The medicinal properties of cannabis are now widely accepted within the medical profession. As one U.S. state after another does away with its anti-cannabis laws, a burgeoning industry is flooding the market with a broad array of legally-grown medicinal cannabis products. Sufferers of chronic disease, many of whom had previously consumed illegal cannabis products to relieve their symptoms, are now able to request a prescription of cannabis-based medicine from their physician. With all the furore surrounding cannabis and its new legal status, it is worth taking a quick look at some of its proven health benefits.
1. Chronic Pain Relief
As many sufferers from chronic pain will tell you, ingesting cannabis in its various forms can alleviate symptoms of chronic pain. This is because the chemical compounds present in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, are an extremely effective blocking pain receptor in the brain and fighting inflammation.
2. Weight Loss Aid
Cannabinoids help the body to regulate insulin and speed up the body’s metabolism, making it easier for it to deal with calories. This makes the drug a perfect aid for those looking to shed pounds.
3. Regulates Diabetes
In a similar way to which it helps people to remain free of diabetes, the manner in which cannabis aids the body’s insulin regulation can help diabetes sufferers gain control over the disease.
4. Fights Cancer
One of the most exciting discoveries that have come with more research into cannabis is its potential for destroying the cells of certain types of cancer. This could have some massive implications for how cancer is treated in the future.
5. Prevents Epileptic Seizures
Another active compound in cannabis is CBD. CBD has been proven to significantly reduce the number of seizures experienced by sufferers of even the most severe types of epilepsy. Some of the principal lobbyists for the legalization of cannabis have been the parents of children living with the disease.
6. Slows Alzheimer’s Disease
Links between inflammation and the development of cognitively degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s are becoming ever more apparent. Due to its miraculous anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis has been proven to slow down the debilitating disease in many cases.
7. Helps Bones to Heal
Amazingly, some studies have shown that cannabis can help bones to heal more quickly after breaks. However, research is still in its infancy, and further investigation will need to be done to better understand cannabis’s bone-healing properties.
8. Alleviates PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a debilitating condition caused by psychological trauma from a past event. Among its symptoms as intrusive and distressing memories, anxiety and insomnia. New research shows the potential for medical cannabis to help suffers from the disorder to process their trauma, helping many back to a psychological state in which they are able to resume a normal life.
Once shunned by wider society due to its illegal status, cannabis is taking center stage in an exciting new period for modern medicine. It is likely that we have only just touched the tip of the iceberg with regards to its possible health benefits.