When you hear the word cannabis, the thing that comes to mind is a recreational drug. But wait, have you ever thought cannabis can have medicinal value? Now you should know that cannabis can be used as medicine to treat various ailments.
Note that cannabis is a controlled substance.
Cannabis sativa is a plant that has medicinal properties. The benefits are from compound cannabinoids. The cannabinoid has a wide range of effects in the treatment of various diseases.
Chronic Pain Management
Cannabis contains cannabinoids that are believed to have anti-inflammatory effects. It has shown a response in the treatment of diseases that causes chronic pain. In some cases, medicinal cannabis has replaced the long-term use of Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) drugs such as ibuprofen (reference healthline.com). Migraine, endometriosis, arthritis, and cancer are some of the diseases that cause chronic pain.
Neurological and Mental Disorders
Cannabis has effects on the brain and to these effects, doctors are prescribing cannabis to treat the diseases that affect the brain system.
Diseases that affect the neurological and brain system(limbic system) such as anxiety, convulsion disorders, Parkinson’s disease, post-trauma stress disorder are managed with cannabis.
Chemotherapy-induced Nausea and Vomiting
Some patients who are in chemotherapy treatment have failed to respond to the available anti-emetic drugs on the market. The cannabinoid medications are doing well in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Cancer
People with cancer have benefited from cannabinoids to reduce the symptoms. cannabinoids reduce cancer-related side effects. It stimulates appetite in a patient with cancer, reduces pain thus improving sleep.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
It is a gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms such as bowel movement patterns and abdominal cramping. The cannabinoid has a potential treatment effect on a patient with irritable bowel syndrome.
Sleeping Disorder
The cannabinoid has a relaxing effect when used. Therefore, may help in treating the short-term sleeping disorder. Includes Insomnia, parasomnia, sleep-related breathing disorder, and sleep-related movement disorder.
Dystonia
Dystonia is a disorder characterized by repetitive muscle contractions. Cannabis has shown effectiveness in alleviating symptoms that are associated with dystonia.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease. The impaired optic nerve results in blindness. Treatment of Glaucoma is by reducing the Intraocular pressure of the eye. Cannabinoids have the potential in reducing that pressure of the eye.
Blood Sugar
Cannabis has a benefit to people with diabetes. It stabilizes blood sugar levels, reduces neuropathic pain( complications of diabetes), and lowers arterial inflammation.
Anorexia and Weight Loss
Anorexia and weight loss are associated with several side effects of many diseases. One cannabinoid is included in the treatment of anorexia, especially to a patient with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Important Information
Cannabis is a controlled substance and in Kenya, it is controlled under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1994 ( rev 2012 Cap 245) psk.or.ke
Cannabis can be addictive and has side effects.
Always consult your doctor or health caregiver when you want to start or stop any medicine.
