Introduction
In this article, we’ll explore the therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids.
The medical use of cannabis has been practiced for thousands of years, but it was only in 1985 that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its use for treating nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy as well as muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis (MS). Since then, more than 30 U.S. states have adopted some form of legal medical marijuana legislation so patients can access the plant for treatment purposes. A recent poll found that 82 percent of registered voters believe doctors should be able to recommend medical cannabis to their patients without worrying about being punished by law enforcement agencies or health organizations like the American Medical Association (AMA). In addition, 89 percent said they would โsupport a policy change that allows physicians to prescribe small amounts [of] marijuanaโ if they believed it would improve their health conditions while minimizing side effects compared to conventional therapies such as prescription medications or surgeries performed inside operating rooms instead of outside where there are no nurses available at all times during recovery after surgery because they don’t want people who aren’t qualified enough yet either,” according to another survey conducted last year by Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith Reporting program.”
What is medical cannabis?
While cannabis has been used as a medicine for thousands of years, it is a very complex plant that contains hundreds of different chemicals. The most well-known compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which provides the psychotropic or “high” effect associated with marijuana use.
However, there are many other compounds found in the plant that do not produce mind-altering effects but still have therapeutic properties. Some researchers believe that these non-psychotropic cannabinoids may be useful for treating neurological disorders like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease.[6]
History of medical cannabis
Cannabis has been used for medical purposes for millennia. It was used in ancient China, India, and Egypt. The herb was also an important component of traditional Native American medicine. In fact, it was listed as a treatment option in the U.S. Pharmacopeia from 1850-1942!
Cannabis was part of western medicine until the early 1900s when laws against its use were enacted due to its psychoactive effects (the feeling you get after using marijuana). Thankfully, cannabis is now accepted as a legitimate medical treatment by many doctors and researchers around the world.
Uses of cannabis
The therapeutic effects of cannabis and cannabinoids are broad and varied. The two main cannabinoids, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have similar but not identical effects on the human body.
Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system
Cannabinoids are chemicals found in the cannabis plant. They interact with receptors in the brain and body.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in many physiological processes, including appetite, pain and memory.
Modulating cannabinoid levels may help treat a number of conditions such as cancer-related nausea and vomiting, epilepsy, chronic pain, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
The FDA reviews of medical cannabis
- The FDA has approved drugs that come in the form of CBD oil, but not whole-plant marijuana.
- The FDA has approved drugs that include delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but not CBD or THC+CBD.
- The FDA has not approved any drug that uses whole-plant marijuana and/or THC+CBD as an active ingredient.
How to get medical cannabis where you live
- Talk to your doctor. If you have a medical condition that a doctor can certify as requiring cannabis, then they can recommend the best treatment for you.
- Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists are often trained in drug interactions and can make recommendations about which products will work together well for you.
- Speak with your local health authority: Your local government (city/county/state) may be able to help you find information about what’s available in your area or refer you to someone who can help make contact with local dispensaries and delivery services so that they know how much medical marijuana is being sold locally each year.
- Contact local dispensaries directly: Most dispensaries offer online sales as well as retail outlets where customers can buy their products “in person.” These locations offer different strains of cannabis based on their effects on patients’ conditions–some strains are good for pain relief while others focus more specifically on helping insomnia or depression symptoms disappear over time through regular use rather than immediate relief from symptoms like muscle spasms caused by Parkinson’s disease).
Marijuana is one treatment option for certain conditions.
Marijuana is one treatment option for certain conditions. It is not the cure-all that many people claim it to be, but in some cases, it can help relieve pain and other symptoms. However, marijuana is not a panacea: it doesn’t work for everyone or every condition and research into its effects on specific diseases still has a long way to go before we know enough to recommend its use as a first-line treatment option.
Conclusion
We hope that youโve found this article informative and helpful! As always, if you have any questions about medical cannabis or the information that we covered here, please donโt hesitate to contact us.
