Over the years, more and more people are turning to marijuana as a form of treatment or therapy, especially for conditions that cause them chronic pain. In general, marijuana’s cannabinoid content helps alleviate many symptoms from different illnesses due to its cannabidiol (CBD) content. Whether people believe in the benefits of the plant or not, experts continue to see a promising future for its utilization. Choosing a strain is an important aspect of treatment, which is why you should select high quality products such as Gold Leaf, alongside expert’s advice.
Are you deciding whether you should use marijuana? This article shows you different conditions in which cannabis shows effectivity:
#1: Anxiety
A significant portion of the population feels anxious due to several factors, and it’s a regular thing. However, some cases progress, and it may cause intense dizziness, an increased heart rate, or difficulty in breathing. In a 2019 open study conducted by Shannon et al., the researchers aimed to determine if CBD can help improve anxiety and sleep. The study had a total of 72 participants that had the condition. Results showed that their anxiety scores decreased and their sleep scores improved after a month of CBD intake.
#2: Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that causes muscle spasms, moderate to chronic pain, problems in vision, issues in a patient’s balance, and many more. Although symptoms vary depending on the severity of MS, the illness still causes pain and discomfort overall. In a 2004 study conducted by Wade et al., they held a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study on patients who experienced at least one of the following symptoms: pain, spasticity, spasm, and bladder problems. Researchers used a visual analog scale (VAS) to determine a score for each participant’s primary symptom. In comparison with the placebo group, those who had an intake cannabis-based medication scored a lower VAS.
#3: Palliative Care
A patient in palliative care warrants specialized medical attention due to a severe or life-threatening illness. The goal of palliative care is to provide people with relief and to alleviate symptoms that cause pain and stress. In a 2016 study conducted by S.K. Aggarwal MD Ph.D., he concluded that the utilization of CBD in palliative care shows a possible enhancement in the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents. Also, it dramatically helped in the improvement of the patient’s quality of life. Distressing symptoms that caused pain and suffering also decrease as the treatment went on.
#4: Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a non-communicable neurological disease wherein patients experience seizures. Unfortunately, approximately ⅓ of epileptic patients do not respond to antiepileptic medications, which is why researchers continue to look for alternatives. Luckily, CBD proves to be an effective treatment. In a 2018 literature review conducted by Zaheer et al., cannabis showed more efficacy in patients with epilepsy, specifically those who are resistant to medications. Also, researchers suggest additional studies on how cannabis can help decrease the morbidity and mortality rate in said patients.
#5: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Having IBD diminishes a person’s quality of life and increases their morbidity. There are two known conditions under IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease that both cause an inflammation of the gut. This condition causes a sudden decrease in weight. In a 2012 study conducted by Lahat et al., they let patients have cannabis for a total of three months to see if the plant affected IBD symptoms. Results showed that cannabis did increase the participant’s quality of life, as well as caused weight gain in the patients.
#7: AIDS/ HIV Symptoms
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a condition wherein a virus attacks a person’s immune cells and causes a dramatic decrease in their overall immunity. This virus attack makes a person very vulnerable to catching infections and diseases. If not addressed early, HIV may continue and develop to AIDS, which can lead to death. Some symptoms of both HIV/ AIDS include loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, and anxiety. In a 2005 study conducted by Woolridge et al., the researchers aimed to address the symptoms felt by HIV/ AIDS patients by letting them intake cannabis. Results showed that 97% of the participants had an increased appetite, 94% felt a decrease in muscle pain, 93% did not experience anxiety as much, 90% had decreased nerve pain, 86% felt an alleviation from depression, and 85% noted a decrease in paresthesia.
Conclusion
Despite the disapproval from several governments worldwide, cannabis continues to be a qualified form of treatment for many diseases and their symptoms. With enough research, marijuana can be one of the most effective and high-quality medications because of the positive benefits regarding a patient’s quality of life. However, keep in mind that it’s always better to tell your doctor if you wish to start taking cannabis so that you avoid unwanted effects, especially if you’re taking medications.
