What Ailments Are Commonly Treated With Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana – it’s a controversial subject here in the United States. While 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized this “alternative” form of treatment, many Americans remain wary of the potential health benefits of cannabis. Can a drug that is commonly used for recreational purposes really do the body good? The answer, according to medical marijuana doctors in Florida, is “Yes.”

Marijuana can be used to treat a wide variety of symptoms and ailments. Below are four very common examples.

Chronic Pain
A whole 80% of new heroin users begin by misusing prescription painkillers. That is why so many medical marijuana advocates are pushing for legalization. Legal medical marijuana is often used for pain management. When one consumes cannabis, the body produces molecules that interact with our CB1 and CB2 receptors. This interaction leads to a euphoric state that dulls the senses to certain pain-inducing symptoms. Perhaps a more widespread use of medical marijuana for pain management would reduce the instances of prescription painkiller abuse, lowering the rates of addiction and death by heroin overdose.

Nausea and Vomiting
The two FDA-approved marijuana drugs used in the U.S., dronabinol and nabilone, are known to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Many cancer patients have found that, when taken orally, this form of cannabis actually works just as well or even better than other FDA-approved drugs.

Severe Weight Loss
Medical marijuana can also be used to stimulate appetite. Studies conducted by the National Cancer Institute have shown that the consumption of cannabis can lead to a greater intake of calories in both humans and animals. This is highly beneficial for individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Sleep Disorders
Cannabis has also been proven to reduce anxiety and relieve patients of certain sleep disorders like insomnia. The National Cancer Institute tested the effectiveness of marijuana, revealing that subjects who inhaled the substance experienced “improved mood, improved sense of well-being and less anxiety.” Furthermore, subjects who used a cannabis plant extract spray orally reported better quality sleep.

Are you or a loved one suffering from any of the symptoms listed above? For more information on how cannabis can help, contact medical marijuana doctors in Florida today.