10 Diseases That Can Be Treated By Cannabis

05.04.2020 WELLNESS 1.0 0

cannabis

Cannabis is a substance that doesn't require any introduction. It is prevalent and now legal in Canada and the majority of states in the US in one form or another. However, you might be wondering why this sudden change in the perception of this drug? What was once considered to be a hazardous and addictive gateway drug is now approved by the FDA and legalized in most states. Why did that happen?

Well, the answer is, it happened because of the medicinal benefits of the drug. Many studies over the last couple of decades have proved the diverse medical applications of marijuana; however, most people still only know cannabis for its recreational uses. Therefore, to raise awareness about medical marijuana, I will tell you about some of its most prominent medical benefits. Here is a list of ailments and disorders that can be treated using marijuana.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common forms of disability among senior citizens all over the world. It is excruciating and weighs heavily on the quality of their life. Though opioid painkillers are used to treat the pain, they aren't a viable solution for long-term use, because of their side effects. Moreover, your body can develop a tolerance to painkillers, which means your need to up the dosage as well.

Marijuana is a great alternative solution as it can counter pain and decrease joint inflammation, which is one of the primary causes of arthritis. Therefore, if you or anyone else in your family is suffering from chronic pain, try out cannabis for relief.

Stress

Stress is a severe disorder for all age groups. Not only does it adversely affect our immune system and cause discomfort, but it also increases the risk of various diseases, some of which can even be terminal.

Studies have shown that stress increases the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, depression, anxiety, and many other problems. However, cannabis works quite effectively in countering stress. The cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant can interact with our natural endocannabinoid system and trigger the release of dopamine, which is an anti-stress hormone.

Therefore, try using cannabis to fight your day to day stress.

Depression

Depression is nothing like normal sadness or mood swings; it is extremely severe, and at its worst, it can make it difficult for people to even get out of bed. Depression can make life unbearable, and it can also lead to self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Antidepressants are commonly used for the treatment of depression, but they have many adverse side effects, and you can also develop a dependency on them. However, marijuana is quite effective in uplifting your mood, and it can be used in the treatment of depression.

Cannabis triggers the release of dopamine in your body and helps you relax so that you can attend your therapy sessions more easily.

Diabetes

Depression is another common disorder, for which the use of cannabis can be beneficial. Various studies have shown that cannabis can be quite helpful in treating diabetes. It can stabilize your blood sugar levels by boosting your metabolism, and it can also be useful in countering arterial inflammation that is commonly faced by diabetic patients.

Asthma

Though cannabis may seem like an unlikely solution in the case of asthma, who says that you have to smoke it. Cannabis can decrease inflammation in the respiratory tract of asthma patients, but instead of burning it, you can use cannabis in a vape or use edibles.

Check out green society to learn more about cannabis products and edibles

Dementia

With old age, our bodies start to deteriorate, and mental deterioration diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's are a severe concern for many people. Though these diseases are irreversible, studies have shown that cannabis can be helpful in their prevention.

Certain strains of cannabis are known to boost your creativity, and they also help you counter stress and depression, which can take a toll on your mind and contribute to its deterioration.

Therefore, use cannabis for the prevention of mental deterioration diseases.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a severe disease that adversely affects the brain and spinal cord. It can induce pain, spasms, vision problems, and many other issues for the patient.

However, studies have shown that cannabis can help reduce the frequency of muscle spasms caused due to multiple sclerosis. By reducing stress and improving blood flow cannabis allows muscles to communicate with the brain more efficiently.

Insomnia

An unhealthy sleep cycle can cause various problems for our mental and physical health. Moreover, it has a detrimental effect on our careers. Insomnia is a common problem, and most people use sleeping medication to counter it.

However, these meds have various side effects, and they aren't suitable for long term use. However, cannabis is a great alternative.

Stress is one of the primary causes of insomnia, and by countering stress and anxiety, cannabis makes it easier to sleep. Moreover, certain THC-dominant strains are also known to relax your muscles and make you tired.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve and can cause high pressure in your eyes. It is the most common cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. Studies have shown that cannabis can be useful in the treatment of glaucoma.

Cannabis can decrease your blood pressure, and it can reduce inflammation of the optic nerve, which provides you relief from the discomfort of glaucoma and saves you from temporary blindness.

Sciatica pain

Sciatica is a condition in which pain is experienced in the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from your back, down both legs. If this nerve is damaged for any reason, it can get harrowing and make it difficult for you to walk around.

Cannabis can be beneficial in the treatment of sciatic pain as it is a natural analgesic that can numb severe pain without any long-lasting adverse side effects.

To sum it all up, cannabis is much more than just a recreational drug; it has various medicinal benefits that have been mentioned in this post. I hope you found this post helpful and informative.

Written by Carolina Martel

About the Author

Currently a student of English Literature, in her final years, Carolina Martel is passionate about writing her thoughts in words. She takes up writing projects in her leisure time to accompany her studies. Generally, she understands the essence of writing on every topic but especially those that relate to her field. She regularly writes at https://shadedco.com/.