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Medical marijuana is on the rise in the United States and is becoming more and more popular because of all the information about the medical benefits. Medical marijuana is not new though and has been used for well over 6,000 years to treat different chronic health conditions such as glaucoma, cancer symptoms, inflammation, chronic pain, and even seizures. As more research is being released to the public about the potential medical properties, it has become a hot topic that has sparked numerous debates on both sides of the issue. If you are curious as to why people are choosing to consume medical marijuana, this article will cover a few notable reasons.

Medical marijuana

A woman holds three nuggets of dried marijuana leaf for pain management, depression, anxiety and PTSD. Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash

Pain management

One of the most common uses of medical marijuana is to help manage pain. Pain can be caused by many things from menstrual cramps to arthritis to muscle pain caused by exercise. Usually, when someone experiences pain, it is common to reach for painkillers to alleviate the problem however, pharmaceuticals carry harmful side effects and pain killers can be addictive when placed in the wrong hands. Medical marijuana is a holistic form of treatment with no detrimental side effects. CBD, which is the compound used for medical marijuana is an effective pain killer by altering the pain receptor pathways in our brain. The recommended dose for pain relief is 15mg however it will depend on your weight, tolerance as well as severity of the pain. Topicals, edibles, or tinctures are recommended, although any consumption method can work, and if you are someone that moves around a lot then a small dab rig like these might be perfect.

Helps with MS

MS or Multiple sclerosis is a disease that causes your immune system to eat away the protective covering of your nerves. This results in nerve damage that interrupts the communication between the brain and the body. Symptoms include vision loss, fatigue, impaired coordination as well as painful muscle contractions. For individuals suffering from this disease who do not wish to take pharmaceuticals, cannabis is an alternative that is known to provide significant relief as well as pain relief that happens as a result of contracting muscles. Cannabis has also been shown to reduce inflammation and regulate immune response which helps with this disease. This disease is very serious so you will need to consult a healthcare provider regarding dosage. Any consumption works.

Improve appetite

If you are someone suffering from an eating disorder such as anorexia or perhaps you are a cancer patient who has lost appetite as a side effect of chemotherapy, Cannabis can be used as an appetite stimulator. Cannabis is known to induce the “munchies” which is a famous term amongst stoners used to describe the intense craving for food after consuming cannabis. 5mg twice daily is sufficient and you should consume via inhalation.

Anxiety reduction

Anxiety is one of the leading mental conditions affecting countless people across the globe. It can be caused by stress, overthinking, fear, doubt, worry, and even just being in social settings. Cannabis naturally has a calming and relaxing effect on the body which alone helps with anxiety. When consumed excessively, cannabis can induce anxiety but when consumed in moderate and monitored doses, anxiety can be alleviated. You can consume CBD orally throughout the day to relieve anxiety.

Sleep management

Many people suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia and a lot of these individuals resort to sleeping pills to induce sleep. This has very negative side effects and is not an effective form of treatment in the long run. When you consume cannabis, your body relaxes and enters a state of calm. Certain strains, such as indica, are recommended for nighttime use because of the calming effects that it has on the body which is great for inducing sleep. For sleep management, it is recommended to consume a strain of marijuana that contains less than 20% THC and keep your dosage around 10-15mg just before bedtime. CBD oil is the perfect consumption method for this problem.

If you are new to the realm of marijuana and you are interested in using this substance as a form of holistic treatment, you can consult a professional who can help you navigate a treatment plan which includes dosage and recommended methods of consumption.


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