What Are the Uses of Medical Marijuana and How It Works?

Marijuana, scientifically called Cannabis Sativa is a type of herb. In layman's language, it is also called weed, pot grass, mary jane, etc. Marijuana is considered bad for health by some sections of the society because of its addiction properties. However, medical marijuana is useful because it uses chemicals present in marijuana plants to treat diseases and many mental conditions. It is no less than any other medicine because medicines are made to help you fight against infections.

 

Talking scientifically about the marijuana plant it contains over one hundred chemicals. These chemicals are called cannabinoids. Out of these hundred chemicals, Marijuana aids with three active compounds called THC, CBD, and CBN. Cannabinoids are used to cure many severe health conditions like Alzheimer's, muscle spasm, glaucoma, epilepsy, and many more. Yes, you heard that right. Isn't it a magical herb?

 

Uses of Medical Marijuana

Medical Marijuana is used to cure many health ailments like

 

●     Alzheimer's Disease

●     Muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis

●     Glaucoma

●     Appetite loss

●     Crohn's disease

●     Eating disorders such as anorexia

●     Epilepsy

●     Seizure Symptoms

 

How Medical Marijuana Helps?

The active chemical present in marijuana has got the same properties that help in curing many physical ailments. Drugs containing cannabinoids help treat a rare form of epilepsy, unintended appetite loss due to weight loss, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and various sclerosis symptoms. Apart from these, cannabinoids present in Medical Marijuana is used to treat several health conditions -

 

●     It helps in reducing anxiety.

●     It also helps in relieving pain and reduces inflammation.

●     It aids in reducing the after-effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting.

●     Cannabinoids help you stand firm against cancer germs and slows the growth of the tumor.

●     It releases the stress in your muscles, especially for the people suffering from muscle spasms.

●     As a result of chemotherapy or AIDS, people tend to lose their appetite. So, medical marijuana is given to those patients to regain their appetite, followed by a healthy weight gain.

●     It also helps in curing seizure disorders. A seizure is nothing but a quick electric activity happening in mind. The intensity of it varies from person to person. Usually, it happens once, but if the frequency of seizures increases then it is known as epilepsy. Marijuana is helpful in the treatment of epilepsy.

●     Medical Marijuana is also used to treat medical depression.

●     It also eases insomnia or other sleeping disorders.

●     It is given to the patients suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD).

●     Doctors treating mental health conditions like extreme anxiety have also shown some positive results when given medical marijuana.

●     It also helps in treating glaucoma.

 

From Where You Can Get Medical Marijuana?

Irrespective of the benefits or uses of medical marijuana, it is still challenging to get. Because of its "getting high" properties, you cannot merely go to a drug store and ask for it. You should have a legit hand-written prescription from a licensed doctor. Although, you'll not be getting it at all the drugstores. Medical Marijuana is being allowed as a commercialized medicine in 33 states and districts of Columbia.

 

The FDA (Food and drugs association) of the United States of America has approved only a few medicines that include compounds of cannabinoids. Epidiolex containing CBD (cannabidiol) is approved by FDA to treat two rare and most severe forms of epilepsy. Lennox- Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome are the two forms of epilepsy that are managed by epidiolex.

 

Marinol and Syndros contain THC (dronabinol), and Cesamet contains synthetic THC (nabilone). Both of these are used to mellow down the after-effects of chemotherapies. However, Dronabinol is also used to regain appetite and healthy weight caused due to HIV/AIDS.

 

How To Consume Medical Marijuana?

The allopathic medicines made from cannabinoids should be taken as guided by the practitioner who prescribed it. But, to consume marijuana in raw forms, there are some ways.

 

●     You can smoke it. Rolling a joint of weed or marijuana is commonly practiced when it comes to smoking marijuana.

●     You can mix it with water in a vaporizer and can inhale the mist rising.

●     Including marijuana in some food items can also help. However, do your research well about which food products and ingredients compliments the chemical properties of marijuana.

●     Converting into a liquid form like cream or oil is useful. Applying it on your skin directly becomes comfortable with a liquid consistency. You can use medical marijuana in this way, especially to relax muscle pains.

●     Consider mixing a few drops of liquid medical marijuana with a glass of water. Consuming a diluted version can be helpful for those who are allergic to the taste of it.

 

A researcher, Bonn Miller from the University of Pennsylvania, says that how you consume weed has a direct impact on how quickly it starts showing results. For example, consuming it by smoking or using a vaporizer can have instant effects compared to consuming it orally.

 

Side-Effects of Medical Marijuana

Every coin is bound to have two sides, even the medicines have some side-effects. Every human body reacts differently to medications. The type of side-effects and intensity of them also varies from person to person. Some might face intense side-effects, while others won't even notice any. However, coming down to what type of side-effects you might face after taking medical marijuana, here is a list of some of them:

 

●     Dry mouth

●     Fatigue

●     Depression

●     Dizziness or light-headedness

●     Increased heartbeats

●     Bloodshot eyes

●     Dropped blood-pressures

●     Nausea

●     Paranoia

●     Mood Swings

 

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, medical marijuana is used to treat many severe physical illnesses. But, due to its "making high" properties, it should be taken under the proper guidance from your doctor. Many countries still haven't commercialized the use of medical marijuana. Excessive usage of it may make you addicted to it. Consuming it in low therapeutic dosages will definitely help you fight against diseases. But, consumption of it in large quantities can cause you some serious mental problems.