The war on drugs was one of the most devastating campaigns for the world for the simple fact that it kept cannabis out of the medical field for far too long. Originally, the war on drugs was lobbied by the textile industry to prevent hemp from becoming a major competitor. And the most effective method of achieving this goal was to demonize cannabis. Flooding the world with fake information about the dangers of consuming THC and CBD.
As a society we have long since moved past these false ideas and now understand that cannabis, when used correctly, is a fantastic medical tool. It is becoming increasingly common for medical practitioners to prescribe cannabis for various ailments. In this article we will be looking at all the benefits of medical cannabis. So you can see if it could be useful for you.
Addiction Management
One of the most common misconceptions about cannabis is that it is highly addictive. This just isn’t true at all. Cannabis plants do not contain any addictive chemicals. Which is why it is a fantastic alternative to traditional medicine such as opioids.
Both THC and CBD are also being used in addiction management schemes as well. People who are trying to quit nicotine or alcohol have found both substances extremely useful in curbing their cravings. For those trying to quit tobacco, smoking CBD or THC plants helps them manage the physical addiction of smoking while also cutting out their nicotine intake.
It is important to note that, while cannabis is non-addictive, the lifestyle and feeling produced can be very addictive. So it is important to stick to your prescribed dosages.
Pain Management
One of the most common uses of medical cannabis is a pain relief treatment. CBD, and especially THC, are effective painkillers. As we said above they are both non-addictive, making them useful for dealing with issues such as chronic pain.
THC and CBD help manage pain by binding with pain receptors in the brain. This slows down the pain impulses. This is the same principle medicines like paracetamol work on. THC is also an anti-inflammatory as well. Meaning it can be used to combat fever and inflammation.
In the UK, medical cannabis has been used for chronic pain relief since 2018. Studies have shown that it is extremely effective and it is even being used to help people with motor degeneration caused by illnesses like Parkinsons.
Medical cannabis is also being used to help those going through a course of physical therapy. CBD and THC can help reduce muscle tension and reduce the pain felt after the exercise. This can help patients improve their stretching post workout allowing for better muscle growth and blood flow.
Mental Health
Studies have shown that, in the UK, 1 in 4 adults will suffer from some form of mental health issue each year. That is a startling figure. And, with the NHS declining steadily each year, we don’t expect that figure to go down anytime soon. And in America the numbers aren’t much better. With 1 in 5 adults suffering from mental health issues.
More and more we are seeing medical cannabis being used to help combat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Some of the best medical cannabis clinics UK and USA have been conducting rigorous studies into the effects of medical cannabis on these conditions. And the results are promising.
When combatting anxiety it has been found that CBD, at any dosage, is able to reduce the symptoms of anxiety. THC, at low doses, has a similar effect. Whereas high doses of THC can actually increase anxiety levels. Most medical professionals in the UK recommend using a dry herb vape to better control the dosage of cannabinoids received from THC or CBD to better manage anxiety.
When it comes to depression, studies have shown mixed results. THC hasn’t been found to offer any long term relief from depression. But is helpful for dealing with issues in the short term by increasing dopamine and serotonin production in the brain. CBD, on the other hand, is showing promising results. Due to the lack of psychoactive effects, CBD is better used to deal with the physical symptoms of depression such as fatigue, muscle soreness, and low mood.