The marijuana plant is known to contain chemicals that may be helpful in the treatment of a whole range of symptoms or illnesses so numerous people are of the opinion that it should be made legal for purely medical purposes. Actually, a growing number of American states are legalizing marijuana for clinical use if they haven’t already. The efficacy of marijuana in the treatment of epilepsy has inspired many scientists to specifically breed marijuana plants and make CBD (Cannabidiol) in an oil form exclusively for treatment purposes. These drugs are not intoxicating and are not preferred by recreational users.

Regular use of marijuana for medical purposes should be treated as a fairly novel practice and therefore, we are not very sure about its effects on individuals, who are weakened by illness or disease. It is believed that more caution must be exercised before the administration of medical marijuana in people suffering from diseases like AIDS and cancer or older people as they may be really susceptible to medical marijuana’s harmful effects. More research and studies need to be conducted in this direction. However, decades of studies and research have revealed certain benefits of medical marijuana. Here are some of the proven benefits:

Provides Pain Relief

Medical marijuana is effectively used for relieving pain. Marijuana is supposed to contain THC, which is chiefly responsible for easing pain. Its pain-relieving effects have been proven and studies reveal that THC is able to act effectively pathways leading to the central nervous system that is useful in blocking pain signals from getting transmitted to the brain. Cannabis has been particularly, effective in the alleviation of nerve-related or neuropathic pain.

Alleviates Symptoms Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Medical marijuana is often used by patients suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. THC may result in temporary loss of memory so this proves to be pretty effective and therapeutic in patients who are suffering from PTSD and struggling to forget certain painful memories. It has been confirmed after some recent studies that oral THC doses could really be helpful in getting rid of several PTSD-associated symptoms including nightmares, flashbacks, and agitation.

Treats Vomiting or Nausea

THC has been in use in pill form from the 1980s for the treatment of nausea and vomiting particularly, in cancer patients. Marinol is actually a pill that contains synthetic THC and was the first-ever THC-based medication that was approved and acknowledged by the FDA specifically for this purpose. It is now a common practice to prescribe THC pills to patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Another THC pill that has been introduced and is in use is Cesamet.

Acts As an Appetite Stimulant

THC has already proved its worth and efficacy in the reduction of nausea. Now it is time to demonstrate its effectiveness in stimulating appetite in sick as well as healthy people. Cesamet and Marinol are prescribed on a regular basis for boosting appetite in people suffering from HIV-associated Wasting Syndrome and Cancer. Marinol is also, effective in triggering weight gain in anorexic people.

Calms down Asthma Attacks

Researches and studies since the 1970s have proved the efficacy of THC in bringing about an improvement in breathing in patients suffering from asthma. Asthmatics often smoke marijuana as it helps in calming down asthma attacks. Scientists have failed to come up with an effective inhaler delivering THC.  However, modern-day vaporizers could be the solution instead.

Treats Glaucoma

THC is particularly helpful in relieving eye pressure in those suffering from glaucoma. Several glaucoma patients are known to be relying on medical marijuana even today. However, the American Glaucoma Society clarifies that the effects of medical marijuana are quite short-lived and last only about three to four hours. So, it is not really a viable course of treatment.

Acts As a Sleep Aid

Medical Marijuana has proven sleep-inducing effects. THC is actually responding to a great extent in inducing sleep in both insomniacs and healthy patients. Recent studies also indicate that THC could be best for reducing sleep interruptions and enhancing nighttime breathing.

Remember most of these studies are not conclusive, but today science is trying to suggest that marijuana is not really all that bad as has been believed in the past and has certain medical benefits that should not be undermined.