What is Marijuana & Its Medical Uses

1. What is Marijuana? Marijuana is a medicinal dry herb which is derived from the shredded parts of hemp plant known as CBD (which stands for cannabidiol) like its leaves, stem, flowers, and seeds. It contains a chemical compound called cannabinoids which impacts the nervous system. Cannabinoids are used to make medicines and thus marijuana is heavily used in the medication but it has its both positive and negative effects. Although the use of marijuana is illegal except cannobinoid which is prescribed as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the medical prescription, FDA-approved product dronabinol (Marinol) for the treatment of weight loss or appetite loss due to AIDS & for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy to treat cancer. Medical Use & Benefits of Marijuana – Although being derived from the hemp plant i.e. cannabidiol therefore, this component of marijuana has little or no intoxicating properties. Marijuana has more than 100 active components. Many patients suffering from insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and other chronic pain or ailments report to get the relief by using CBD in their medication. Not only this a particular form of childhood epilepsy known as Dravet Syndrome is almost impossible to treat and cure but after applying CBD- dominant strain of marijuana called charlotte’s web, it start responding. In USA the medical use of marijuana is very wide as its being used as a pain killer however, its not successful in reducing the severe chronic pain (for example in case of post-surgical pain or to lessen the pain of fractured ligaments or capillaries but its quite effective in reducing the pain which comes due to reaching a certain age and that’s why its being used by the millions of aged Americans. The plus point with marijuana is that it can easily be substituted with the NSAIDs such as Advil or Aleve for those who can’t take these medicines if suffering from any kidney problems or ulcers. Not only this, marijuana also eases the pain of multiple sclerosis, and nerves pain however, there are other medicinal substitutes available to lessen these pain like- Neurontin, Lyrica, or Opiates but these are highly sedating and patients taking marijuana as a medicine claims that they feel very positive and energetic from within to continue their previous activities. Apart from these medicinal benefits, marijuana has been proved to be a very fantastic muscle relaxant which helps in easing the pain of muscle spasm due to intense training, lessens the tremors in Parkinson’s disease and even its quite

2. effective in relieving the pain due to fibromyalgia, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and most other conditions. Marijuana is also used to manage nausea and weight loss, and can be used to treat glaucoma. A highly promising area of research is its use for PTSD in veterans who are returning from combat zones. Many veterans and their therapists report drastic improvement and clamor for more studies, and for a loosening of governmental restrictions on its study. Medical marijuana is also reported to help patients suffering from pain and wasting syndrome associated with HIV, as well as irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. This is not intended to be an inclusive list, but rather to give a brief survey of the types of conditions for which medical marijuana can provide relief. As with all remedies, claims ofeffectiveness should be critically evaluated and treated with caution. Many of marijuana's effects are short-term, meaning that they last for only a short period. Other effects are long-term and may not show up immediately which can be both positive and negative. Therefore, one should not consume Marijuana without the consultation of their Doctors/Physician and even if you are taking it for some medical treatment then, always remember to take the prescribed dosage by the doctor and stop its usage when your doctor asks because its overdose can lead to serious and life taking side-effects.