Though it’s since gained a reputation for recreational use, marijuana was first used as a medicine. The earliest recorded use of marijuana can be traced to at least 500 BCE.
Recently, the idea of medical marijuana has made a comeback, and many states have legalized medical marijuana for certain conditions. As marijuana is becoming more accepted, more research is being done. This has led to a greater understanding of marijuana’s potential uses.
It turns out that marijuana may treat a far greater range of conditions than we thought. What are these conditions, though, and what are the best medicinal marijuana treatments?
We’ll talk more about that in this article.
1. Chronic Pain
The most accepted use for medical marijuana, chronic and intense pain is listed on more qualifying conditions lists than any other ailment. This is probably because the effects of weed on chronic pain have been studied more than its interaction with any other condition.
Most studies seem to support the claim that marijuana could work as a pain reliever. In one study, 70% of participants reported less pain after marijuana use.
As an added benefit, many of those using marijuana for pain were less likely to use opioids. With the current opioid crisis in the US, this is definitely welcome news.
There are many different strains of marijuana, which fall into three broader categories: Indica, Sativa, and hybrid. Each strain has a reputation for being more effective at treating certain issues.
Thus, the answer to the Indica vs Sativa question depends on what you’re trying to do. For pain management, your best option is Indica.
2. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis, more commonly known as MS, is a form of auto-immune disorder where the body’s own immune system begins attacking its nerves and spinal cord. If left alone, MS can cause disability in its sufferers.
Medicinal marijuana treatments seem to relieve some of the more common symptoms of MS, and may even slow its progress. It’s important to note that we don’t know why weed seems to help with certain conditions.
What we do know is that our body has a system known as the endocannabinoid system, which is designed to interact with certain chemicals found in cannabis.
Scientists discovered this system in the 1990s, and have noticed in the years since that it aids in regulating several other body systems. This includes the immune system, which may be why cannabis is believed to have so many medical benefits.
Since the immune system is the primary problem in MS, it makes sense that the endocannabinoid system might keep it from being as destructive.
3. Anxiety
Ask any marijuana user and they’ll tell you that marijuana is great at calming people down. It’s such a well-known symptom of use that it’s worked its way into stoner stereotypes. We’ve all seen the guy in movies who’s always hungry and is never upset by anything.
The problem is that this idea is only half true. Marijuana does tend to affect appetite and reduce anxiety in most users. However, it can increase anxiety and even cause panic in others.
What’s odd is that not everybody gets paranoid every time. Among those who experience a rise in anxiety, they don’t often get it every time they use marijuana.
There are a few different reasons why some people become paranoid after marijuana use. One of them has to do with THC content. While THC can help with anxiety, too much of it can cause worse anxiety.
Another factor involves experience. If you’ve never had marijuana before, you may react differently than more experienced users. Perhaps your body isn’t used to THC, or maybe you haven’t learned your limits yet and took too much.
Women often need less weed to feel the same effects as men. If you consistently notice yourself getting paranoid on the same amount as your friends, that may be why.
Finally, we should note that weed isn’t a cure. It can help you calm down, but you need to do more to manage anxiety in the long term.
4. Cancer
Marijuana is not a cure for cancer. However, it has been known to slow cancer and ease certain symptoms of chemotherapy.
In particular, it tends to ease nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. If you suffer any appetite loss as a result of chemotherapy, marijuana may be able to help with that, too.
The interesting thing about marijuana and cancer is that results are contradictory. Marijuana is often smoked, and, much like cigarettes, contains many carcinogens.
Many scientists have theorized that marijuana may increase the risk of cancer, but the results have been mixed. Whatever the answer is, scientists have not been able to determine to what extent marijuana raises cancer risk, or if it even does.
If a risk does exist, it only occurs in marijuana smokers. Since edibles don’t contain any known carcinogens, they shouldn’t raise your cancer risk.
Whatever the answer is, let’s all hope that the link can be explored further and that a cure for cancer will hopefully be found in our lifetime.
Medicinal Marijuana Treatments and How they Can Help You
Though the field of medicinal marijuana is still largely unexplored, medicinal marijuana treatments have shown some promising results for certain conditions.
We’ve mentioned some of the ailments and illnesses that might benefit from medical marijuana in this article, but there are many others to explore. If you’re interested in medical marijuana, we encourage you to do more research. You never know what you’ll find.
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