States are legalizing cannabis one after the other now. The federal government is drafting policies to free the herb too. Soon, there will be a marijuana dispensary or several in every state. For medical users, this is especially good news. The therapeutic benefits of weed are what triggered legalization in the first place. Although loved recreationally, amid the hype it becomes easy to forget this important fact.
Health Benefits of Cannabis
Worldwide, governments must recognize the abundance of evidence available. Proof shows clearly the medical effects of cannabinoids. Anecdotal stories abound too, reports of life-changing improvements to health. Daily, researchers find new uses for marijuana. In order to spread further awareness, we discuss five diseases you can treat effectively with weed, although many, many more exist too:
1. Pain and Inflammation
Inflammation is a leading cause of most disease today. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, inflammation is responsible for multiple sclerosis, arthritis, gastrointestinal issues, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and too many to name. Studies are showing cannabis, with its abundance of compounds, very capable of treating inflammation and reducing associated pain.
Research is still ongoing, with more needed. While many studies support this evidence, existing medical lore still focuses primarily on anecdotal evidence and significant life changes. This is true even for recreational users. The need for more study is obvious, but with federal law still calling cannabis illegal, researchers face too much red tape.
2. Obesity
Although “munchies” is a common side effect of using marijuana, weed users are strangely slim. Slimmer than non-users in any case, according to the Oxford Academic. Evidence suggests that those who use weed are generally thinner and healthier than their non-using counterparts are. Other studies corroborate these claims. Further, one can see that users suffer less from obesity-related diseases.
Back in 2011, when this study came out, it quickly caused controversy in the cannabis community. It showed 37 percent less fat on users than those who do not. To use marijuana as an aid in losing weight can have far-reaching implications. Good ones. What is more, data shows weed keeping the weight off too. If those using cannabis regularly were notably less obese, then using it as such would make sense.
While various lifestyle choices will influence the results of such study, another study, independently published in the American Journal of Medicine, gives credence to these claims. It shows cannabis users having lower insulin levels than non-users did. This finding is huge. Because diabetes affects over 30 million people in the United States each year, with millions pre-diabetic too, it can change society.
3. Epilepsy and Seizure-Related Disorders
Since anecdotal evidence overwhelmingly proves cannabis able to stop seizures in epileptic patients, this fact is difficult to ignore. In fact, its ability to treat epilepsy and related disorders is likely its most recognizable use. Cannabis therapy can really help patients with Dravet’s Syndrome and other seizure disorders to thrive. Almost all report a reduction in both seizure frequency and intensity.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the main compound responsible for the effective treatment of seizures. Since marijuana contains many cannabinoids, along with terpenes and others, it actually treats seizures in a few different ways. Linalool, according to the Hindawi Journal, is but one terpene with powerful anticonvulsant effects. There are others too. Many others. All are compatible with each other.
4. Respiratory Diseases
Everybody knows the harms of tobacco smoke. However, unlike cigarettes, weed smoke actually heals damage caused by smoke inhalation. It also improves lung function and expands lung capacity overall. This is because cannabis is expectorant, as the U.S. National Library of Medicine explains. It clears mucus, all while targeting inflammation, a likely root cause.
Further, studies show that inhaling weed smoke has no adverse respiratory effects. In moderation, of course. In fact, results suggest that in low doses, this smoke improves lung health in all users, both medical and recreational. There is more good news too: THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a capable bronchodilator. It opens the passageways and lungs, easing breathing in asthma patients. In everyone.
5. Cancer
Deciding to undergo cancer treatment is not an easy choice to make. Radiation and chemotherapy have horrible, life-altering effects. For some, treatment is almost as bad as the disease itself, at least regarding quality of life. Cannabis can help. Significantly. According to Leiden University’s Department of Plant Metabolomics, marijuana has the cannabinoids needed to help treat cancer. In abundance.
Anticancer properties exist in the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids of cannabis plants. Studies show them killing cancer cells in laboratory tests. What is more, weed also prevents metastasis, or its further spread. It also shrinks cancerous tumors. Notably. These compounds work together, synergistically, to help treat cancer itself, as well as boost appetite and improve sleep to aid treatment.
Visit a Los Angeles Marijuana Dispensary
Since studies clearly show cannabis useful in treating most disease, it is unsurprising that the medical community focuses so much on it. It works in tandem with existing treatments too, boosting their efficacy and making side effects easier to bear, like with cancer. Search “marijuana delivery near me” to find medical-grade cannabis in Los Angeles. The only way to know if it will help you is to try it firsthand.
