Whenever people hear the word cannabis, the very first thought of most of them is some kind of ‘’light’’ drug that gets you high. Recently, we can hear a lot about medical cannabis and how it helped many patients around the world. Let’s dive into the topic and see the medical benefits of this plant, but also its ‘’dark side.’’
Cannabis is?
Cannabis is one of the flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. There are three species in this family: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis. The one we are interested in is Cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana, ganja, hemp, pot, hashish, etc.
For further information on cannabis strain genetics, check out this helpful guide by Zamnesia on the science of medicinal cannabis.
It contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the chemical compound, which is responsible for psychoactive effects. The plant can be consumed in various ways and have different effects on its consumer. Leaves and flowers are usually smoked or people take it with food (they make cookies). Its resinous secretions (known as hashish) are also consumed by smoking and eating. This plant’s fibre is cultivated as industrial hemp and used in textile manufacturing. Everyone is familiar with the effects of being ‘’high’’, stoned, relaxed, euphoric, but not so many know about its medical effects and how it can help patients in their treatment.
Medical effects
The botanist Hui-lin Li wrote that in China, “The use ofCannabis in medicine was probably a very early development. Since ancient humans used hemp seed as food, it was quite natural for them to also discover the medicinal properties of the plant”. Modern times also recognize its medical benefits, but the obstacle we face it nowadays is that in many countries around the world, its cultivation and consumption are illegal and those who want to use it in medical purpose are not allowed. Since its medical benefits had been proven, many countries changed the law and have allowed its consumption only if you have your doctor’s prescription. In some other countries, it has become completely legal and you can buy it without any prescription. CBD Oilsoffers the world’s finest CBD products, which is prepared from completely natural supplements sourced from low-level THC hemp, click here to know more.
Cannabis contains more than 100 chemicals, called cannabinoids that are related to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), its main mind-altering ingredient that makes people “high”. THC and the other chemical, cannabidiol (CBD), are what interest us.
THC, apart from making people ‘’high’’, can help increase appetite and reduces nausea.
CBD reduces pain, inflammation, controls epileptic seizures.
And this is just the beginning. Scientists are still exploring all possible uses of THC and CBD, as well as other cannabinoids. For now, we know we can use them for: cancer, HIV, seizures, inflammation, nausea, muscle spasms, etc.
The most popular way of consuming medical cannabis is cannabis oil. It is made of the strain with very low THC levels (meaning you won’t get high), and the elevated levels of CBD that do not have psychoactive components and have therapeutic components.
Be careful!
All the medicine you get from your doctor have side effects. So does this, natural one. Heavy use of cannabis can cause:
- irritation of lungs, chronic bronchitis, and risk of respiratory tract cancer (if you smoke it)
- cardiovascular disease (it increases heart rate)
- decreased concentration levels, short-term memory problems
- sexual problems
- addiction
To use it or not to use it
There is only one question you need to ask yourself: How strong is your self-control? There are many other health benefits of cannabis, and feel free to consume it, just know the limits and do not cross the line if you do not want to suffer and enter the dark side the excessive usage make lead you to.
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