The Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana
An estimated 5,461,491 Americans use medical marijuana for a variety of mental and physical health complaints. Just like synthetic drugs that are prescribed to help certain conditions, medical marijuana also has specific uses. This is due to the cannabinoids, which are a type of compound present in marijuana.
THC, which is also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, also known as cannabidiol, are two compounds in marijuana that have been studied the most for their potential health benefits. For the purpose of this article, we will use THC and CBD to describe tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.
THC is already used in two prescription medications to treat nausea. These medications include nabilone and dronabinol. In Canada, the United Kingdom, and several countries throughout Europe, a medication known as nabiximols is used for neuropathic pain and spasticity. It includes both CBD and THC.
The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS) and this is what THC and CBD utilize to provide their health benefits and other effects. Your body actually produces something similar to a cannabinoid already, referred to as endocannabinoids. Along with enzymes and receptors, these work with your ECS to help with the regulation of mood, memory, sleep, fertility and reproduction, and appetite.
Just as there are benefits of recreational usage of marijuana, there are also medical purposes for the usage of cannabis. The benefits of cannabis are not just available to those who smoke it. There are other forms so that if you do not want to smoke it, you can still take advantage of the health benefits it has to offer. You can vaporize an oil, use it topically, or ingest it via an oral solution or a pill.
Before you talk to your doctor about legally obtaining medical marijuana, you want to first explore the benefits and the associated research. This will help you to determine if this is a potential treatment for your health problems. Millions are prescribed this herb for a variety of medical conditions ranging from digestive issues to pain that interferes with their daily lives.
Why Does Medical Marijuana Work?
To put it simply, marijuana works on your nervous system and brain to alter the messages that they receive. Your body has endocannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and other areas of your body. When cannabinoids, such as THC or CBD, are introduced into your body, they bind to these receptors and this is when the message alteration begins.
The specific cannabinoid in the marijuana and how you use it will determine its effects. Just like medications, those who are prescribed marijuana are provided with information on specific strains and delivery methods to ensure that they get the desired benefits from their use of cannabis.
Medical Marijuana Health Benefits
Medical marijuana is used to treat a variety of symptoms that occur with numerous ailments. Some of the most notable include chronic pain, especially when it is caused by inflammation. Since the beneficial compounds in marijuana can travel throughout the bloodstream in the body, they are able to reach any area where pain is present.
Nausea is another symptom commonly treated by medical marijuana. It may be considered when prescription anti-nausea drugs are not ideal or causing too many side effects. Other health conditions that may benefit from the medical use of medical marijuana include:
- Seizures
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasms and tightness
- Reduced digestive function
- Alzheimer's Disease
- HIV / AIDS
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Parkinson's Disease
- Cancer
Chronic Pain
Medical marijuana is prescribed for a variety of symptoms that occur with numerous ailments. Some of the most notable include chronic pain, especially when it is caused by inflammation. Since the beneficial compounds in marijuana can travel throughout the bloodstream in the body, they are able to reach any area where pain is present.
Nausea is another symptom commonly treated by medical marijuana. It may be considered when prescription anti-nausea drugs are not ideal or causing too many side effects. Other health conditions that may benefit from the medical use of medical marijuana include:
Epilepsy
There is a medication on the market known as Epidiolex that is approved by the FDA (Food and drug administration) to treat seizures associated with certain conditions. Patients aged one year and older can use the medication. This medication is an oral solution that contains CBD.
CBD is believed to help with seizures due to its ability to affect the messaging system in the brain. By slowing down the messages, the brain is essentially able to relax and this comes with a lower risk of inducing a seizure.
There is a CBD-dominant strain called Charlotte’s Web. This strain has been proven to significantly help in treating Dravet Syndrome, which is a form of childhood epilepsy which is almost impossible to control. This is a rare and severe form of epilepsy in children, but with the use of marijuana, it is able to be controlled.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition that can affect most parts of the body. Some of the most significant symptoms include muscle spasticity and pain. Research has shown that extracts of cannabis have been helpful for reducing both the pain and spasticity associated with this condition.
Medical marijuana may also reduce inflammation. Since inflammation is a hallmark of multiple sclerosis, it may also help with other symptoms, but more research is needed to determine the efficacy.
As of October 2020, the mouth spray Nabiximols has gone into Phase III of clinical trials in the United States for the treatment of MS. The clinical trials are estimated to be completed by November of 2022. Nabiximols is also known as Sativex, and contains both tetrahydrocannabinol extract (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) extracts.
In this clinical trial, patients will be given a placebo or Nabiximols in a 1:1 ratio. The trial is entirely randomized. In the 1:1 ratio, for each patient that is given the Nabiximols, another patient is given a placebo, but the patient is unaware as to what they are given. The trial will study the patient’s daily spasm count, as well as overall symptom experiences, and the clinician’s assessment of the spasticity, overall quality of life, and many more other varying outcomes of this trial.
Glaucoma
Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition in which there is inflammation in the digestive tract. Medical marijuana may be beneficial in two ways. The first is helping with the insomnia and appetite issues that patients experience.
Secondly, one trial showed the potential for remission due to marijuana. This trial consisted of 21 patients who did not respond to other Crohn’s disease therapies. During the therapy, the participants smoked medical marijuana and it is reported that 45 percent of them experienced remission.
Crohn's Disease
When someone has glaucoma, the pressure in their eye is increased. This can lead to issues, such as reduced peripheral vision. If this condition remains untreated, blindness is possible.
It is believed that medical marijuana may reduce the symptoms of glaucoma by helping to decrease how much pressure is on your optic nerve.
