Ever since it was first legalized by the state of California in 1996, medical marijuana use has grown significantly and has become more widespread. For years, many health care providers and patients alike shied away from the benefits of this medicine primarily due to the stigma around marijuana in general. Fortunately, those misconceptions are lifting as more and more states are recognizing the benefits and legalizing the treatment. If you don’t like the idea of smoking in order to take medical marijuana, you’ll be happy to know that there are many other ways to get the relief you need. There are also pills, oil tinctures, teas, edibles, creams, and salves– all kinds of options! If you're curious about medical marijuana, check out these three benefits and then talk to your health care provider.
Anxiety Reducer
Anxiety may not always be a visible disorder, but it’s a serious one. Because of cultural stigmas regarding mental health, many people suffer in silence. Fortunately, doctors and mental health professionals are gaining a better understanding of how medical marijuana can treat a variety of anxiety disorders. A 2015 study reported that participants reduced their anxiety by an average of 58%! If you suffer from anxiety, you know how much of a difference even a small reduction of symptoms can make in your life. Be careful though, too much marijuana or too high of a dosage can cause the opposite effect and actually increase anxiety.
The particular strain of marijuana is also important. For reducing anxiety, indica strains like Granddaddy Purple or hybrid strains such as Alien OG are popular because they have relaxing effects that comfort the body and ease the mind. Your health care provider will know which strain is best as well as the appropriate dosage, so follow their recommendation.
Appetite Stimulant And Nausea Control
These two benefits are grouped together because they are basically two sides of the same coin. For patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, the nausea and the loss of appetite that comes along with the treatment can be extremely debilitating. It is necessary for cancer patients to keep up their strength by eating as much nutritious food as they possibly can. Indica and hybrid strains of medical marijuana are also the best choice for tummy issues, as they drastically reduce the symptoms associated with chemotherapy treatments; they settle the nauseous feeling and simultaneously increase the patient’s appetite.
Pain Reliever
Perhaps the most popular and widely used application of medical marijuana is for pain relief. Many health care providers are incorporating medical marijuana treatments into their caregiving repertoire. Medical marijuana works wonders on illnesses with chronic pain–such as fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis—and with tremors, such as Parkinson’s. Basically, any form of nerve pain or disorder can be effectively treated with medical marijuana. Some illnesses may respond better to a particular form of delivery, for example, applying a topical cream for diabetic nerve pain in your feet in order to get localized relief. Also, using medical marijuana can replace the need for oral medications, such as opiates and anti-inflammatory drugs—both of which can wreak havoc on your internal organs or even lead to a dangerous addiction. Sativa or hybrid strains are best for pain relief as they uplift the mind and relax away even the most acute pain.
Medical marijuana has gained so much traction in recent years because it really works! Thankfully more medical doctors and mental health providers are prescribing it to their patients. Those who were out of medicines and treatments to try now have another viable option. Whether you have an anxiety disorder, chronic pain, or are undergoing cancer treatment, medical marijuana can make a world of difference in your treatment and set you road to recovery.