Medical marijuana: what you need to know

As the decriminalization and legalization of cannabis become more common worldwide, research into its medical uses has developed considerably. In particular, scientists are interested in which ailments cannabis can relieve and how it should be administered for maximum therapeutic effect. Here’s an overview of what we know so far.

Symptom relief
Cannabis can’t cure any diseases. However, research indicates that some cannabinoids can offer symptomatic relief, although results vary from one patient to the next.

In particular, the drug has been shown to reduce neuropathic and cancer pain. It’s proven particularly effective at reducing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Furthermore, people with multiple sclerosis report that cannabis can both mitigate the spasms associated with the condition and reduce inflammation. It can also improve the quality of life of patients in palliative care by reducing anxiety, pain, nausea, and insomnia.

It’s important to note that the majority of studies on the therapeutic value of cannabis aimed to measure its effect on symptoms that were difficult to manage using other treatments. According to many such studies, patients typically report that cannabis is at least as effective as standard treatments, if not more so.

Although further research is needed to establish the medical benefits of cannabis, it’s been shown to be an effective complementary therapy for many patients.

Mandatory prescriptions
Even if you live in an area where cannabis is legal, you shouldn’t self-medicate. Suppliers who sell recreational cannabis typically don’t have the medical background needed to provide patients with reliable advice.

Medical cannabis must be prescribed by a healthcare professional who can determine dosage and monitor your use. If you’d like to know more, be sure to speak to your doctor.