Initially used as a therapeutic tool, marijuana has become one of the most commonly intended substances, gaining in popularity. Moreover, in some states there are medical centers where, after a personal consultation, the patient will be able to receive Florida MMJ.
Medical cannabis – what is it?
For a long time, medical specialists and researchers in the course of numerous experiments have discovered the beneficial effects of the plant, confirming its healing properties in relation to a number of diseases.
At the moment, many countries are debating fiercely about the status of marijuana, the legalization of medical cannabis, and the possible consequences.
On the one hand, the legalization of marijuana will promote therapy in many patients (in prescribed doses as part of a complex treatment and alternative method for many diseases, but only under the strict supervision of a doctor), but on the other hand, it may cause massive uncontrolled use (anyone will find excuses for use of this tool) and abuse.
Even the use of medical marijuana can lead to serious mental and physical dependence, as with many other illegal substances, exposure to the components of medical marijuana can lead to adverse effects in the long term (clouding of consciousness, impaired concentration, cognitive decline, and also with prolonged use abuse leads to serious health problems).
When the substance is partially legalized, it can only be accessed using a prescription (or other type of identical medical document), the introduction of special methods, methodologies and rules for the cultivation, standardization and purification of medical marijuana and application in the appropriate dosage form:
- tablets;
- capsules;
- syrup;
- oil;
- food.
It is in these forms that the product is intended for sale and distribution.
Cannabis is known by many names (cannabis, marijuana) and mainly due to its ability to create euphoria in a person, calm, heighten feelings, develop creativity and much more.
What’s the use?
Medical cannabis has potentially important ingredients for the treatment of various anomalies, for example, based on all scientific experiments, there are two main active ingredients of the plant, namely delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which are called cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids, or the active substances in medical marijuana, unlike the plant, are included in several drugs approved in a number of countries for legal use and the treatment of certain diseases. Despite the content of more than a hundred different cannabinoids in cannabis, these two substances are leading in the fight against the symptoms of certain diseases.
THC is believed to be one of the main reasons for the widespread use and distribution of marijuana, as it acts on the mind, making users feel peaceful, calm, capable, relaxed, and so on.
An important feature is that our own body also produces various cannabinoids, which, according to some experts, on the one hand, leads to the direct entry of these substances, and on the other hand, helps to increase the concentration of endogenous cannabinoids.
In the body, cannabinoids are involved in a number of processes such as concentration, memory, pleasure, appetite and pain control, senses (taste, touch, smell, hearing) and many others.
Two main cannabinoids isolated from medical marijuana are used in a complex response to various signs of the disease. For example, THC is an ingredient in different medications used to treat nausea, which often accompany chemotherapy sessions in cancer patients.
The substance reduces nausea and vomiting, improves appetite, reduces pain and inflammation (as well as their external manifestations, such as swelling and redness), and also promotes muscle activity and control in musculoskeletal disorders.
Research in this area has even linked the substance to anticancer activity (kills certain types of cancer cells) and anticonvulsant activity (reduces seizures), but the experiments have been mostly in animal models and more in-depth research is needed.
Rodent studies have shown that the use of a highly purified medical cannabis extract can slow the growth of cancer cells in some of the most severe, aggressive and adverse brain tumors.
Experiments on mice have shown an increase in radiation therapy activity and irradiation when combined with THC or CBD.
Medical cannabis is available for use in a variety of forms, most commonly administered as syrup, tablets, smoking blends, but can also be included in some foods (candy, cookies, etc.).
The choice of the most appropriate form of use is determined by the type of patient’s disease, its severity, available limitations and complications, and the type of complex treatment.
In some countries where medical cannabis is legal, substances containing cannabinoids (mainly THC) that are registered, legally and permitted (available from pharmacies) include dronabinol and nabilone.
They are mainly used in the complex treatment of nausea and anorexia (including cachexia) accompanying severe diseases of the body (for example, HIV), as well as after chemotherapy.
They are usually administered orally in the form of tablets and capsules, and the treatment regimen and its duration are strictly controlled by the attending physician.
Common side effects that accompany these medications include headache, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, low blood pressure (hypotension), dizziness, restlessness, and more.
A drug approved for use in several countries, based on cannabinoids, mainly in the form of CBD, is used to treat some forms of epilepsy in children and some congenital diseases.
Conclusion
As you can see, medical marijuana is a completely legal product. But it does not mean that the established rules should be neglected. Before buying a medicine, the patient must contact a specialized medical center, where the doctor will conduct a personal consultation and analyze the patient’s ailments. Only after that, the doctor will prescribe the desired dosage.
At the same time, medical cannabis is grown in special laboratories, under the supervision of trained personnel. There are ideal conditions for growing marijuana, which can really help a person cope with pain and at the same time not harm the body.