Treat These Health Conditions With Medical Cannabis

Posted by elevele on December 27th, 2019

Over the past decade, public perception of marijuana has rapidly changed. This is most likely due to various scientific studies that show the effectiveness of its therapeutic properties. Some health conditions that medical cannabis can help treat include the following:

Arthritic Pain

Arthritis is a debilitating condition that involves stiffness and swelling in and around one or more joints. Affecting people regardless of their age, gender, and race, it usually results in chronic pain and limited range of motion.

Certain marijuana strains, such as Pennywise and Harlequin, can help those who are suffering from this disease. The former is great for relieving pain, while the latter helps a patient relax without being sedated.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis, will benefit from cannabis use. It works by introducing chemicals into the body that mimic the signals used to regulate gut inflammation.

Glaucoma

A serious disease that causes blindness, glaucoma occurs when the pressure inside the eye is higher than normal. Some traditional treatments, such as laser treatment and surgery, aren't effective for many patients, causing them to seek alternative therapies.

Smoking marijuana is one of the alternatives for treating glaucoma. One of its compounds, known as cannabinoids, is said to be effective in reducing intraocular pressure (IOP).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The calming effect of marijuana makes it a great alternative to PTSD treatment. It relaxes the user without the foggy mental state usually caused by antidepressants. 

Alzheimer's Disease

The common cause of dementia, Alzheimer's disease creates biological changes in the brain that diminishes the patient's memory and thinking skills. It also affects the person's ability to carry out even the simplest tasks.

Studies show that medical marijuana can help impede the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It prevents the formation of amyloid plaques, which are responsible for destroying the connections between nerve cells in the patient's brain.  

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

THC, an active ingredient found in marijuana, has been discovered to be effective in stopping the spread of HIV in the body and ease its symptoms. As a result, it keeps the virus from progressing into acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Medical marijuana can be either ingested or inhaled. It's also usually dissolved and used as a spray or applied topically as a cream. Depending on its form, the rate at which its effects are felt can vary. For more information about its health benefits, consider visiting a cannabis dispensary in Highland Park, IL.