Understanding cannabis
Cannabis is a plant whose leaves they cultivate for recreation and medical purposes. The dried leaves, seed oil, are the parts that are used to make CBD or THC. They used the stalk of the plant in ancient China for its fiber.
Cannabis has a long history in its use as a medical supplement BC’s Get Kush. In ancient times, healers used to mix cannabis with other medicines to treat pain and other ailments. In the 19th century, they introduced cannabis for therapy in modern western medicine. The leaves of cannabis were first crushed into powder form and mixed with wine before they administered it—Chinese doctor Hua Tuo who mixed the powder with wine and administered it as an anesthetic before surgery.
In 1970, synthetic Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main compound of cannabis, was created and administered as a Marinol drug as a capsule. From 1996 to 1999, eight states in the United States allowed the administration of cannabis as a mode of treatment going against the Federal government. Doctors, however, prefer that one smokes cannabis instead of the oral dosage since the effects of cannabis are immediate when it is smoked.
Cannabis, if used correctly, has a variety of medical uses. However, most people abuse it because of the sensation that follows.
Chronic pain relief
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical compounds, most of them being cannabinoids. Cannabinoids have a chemical make-up that relieves the pain one experiences when one has a chronic disease such as cancer. They make life more bearable for the patient.
Increase the capacity of the lungs
Smoking cannabis differs from smoking cigarettes. Cigarettes harm your lungs, but cannabis has been studied, and they concluded it increases the size of the lungs enabling uses to get more air through their lungs.
Aids in weight reduction
The avid cannabis is usually not overweight. Cannabis helps regulate your body’s caloric intake and also regulates your insulin.
Regulates and prevents diabetes
A research paper by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis found that cannabis stabilized blood sugar levels, lowered blood pressure, and improved blood circulation in the body. The effect has on insulin also aids the body in preventing diabetes in patients.
Treatment of cancer
Medical journals document the use of cannabis and its success in fighting some types of cancer. THC and CBD kill certain cancer cells or slow their progression in the body, therefore successfully killing them off. The slowed progression increases the chances of survival of cancer patients by a large margin.
Treatment of depression
Depression is very widespread that most people don’t even know that they have it. Endo-cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis are very good mood stabilizers, and they help ease depression.
Treatment of autism
Cannabis has a calming effect on its users. Cannabis can be useful in reducing the angry outbursts that children with fragile X syndrome have.
Seizure regulation
Some studies are currently being carried out that have shown the promise that cannabis has on regulating seizures. The seizure regulation qualities will drive its application in its use in patients with epilepsy.
Mending of broken bones
The Bone Research Laboratory in Tel Aviv has found out that cannabidiol aids in the healing of broken bones and quickens healing. It also helps ensure the broken bones are strengthened and hard to break in the future.
Helps with ADHD and ADD
Individuals with ADHD and ADD have challenges in focusing on any task. They have problems with cognitive performance. Cannabis has shown progress in assisting people with ADHD/ADD focus and is considered much safer than Adderall and Ritalin, which are mostly used to treat patients with ADHD and ADD.
Takeaway
Cannabis has both great and bad effects and side effects such as addiction. When used for medical, cannabis is safe as they will use it per the doctor’s prescription. When used for recreational purposes, it may lead to an addiction that will have withdrawal symptoms, eventually leading to its dependency.
You need to be careful when using cannabis as a treatment, and again, it should be strictly be used under the advice of a doctor.