The Medicinal Benefits of Cannabis
A look at the ways medical marijuana can help treat a number of ailments and illnesses.
As more and more states opt into the legal cannabis market, and the pressure to decriminalize at the federal level continues to build, increased access to research has led to a deeper understanding of the plant and its healing potential.
Of the 38 states that currently allow the use of medical marijuana, each has its own respective list of illnesses for which cannabis use is permissable. In the State of Arizona, the list of ailments for which medical marijuana usage is allowed to be used for treatment includes the following:
Cancer
Despite increased availability to cannabis in recent years, research is still limited regarding its potential as a form of both preventative and remedial treatment. However, with regard to multiple forms of cancer, the data available has generated some hopeful interest among the medical and scientific communities.
In the meantime, cannabis has already proven effective when it comes to relieving some of the adverse effects of cancer treatment. According to the American Cancer Association, cancer patients using cannabis have come to rely on it to "relieve pain and nausea, reduce inflammation," as well as for its function as an antioxidant. In particular, these symptoms alleviated by cannabis are prevalent among patients undergoing chemotherapy, radtiation treatment or other rigorous medical processes.
Glaucoma
In the book titled "Marijuana as Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy" available via the National Library of Medicine, it is noted that glaucoma is one of the "most frequently cited reasons for using medical marijuana." Elsewhere, in "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base" cannabis use is reported to help in reducing intraocular pressure, which can slow and, in some cases, stop the glaucoma from leading to blindness.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
Among the things we now know about cannabis and its role in HIV treatment, one assuring finding has been that "cannabis use does not adversely impact CD4 and CD8 T cell counts." Meanwhile, further data has suggested cannabis use may actually "boost immune function in some HIV patients."
As the science behind cannabis and its potential as a HIV treatment continues to progress, the interim sees the plant being used to improve the appetite, mood and sleep health of those who use it, largely by relieving the pain and discomfort related to treatments—presumably leading to an overall improved quality of life.
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
Much in the same way that cannabis helps with the side-effects of HIV treatments, AIDS patients benefit similarly from "the drug's purported ability to soothe a variety of debilitating symptoms."
Many AIDS patients echo anecdotal claims made by HIV patients, with some consensus surrounding the notion that marijuana use calms patients' stomachs after taking medication, stimulates their appetites, eases their pain, and lifts their moods.
Hepatitis C (HCV)
As for any potential preventative qualities, research surrounding the role of cannabis in treating HCV indicates that "active marijuana use provided a protective effect against NAFLD independent of known metabolic risk factors.”
As technological and scientific advances help us learn more about preventative care, HCV patients who currently use marijiana medicinally report that it helps smooth out some of the harsher side-effects of treatments, making it easier for them to endure, and thus adhere to, particularly grueling medication regimens.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
In 2014, the viral Ice Bucket Challenge campaign helped raise awareness of ALS. With the increased awareness, so, too, has interest increased in cannabis as a potential treatment for the disease.
Years later, a 2019 trial asserted that "preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cannabinoids in extending the survival and slowing of disease progression in animal models with ALS" further adding that there are "anecdotal reports of cannabis slowing disease progression in persons with ALS (pALS) and that cannabis alleviated the symptoms of spasticity and pain."
While research continues within this field of study, these findings have given those afflicted with ALS new hope for relief.
Crohn’s Disease
Currently in the US, ongoing reasearch continues into the possible use of cannabis for Chron's Disease. As the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation have reported, in small studies, "smoking cannabis ... has improved IBD symptoms, including pain, nausea, and decreased appetite."
These early findings have presented a promising starting point upon which more wide-scale studies can build.
Agitation of Alzheimer’s Disease
While the State of Arizona permits the use of medical marijuana to treat some behavioral aspects of Alzheimer's, there is admittedly little data available with regard to its efficacy as a preventative treatment.
However, a case study released this past summer sheds new light on the previously lacking data on the topic. In it, participants "reported a substantial improvement in quality of life, while further behavioral and biochemical follow-up evaluations showed no signs of toxicity or significant side effects."
Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
While Cachexia, or Wasting Syndrome, typically occurs in patients at the end of life, there is evidence to suggest that cannabis can help alleviate discomfort associated with symtpoms of the condition, which can include appetite loss, severe weight loss, muscle wasting, anemia, and fatigue or weakness.
Cannabis education group, Veriheal, reports that while data is incomplete, as of yet, with regard to whether medical cannabis can effectually treat cachexia, "what is undeniable is that it can successfully increase appetite and treat inflammation, another hallmark of cachexia."
Severe and chronic pain
According to a report titled "Medicinal Cannabis For Treatment Of Chronic Pain" (Bains S, Mukhdomi T., 2022), there is a case to be made for cannabis-based approaches to chronic pain, especially as an alternative to potentially dangerous and harmful pharmeceuticals at the center of the ongoing prescription drug epidemic. As stated in the findings, "the interest in exploring alternative treatments for chronic pain spurred by the opioid epidemic has created an opportunity to find treatments outside of the norm, from cannabis to even psychedelics."
Severe nausea
In a recent study, pulished this year in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, researchers noted that a "vast majority of patients self-selecting into cannabis use for treatment of nausea likely experience relief within a relative short duration of time"
With regard to effectiveness, the study noted that "by 1 hour postconsumption, 96.4% of people had experienced symptom relief with an average symptom intensity reduction of −3.85 points on a 0 to 10 visual analog scale." The results further stated that symptom relief "was statistically significant at 5 minutes and increased with time."
Seizures (including Epilepsy)
With the recent FDA approval of the epilipsy drug Epidiolex, a cannabis-derived medication, the US has allowed the use of its first cannabis-derived drug to make its way to market.
This move seems to suggest a promising implications with regard to the view of federal regulators regarding cannabis as a legitimate form of treatment for epilepsy, something that has shown to be effective for years.
Severe or persistent muscle spasms (including those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis)
As is the case with much of the progress we've made with regard to cannabis, there is still plenty of research to be conducted in order to help us gain a full understanding of the plant's healing potential.
Such is the case when it comes to cannabis as a treatment for Multiple Scleriosis (MS) and other severe, persistent muscle spasms.
However, existing data seem to suggest that cannabis is effective in treating "pain, muscle problems, and bladder issues" associated with MS.
In 2003, a study of patients with MS, and spinal, brachial or limb damage was conducted. In their findings, the researchers concluded that "Cannabis medicinal extracts can improve neurogenic symptoms unresponsive to standard treatments. Unwanted effects are predictable and generally well tolerated," with researchers adding that more wide-scale research would be better positioned to confirm these data.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
In an FDA-regulated study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE in March, 2021, researchers describe "improvements among PTSD patients receiving cannabis doses with higher levels of THC."
Meanwhile, professional concensus and anecdotal testimony seem to agree, generally speaking, on the benefits of using marijuana to treat a number of symptoms related to PTSD.
Determining whether medical marijuana is for you
With the number of health issues that can be treated by cannabis continuially increasing, it will certainly be interesting to see what we will find out next about this versitile and complex plant.
In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about becoming certified to use medical marijuana, as well as the various benefits and advantages of obtaining your medical marijuana card, contact us today!