What are the Major Health Benefits of Medical Cannabis?

For a while now, cannabis has been a potent medicinal plant that plays a huge role in preventing, managing and even curing many health problems. From treating health hazards like arthritis, gout and cancer to being a psychoactive agent that it only considered legal in some states, cannabis has proven to be good for a person’s mental and physical health. Below are a few of the major benefits of medical cannabis affirming its therapeutic properties.

Medical Cannabis Subdues Aggressive Tumors

A study published in 2007 found that CBD can prevent cancer cells from spreading, ultimately subduing the aggressiveness of tumors. This study focused on the growth of breast cancer, but has found to also work with many kinds of aggressive cancers like prostate and brain. Another study showed a significant decrease in tumor cell proliferation among cancer patients treated with THC. The effects, though, are not statistically significant, so a large-scale clinical trial is needed to get viable results.

Medical Cannabis Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s

The active compound THC can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. One study among mice suggests that THC blocks a specific enzyme in the brain, decelerating the formation of amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques kill brain cells, which eventually leads to dementia. With the proper dosing of THC and CBD, health experts can create a potential therapy for dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Medical Cannabis Aids Glaucoma Patients

Glaucoma is a medical condition where there is an increased pressure on the eyeball, leading to optic nerve injury and ultimately vision loss. Numerous studies have proven that cannabis can treat glaucoma because it lowers pressure on the eyeball. In fact, almost all states where medical cannabis is legal have included glaucoma on its list of qualified medical conditions. We are now seeing companies developing glaucoma treatments with the use of cannabinoids.

Medical CannabisOffers Comfort from Arthritis

A cannabis-based drug offers therapeutic effects among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A clinical trial was conducted with 58 pre-screened arthritis patients, where they were divided into two groups – one was given the placebo and the other the cannabis-based drug. After five weeks, the patients experienced a significant drop in their pain levels. They were also able to sleep better after the trial.

Medical Cannabis Controls Epileptic Seizures

One study found that cannabis is effective in treating epileptic seizures. A cannabis-based extract was administered to epileptic rats and it stopped the seizures in just 10 hours. According to the results, THC binds the brain cells that control excitability and helps regulate relaxation. CBD is also a great alternative in controlling epileptic seizures. In fact, a CBD-based drug has been approved by the FDS for treating epilepsy.

Medical Cannabis Relieves Multiple Sclerosis

A study was conducted on thirty multiple sclerosis patients suffering from painful muscle contractions and did not positively respond to other medication. They were randomly grouped for cannabis and placebo treatments to study its effects on their conditions. The results of the study showed that the patients treated with cannabis felt less pain without any evidence of cognitive impairment.

Medical Cannabis Helps Patients with Parkinson’s

The neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson’s affects the motor system, leading to shaking, rigidity, imbalance and walking difficulties. Numerous research studies evaluate the effects of THC and CBD as a possible treatment for this disease. A recent survey that asked patients the effect of cannabis on their Parkinson’s symptoms showed that there is a significant decrease in tremors, pain, stiffness and depression.

The health benefits of medical cannabis are already apparent, but this drug still has a long way to go before it can be freely used as a prescribed drug. Cannabis’s THC and CBD possess healing properties that help so many people, and are slowly redefining the image of this drug. More clinical trials might still be needed to prove its dependability, but it cannot be denied that medical cannabis programs are of big help in promoting good health.