Globally, marijuana or cannabis had been branded as an illegal herb that causes abuse and dependence among its users. Over the years, it has been banned in many countries for it is one of the most common causes of addiction. Medical marijuana or cannabis as it is more appropriately called, is the use of cannabis and its constituent cannabinoids , which is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in its leaves, buds and flowers for the treatment of certain illnesses and many symptoms.
Marijuana or cannabis contains 483 compounds which contains cannabinoids. However, there are two most important components of marijuana. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is responsible for the psychoactive effect of marijuana and it has a mild analgesic effect. It also plays a role in the brain's activities on memory and sleep. Hence, it helps induce sleep among those with insomnia. Cannabidiol is believed and studied to relieve convulsions, anxiety and nausea. It is responsible for relief of symptoms of people with Multiple Sclerosis and Tourette Syndrome.
Marijuana or cannabis had been utilized in ancient times as a medicine and relief for some discomforts like pain and vomiting. Currently, studies show that marijuana or cannabis is able to treat symptoms like that of nausea, glaucoma, appetite booster in chemotherapy and AIDS patients, and treating gastrointestinal diseases.
However, many people still regard this plant as something immoral and illegal. There are only a few countries that permitted marijuana to be used in medical purposes and made it legal to use or possess such plants. In the United States, eight out of the 10 states had legalized the use of medical marijuana and physicians often use or prescribe it for patients undergoing chemotherapy and patients with AIDS. It relieves pain, nausea and lack of appetite in patients under the chemotherapy treatment and it's an effective means to lessen the pressure in the eyes in patients with glaucoma.
Though many Americans favor the decision of medical marijuana being a legal drug in their country, it had been questioned by some over the mode of its usage. Since it is used via smoking, like that of a cigarette, they question its effects on the lungs. The implied notion of taking in marijuana or cannabis is through "smoking a pot" and it creates negative feedbacks and reactions from those who are against its usage. However, medical marijuana is administered to patients through inhalers, pills and sometimes even baked goods or biscuits.
Lately, it was proven that medical marijuana is an effective treatment to several discomforts including pre-menstrual syndrome, unintentional weight loss and insomnia. Moreover, it had been studied that it can treat adrenal diseases, migraine, inflammatory bowel diseases and even fibromyalgia.
In addition, it relieves the symptoms of several conditions such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and other related conditions due to its muscle relaxant effects. The symptoms of HIV-Associated Sensory Neuropathy, depression, bipolar disorder, asthma, arthritis, sleep apnea and sickle cell anemia are treated by medical cannabis and marijuana.
