protect the Brain After a Stroke
The University of Nottingham proved that marijuana could help protect the brain from damage after a stroke. The chemicals found in marijuana may help to reduce the area of the brain that was impacted by the stroke. The cannabinoids in marijuana can also be an effective way to increase brain function after a stroke.
9. It can Ease Pain That is Caused by Multiple Sclerosis
Marijuana can help ease the pain that is caused by multiple sclerosis, according to a study that was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The researcher studied 30 individuals who had multiple sclerosis and had debilitating contractions in their muscles. Although other treatment was tried, it was unsuccessful on these patients. However, after smoking marijuana the pain subsided within a few days. The THC in the marijuana attaches to nerve and muscle receptors, which is what caused the pain to ease.
