Medical Cannabis: The Benefits of Cannabis in the Health and Medical World

Medical cannabis, often referred to as medical marijuana, utilizes the Cannabis sativa plant or its extracts to alleviate symptoms associated with various medical conditions. The plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) being the most prominent. THC is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects, while CBD is non-intoxicating and has been linked to several therapeutic benefits.

How Does Cannabis Interact with the Body?

The human body is equipped with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex network of receptors, enzymes, and endogenous cannabinoids that play a pivotal role in regulating physiological processes like pain perception, mood, appetite, and immune response. Cannabinoids from cannabis interact with ECS receptors—CB1, predominantly in the central nervous system, and CB2, mainly in peripheral tissues—to help modulate these processes, potentially restoring balance and reducing symptoms.

Health Benefits of Medical Cannabis

Cannabis has been widely renowned in years of late for its medical benefits and has become wildly popular in treating or aiding multiple medical conditions. In most cases, it is not utilized as an end-all-be-all cure, but as a supplement to most other treatments. Some conditions that cannabis has been reported to help are:

• Chronic pain – patients with chronic pain tend to find moderate, but helpful pain relief from using medical cannabis. 
• Feelings of anxiety or stress (especially CBD or other low-THC content products)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder – with cannabis helping with reactivity and feelings of anxiety or stress, it has been found useful as an adjunct to traditional therapy when treating PTSD.
• Epilepsy – one of the most researched areas of medical marijuana, epilepsy treatment has begun turning to CBD extracts and other cannabis products to help curb seizures in drug resistant patients. 

Because cannabis can reduce reactivity, feelings of stress, and interacts with certain centers in the brain, many of these conditions (and others) can be safely treated with medical marijuana to help manage symptoms as a supplement to other medications or treatments. 

Methods of Consumption

Just like with our casual cannabis users, there’s more than one way to use cannabis medically. Each method will offer a different experience in terms of onset, duration, intensity, and symptom management. Because of that, it is important to talk to your medical professional about which method is best for you. Some of these methods include:

• Inhalation: Smoking delivers cannabinoids quickly via the lungs, often providing near-instant relief, butt long-term smoking may come with respiratory risks.
• Oral Ingestion: Edibles, capsules, or infused beverages are great for long-lasting effects, but the onset can be slow and inconsistent due to how cannabinoids are processed in the digestive tract.
• Sublingual Administration: Tinctures or oils dropped under the tongue bypass digestion for quicker, more controlled effects.
• Topical Application: Creams, balms, and patches offer targeted relief without the high—ideal for muscle aches, joint pain, and inflammation.
  

Potential Risks and Legal Considerations

Even plant medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. Medical cannabis use should be thoughtful and informed. A few potential drawbacks to using medical marijuana might include psychoactive effects from THC, dependency, cognitive impairment from heavy use, and respiratory health concerns. While cannabis is not a typical habit-forming substance, if used heavily, it can cause minor withdrawal symptoms when suddenly stopped. Some studies have shown heavy use over long periods of time to impact memory, focus and coordination, and of course, smoking can lead to respiratory health issues. Consider tinctures or edibles as lower-risk alternatives of worried about inhaling smoke. 

Additionally, federally speaking – Cannabis legality is patchwork in the U.S. It remains a Schedule I substance at the federal level, meaning its a criminal offense to possess, sell, or take it, but at the state level, 38 states have approved its use for medical purposes. Always check your local states’ laws before buying or using cannabis—even if it’s for a legitimate medical purpose

A New Age of Medicine With Medical Marijuana  

From chronic pain and epilepsy to anxiety and PTSD, medical cannabis is carving out a legitimate space in modern medicine, especially within recent years with research on the subject increasing. As this is the case, its lilley we will see even more conditions helped by the addition of cannabis to treatment plans. But like any treatment, it’s not a miracle cure. It works best when paired with medical guidance, other treatments or therapies, and education. Always consult your medical professional to make sure that medical cannabis is the right choice for you. 

So whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or just canna-curious, consider this your guide to one of nature’s most talked-about (and researched) remedies.

Photo by Alesia Kozik