Medical cannabis and its uses
Research into the benefits of medical cannabis has accelerated in recent years and it’s beginning to be recognised by scientists and health professionals. Medical cannabis is made up of higher CBD content than THC, meaning the negative side-effects that THC can bring are counteracted. Instead, the CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system within the nervous and immune systems of the body. In this blog, we will run through the benefits of this and what medical cannabis is used for.
Chronic pain treatment
Cannabis for pain management is perhaps its key use. Those living with chronic pain can be treated with medicinal cannabis if a professional thinks it is suitable for reducing their debilitating day-to-day symptoms. For example, it can treat those with arthritis, EDS, CRPS, fibromyalgia, and sciatica. These chronic conditions can’t be cured, so sufferers often have to put up with extreme pain every day, which can limit their ability to complete tasks or sleep, or they may rely on strong painkillers. Medical cannabis can reduce unpleasant symptoms by alleviating inflammation and pain, which can often lead to increased mobility and focus, better sleep and overall improved quality of life.
Nausea treatment
Medical cannabis can be used to treat nausea that can arise from medical treatments, such as chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer. Nabilone, a medicine developed to act in a similar way to THC, is even being used by the NHS. It’s prescribed to patients who experience significant nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy and other treatments are not helpful or suitable. This makes the chemotherapy process less unpleasant and decreases the negative effects associated with vomiting.
Seizure treatment
The use of cannabis to decrease the chance of seizures occurring in people who often suffer from them is also recognised by the NHS, but is only available to very few patients. This is most commonly associated with epilepsy, particularly Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, which are rare forms of epilepsy. With the chance of a seizure occurring being lowered, many sufferers will be able to go about their lives with fewer worries and may be able to take opportunities that they couldn’t before. This decreases the risks associated with seizures, which are especially beneficial to those who have found that other treatments have little effect.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how medical cannabis may be able to help your symptoms, contact London Cannabis Clinic today and speak to our qualified professionals.