Using marijuana for medical purposes can refer to various means. It can either mean using the entire, unprocessed marijuana plant or extracting its compounds. The chemicals found in marijuana are called cannabinoids, and a lot of scientific research is going on to prove the full capabilities of these compounds. Some of the completed results show that these chemicals can treat ailments and even relieve pain.
Marijuana has not been approved as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), yet two medications that contain cannabinoids in pill form have been approved. This act makes a lot of people wonder why the plant receives mixed reactions when it has positive impacts. People from different nations campaign for marijuana to be a legal form of medication. This is because its contents treat a wide range of symptoms and illnesses.
Here is more useful information on the cannabis and its compounds:
Marijuana Compounds
i. Tetrahydrocannabinol
The two main chemicals in the marijuana plant, THC and CBD, can be used for medical purposes. THC stands for Tetrahydrocannabidiol and is a psychoactive compound. It can help with nausea and lack of appetite. Many patients with a lack of appetite have shown significant signs after taking THC. This compound can also help decrease pain and inflammation. It can be used to reduce muscle control problems, as well.
ii. Cannabidiol
If you do not want to feel the psychoactive effects, CBD should be your preferred choice. CBD stands for Cannabidiol, and unlike THC, it is a non-psychoactive compound, which means it has no “high” sensation. It is only intended for medical use and not for any recreational purposes. It can help in reducing pain and inflammation, treating mental illnesses, and addiction. CBD can also be used to improve the heart’s health.
The compound can also increase mental health because it helps increase concentration and focus. A cannabidiol product that was approved by the FDA is a CBD-based liquid called Epidiolex and is used for the treatment of Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. These two syndromes are forms of severe childhood epilepsy.
Conclusion
Many illnesses can be treated by hemp, and that makes the plant a medical wonder. With research still ongoing to find out which other uses of marijuana are available, the plant has proved to be a herb with many advantages. Experiments have been done on rodents and have shown that marijuana compounds, specifically CBD, help kill certain cancer cells or reduce their sizes. Marijuana users confidently talk about the miraculous wonders the plant has done for them every time they advocate for its legalization.
Marijuana has been known as a natural remedy even from the olden days. Back then, it was used for its fiber, as a food source and medicine. It is still an effective treatment in this age, and discussions are being held worldwide to make it legal for both medical and recreational use.