Much research has reported of the many medical benefits of marijuana, whether it is a definite cure for a certain disease is still inconclusive. There is also much to learn about its preventive qualities, as well. If marijuana didn’t turn out to be the wonder drug that many hoped it would be, its role in the alleviation of symptoms for many sick people can’t be denied.
From epilepsy to PTSD, marijuana has proven its benefits in helping people who suffer from a variety of diseases, lead happier and more functional lives.
Such is the case of many who suffer epilepsy. Many of these patients have taken prescription drugs to help them control their symptoms, but many of these drugs lead to other things, such as organ damage. Also, people develop a tolerance for these drugs and often find their symptoms coming back after a few years of the treatment. The effects of marijuana on patients with epilepsy and other diseases that cause seizures are truly amazing. Many people, initially experiencing more than a hundred episodes a day, find themselves going only through one in a week or even a month. It surely has enabled these people to live a life with more quality.
People who suffer from Parkinson’s have also praised the drug for its role in calming down tremors, a debilitating symptom of the disease. It helps them sleep better and decrease pain. It also improved their fine motor skills. Others, who experience muscle spasms as a symptom of their own diseases, also report of the benefits of taking marijuana as treatment.
For psychological illnesses, marijuana may decrease anxiety and helps many people who experience post-traumatic stress disorder or more commonly known as PTSD. In fact, it is the number one reason for many patients to apply for a license to avail medical marijuana. The active compounds in marijuana have been found to reduce fear and anxiety among users. It also decreases nightmares brought about by PTSD.
For cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy, taking marijuana has helped them deal with the side effects of their treatments. They have reported a significant decrease in their levels of pain and nausea and an increase in their appetite. They are able to endure chemotherapy without additional health complications that could result from the side effects. This is a similar experience for people who are undergoing treatment for hepatitis C. Fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and depression are only a few of the many side effects of the treatment. These side effects discourage them from finishing their course of treatment. With the help of marijuana, these treatments are now more tolerable for these ill patients.
Whether it cures, treats, or prevents disease, marijuana shows a great deal of promise in the world of medicine. Users have lauded its medical benefits and it is only helping more and more people get through their worst of times. It might not turn out to be the miracle cure that everyone’s hoping it to be, but at least even when a person is sick, through marijuana, he knows that he is still able to live a happy and functional life.