Cannabis has been used in various cultures for centuries as an herbal remedy, both recreationally and religiously. Research into the medical benefits of cannabis and its derivatives, such as cannabidiol oil (CBD), has been increasing in recent years as its use gains wider acceptance.
Medical professionals are now using this plant to treat everything from chronic pain to epilepsy and even cancer. However, there remains some confusion about the plant among healthcare professionals.
With more states legalizing medical marijuana, it is essential to learn how this plant can be used to alleviate certain conditions. The following guide will help explain why cannabis has so many benefits in the medical field and how it works.
How Does Medical Marijuana Work?
Medical marijuana may be smoked, vaporized, taken as a liquid extract or consumed in foods. Marijuana’s effects occur due to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids (chemicals unique to marijuana) that bind to the cannabinoid receptors on cells in your body.
Different receptors throughout your body have different functions, but they all regulate pain and other sensations. When you ingest marijuana, it enters your body and travels through your bloodstream until it reaches specific immune cells called cannabinoid receptors.
It binds to these receptors, sending signals that tell your brain how to respond. Such responses may include slowing down or speeding up specific processes, like heart rate or digestion.
That is why you feel “high” when using marijuana. It also affects neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which regulate mood and memory.
This is a topic of growing interest among medical professionals and something that today’s crop of nursing students enrolling in modern programs like the Baylor University Online ABSN program should be familiar with before entering the workforce. These programs prepare nurses for a successful career by keeping them up to date on the latest research in medicine.
Uses Of Medical Marijuana
Cannabis has been used in the medical field to treat many conditions. In many states, doctors can now prescribe it to help patients suffering from a variety of ailments to improve their quality of life.
It contains active chemical compounds called cannabinoids (CBD) that are responsible for many of its characteristic effects. CBD is often isolated for medical use so that patients will not experience the “high” or psychoactive effects of marijuana. Here are some of the medical benefits of cannabis you should know.
Managing Pain
When it comes to pain management, cannabis should be at or near the top of your list. Not only does marijuana work for a range of ailments (including migraines and irritable bowel syndrome), but its use is relatively safe and highly effective.
Cannabidiol is a naturally-occurring cannabinoid chemical compound found in hemp plants. It blocks pain signals from reaching cells through the nervous system, significantly decreasing any feelings of pain.
Additionally, because it is not chemically addictive like opioids are, there is no risk of developing a dependency on CBD.
Reducing Inflammation
You can use CBD as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotectant, and these characteristics can be especially useful for addressing inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Doctors usually treat these ailments with other medications that have some severe side effects. Cannabis can help reduce the pain associated with these diseases without causing significant side effects.
Treating Neurological And Mental Disorders
When it comes to the limbic system, or emotional brain, there is some evidence that low doses of THC may help improve memory function for older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
Cannabinoids may be able to protect these areas from further degeneration and slow disease progression. In addition, cannabinoids can promote neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons) and support synapse formation (which occurs when two nerve cells communicate).
The hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for memory consolidation and storage, also has high concentrations of cannabinoid receptors.
The endocannabinoid system modulates long-term potentiation (LTP), which helps strengthen synaptic connections between neurons. This is one reason researchers believe cannabinoids can regulate learning and cognition.
Improving Sleep
Studies show that CBD, an active ingredient in cannabis, can be used to help relieve insomnia and other sleep disorders. Individuals with insomnia and other sleep disorders often suffer from excessive daytime fatigue, which can negatively impact their ability to focus on day-to-day tasks.
With regular use, CBD may help relieve insomnia without causing the side effects associated with typical treatments for sleep problems, such as prescription sleep medications.
Cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various processes including sleep, appetite, mood and memory.
Alleviating Nausea
For many people, inhaling a puff or two of marijuana is all it takes to banish nausea. In particular, marijuana can help cancer patients suffering from chemotherapy-related sickness.
Nausea and vomiting can indicate more severe conditions, such as gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. Therefore, it is essential to ensure there aren’t any underlying health problems that need attention before self-medicating with marijuana.
If you are experiencing severe nausea, you should seek medical attention immediately. A doctor or nurse may be able to recommend specific strains of marijuana that have helped similar patients in the past. They will also know how much marijuana you should consume at one time and how often you should use it for maximum effect.
Alleviating Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures. Studies have shown that medical marijuana reduces seizure frequency and intensity in some patients.
The FDA approved a cannabis-based medication called Epidiolex to treat two rare forms of epilepsy in 2018. The drug is made from cannabidiol (CBD). CBD oil has been used as an anti-seizure medication for many years and has proven effective in many patients.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that involves an attack on your central nervous system, which can cause problems with vision, movement and balance. It can lead to depression, anxiety, and pain in muscles, joints and other areas.
The most common symptom is numbness or tingling in limbs. Studies have found that medical marijuana is not only capable of treating symptoms of MS but may also be able to slow its progression.
Wrapping up
With so many potential uses, it is clear that medical marijuana can be an essential part of many people’s lives. The most important thing about medical marijuana is finding what works for you. If you feel comfortable with its side effects, it may be a viable treatment option, as long as you stick with your doctor’s suggestions on dosage amounts and frequency.