Marijuana is also known as cannabis. It is a psychoactive drug which is also used as medicine. The components of marijuana include cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) and cannabigerol. Cannabis is often consumed as a drug with physiological and psychoactive effects that include relaxation, euphoria and an increased appetite.

Marijuana has Never Been Linked to Psychosocial Problems

Perhaps there is no other plant on earth that is more condemned than marijuana. It seems governments are up against this plant, designating it as illegal, without existing evidence of anyone ever dying of an overdose. It has been discovered that the plant is effective in suppressing cancer, reducing blood pressure, treating glaucoma, inhibiting HIV and alleviating pain. It is a neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory agent and works effectively as an antioxidant.

As a highly powerful healing plant, cannabis has not been readily linked to mental, social or psychological problems. In 2003, US researchers found that cannabinoids had particular antioxidant properties which made them useful in treatment and prophylaxis of oxidation that is associated with diseases like ischemic, autoimmune, inflammatory and age-related diseases. Cannabinoids find particular application as neuro-protectants which are successful in limiting neurological damage after trauma and strokes. They also contribute in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, HIV dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Non-psychoactive cannabinoids like cannabidoil help in avoiding toxicity which is experienced with psychoactive cannabinoids. In a historic decision, Colorado recently became the first American state to legalize the use of marijuana for recreational purposes. This can be seen as a possibility for educating millions about the advantages of marijuana.

Can Nature Go Wrong? Health Benefits of Marijuana

No one popularizing medicinal marijuana can claim that it cures anything. However, it does treat symptoms such as nausea and pain which are caused by various kinds of illnesses. Here are a few instances:

Pain Management:

Brain receptors which permit the intake of cannabinoids such as THC are a part of the most extensive receptor system in the body. Our body is naturally tuned in with these molecules, but also uses them with wondrous effects. Studies have proved that cannabinoids reduce pain as well as other distressing symptoms.

Antiemesis:

A few chemotherapy regimens are renowned for creating bouts of vomiting and nausea. Both marijuana and THC have been seen as antiemetic (anti-nausea) medication. Smoking cannabis creates the desired effect within minutes and can hence aid in quickly relieving the symptom.

Cancer:

Cannabinoid, the active ingredient of marijuana, inhibits the growth of tumors in laboratory animals, and kills cancerous cells. This is a well-known fact that has been suppressed by governments, leading to cannabis prohibition. THC which targets cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 functions similarly as endo-cannabinoids, produced naturally in the body and the receptors are activated. According to researchers, THC and designer agents can be used in a targeted manner for curing lung cancer.

Tourette’s Syndrome:

This is a neurological condition which is featured with uncontrollable facial grimacing, involuntary grunts, tics and touts and snorts. It has been seen that a single dose of cannabinol produces considerable reduction in the symptoms for several hours as compared to placebo.

Seizures:

Marijuana relaxes muscles with its antispasmodic qualities that are effective in the treatment of seizures. There are innumerable instances of people suffering from seizures and they have been able to perform better with the use of marijuana.

Migraines:

Since the legalization of marijuana in California, physicians have claimed that they were able to cure over 300000 instances of migraines which could not be made possible through marijuana.

Multiple Sclerosis:

Marijuana has been shown to cure the effects of multiple sclerosis or MS when used by Montel Williams, former talk-show host. The plant works by stopping the muscle spasms and neurological effects which are caused by this fatal disease.

Glaucoma:

This has been one of the best documented treatments of marijuana. There is no valid study to disprove the extremely popular and powerful effects of marijuana on glaucoma patients.

ADHD and ADD:

It has been proved by a study that marijuana is not just a suitable alternative for Ritalin, but is effective in the treatment of the disorder without any of the untoward after effects that are associated with the pharmaceutical.

Way to Go

The lack of adequate clinical trial data involving large patient populations has been one of the biggest drawbacks hindering the legitimacy of marijuana. A number of smaller tests have been shown in supporting both sides of the health debate. However, economic and political reasons form the basic impetus for the legitimacy of the plant.

It has been observed that raw cannabis is the best in preventing any of the above diseases since the heat destroys some nutrients and enzymes in plants. Including raw cannabis will imply greater availability of these elements. Many experts think of raw cannabis as a dietary essential.