Cannabis has been used for thousands of years to help people with a variety of medical conditions. In the last few decades, we have seen many studies that show how cannabis can be an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. This blog post will discuss five things THC can help with in your everyday life!
1) Treating Glaucoma:
Glaucoma is a condition that can result in blindness. It causes pressure to build up inside the eyeball, damaging the optic nerve and leading to vision loss. The American Glaucoma Society reports that marijuana lowers intraocular pressure (IOP) by about 25 percent when smoked or 55 percent when ingested orally. This makes it an effective treatment for glaucoma patients who are not responding well to other medications. One study showed that smoking cannabis reduced IOP as much as topical timolol eye drops.
In addition, smoked cannabis from these glass water pipes has been found to reverse damage caused by glaucoma within only a few hours. In one study, researchers tested this effect on rabbit eyes that had suffered acute injury from raised intraocular pressure (IOP). They applied either synthetic THC or natural marijuana extract directly onto the cornea of each eye at different doses. The cannabinoids significantly reduced IOP within five minutes and improved retinal circulation immediately following treatment.
2) Relieving Arthritis Symptoms:
Marijuana has been used to treat arthritis for centuries. In 1563, the French surgeon Ambroise Paré wrote that cannabis relieved pain and restored movement in inflamed joints. More recently, several studies have shown that marijuana can help reduce joint stiffness, improve sleeping patterns and decrease inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In one study done on rats with RA-like symptoms, scientists found that administering a cannabinoid similar to THC reduced swelling of the paws by up to 75 percent over eight hours. They also noted significant improvement in walking ability following treatment (paw volume was reduced by 25% after four weeks), suggesting relief from pain and inflammation within this time frame.
In addition to relieving symptoms, recent studies have shown that marijuana can help treat the underlying cause of arthritis. One study suggests that the cannabinoid system plays a role in regulating joint inflammation and cartilage degradation associated with RA. By studying mice with an over-expression of CB-receptors, scientists found decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-β), supporting their theory that cannabinoids are involved in reducing pains and stopping joint destruction caused by RA. Thus, THC may be able to fight osteoarthritis progression as well as prevent it from starting! This is great news for people who suffer from this degenerative condition.
3) Treating ADHD:
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that causes inattentiveness, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity. It affects roughly 11 percent of the population worldwide. Scientists have found several similarities between the endocannabinoid system and ADHD patients. These include dysfunctional cannabinoid receptors and low levels of anandamide, which are two factors known to contribute to this disease. While there aren’t any studies on marijuana’s effect on children with ADHD, it has been shown that THC can help adults manage their symptoms by increasing focus and attention span when taken orally or inhaled. In one study on rats suffering from induced ADHD-like behavior, scientists found that synthetic THC helped improve behavioral symptoms, including impulsivity and hyperactivity. These results suggest that THC can help ADHD patients focus on one task instead of becoming distracted.
In addition to treating the root cause of this disorder, marijuana has also been shown to provide relief from some common side effects associated with ADHD medication. For example, Ritalin is a popular drug used to treat children who suffer from this disease because it increases dopamine levels in the brain by blocking its reuptake (the removal of neurotransmitters after they have completed their function). Unfortunately, these drugs often come with unpleasant side effects such as decreased appetite and sleep problems. However, studies show that smoking or ingesting cannabis helps counterbalance these issues while still increasing dopamine levels. In one study, scientists found that marijuana improved participants’ sleeping patterns and appetites following the treatment.
4) Treating Tourette’s Syndrome:
Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary, rapid muscle movements and vocalizations called tics. It affects roughly one person in every thousand. Scientists have found several similarities between the endocannabinoid system and TS patients. These include elevated levels of anandamide, which are two factors known to contribute to this disease. While there aren’t any studies on cannabis’ effect on children with TS, it has been shown that THC can help adults manage their symptoms by decreasing both physical and verbal tics when taken orally or inhaled. In addition to relieving some side effects associated with traditional treatment for this disease, such as depression, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue, marijuana has also been shown to improve the overall quality of life for those suffering from this neurological disorder. According to one study, patients reported a 30% reduction in tic frequency and reduced stress and anxiety.
5) Preventing Cancer:
Cannabinoids can potentially fight Cancer by inhibiting tumor growth and decreasing the chances of metastasis. This is great news for those at risks, such as cigarette smokers, heavy drinkers, people exposed to certain chemicals, or individuals with a family history of this disease. In addition, cannabinoids have been shown to prevent nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy which helps them stay healthy and strong throughout treatment.
One study found that synthetic THC helped stop the spread of aggressive breast cancer cells in mice subjects when administered orally. Other studies show that smoking marijuana decreases one’s chances of developing head, neck, or lung cancers. These findings inhibited both the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis by reducing the ability of cancer-causing chemicals to bind with DNA.
