As previously mentioned, cannabis was used as a medicine thousands of years ago. Whether as a pain reliever or for the treatment of many different diseases. This is still happening today, despite a worldwide ban, as more and more scientists and renowned doctors are speaking out in favor of cannabis use.
One example is Dr. Sanjay Gupta, an American neurosurgeon and writer. For years, he has been a fierce opponent of cannabis. In 2013, he went public, apologizing for speaking out against cannabis for so long. His own research was the deciding factor. He suggested that there is scientific evidence that marijuana can be equated to a Schedule 1 drug (much like heroin). This would mean that these substances are quickly addictive and have no medical effect.
In this and subsequent letters, Gupta pointed out how great the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis could be. It was a very powerful performance by a famous person who was able to make many positive arguments for marijuana.
There are now many scientific reports and studies on the use of cannabis for various diseases. The study is still in full swing and is far from complete.
The medicinal properties of cannabis.
Next, we would like to point out several diseases in which cannabis has already been successful in providing relief or treatment:
Glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which, among other things, pressure in the eye increases, which can lead to blindness. A study by the US National Eye Institute found that cannabis can lower eye pressure when taken orally, intravenously, or smoked.
Lung function.
Cannabis does not worsen lung health, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and funded by the National Institutes of Health. In this study, 5,100 people were interviewed over 20 years and their lung function was also monitored regularly. Research has shown that cannabis can improve lung function, rather than impair it, as has always been thought.
Cigarette smokers are at increased risk of severe deterioration in lung function. However, an increase in lung volume has been found in marijuana smokers.
Convulsions.
Marijuana has a relaxing effect on our muscles and can be an effective remedy for cramps. Dr. Sanjay Gupta gave a well-known example of this. It was about the girl Charlotte. Charlotte suffered from epilepsy and had up to 300 seizures a week. After the cannabis treatment, these attacks almost disappeared and Charlotte still had about 3 attacks a month. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of marijuana in the treatment of epilepsy has been confirmed in several studies and reports.
Cancer.
It would be presumptuous to say that marijuana helps against all types of cancer. However, many cancer patients are already reporting that cannabis has helped them cure cancer. Research shows that cannabis has the ability to stop the growth of cancer cells and even cause some cancers to self-destruct.
Pain relief.
As mentioned earlier, cannabis was used as a pain reliever thousands of years ago. The Vikings already used it for childbirth and for toothaches. The Chinese used it primarily as a pain reliever.
Cannabis is still very popular as a pain reliever, and research also shows that it can help with many different types of pain.
Post-traumatic stress.
This illness can be extremely debilitating for the patient. It mainly affects people with traumatic experiences. This disease is widespread, for example, among soldiers returning from war. Initial research has shown that cannabis can be beneficial in treatment. Taking THC orally can help relieve symptoms of illness, such as memories, nightmares, and anxiety.
Stimulating appetite.
There are many diseases in which loss of appetite is a serious side effect. Psychoactive THC has been shown to stimulate appetite. This is especially beneficial for cancer and HIV patients, as they may find it difficult to eat. Perhaps THC can also be used to treat anorexia. But this still requires more research.
Anxiety.
Cannabis is known to relax and relieve anxiety. Research shows that these are the two most frequently cited reasons why people use cannabis (other than recreational purposes).
Tourette’s syndrome.
It is a nervous disorder that causes uncontrollable actions such as screaming and grimacing. Research has shown that cannabis can be very helpful in treating symptoms.