Common Health Conditions That Can Benefit From Marijuana
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Written By: Ayren Jackson-Cannady
While using weed for fun remains a controversial issue (obvi), at least 29 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized the use of marijuana for medical purposes. It’s no surprise; legit research backing the health benefits of the popular herb continues to roll in, proving it’s feel-good effects include more than just the munchies. Bonus: If you have a common health ailment--like one listed below--you now have another more natural treatment option at your disposal.
Seizures
It was the Epilepsy Foundation that first announced that cannabis could help control seizures (which is a big deal in and of itself!). In a study on the drug Epidiolex, which contains 99 percent CBD extract from marijuana, seizures decreased by a whopping 54 percent. “We have seizure patients who were unable to drive, feeling like zombies from their anti-epileptic drugs, who are now off of any pharmaceuticals and driving,” confirms Matthew Roman, MD, a medical marijuana physician at Nature’s Way Medicine in Philadelphia.
Severe Nausea
We’ve all had a queasy stomach before, but some of us experience chronic nausea--the kind that makes it hard to get out of bed or leave the house. When other anti-nausea medications fail to work, medical cannabis might do the job. “Our body reacts to the active ingredients, which help to regulate vomiting and nausea,” says Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics. “The sickness center in our brain is governed by the endocannabinoid system, and it has receptors designed for interacting with marijuana’s ingredients.”
Stress/Anxiety/PTSD
There’s no denying that we live in stressful times, with many people trying to figure out how to cope with daily anxiety-inducing triggers. “Marijuana has the potential to regulate your moods and help you find balance,” says Backe. Cannabis is a psychoactive plant, and in many cases, it should only be prescribed by a physician. But if you are going through a very stressful time, or if you have a traumatic past, marijuana - in moderation and with the right strains involved - can help you cope and move forward.
Lack of Appetite
This is often a secondary complication of certain meds or illnesses, rather than a standalone condition. Nevertheless, it is a real issue, since our body requires sustenance to fight whatever it is that is attacking it. Medical marijuana can help you regain your appetite (hello, “munchies”!) and consequently rebuild strength and immunity by eating right.
Pain
Proof weed is a powerful pain reducer: in nearly every state where marijuana is a legal treatment option, the drug is available for managing chronic pain. In Minnesota, where medical marijuana has been legal since 2015, 60% of patients said they’d “benefited greatly” from using the drug, while another 63% said they were able to cut back or eliminate their daily opioid dosage after using marijuana. In another study, researchers found that using cannabis as a form of pain relief for rheumatoid arthritis, lead to “a significant analgesic effect.”