Which Chronic Ailments Can be Managed With Medical Marijuana?

Today, medical use of cannabis is gaining popularity. Cannabis has shown its effectiveness in the management of several health issues and chronic ailments are major among them. From anxiety to chronic pain, the green herb has been able to prove itself as a great contender against prescription medications.


Wondering if you can use cannabis too? Let’s see how medical marijuana helps in the management of several chronic ailments.

 
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Past traumatic stress disorder or PTSD is an anxiety disorder that is generally developed after a person experiences or witnesses a trauma inducing event. This is followed by a series of disturbing thoughts that often linger years after the event has occurred.


Several patients report feeling relief from PTSD symptoms after consuming medical cannabis. Certain studies suggest that cannabinoids can affect the amygdala which is a part of the brain that determines fear responses. Besides experimental studies, anecdotal evidence from PTSD patients suggest that they find cannabis to be far more helpful than other medications.


However, physicians at California Marijuana Doctors suggest that all those hoping to use cannabis for medical reasons should consult a licensed professional first. Applying for an MMJ card in California can help a patient start the right way and also be within the legal obligations set by the state’s medical marijuana program.

 
Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry and uneasiness usually related to the upcoming events and uncertain situations. It can work as a motivator for a short time but a long exposure to it can completely disturb the life of an individual. A patient experiences many mild to debilitating symptoms of anxiety in their body. Marijuana provides a great effect in management of anxiety. It provides relaxing and calming effects to the patient.


As per a 2015 review, CBD has the potential to be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. It relaxes the body and calms anxious thoughts leading to a better state of mind.

 
Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. It mainly takes effect at old age and disrupts one's ability to talk, think and move. A person suffering from AD finds difficulty in movement and also is not able to make decisions. If the symptoms become more severe, it can even result in the death of the patient.


Cannabis can help manage the condition by providing symptomatic relief. It improves the mood of the patient and alleviates anxiety. The anti-inflammatory property of CBD prevents brain inflammation and helps in easing the symptoms such as loss of appetite, nausea, and anxiety.


Also Read: 7 Things Your Medical Marijuana California Doctors Want You To Know

Arthritis

Arthritis is a medical condition that affects the joints. It can lead to joint pain and disease that can only be managed with proper medication and care. In the United States, 24% of adults have arthritis. While it is generally associated with older people, people of all ages including children also suffer from it. Joint pain or inflammation is the most common symptom of arthritis. The other symptoms include swollen joints, fatigue, loss of appetite, and joint stiffness. The use of cannabis topical is very effective in getting relief from these symptoms. CBD provides relaxation to the body and reduces stiffness.

 
Chronic Pain

Generally, sudden pain or aches in the body are a reaction of the nerve system that alerts you about some injury or other problem in your body. But, chronic pain is different. Chronic pain affects the movement of the body, reduces flexibility, and strength. A person suffering from chronic pain finds difficulty in performing daily life tasks and activities. Use of medical marijuana is one of the best alternatives for the management of chronic pain. In fact, it is one of the most common medical conditions for which patients apply for a medical marijuana card in California. The CBD content present in marijuana offers therapeutic and healing properties that provide relaxing effects and help in pain relief.

 
Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder that causes uncontrollable and undesired movements in the body. The person suffering from it finds difficulty in movement, balancing and coordination. The symptoms of the disease develop gradually in the patient.

There are several available treatments for PD and medical marijuana is one of them. It helps in the management of several symptoms of PD such as pain, inflammation, sleeping disorder, anxiety and stiffness. Medical marijuana provides such benefits because it contains cannabinoids that interact with neurotransmitters and other body parts. Marijuana helps to balance the level of dopamine hormones which is responsible for smooth movements in the body. The lack of these hormones is the major cause of PD.

Conclusion

Marijuana provides a wide range of health benefits and it is very effective in the management of chronic ailments. As discussed already, the list includes several chronic and severe medical conditions. While cannabis may not be a cure, it is definitely a way for patients to achieve symptomatic relief. If you or someone you know is considering using medical marijuana for medical conditions discussed above, do contact a licensed physician and discuss the same.