10 Illnesses that Respond Well to Medical Marijuana.

By, Lauraine Kanders, ANP, ACNP-BC

Medical cannabis is now legal in 33 US states. You must realize that cannabis is still federally prohibited, so there must be a great underlying factor for these states to have legislated it for medical usage. In plain words, there are numerous diseases and symptoms for which medicinal marijuana assists substantially.

1. Crohn’s Disease

Numerous research studies have shown promising outcomes where medical cannabis eases the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders, such as Crohn's. Marijuana or Cannabis consists of cannabinoids which trigger a receptor referred to as CB2 - this is believed to help decrease inflammation in the GI tract in addition to minimizing pain, discomfort and swelling.

2. Chronic Pain

To record, chronic pain constitutes the single biggest use of medical marijuana. Marijuana obstructs biochemical pain pathways in the central nervous system. What's helpful and interesting is that it does this through a different neuro-chemical signaling system than the one activated by opiates. Given that they are acting in completely different ways, opiates and marijuana can act together as complementary analgesic medications.

3. Serious Nausea

Another longest standing use for medical cannabis has been for nausea and vomiting alleviation, commonly experienced by patients in post cancer chemo or radiation therapy. Utilizing cannabis for this can have remarkable results. Medical marijuana has been shown to allow subjects to gain 40 to 50 pounds, and not lose body weight post such therapy.

4. Severe Muscle Spasms

There are standard medications available by prescription for these symptoms, but many are a problematic source of weakness and drowsiness for patients. Muscle spasms occur when clients tense reflexively and involuntarily resist stretching. Patients using medical marijuana for lowering muscle spasticity and pain have found significant relief in many cases.

5. Cancer

Medical marijuana can help cancer patients in five different ways. It suppresses vomiting sensations, suppresses throwing up, increases hunger, provides pain relief, and relaxes during stress or anxiety.

6. Glaucoma

The research is still not clear on precisely how cannabinoids in medical marijuana reduce Intraocular pressure. They have been shown to minimize Intra-ocular pressure for about 4 hours depending on dosage.

7. Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome

Over half of cancer patients show a pronounced weight-loss of lean body mass which can appear as wasting (or cachexia, as it is called in medical parlance). AIDS patients might experience such wasting, too. THC (a cannabinoid) may enable patients to put on forty to fifty pounds. In addition, studies have shown that patients on medical marijuana high in THC are over three times more likely to comply with their anti-retroviral medication program.

8. ALS

The cannabinoids in medical marijuana might protect against glutamate toxicity, too. This might be really helpful because ALS causes excessive glutamate in the brain tissue, (cerebro) spinal fluid, and serum of those affected. By lowering the intensity of glutamate toxicity levels, there is a clinical possibility that marijuana may have a neuro-protective impact. In addition, clients describe relief of discomfort and spasms, restoration of hunger or appetite, and less drooling issues which is a common problem with ALS.

9. HIV and AIDS

There can be a marked loss of appetite in AIDS and HIV patients undergoing a medical regimen. Medical Marijuana is understood to stimulate hunger which is crucial to AIDS clients' care and progress.

10. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

MS patients commonly report that medical marijuana relieves symptoms of spasticity, tremors, imbalance, depression, and fatigue.

In Conclusion

Despite some last vestiges of social stigma and legal concerns concerning marijuana, the mounting evidence in support of its medical applications cannot be ignored. The good news is, there is a growing trend towards more states legitimizing its usage for incapacitated and qualified patients as per their individual requirement. The first step is to get in contact with a Medical Marijuana practitioner who can certify you to become a registered patient in the medical marijuana program in your home state.

At Med Cards NY, we provide our visitors with online video chats to become certified for Medical Marijuana in New York State. Our group of NPs and doctors strive towards helping get certified. Click here to see if you qualify!