The Medical Benefits and Risks of Using Marijuana for Treating Illnesses

in #hive-1957082 years ago

I've already covered legalization of marijuana and its history. If there's one thing that is common between those two topics its the medical aspect. What is marijuana's potential use as a treatment option for various ailments? Marijuana has been used for healing and ceremonial purposes for centuries and now it is gaining traction as a medical treatment option.

I remeber taking a class at the local community college around 2005. I was working toward an Associates degree in psychology and the class was about statistical analysis and how it was used in psychology. Almost one whole day of that class was about marijuana studies, or rather the lack of them. I am fairly certain that wasn't the plan for the day but a fellow student brought it up and nearly everyone in the class had something to say about it.

From what I remember the professor was trying to be neutral, on the topic but the gist of what my professor had to say was that due to the laws against marijuana there was virtually no funding going toward medical marijuana studies and even less private studies being done.

One of the most well-known claimed benefits of using marijuana for medicinal purposes is its ability to alleviate pain. And not just any pain, chronic pain that can seriously impact the quality of life for people with medical conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

image.png
Image Source: Stable Diffusion AI generated

Another claimed upside to marijuana is that it possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can be helpful for people with inflammatory conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Marijuana may have antipsychotic effects that can assist individuals with mental health conditions like schizophrenia and PTSD.

However, as with any medicine there are risks to consider when it comes to using marijuana for medical purposes. One significant concern is the possibility of interactions with other medications. Marijuana can interact with a wide range of medications including blood thinners, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications which can result in hazardous side effects. So it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using marijuana for medical purposes.

Another issue to consider is the likelihood of abuse and addiction. Although the risk of addiction may be relatively low for medicinal use it is still a concern that must be taken seriously.

So while marijuana can offer relief for individuals with various medical conditions it is important to weigh the potential risks against its benefits. Prior to using marijuana for medicinal purposes it is crucial to carefully consider these risks and speak to a healthcare professional.

Sort:  

On the Internet I have found several videos that show how people with Parkinson's disease reduce considerably their spasms when consuming marijuana, I do not know the veracity of these videos, but it is something that should be studied.

Yes, it should be studied so that there would be more empirical evidence than anecdotal evidence. I used to be very strongly against marijuana. I've shifted my opinions over the years but I am not quite at the "strongly pro advocate" point, at least not yet. I am trying to be open-minded. I have my concerns but I can see how some of the things I used to believe about marijuana were wrong. More studies might help others like me trying to make more informed opinions when we're healthy and more informed decisions when we're not healthy.

Congratulations @holovision.hypno! You have completed the following achievement on the Hive blockchain And have been rewarded with New badge(s)

You received more than 50 HP as payout for your posts, comments and curation.
Your next payout target is 100 HP.
The unit is Hive Power equivalent because post and comment rewards can be split into HP and HBD

You can view your badges on your board and compare yourself to others in the Ranking
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

Check out our last posts:

Our Hive Power Delegations to the February PUM Winners
Feedback from the March Hive Power Up Day
Hive Power Up Month Challenge - February 2023 Winners List
The Hive Gamification Proposal
Support the HiveBuzz project. Vote for our proposal!