35 of the 50 United States have legalized medical marijuana as of November 2020.
Most of the American public supports the legalization of medical marijuana. At least 84% of U.S. citizens believe that the drug should be legal for medical purposes. And recreational pot has become less controversial, with at least 61% of Americans supporting it.
Some advocates of marijuana legalization indeed exaggerate some medical benefits of smoking pot. However, research has shown that there are valid medical uses for marijuana, making an argument to further research the drug's medicinal benefits. Even the NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse has even listed medical purposes for cannabis.
**Two Active Chemicals That Have Medicinal Relevance **
According to researchers, at least two active chemicals are found in marijuana with medical applications. These are:
Cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has an impact on an individual's brain without the person getting high.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The THC contains pain-relieving properties but can make a person high.
But researchers claim that there are marijuana research limitations. That means there are important questions that need to be answered. Aside from the THC and CBD, there are about 400 chemical compounds, and over 60 are cannabinoids.
Many of these could have medicinal purposes. But without further research, there won't be enough information on how to make the best use of the compounds. Even though marijuana seeds and weed have legitimate medicinal purposes, it does not mean all marijuana is harmless. Some research shows that overdose can have impaired processing speed, learning, and memory, especially if a person began at 16 or 17. However, there are medical benefits of medical marijuana that are backed by legitimate research.
Let’s go through them.
3 Health Benefits Of Medical Marijuana Backed By Research
Medical Marijuana Does Not Damage Lung Function
A substantial amount of research proves that marijuana does not affect the lungs unless a person smokes tobacco. A study published in the American Medical Association Journal showed that marijuana does not damage lung function. On the contrary, they found out that it increased lung capacity.
Researchers tested 5,115 young adults searching for risk factors associated with heart disease. They carried out this research for over 20 years. The researchers found out that tobacco smokers had impaired lung function with time. But marijuana users showed increased lung capacity.
The expanded lung function may be due to a deep breath intake while the person inhales the drug. And not from the drug's therapeutic chemical. Keep in mind that the smokers in the research only smoked a few times a month.
However, another survey of people who had smoked pot daily for 20 years found no trace of impaired lungs. Research conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine showed that smoking cannabis does not increase cancer risks linked with tobacco use. Examples of such cancers include lung cancer, head cancer, and neck cancer.
Medical Marijuana Reduces Dravet’s Syndrome
In a research documentary, "Weed," Sanjay Gupta had a discussion with the Figi family. The family had a 5-year-old daughter who suffered from Dravet Syndrome, a disease that causes severe seizure disorder and developmental delays. The family treated their daughter with CBD shea butter with lavender that was high in CBD and low in THC.
According to the documentary, the medical marijuana decreased her seizures from 300 per week to once every seven days. Other forty children were using the same medical marijuana prescription to treat their seizures during the time the film was made, and it seemed to be working.
The doctors who prescribed this treatment said the CBD found in the plant engages with brain cells. As it happens, it slows down the excessive activity in the brain that causes the seizures.
However, Gupta explained that places such as a Florida hospital specializing in Dravet's Syndrome do not endorse the use of marijuana to treat the diseases or other disorders. This hospital and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Drug Enforcement agency refused to approve it.
It is Used To Treat Chronic Pain
A survey showed strong evidence that cannabis was an effective treatment for chronic pain. According to the report, that is the most common reason people opt for medical marijuana.
Furthermore, a report from Emma Childs, an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Illinois, indicates that THC at low doses can reduce stress. In contrast, higher doses may have the opposite effect.
Conclusion
Marijuana is one of the most contentious topics today, both from the health and legal perspectives. Even though we have proven with numerous researches that marijuana can be used for medical purposes, it may have some adverse side effects.
The best way to get the most out of medical marijuana is to reach out to your doctor first. They can guide you on the benefits and harmful effects, including the legalities behind it. Never take any drug without consulting your doctor first. Are there any other health benefits you know of that could help others? Does scientific research back these benefits? Don’t hesitate to share them with us.
