The Benefits Of Using Cannabis Oil for Medical Reasons.

How can cannabis oil help me?

Although cannabis has been used for centuries to treat a host of medical problems, in recent times increasing numbers of people have started to develop an interest in the benefits of cannabis oil – a product originating from the cannabis Sativa plant that has proven to be promising when it comes to treating several health problems.

These benefits have actually been proven in many cases through scientific research, with cannabis oil having been shown to be equally as effective as more traditional medications in several cases, and in some, more effective. It’s no surprise, then, that in states where medicinal marijuana has been made legal doctors are now recommending it to their patients.

Cannabis And Its Components

The marijuana plant is made up of a number of phytocannabinoids, THC (or, to give it its full name, tetrahydrocannabinol) is probably the most famous since it produces the euphoric high that the drug is best known for. Yet there are many other compounds in the cannabis plant, including cannabinol, cannabigerol, cannabichromene, and cannabidiol, also known as CBD. All of these have been demonstrated to have clear medicinal benefits and none of them produce the psychoactive effects linked with THC.

Why Use Cannabis Oil?

Numerous studies have already been carried out into the benefits of cannabis oil, and research is ongoing at the moment into how effectively it can treat a number of medical problems. To date, it has shown considerable promise in helping to relieve the symptoms of numerous conditions.

Stress & Anxiety

With increasing numbers of people suffering from emotional and mental disorders, it isn’t surprising that a lot of the research which is taking place into cannabis oil is linked to its effect on anxiety and stress. While there are numerous medications available on prescription to treat emotional problems, often they prove to be ineffective and also often have unpleasant side effects. As cannabis oil stimulates the release of endorphins in the brain, it helps users to feel happier and more relaxed, boosting feelings of calm and well-being for a better quality of life. A review from 2015 revealed that using cannabis oil could effectively reduce anxiety and restlessness in people with PTSD if inhaled or administered orally, and could also relieve insomnia associated with the condition.

Boosting Appetite

Those suffering from poor appetite because of medical problems or who have eating disorders can use cannabis oil to stimulate their digestive system.

Asthma

Around 300 million people are the globe are asthmatic, and this condition can even be fatal if it isn’t properly treated. In ancient Indian and Chinese traditional medicine, cannabis oil was used to treat asthma as its analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities allow the bronchial tubes to dilate, increasing oxygen flow around the body.

Heart Health

There have been studies carried out in laboratories on animals that have proven that cannabis oil potentially prevents heart conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. The cannabinoids contained in cannabis oil are able to relax blood vessels, improve circulation, and so reduce blood pressure.

Pain Relief

It has long been known that cannabis reduces pain and inflammation due to its ability to inhibit neural transmission in the human body’s pain pathways. Cannabis oil alleviates inflammation and chronic pain, so it is a perfect choice for people who are going through chemotherapy to treat cancer. A study in Canada in 2010 showed that it was also possible to successfully treat neuropathic pain with cannabis oil and research has also taken place to show that it can reduce the pain experienced in rheumatism and arthritis sufferers.

Cancer

While as yet there aren’t any definitive studies that conclusively prove cannabis oil is capable of curing cancer in human subjects, several lab studies have been carried out which have suggested cannabis oil is able to trigger cell death in cancer cells, as well as prevent the division of cells, reduce the likelihood of cancer spreading and prevent tumors from growing fresh blood vessels.

Skin Problems

It’s possible to apply cannabis oil onto the skin in order to help old and dead skin cells to be shed and new ones encouraged to grow in their place. The cannabinoids found in cannabis oil promote the production of lipids that fight skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis, and because of the natural antioxidant,s it contains, it is able to fight the damage to cells caused by free radicals in the body while minimizing the signs of aging.

Eye Health

It is known that cannabis oil can treat eye problems such as glaucoma and macular degeneration since it is able to reduce the pressure inside the eye.

Seizures

Several smaller-scale studies have been carried out which show that cannabis oil may be able to prevent seizures in cases of epilepsy with no unwanted side effects that are often caused by pharmaceutical medications.

Neurodegenerative Conditions

Patients who are suffering from conditions like Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders may benefit from taking cannabis oil in order to delay more severe symptoms from appearing as well as to gain relief from the conditions’ worst symptoms, slowing the diseases’ progression.

How Can Cannabis Oil Be Used Medically?

There are several ways that cannabis oil is used for medicinal purposes. Although it is often taken orally, in other cases it may be applied to the skin topically in balm form, especially when treating painful conditions like arthritis. The dosage required depends on which condition is being treated and depends on the patient’s tolerance levels. Small doses should be taken at first with the option to increase over time.

Does Cannabis Oil Have Any Side Effects?

Few side effects have ever been reported from use of cannabis oil, although drowsiness is sometimes an issue as well as impaired short-term memory and poor concentration, although these symptoms are very short-lived.

Although it is now legal to use cannabis oil in many states, there is still a stigma attached to its use. However, medical experts are now starting to recognize that it offers many benefits and with all of the recent studies into its effectiveness which have shown great promise, it comes as no surprise that more doctors than ever before are now recommending its use for conditions such as anxiety, poor appetite, epilepsy, and arthritis.