People have been using Cannabis or Marijuana for treating their ailments for a significant length of time. Contrary to popular belief, the Food and Drug Administration has not deemed marijuana to be effective and safe for treatment of any kind of medical condition. However, cannabidiol has been present in marijuana, which received approval for treatment of some kinds of epilepsy in June 2018.
There has been ongoing tension between marijuana being an effective treatment for various kinds of ailments and lack of scientific knowledge on the effects offered by weed. Regardless, people have been directed towards legalization of weed in the recent times. Majorly, it has been due to the benefits offered by marijuana in treating several kinds of ailments.
Let us weigh on the scientific evidence that suggests medical benefits of marijuana. It would answer the most debated topic in the present times, is marijuana good or bad for health?
Understanding the medical benefits of marijuana
For a significant length of times, several researches have yielded different results suggesting the benefits of consuming marijuana for treating different ailments or conditions. Some have been listed below.
- Relieving chronic pain
In the year 2017, 10,000 scientific studies were reviewed on proposing medical benefits along with risks of marijuana consumption. They looked closely at the use of medical marijuana for treating chronic pain.
It would be pertinent to mention here that chronic pain has been leading cause of disability. It affects a large number of people across the world. Cannabinoids have been active ingredients in marijuana or products along with other available compounds acting on similar receptors in the brain as that of marijuana. They have been deemed effective at relieving chronic pain in several patients.
- Drug addiction or alcoholism
Yet another effective benefit of using marijuana is helping people with alcohol addiction. However, there might be increased risk of abuse, as excessive consumption may make people dependent on other substances.
- Social anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder and depression
Marijuana has been deemed effective in treating symptoms of mental illness. It has been used for relieving post traumatic stress disorder and depression. It could easily alleviate symptoms of social anxiety.
- Cancer
Oral cannabinoids have been largely effective against vomiting and nausea caused by chemotherapy. In addition, smoked marijuana would be largely helpful in alleviating these symptoms.
Some studies revealed that cannabinoids may be helpful in slowing growth or killing most kinds of cancer.
