Delve into the world of medical marijuana as we uncover its potential benefits and side effects. From managing chronic pain to alleviating symptoms of epilepsy and anxiety, discover how this controversial plant is making waves in the field of medicine. However, with its promising effects come potential risks, including impaired memory, coordination issues, and even panic attacks. Join us on this journey as we navigate through the complexities of medical marijuana, shedding light on its therapeutic potential and the precautions one must take when considering its use.”
What Is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana, or medical cannabis, utilizes the cannabis plant or its chemical compounds to address various symptoms or medical conditions. While medical marijuana typically takes similar forms to recreational marijuana, there are also highly purified and laboratory-made versions tailored for specific medical needs.
Comprising over 100 different chemicals known as cannabinoids, each has distinct effects on the body. Among them, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the primary compounds utilized in medicinal applications. THC, in particular, is responsible for the euphoric “high” sensation commonly associated with marijuana consumption.
As of 2023, a wide array of medical marijuana products has been legalized in 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia. However, it remains illegal under federal law, presenting a complex legal landscape for medical marijuana users and providers alike.
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What Is Medical Marijuana Used For?
States where medical marijuana is legal have approved it for a varying list of conditions. Depending on where you live, these might include:
- Severe and chronic pain
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- Severe nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s disease
- Glaucoma
- Migraine
- Anorexia
- Extreme weight loss and weakness (wasting syndrome)
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
It’s essential to recognize that many of the uses permitted by states lack robust scientific evidence. This is partly due to challenges faced by researchers in conducting studies on a drug that remains federally illegal, despite state permissions. Moreover, cannabis is primarily utilized to alleviate symptoms, such as muscle spasms in multiple sclerosis or appetite loss due to HIV drugs, rather than directly addressing underlying conditions.
What are the Benefits of Medical Marijuana?
Cannabinoids, the active compounds found in medical marijuana, bear similarity to the chemicals naturally produced by the body, which play roles in regulating appetite, memory, movement, and pain perception. So far, solid studies suggest that these chemicals can:
- Control vomiting in individuals undergoing cancer chemotherapy.
- Alleviate pain in conditions such as nerve damage, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Reduce muscle spasms associated with conditions like multiple sclerosis.
- Improve sleep in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or multiple sclerosis.
- Increase appetite and address weight loss in individuals with HIV and AIDS.
- Lessen tics in individuals with Tourette’s syndrome.
- Ease symptoms of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The effectiveness of medical marijuana for certain conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and addiction to other substances, remains uncertain due to insufficient evidence. Studies suggest that it may not provide significant relief for conditions like Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Similarly, while marijuana may temporarily lower eye pressure in glaucoma, its effects are not as long-lasting as those of conventional medications.
Can medical marijuana help with seizure disorders?
Medical marijuana garnered significant attention when parents reported that a particular form of the drug aided in managing seizures in their children. This led to studies demonstrating promising results, prompting the FDA to sanction Epidiolex, formulated from a purified CBD extract, as a treatment for individuals with two rare seizure disorders, Lenox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. While there isn’t an approved medical marijuana form for more prevalent epilepsy types, ongoing research is exploring broader applications.
Read Also: What Happened when cannabis is injected into Cancer cells
What are the Medical Marijuana Side Effects?
Medical marijuana carries potential risks, including an elevated risk of car accidents among intoxicated users and the possibility of accidental ingestion by children, leading to breathing issues and other overdose symptoms. Additionally, adults aged 65 and older may face a heightened risk of injury associated with marijuana use.
Other short-term effects, including some that people enjoy and others that cause distress, can include:
- Euphoria, leading to a strong sense of happiness or well-being
- Altered senses, such as seeing brighter colors or smelling stronger odors
- An altered sense of space and time
- Impaired memory and thinking
- Confusion and disorientation
- Poor muscle coordination
- Relaxation or sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Panic attacks
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Increased appetite
- Slower reaction times
- Harmful interactions with other drugs
- Hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there) or delusions (believing things that aren’t true).
Medical marijuana is used for medical purposes, while recreational marijuana is used for leisure.
Risks include car accidents, accidental ingestion by children, and injury in older adults.
Medical marijuana may not effectively treat Alzheimer’s and glaucoma.
Age restrictions vary by state for medical marijuana use.
Medical marijuana is legal in many states but illegal federally.