The research on the usage of medical marijuana and treating glaucoma can go back to the 1970’s, and shows THC can reduce intraocular pressure. There have also been other clinical trials that show cannabinoids can reduce the intraocular pressure just as much as regular glaucoma medications, whether it is consumed via inhalation, pill forms, or eaten. The effects last as long as three to four hours shown in these clinical trials.
Cancer
Medical marijuana is also used to help aide in the treatment of Cancer as well. There are two FDA approved cannabinoid medicines – dronabinol (also known as Marinol and Syndros), and nabilone (Cesamet). These drugs help treat nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. They can also help cancer patients with the struggle of weight loss from chemotherapy.
The Difference Between THC and CBD
Marijuana has both THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which are two compounds that provide the beneficial effects. Unfortunately, these effects are also responsible for the stigma surrounding marijuana. The “high” produced by THC is viewed as bad when this is what helps people with issues like pain and anxiety.
THC binds with the cannabinoid receptors in the body. This is responsible for the euphoric feeling that THC produces. It also helps with the control of mood, pain and other sensations and feelings, and other mental health issues that can arise in someone.
You do not experience euphoria with CBD. Instead, it is believed that it works with other body elements to produce feelings of well-being. Also, the euphoric effects of THC may actually be dampened by CBD.
While both have benefits, how they manifest these benefits varies significantly. Because of this, the effects of each tend to complement each other when using products that contain both CBD and THC.
Delta 8 Benefits
Delta 8 has a variety of possible benefits. One of the biggest uses is to help control vomiting and nausea. It is said to be especially helpful when the nausea and vomiting is associated with cancer treatment or gastrointestinal disorders.
It can help with pain that is due to inflammation. Delta 8 circulates throughout the bloodstream so that the pain relief that it provides is widespread.
One major reason people use medical cannabis is to stimulate their appetite. Delta 8 also produces this effect, especially for those undergoing treatment for cancer or AIDS. The usage can help patients who struggle with weight loss while undergoing the treatments for cancer or AIDS.
Delta 8 may also help to reduce anxiety. Delta 9, when taken in high amounts, might actually increase anxiety, but delta 8 does not seem to have this effect.
What is Delta 8?
In cannabis, there are small amounts of delta 9 THC. A degraded form of this THC is delta 8. Compared to delta 9, the euphoria is about one-third less intense. Those who are seeking symptom relief without the euphoria may find delta 8 to be a favorable alternative.
The endocannabinoid system is affected in similar ways by delta 8. Like delta 9, it binds to the system’s CB1 receptors to produce its effects. Due to the lower level of euphoria, it is easier to stay alert when using delta 8.
Delta 8 is found primarily in the hemp plant, and is least abundant in cannabis. While it is found in the cannabis plant, it is more abundant in the hemp plant.
Is Delta 8 Legal?
Delta 8 is legal in some States. The psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant is unregulated at the federal level and each State has banned Delta 8 and others have allowed it. Like marijuana use, each State has come to their own conclusions. Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Utah have blocked the sales of Delta 8 in their States.
Medical Marijuana FAQ
There are certain questions that people commonly have regarding medical marijuana. Having the answers can help you to better understand it.
Why is Marijuana Legal in Some States and Not in Others?
While all states in the US have to follow federal laws, they also have the power to create their own laws that are only applicable within that state. In some states, it is only available medically while in others, you can also use marijuana for recreational use. As of May 2021, you can use medical marijuana in four territories and 36 states in the US.
The full legalization of marijuana use for recreational and medicinal use is available in 19 states, as well as Washington D.C and Guam as of June 2021.
What's the Best Way to Ingest Marijuana?
There are five primary ways to ingest marijuana. One of the most common ways to use it is via smoking. When you smoke, you can use a pipe or you can roll the marijuana up in a special type of paper. If you need to use marijuana at high doses, however, smoking is the least preferred way since it can be more difficult to get the full therapeutic dose.
Vaporizing marijuana allows you to get relief from your symptoms quickly, but like smoking, if you need very high doses, this might not be the best option. With this method, you will use a special machine to vaporize the herb.
One of the strongest ingestion methods is edible marijuana. This ingestion method allows for more usable THC in the body and it produces 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite. Compared to THC, this metabolite is up to five times more psychoactive. Because of this, the high that an edible produces is more powerful.
You can also ingest cannabis with tinctures and oils. An alcohol solvent is used to create these products. This ingestion method is recommended to those who prefer to microdose.
The last method of ingestion is raw cannabis. When you use this type of marijuana, you are able to preserve the cannabinoid acids. Smoothies and juices are the most common way to use this form of cannabis.
Does Medical Marijuana Get You High?
This depends on whether you are using 100 percent CBD or marijuana that contains THC. If you opt for a product that contains THC, you can experience psychoactive effects. The effects that you experience and their intensity depends on the concentration of THC in the product.
If you are a patient looking to avoid the effects of cannabis on the psychoactive aspect, you can always consult with someone at your dispensary on what would be best for you and your treatment options.
Does Delta 8 Have THC?
Delta 8 does not contain THC, but the compound is very similar. It is typically considered to be a type of THC. Like THC, Delta 8 binds to the same receptors to give you the effects. The effects are the same, as you still experience the type of euphoria that you get when you use THC. However, the effects may not be as strong as regular THC effects.
Summary
You can see that medical marijuana can be used for a variety of purposes. It is important to work with your doctor so that you can choose the best strain for you. You can also work with someone at your local dispensary who can give more information on certain strains, and provide you with your state laws in regards to consuming the cannabis. Make sure that you also explore the various ingestion methods so that you can choose the one that is the most favorable for you.