subject: The Potential Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana [print this page] The Potential Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana
It should be noted that this article is for information purposes only and should not, under any circumstances, be accepted as legal advice or health advice.
It's difficult to say whether medical marijuana is as helpful as many people believe it can be. Since there are so many legal issues wrapped up with the use of marijuana, it seems that a lot of scientific studies aren't considered trustworthy, or they're discounted simply because the drug is not widely accepted. According to a number of Internet and scientific sources, there are health benefits to using medical marijuana under the supervision of a physician. Bur this does not mean you should use marijuana to treat or control a medical issue unless your doctor prescribes it.
Conditions Impacted by Marijuana
According to patient case studies and scientific research, medical marijuana can be helpful in a variety of situations, including:
AIDS (HIV)
AIDS Wasting
Alzheimer's Disease
Arthritis
Asthma
Breathing Disorders
Cancer Treatments
Crohn's Disease
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Epilepsy
Seizures
Glaucoma
Hepatitis C
Migraines
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Spasms
Nausea
Pain Control
Psychological Conditions
Tourette's Syndrome
Terminal Illnesses
The most common usage for marijuana is in the treatment of cancer. When a patient is undergoing chemotherapy, they can have extreme nausea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. In order to stop the weight loss, a patient can smoke, eat, or take a marijuana drug (Marinol) to help the nausea subside. Patients who can not eat often find that smoking is easier and helpful for their symptoms.
Those who have chronic pain have reported better results with MMJ, though current pain therapies are improving as well. Some physicians may find the combination of therapies can be helpful.
Low Incidence of Side Effects
Many people don't realize that medical marijuana has a low risk of side effects, unlike other pharmaceuticals. While some patients might experience slight side effects of paranoia and some coughing from the inhalation of smoke, many patients notice few effects with continued use. This lack of effects is a sharp contrast from most commonly prescribed medications. When a patient has had troubles with drug side effects, using marijuana might be a good way to see if a patient's quality of life can be improved. Overdoses are also unheard of in scientific studies of marijuana use.
Non-Addictive Drug Choice
Contrary to what many people believe, most medical marijuana research has shown that marijuana is not an addictive drug. While patients may enjoy using it often, it is not physically addictive. Again, this is unlike many commonly used medications, like codeine. A patient can use marijuana without fear of becoming addicted, and they can stop without any problems related to withdrawal, according to the current research studies.
Medical marijuana has a number of health benefits, according to scientists who study the drug. While some might dispute the findings, continued studies will clarify the benefits that marijuana might offer to some patients. Not all drugs are right for everyone, but MMJ seems to be a good choice for many patients for whom traditional treatments are not effective.
