Most people know that medical marijuana has been used for many years to help sufferers of chronic pain to get relief, but what other medical benefits are there for using this natural drug?
Here are 10 unexpected uses for medical marijuana that you may not be aware of.
1. Skin Problems
Our skin has large numbers of cannabinoid receptors. Cannabinoid receptors are cell membranes present throughout the body and are part of the Endocannabinoid system. This is involved in a number of physiological processes which include appetite, pain, mood and memory.
Because of these receptors, the topical application of cannabis oil has been found to relieve acne, itching and inflammation. Studies are also being conducted to see whether the oil can be helpful in treating eczema and psoriasis.
2. Relieving Asthma
The endocannabinoid system in our bodies regulates muscle spasms and dilation of the airways. Because medical cannabis is a muscle relaxant it has been proven to aid recovery from acute asthma attacks by dilating the air passages in the lungs. CBD oil in particular has been shown to have great effects on the symptoms of asthma.
3. Diabetes
Studies have found that cannabis users have healthier levels of insulin than non-users. Further studies are being conducted to ascertain whether cannabis can be used as a treatment for diabetes sufferers.
4. Alzheimer’s
Research into what causes Alzheimer’s has indicated that it may be caused by the build up of plaque and tangled fibres of protein in the nervous system. Cannabis has been found to reduce this build up and could be useful as a treatment.
5. Relief from Cancer Symptoms
While it has not been medically proven that cannabis has anti-tumour properties, it can provide relief of some of the symptoms associated with cancer such as depression, pain and nausea from treatments.
6. Gastro-intestinal Problems
Because medical cannabis relieves pain and inflammation along the digestive tract, it can be useful in treating various gastrointestinal problems such as Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. It also helps to stimulate appetite which can mean that people who suffer from these conditions are able to maintain a healthy weight.
7. Glaucoma
Glaucoma raises the pressure within the eye often resulting in blindness. Cannabis has been found to reduce this pressure and is being used to treat this condition.
8. Anxiety
Due to its relaxant properties, cannabis soothes the nervous system and helps it to calm down. This can be especially useful for people who suffer from anxiety.
9. Relieving Muscle Cramps and Spasms
Because cannabis is a muscle relaxant it can be very useful in reducing muscle cramps and spasms. This is particularly helpful for people who like to exercise regularly but are unable to do so because the pain associated with these cramps makes it too difficult.
10. Can Alleviate Depression
As previously stated, the endocannabinoid system regulates our moods. Therefore, using cannabis can have an uplifting effect on our system and is very useful in alleviating feelings of depression.
And the good news is that medical cannabis does not produce the high that is generally associated with using marijuana. This is because the psychoactive properties have been removed. Therefore, daily activities like driving and operating machinery are not affected and senses are not dulled with the use of medical cannabis.
Originally posted on May 18, 2017 @ 3:52 am
