Medicate
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Cannabis can be used to treat many ailments, and for many medical benefits. Some pharmaceutical companies have even used cannabis to make and market legal medications. However these medications can be expensive and some sufferers report better effects from the natural herb.
Table of Ailments
The below table lists ailments and the claimed and proven benefits that cannabis can provide.
Please note this is still a work in progress.
Ailment Beneficial Cannabis effect
ADD/ADHD Regulates ADD symptoms
AIDS Reduces Neuropathic pain, improves apetite and sleep
Alcoholism Cannabidiol can block the pleasure receptors
Asthma Opens up airways in lungs
Atherosclerosis May keep arteries clear
Autism Link
Bipolar Disorder Mood stabilizer, Link, Link
Brain Cancer Reduces tumors, kills cancer cells
Breast Cancer Stops the cancer from spreading
Childhood Mental Disorders Link
Collagen-Induced Athritis Pain killer, anti-inflammatory, safer than athritis medicines
Colorectal Cancer Induces cell death
Depression Brightens mood in low doses, Link, Link, Link
Diabetic Retinopathy Link, Link, Link
Dystonia Link, Link
Epilepsy Link
Fibromyalgia http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/clinical.pdf
Gastrointestinal Disorders Link,
Glaucoma Reduces eye pressure
Gliomas (cancer) Induces tumor cell death, inhibits cancer cell invasion
HIV Reduces Neuropathic pain, improves apetite and sleep
Head injuries Neuroprotection, speeds recovery time
Hypertension Lowers blood pressure
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Anti-inflammatory, analgesic
Lung cancer Reduces tumors, slows cancer growth, stops cancer from spreading
Migraines Non-optiate, non-addictive pain killer
Multiple Sclerosis Relieves spasticity and neuropathic pain, stimulates appetite
MRSA Link, Link, Link
Nausea Relieves Nausea (and when inhaled it cannot be vomited like a pill)
Neuropathic Pain Non-optiate, non-addictive pain killer
Obsessive-Compulsive disorders Reduces behavioral problems
Pain Non-optiate, non-addictive pain killer
Rheumatoid Athritis Pain killer, anti-inflammatory, safer than athritis medicines
Spasticity Relieves spasticity
Spinal Cord Injuries Muscle relaxant, anti-spasmodic, stimulates appetite
Tourettes Reduces motor and vocal tics (muscle relaxant)
Legal Medications
It is interesting to know that even though governments still say cannabis has ‘no medical benefits,’ pharmaceutical companies have created medicines from cannabis.
Marinol
Marinol is a synthesized version of THC, the active psycotropic cannabinoid in cannabis. However cannabis contains over 60 cannabinoids all working together and regulating each other as needed. This regulating effect is not felt with Marinol as THC is the only cannabinoid present.
Therefore many people do not react well to this pantented medication. It is also very expensive. More benefits are gained from cannabis for a cheaper price so many people turn to it despite the illegality of it.
Sativex
Sativex is a medication that uses the two main cannabionoids present in cannabis – THC and Cannabidiol. These cannabinoids are not sythesized. Although better results are acheived with this medication, the price still remains expensive.
The process of making Sativex can be seen at the end of the documentary Cannabis – The Evil Weed?.