Medical Marijuana: Top List of Things You Should Know

Marijuana has been known to mankind for a long time, but its usefulness still raises lots of questions. Is it really helpful in treating various ailments and conditions, or it’s just a ploy to legalize it and spread it to the masses? In this article, we’ll try to answer all these questions, as well as shed light on what medical mari###na is and what types of medical mari###na exist.

What Is It?

Medical mari###na, or medical cannabis as it’s also called, is derived from the Sativa dominant plant and is mainly used as a remedy for pain control. It’s already legal in 37 states, and with all the support it’s getting from the Americans today, it’s very likely that we’ll soon see it making its way onto every drugstore shelf. So far, the FDA has only approved a few cannabis-related products which they consider safe for treating a number of health conditions.

Key Ingredients

So, what are the ingredients in medical mari###na? As is typical of any weed, medical mari###na products contain cannabinoids. There are all sorts of cannabinoids that can be found in the contents of mari###na, but two of the ones with health effects are THC and CBD. The former delivers psychoactive effects, while the latter accentuates them.

Forms of Medical Marijuana

Medical mari###na can be taken in a variety of different ways, including capsules, pills, drops, and mouth sprays, smoking the buds out of pipes, or adding it to food or your favorite beverages. Depending on which form you choose, its effects may vary slightly. However, all forms have mind-altering effects and can give you a feeling of euphoria, improve your mood, sharpen your senses, and envelop you in soothing relaxation.

How It Works in Your Body

Isn’t it miraculous how a small plant like this can alter your mind and change your perception of the world just like that? Unfortunately, though, clinical research on the effects of medical marijuanas products on human brain cells is still rather limited. What is known is that there are certain areas in our brains with cannabinoid receptors that bind to mari###na chemicals, leading to a variety of reactions.

What Does It Treat?

While you may not be allowed to use mari###na for each and every ailment, there are certain conditions where it can be prescribed as part of your treatment. Quite often, physicians recommend that patients undergoing chemotherapy take it to stop vomiting and reduce pain. It can also be used to help with bipolar disorders, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, stress, as well as chronic fatigue.

Are There Risks?

Even though it’s still unclear whether mari###na does more good than harm, some of its adverse reactions make it risky for certain people. If taken in a large dose, some consumers may feel dizzy and tired, while others may get cognition problems and even end up with a paranoid attack. Besides, mari###na may cause breathing issues when inhaled or vaporized, leading to cough and bronchitis. Therefore, it is best to take it with caution and increase your dose only when you know how it’s affecting you.

FDA-Approved Versions

Now, to the FDA-approved versions of medical mari###na products. As we’ve already mentioned, there aren’t many of them. Only a few synthetic versions have been approved by the FDA, including Marinol, Epidolex, Cesamet, and Syndros. Drug products containing these cannabidiols are considered safe and can help with treating a number of health conditions and illnesses such as nausea, epilepsy, loss of appetite, stress, and pains.

Laws in Conflict

Not all countries are cannabis-friendly. Having said that, there are also plenty of those that have already legalized its medical use, including Australia, Cyprus, Canada, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Thailand, Poland, Peru, and many others. In the USA alone, 37 states allow the consumption of recreational weed  for medical purposes. However, things are still a little hairy because the Transportation Security Administration considers mari###na an illegal drug and won’t let you take it on a plane, even if it’s been prescribed to you by your physician.

How Do You Get It?

If you’ve got a qualifying condition that can be treated with medical mari###na products, the best and easiest way to get the weed would be to go and speak with your doctor. Depending on your diagnosis, you’d be advised a product that would best work for you. You may also be able to purchase cannabis at local or weed dispensaries from vendors who make quality their priority.

Do People Become Addicted to It?

There’s no clear evidence of whether consuming mari###na entails the risk of addiction. However, it’s quite obvious that if you use it more often than necessary and do so to get high, you may become dependent on it, which is about as bad as taking a drug. So, just as with everything, the measure is a treasure.

Conclusion

All told, even though there’s no clinical research proving the benefits of mari###na, this herb has been widely used for the treatment of various health conditions for centuries. The most common illnesses and health conditions that can be treated with it include epilepsy, pain, muscle spasms, bipolar disorders, Alzheimer’s, stress, depression, insomnia, and loss of appetite. At the same time, some states still consider it an illegal product, so before you start taking it, it’s highly recommended that you check your laws first to see if you’re allowed to do so.