A New Way to Treat Old Diseases

Medical Marijuana is becoming more and more popular as an alternative treatment for some diseases and their associated side effects. As new countries legalize the use of cannabis as medicine, patients are finding relief from a number of previously unbearable illnesses.

The plant, known as Cannabis sativa, consists of chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids interact with receptors in the brain to regulate important body functions such as movement, feelings and reactions. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol) are among the most popular cannabinoids found in marijuana. THC is the chemical that causes the "high" feeling many users experience and also offers pain relief. CBD does not have any psychoactive effects but provides medicinal benefits.

Marijuana has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years. But because of its legal status, its popularity as a medical treatment decreased over the years. Now that medical cannabis is becoming more widely accepted, studies show that it has various healing properties and can be effective at treating a number of debilitating diseases. Visit a website about medical marijuana services to learn more about medical marijuana as an alternate treatment for these debilitating diseases.

Arthritis - One of the most common uses of medical marijuana is to help alleviate extreme joint and muscle pain caused by arthritis. The plant contains anti-inflammatory compounds which provide pain relief and work to lessen inflammation. It has also been helpful in alleviating chronic pain from a number of other conditions such as migraines, fibromyalgia and spinal cord injuries.

Nausea / Appetite Stimulant - Studies have shown that marijuana is extremely effective as a treatment for the nausea and appetite loss that accompanies chemotherapy and HIV/Aids. The FDA has approved Dronabinol and Nabilone, two synthetic cannabis drugs which have shown better results than many other medical treatments.

Epilepsy - Marijuana has proven effective at controlling epileptic seizures. Cannabinoids found in marijuana bind to the brain cells responsible for controlling excitability and relaxation. Studies on animals showed that both synthetic and natural versions of the drug could keep seizures at bay for up to 10 hours. It can also have similar effects on muscle spasms resulting from Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The synthetic drug Sativex has been approved in 25 countries to help treat the painful spasms caused by MS.

Alzheimer’s Disease - Some reports indicate that medical marijuana can help relieve common Alzheimer’s symptoms such as aggression and anxiety. It can also be a useful tool to help agitated patients to relax and remain calm. The cannabinoid THC slows the formation of plaques that kill brain cells and cause Alzheimer’s disease.

Crohn's Disease - A 2013 trial in Israel tested medical marijuana on patients who did not respond to traditional therapies. Results showed that symptoms were significantly reduced in 10 out of 11 patients. A complete remission of the disease was reported for 45% of those in the trial. Unfortunately, the disease returned when patients stopped using marijuana.

Glaucoma - Increased pressure in the eye can cause damage of the optic nerve and lead to blindness if left untreated. Marijuana can help lower optic eye pressure for short periods of time.