In recent years, the use of medical cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, has gained more acceptance as a viable treatment option for various medical conditions. Research on its efficacy has grown, helping break down the longstanding stigma and misconceptions surrounding cannabis use. As clinicians and scientific researchers have now discovered, medical cannabis provides an array of health benefits that can help improve the quality of life for countless patients worldwide.
For many patients struggling with chronic pain, medical cannabis offers a safer and potentially more effective alternative to traditional pain management methods, such as prescription opioids. In fact, a 2018 [study] found that 62.2% of medical marijuana users reported using it to treat chronic pain. Marijuana’s pain-relieving properties come from compounds called cannabinoids, primarily tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate pain perception.
Additionally, medical cannabis is widely recognized for its effectiveness in managing anxiety symptoms. The anxiolytic properties of cannabis can help patients better cope with stressors by eliciting an overall sense of relaxation and well-being. Per a [study] published in the journal Pharmacology & Therapeutics, cannabinoids such as THC and cannabidiol (CBD), another non-psychoactive cannabis compound, can promote emotional resilience and reduce anxiety.
Moreover, medical cannabis has shown promise in treating epilepsy, particularly in children and young adults with treatment-resistant forms of the disorder. Numerous clinical trials and anecdotal evidence support the efficacy of CBD in reducing seizure frequency and severity. A [study] published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2017 demonstrated that seizures in 50% of the study’s participants were reduced by 50% or more with the use of CBD.
Patients suffering from arthritis often turn to medical cannabis to find relief from joint pain, swelling, and inflammation. Research indicates that marijuana’s anti-inflammatory properties can alleviate arthritis symptoms by interacting with the body’s internal receptors responsible for maintaining a balanced immune system. A [study] published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) found that cannabinoids offer an effective anti-inflammatory treatment by suppressing immune response and activation.
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of various medical treatments, such as chemotherapy for cancer patients. Medical cannabis can provide relief from these symptoms, as it stimulates appetite and combats nausea through the release of endocannabinoids. In one [study], researchers reported that cannabis was more effective than prescription antiemetics in alleviating nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
In the realm of cancer treatment, medical cannabis presents potential benefits beyond treating nausea and vomiting. [Research] has shown that cannabinoids such as THC and CBD can induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells, inhibit angiogenesis (the growth of new blood vessels), and impede cell metastasis (the spread of cancer cells to different tissues). While more research is needed to validate these anticancer properties, medical cannabis holds promise as an adjuvant therapy to help alleviate cancer patient symptoms and possibly complement existing treatment strategies.
Overall, the growing body of evidence supporting the numerous health benefits of medical cannabis continues to strengthen its position as a viable treatment alternative for various medical conditions. Despite some lingering skepticism and barriers to research, the future of medical cannabis looks promising as more clinicians and patients explore its potential to improve health and quality of life.
