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Cannabis’ Medicinal Benefits For Serious Diseases
Cannabis, while only recently legalized medically, has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. The first documented use of cannabis as a medicine goes back to 2700 BC, when the Chinese emperor Shen Nung is said to have discovered that marijuana had healing properties as an herb. Studies have shown that medical marijuana significantly benefits patients with diseases such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS, MS, Alzheimers, Osteoporosis and other joint disorders, and many other disorders and diseases. While cannabis is a great painkiller, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral drug, cannabinoids are also miracle chemicals. Here are some of the common medical applications of marijuana for some of these disorders.
CANCER
While cannabis is widely known for being a potential treatment for cancer, not many people understand the science behind it. According to Cancer.gov, a leading medical resource from The National Cancer Association, “Cannabinoids may cause antitumor effects by various mechanisms, including induction of cell death, inhibition of cell growth, and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis invasion and metastasis.” What this means is that cannabinoids like THC and CBD can impede the growth, and spread, or metastasis, of cancer cells throughout the body. Additionally, the Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis, or the prevention of new blood cells forming to help the cancer spread, is proven to help combat the spread of cancer throughout a patient’s body. (Click here to view source.)
HIV/AIDS
While some consider the “Munchies” to be a negative side effect of marijuana consumption, it can be the sole reason that a suffering HIV or AIDS patient is able to consume food. The decreased nausea and increased appetite usually causes an increase in caloric intake, which counteracts the “wasting” effect the disease has on a patient’s appearance. The American Academy of HIV Medicine even acknowledges medical marijuana as a serious medicine, saying that “When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our [AIDS/HIV] patients.” (Source: Oct. 8, 2007 Reason Magazine, as quoted by ProCon.)
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple Sclerosis, a painful disease that causes tremors and other neurological issues, has been proven to be treatable with medical marijuana. By simply smoking a small amount, many MS patients report that their tremors stop, and their pain is much more manageable. In 2011, a controlled study by Dr. Alena Novotna showed that using an oral cannabis tincture “Significantly improved spasticity in a proportion of people with MS who had been identified as likely to respond to the therapy.” With medical cannabis as a therapy or treatment option for MS, many patients in states where it’s legal to medicate with marijuana are able to find relief. (Click here to view source.)
LEARN MORE
The following are some additional articles that discuss how medical marijuana can help patients with qualifying medical conditions or diseases.