Marijuana would come from the leaves and buds of the cannabis plant. It would be pertinent to mention here that marijuana has been used for centuries as an integral aspect of herbal remedies for an array of health conditions.
The use of medical marijuana has been made legal in several states in the US. Several studies have revealed that it may be helpful in easing a majority of symptoms along with the side effects of cancer treatment.
What do you understand by medical marijuana?
Cannabinoids have been a major compound of marijuana. It could cause a drug-like effect on the user. The two of the major active compounds that have been studied much would be delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC and cannabidiol or the CBD.
It would not be wrong to suggest that THC would cause the marijuana high feel. In addition, it would also be helpful in easing the pain, inflammation, and nausea. On the other hand, CBD has been known to ease the inflammation, pain, and anxiety as well, but it does not cause the high effect.
Effects of medical marijuana on cancer treatment
Several studies have revealed the possible benefits of medical marijuana on cancer symptoms along with treating the side effects.
- Vomiting and nausea
Smoking marijuana could help you ease the side effects of cancer chemotherapy.
- Pain
Smoking marijuana would help you ease the pain related to cancer. It has been binding to cannabinoid receptors prevalent in the brain along with other parts of the body. Medical marijuana could also help in easing the inflammation. It would help with the pains as well.
- Nerve pain
In case, you wonder about neuropathy, it would be best described as weakness, pain, or numbness caused due to damage of nerves. It could happen due to chemotherapy or other kinds of cancer treatments. Several studies have been known to reveal the fact that smoking marijuana could assist in reducing this specific kind of nerve pains.
- Weight loss and appetite
The FDA approved medical marijuana drug for people suffering from loss of appetite due to AIDS would not be specifically used for cancer treatment. There have been several small studies that reveal medical marijuana could actually improve the appetite of the people suffering from cancer.
What should you expect?
Medical marijuana has been known to come in several forms inclusive of:
- Oral sprays
- Creams to be applied on the skin
- Oils for mixing or vaporizing
- Edible products
- Buds or dried leaves for smoking
Some forms of medical marijuana have been known to work better than others in fighting the symptoms of cancer or treating the side effects of cancer.
