Currently, 33 states in the United States and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medicinal purposes.
With medical marijuana available in some form in more than half of the states in the country, it’s natural that more people than ever before are curious about using it to treat a variety of ailments.
Cannabis can be used to treat and manage symptoms related to a wide range of illnesses. Its use in treating some conditions has been more thoroughly studied than others, though.
Listed below are ten different conditions that have been shown to be treated by medical cannabis.
Conditions to Treat With Medical Cannabis
Are you considering using medical cannabis to treat your condition?
Before you run out and try to get your hands on a medical marijuana card, it’s important to learn more about it and which conditions it can treat.
The following are ten conditions that have shown to benefit the most from medical cannabis:
1. Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a serious chronic illness that affects the health of the brain and spinal cord.
Individuals who suffer from multiple sclerosis often experience chronic pain, muscle spasms, tingling in their limbs, and difficulty maintaining their balance and coordination.
Cannabis can be used to minimize muscle spasms and reduce pain in individuals who suffer from this disease.
It may also help to slow the progression of the disease and allow those who suffer from it to experience a higher quality of life.
2. Cancer
One of the most well-known benefits of Cannabis is its ability to help those who are suffering from various types of cancer.
It’s important to note that cannabis cannot act as a cure for cancer. But, it can help to minimize the severity of symptoms associated with it.
It’s especially beneficial to those who are going through chemotherapy and need help managing their nausea and increasing their appetite.
3. Spinal Cord Disease
Cannabis can be very helpful for those who are suffering from spinal cord diseases, including spinal stenosis, spina bifida, and syringomyelia.
These diseases, similar to multiple sclerosis, can result in symptoms like muscle spasms and severe pain.
Cannabis can help to relieve pain and minimize muscle spasms. This, in turn, allows those who suffer from spinal cord disease to feel more at ease and enjoy a higher quality of life.
4. Arthritis
Arthritis can also be treated with Cannabis.
Cannabis is beneficial to people who suffer from either form of arthritis — osteoarthritis, which involves the degeneration of cartilage between the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the joint tissue.
Cannabis can minimize joint pain and swelling and improve one’s ability to move freely and go about their daily life.
5. HIV/AIDS
Many people who suffer from HIV/AIDS have experienced symptom relief from using medical cannabis.
Like cancer, cannabis cannot cure HIV/AIDS. It can make life much more enjoyable for those who suffer from it, though.
Cannabis can help to relieve nausea, minimize muscle aches and pains, and improve appetite.
It also helps to relieve anxiety and minimize the feelings of depression that some people with HIV/AIDS experience.
6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Individuals who suffer from various forms of inflammatory bowel disease — ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, etc. — can experience relief with the help of cannabis.
Cannabis helps to minimize inflammation and discomfort. It also relieves spasms of the colon and reduces feelings of nausea.
7. Epilepsy
Components of the cannabis plant, specifically CBD, or cannabidiol, have been shown to be very beneficial to those who suffer from epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
CBD is not mind-altering, unlike THC, another cannabinoid. This means that it does not cause you to feel “high” when you consume it.
CBD has been shown to dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
8. Chronic Insomnia
Certain strains of cannabis do a very good job of improving sleep quality and helping those who suffer from chronic insomnia.
Cannabis can help relieve feelings of anxiety that might keep people up at night. It can also help to improve sleep latency — the amount of time it takes to fall asleep after you’ve laid down for the night.
9. ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS, is a neurological disease that affects the nerve cells, specifically the cells in the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of ALS include muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty breathing, and paralysis of the limbs.
Medical cannabis can reduce inflammation associated with the progression of ALS. It also has neuroprotective properties, which can slow down the disease’s progression and allow those who suffer from it to live longer and healthier lives.
10. Chronic Pain
Finally, cannabis can also be helpful for those who suffer from chronic pain.
It minimizes inflammation and pain perception. It also improves sleep quality, something with which many chronic pain sufferers struggle.
Cannabis is a great pain-relieving alternative for these individuals, who often end up relying heavily on prescription painkillers.
Tips for Using Medical Cannabis
Many people are interested in using medical cannabis, but they are nervous about trying it for the first time.
The following are some tips that will help you have a good first experience with cannabis:
- Talk to your doctor and get their permission before you try any cannabis products
- Research different strains to find which one is recommended for your condition
- Consider fast-acting methods like smoking or vaping if you need immediate symptom relief — there are lots of smoking accessories you can use to increase your comfort
- Talk to a budtender at your local dispensary to see what they recommend
It’s also a good idea to start with a small amount to see how it affects you. Remember, you can always consume more if you feel that you need a stronger effect.
Want to Learn More About Medical Cannabis?
As you can see, there are a lot of different uses for medical cannabis.
Are you interested in giving it a try to manage your symptoms? If so, be sure to keep the above tips in mind.
Following these guidelines will help you ensure you have a good first experience with cannabis?
Are you interested in learning more about cannabis and its health benefits? If so, we have tons of helpful articles available on our site.
Check out this one on medical marijuana success stories today.
