Medical marijuana may provide support for many reasons. The use of marijuana dates thousands of years back. It may promote relief for pain, digestive, and psychological issues.
In recent years, medical marijuana has become more popular, and many people are using it due to its therapeutic potential.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana describes products from the plant Cannabis Sativa, which patients should use after authorization by their health care providers. This plant contains cannabinoids as the active ingredients, namely;
- Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC) and
- Cannabidiol (CBD)
THC is responsible for the high feeling due to its hallucinogenic effects on the brain.
Medical marijuana promotes potential treatment for conditions like:
- Pain management when managing chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraine, and endometriosis
- Minimizing cancer side effects like lack of appetite
- Reducing inflammation in diseases like Crohn’s disease
- Managing mental disorders like depression and anxiety
- Treating sleep disorders.
Myths About Medical Marijuana
Despite its many uses and recent legalization in some states, many myths surround medical marijuana. These myths include:
1. All medical marijuana products make you high.
Fact:- medical marijuana contains two cannabinoids, CBD and THC. CBD does not intoxicate. It potentially gives you a less anxious and relaxing feeling, unlike THC, which affects the brain, making you euphoric.
There are medical marijuana products on the market that are THC free and therefore cause no high effects.
2. Medical Marijuana is Not Addictive
Fact:- Medical marijuana has the potential to be addictive, but some people use it safely and can withdraw with minimum withdrawal effects. Addiction means one keeps using medicine despite the adverse effects it causes.
The THC in marijuana is responsible for the addictive effect. CBD has anti-addictive effects. Some people may experience side effects of withdrawal when they stop using medical marijuana. These side effects include:
- Irritability
- Craving
- Restlessness
- Difficulty sleeping
Some studies show medical marijuana is relatively safer than other medications, like opioid analgesics, which are addictive. Addiction to medical marijuana is especially possible when one starts using it as an adolescent when the brain is developing.
3. Medical Marijuana Is Always Safe, and You Can Overdose
Fact: Although medical marijuana is relatively safe and hard to overdose on, there are reports of overdose cases.
Using medical marijuana is safe, but overdosing is possible and can cause a profound effect.
4. Medical Marijuana is One size fits all
Medical marijuana comes in different product forms and concentrations to cater to different needs. If you need medical marijuana for managing a condition, work with your health care practitioner for advice on what product to use and the concentration.
5. Medical Marijuana Has no Medicinal Uses
Fact:- Medical marijuana has many potential medicinal uses, and it recently received approval for use as an anti-seizure medicine.
It has also shown promise in supporting chronic pain and other conditions like depression.
6. Medical Marijuana Causes Lung damage
There is a myth that medical marijuana causes lung damage, although studies show this effect. Marijuana is safe and can be helpful to you after consumption through;
- Oral ingestion by adding to meals, using capsules and tinctures
- Topical application of creams, balm, and patches containing medical marijuana
- Medical marijuana suppositories and pessaries
7. You Don’t Need a Prescription to Get Medical Marijuana
Fact:- Getting the proper medical marijuana that fits your individual needs requires some help from a medical practitioner. It’s also important to talk to your doctor if using other medication to get advice on drug interactions between medical marijuana and conventional medicines.
Final Thought
Medical marijuana use requires a recommendation and certificate by a health care provider before use. Visit our website to learn more about medical marijuana. Or better still, you can fill out the form below to contact our team.
