Marijuana has a long history that dates back thousands of years. For one thing, it’s been used as herbal medicine since 500BC.

Fast forward to today and it’s become one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world. Interestingly enough, however, not everyone uses it to get high.

After all, medical marijuana is a thing. That is, it can be used to treat various medical conditions.

Thinking of giving it a try? Want to learn more about the benefits of using medical marijuana? If so, you’re on the right page.

Keep reading to learn more!

What Is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana—also known as medical cannabis—is a plant-based medicine where you use the marijuana plant or its chemicals to treat conditions. The main active ingredients include cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

In the United States, it falls under the Schedule I drug category. Despite that, it’s legal in several states.

You do need a medical cannabis card, however. Basically, it’s an identification card that allows you to obtain marijuana for medicinal use. You can learn more at Joplin Urgent Care.

4 Benefits of Using Medical Marijuana

Marijuana isn’t just for getting “high”, it can also be used medicinally. Here are a few things that it can be used for.

1. Neurological Disorders

Medical marijuana may help those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis. This makes sense when you think about it—after all, it reacts with cannabinoid receptors, which are found in the brain and nervous system.

With that said, more research is needed to determine its exact effects.

2. Chronic Pain

Medical marijuana can be used to treat chronic pain. More specifically, THC stimulates the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, which helps to alleviate pain.

Not only that, but CBD also has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. For this reason, it’s often used to treat conditions such as fibromyalgia, migraines, endometriosis, and arthritis.

3. Diabetes

Research suggests that medical marijuana may benefit those with diabetes. That is, it may help stabilize blood glucose levels. It can also be used to treat neuropathic pain, which is often associated with the condition.

That’s not all—it may be able to prevent diabetic retinopathy. It’s important to note, however, that it does not replace the use of medications.

4. Cancer

Some cancer patients may choose to use medical marijuana to help manage their symptoms. Aside from alleviating pain, it can also help with nausea and vomiting, both of which are common side effects of chemotherapy.

In some cases, cannabis can also increase their appetite.

Side Effects of Medical Marijuana

All medicines can cause side effects and medical marijuana is no exception. For example, it can lead to headaches, dry mouth, dry eyes, and fatigue.

In addition to that, it can cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Because of this, it’s not recommended that you operate machinery when using cannabis.

Using Medical Cannabis

As you can see, there are several benefits to using medical marijuana. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that it’s as popular as it is today.

If you’re looking for more cannabis-related posts, check out the rest of our blog!

Ben Stern wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.  

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