4 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About Medical Marijuana

Initially, marijuana use was prohibited in many parts of the country. However, there are over twenty states that have now approved the use of medical marijuana. It contains over a hundred chemical compounds that combine with specific receptors in the body when inhaled or ingested. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most common compounds. Below are four things most people probably don’t know about medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Can Help with the Opioid Epidemic

Medical marijuana can help to alleviate the widespread and abuse of opioid painkillers such as codeine, morphine, etc. Research has found out that the cannabinoids found in marijuana can help to relieve pain, especially chronic pain. The cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) that is associated with the regulation and modulation of pain.

Although opioid painkillers can be more potent than cannabinoids, they have severe side effects and increased risk of addiction. Studies have shown that medical marijuana prescription can significantly reduce reliance on opioid painkillers.

Reference: WeedMaps

The Effects Depend on the Concentration of Cannabinoids

The concentration of cannabinoids varies in the different strains of the cannabis plant. The psychotic effects are associated with the THC cannabinoid which is found in higher concentration. On the other hand, CBD is found in small concentrations and does not cause psychotic effects. Therefore, the strain will determine the effectiveness of the medical marijuana. For instance, the Sativa strains contain a similar concentration of THC but a different concentration of CBD.

Reference: NCBI

Medical Marijuana is Safe to Use

Medical marijuana is safe for use to treat a variety of medical conditions. There is a common perception that it has side effects such as impaired mental function, lack of concentration, etc. However, recent studies tend to disagree with the perception. For instance, research conducted by Harvard Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) indicates that marijuana does not impair cognitive function. Actually, it significantly improves executive tasks such as paying attention.

Tetrahydrocannabinol THC Blocks the Plaque that Causes Alzheimer's

According to research by Salk Institute, cannabinoids found in marijuana, especially THC can help to eliminate amyloid beta protein in the brain which is associated with Alzheimer disease. The disease is a brain disorder that causes significant memory loss. The National Institute of Health indicates that it affects over five million Americans and is a leading cause of death. The active ingredient in Marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) blocks the protein that causes plaque to form on a person’s brain suffering from Alzheimer’s. It also demonstrated that it can reduce inflammation, which contributes to memory loss and Alzheimer’s.

Reference: Assisted Living Center

Recent studies have shown that marijuana can be an effective treatment for most medical conditions. Also, the use of medical marijuana has been associated with improving immune function, regulation of emotions and mood, etc. Despite the immense benefits, the use of marijuana as a treatment option has not been extensively researched yet.

If you have more questions on the medical benefits of marijuana, or have any questions pertaining to marijuana use, contact us now!

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