More states are now legalizing marijuana use. I’m sure a big part of the reason is the recognition that there are many health benefits for marijuana use. Here are some facts that medical research has long backed up.
Marijuana itself has more than 100 active components. THC (which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol) is the chemical that gives the “high” feeling. CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) dominant strains have little or no THC, so there is very little if any change in consciousness.
The benefits of CBD include relieving insomnia, anxiety, and even epilepsy. One particular strain of marijuana called “Charlottes’s Web” has been shown to have very profound effects in helping epilepsy. Marijuana has also been shown to help with multiple sclerosis; it is an effective muscle relaxant, it lessen tremors in Parkinson’s disease, and it helps with nerve pain in general. Patients suffering from pain and wasting syndrome associated with HIV, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease have also reported positive effects.
The most common use is for pain control. While marijuana isn’t strong enough for severe pain, it is very helpful for treating chronic pain and to relieve arthritis. And it is much safer than opiates (it is impossible to overdose on marijuana and far less addictive). Cannabis has been shown to help with insomnia because of its sedative effects. It can help with those who lack appetite; there are some medicines that will cause your leptin levels to increase, which in turn will suppress your appetite, and marijuana inhibits the production of leptin.
How to Talk with Your Doctor About Prescriptions
Be open an honest with your doctor. Let your doctor know that you would like to try marijuana-based treatments for your pain or any other issue. Marijuana, CBD, Cannabis treatments are found in many different forms, it can be used in the form of foods like brownies or rice treats, or vaped, or you can use custom rolling papers and roll a good ol’fashioned blunt.