The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of the history and current use of cannabis as a medicine. We will begin by discussing some common misconceptions about marijuana and the medical benefits it can offer. Then we’ll move on to how it works in our bodies, followed by some examples of conditions that have been treated successfully using this plant-based substance. Finally, we’ll discuss why more people aren’t using marijuana today despite its proven effectiveness against many diseases including cancer!
Marijuana’s History in Medicine
Marijuana has been used as a medicine for centuries. In fact, cannabis was once listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia (a compendium of drugs) until 1942. However, with the rise of synthetic drugs and the prohibition of marijuana, its use as a medicine declined. In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis. This is due in part to the discovery of cannabinoid receptors in the human body and the realization that marijuana contains a variety of cannabinoids that can interact with these receptors to produce therapeutic effects.
What are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are compounds found in the cannabis plant that have been shown to have medicinal properties. They work by binding with specific receptors on nerve cells called CB-receptors, which are located throughout our bodies including brain and spinal cord tissue. The human body contains two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB-receptor type one (CB-I) and type two (CB-II). These different receptor types respond differently when exposed to certain chemicals like those found in marijuana, so some people may benefit more from one cannabinoid over another.
There are two main types of cannabinoids: THC (delta-nine tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). The former is responsible for producing the “high effect, while CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipsychotic effects.”
How Does Cannabis Work in Our Bodies?
When marijuana is smoked or ingested, it interacts with these cannabinoid receptors to produce its therapeutic effects. For example, THC can reduce nausea and vomiting by interacting with CB-I receptors in the brainstem vomiting center. CBD can help relieve pain by interacting with CB-II receptors located on nerve cells.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system is a network of cannabinoid receptors located in the brain and throughout the body. These receptors are responsible for mediating the effects of cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD.
Diseases and Ailments Treated with Cannabis
Marijuana is currently used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions including chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and Crohn’s disease. In fact, a growing number of studies are showing that cannabis is an effective treatment for cancer.
Chronic pain: A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that marijuana was an effective treatment for chronic pain. In fact, participants “reported a significant improvement in their symptoms of pain and sleep disturbance.”
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: A 2006 study published in the journal Clinical Oncology found that marijuana was an effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In fact, “THC was more effective than placebo in reducing both Vomiting and Nausea scores.”
Multiple sclerosis: A 2004 study published in the journal Neurology found that marijuana was an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis. The researchers found that marijuana “was superior to placebo in reducing spasticity, Pain, bladder dysfunction, and the number of spasms.”
Epilepsy: A 2017 study published in the journal Epilepsia found that CBD was an effective treatment for epilepsy. The researchers found that “CBD was associated with a significant improvement in seizure frequency and well-being.”
Anxiety disorders: A 2012 study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that marijuana was an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. The researchers found that “THC caused a dose-dependent decrease in subjective anxiety ratings.”
Crohn’s disease: A 2013 study published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology found that marijuana was an effective treatment for Crohn’s disease. The researchers found that marijuana “was associated with a significant improvement in disease activity.”
Cancer: A growing number of studies are showing that cannabis is an effective treatment for cancer. One study published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics found that THC inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Another study published in The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics showed that marijuana extract killed leukemia cells in mice. And a 2006 study published in the journal Cannabinoids found that cannabinoids such as THC slowed the growth of lung cancer cells.
What about the Food and Drug Administration?
There is now so much evidence supporting the use of cannabis as a medicine that in 2017, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its first drug containing CBD for the treatment of rare forms of epilepsy. This is a major step forward for cannabis as a medicine and shows that more and more people are beginning to see its true potential.
If It’s So Good, Why Isn’t Cannabis More Widely Used?
Despite the mounting evidence in favor of cannabis as a medicine, it is still not widely used today. This is likely because marijuana is illegal at the federal level and many people are unaware of its therapeutic potential. However, with more research being conducted on this amazing plant and its cannabinoids, we can only hope that cannabis will become more accepted as a form of treatment for various diseases in the near future.
How Do I Learn More About Using Cannabis as Medicine?
If you are interested in learning more about using cannabis as medicine, we recommend that you consult with a qualified cannabis educator or health and wellness coach with expertise in medical marijuana. There are also many great books on the subject of cannabis and its various therapeutic uses. And of course, there is a wealth of information available online. We hope that you will take the time to explore this amazing plant and all of its potential benefits for yourself!