8 Medicinal Benefits of Cannabis
The innate endocannabinoid system in humans releases natural endocannabinoids, a different kind of ‘cannabinoids’ inherent in the human body. That said, the more the cannabinoids are present in the body, the more health benefits they promote.
Here’s a quick rundown of the eight unexpected benefits of cannabis that will shed some light on why this plant is a healing caliber.
1. Possibly cures cancer.
Cancer cells are abnormal cells that grow in the body sporadically due to several reasons. Although the body has a way of controlling cell growth naturally through apoptosis, cancer cells evade this process and can continue to develop into difference cancer illnesses.
The cannabinoids in cannabis latch onto the different receptors in the immune system, specifically those that regulate apoptosis. When appropriate modulation of apoptosis is done, this possibly inhibits the growth of cancer cells, preventing further cancer diseases.
2. Reduction of vomiting and nausea in patients under chemotheraphy.
Although more peer-reviewed studies and journals are needed to prove that cannabis is the panacea for cancer, the role of cannabis in helping patients under chemotherapy will never go unnoticed. Vomiting and nausea are two of the primary side effects of chemotherapy. Some medicines during chemotherapy are futile, and a few doctors have resorted to medical marijuana for treating patients who are nonreactive to pharmaceutical medications.
3. Stimulates appetite.
The high-inducing cannabinoid in cannabis which is called THC is responsible for increasing the hormones known as “ghrelin.” This is what causes consumers a heightened craving for sweets and any types of food. This is a huge breakthrough for those experiencing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa.
4. Relieves epileptic seizures.
The FDA has approved the use of Epidiolex, a cannabidiol-based pharmaceutical drug for epileptic patients. Since the decriminalization of cannabis, which made the online dispensary Canada legal, epileptic patients in Canada can now have the freedom to buy their CBD oil needs to relieve them of daunting seizures that happen sporadically within the day.
A clinical trial of 25 children isn’t huge—but it is to those 25 children and their families. Plus, another trial is simultaneously occurring statewide in Idaho, testing Epidiolex on both children and adults. In 2015 the American Epilepsy Society reported on a study of 313 patients suffering two types of the brain disorder.
5. Alleviates muscle and joint pains.
Because of the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis, it mitigates the pain from inflamed muscles and joints. When CBD (cannabidiol) latches onto the receptors and neurotransmitters, it reduces inflammation, relieving chronic pain from muscles and joints.
6. Lessens the onset of anxiety and depression.
Serotonin is one of the essential receptors found in the brain which is responsible for a person’s mood and behavior. Because CBD in cannabis latches onto the receptors in the different parts of the body, it results in better regulation of the entire endocannabinoid system. In turn, this allows the body to produce more serotonin, hence, promoting overall positive wellbeing.
7. Regulates diabetes.
A small dosage of CBD can possibly regulate diabetes. Diabetic patients know how important it is to have controlled levels of blood sugar all the time. Homeostasis is the physiological process of maintaining an equilibrium within the different elements in the body. Due to the role of CBD in working with the receptors in the connective tissues, brain, immune system, and other parts of the body, it controls blood sugar levels in diabetic patients as well.
8. Reduces spasticity in multiple sclerosis.
Spasticity is when specific muscles in the body are contracted. This happens when a small portion of the spinal cord or brain is damaged, which is usually common in multiple sclerosis patients. CBD is linked to modulating spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis through the endocannabinoid system.
Learn More About cannaboid system from Dr. Judy Mikovitis
In her thirty-five-year quest to understand and develop therapies for chronic diseases, she has co-authored seminal papers culminating at least a decade of research in each of four fields: immunology, natural products chemistry, epigenetics, and HIV/AIDs drug development. Her book, Plague, is about one scientist’s intrepid search for the truth about human retroviruses and chronic fatigue syndrome, autism and other diseases.
Article contributed by Hartley Ewin
Sources:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-medical-benefits-marijuana-you-probably-never-knew.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/health-benefits-of-medical-marijuana-2014-4
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820295/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/marijuana-gives-you-the-munchies-what-about-cbd/2019/01/07/7a793076-0ebc-11e9-8938-5898adc28fa2_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d5607bfdfb13
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349875/
https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/complementary-and-alternative-medicine/marijuana-and-cancer.html
https://www.epilepsy.com/release/2018/6/epilepsy-foundation-statement-president-and-ceo-philip-gattone-us-food-drug
