Medical Marijuana – How Does it Work?

Many countries around the world and now some states within the United States have chosen to allow the use of medical marijuana for those that may find relief from its effects. Although many still believe there are no medicinal effects possible, it can be explained quite clearly how medicinal THC can alleviate some of humanity’s worst suffering in a natural, safe and effective way.

Medical marijuana consists of over 300 different compounds, 60 of which are cannabinoids. The reason that research on the effects of these cannabinoids has been so limited is because of a lack of any interest or funding for studies until recently. Upon study of these compounds, it has been discovered that each kind of cannabinoid has specific effects on the human body. There are three main cannabinoids that give patients the most relief; cannabidiol, caryophyllene and cannabigerol.

Cannabidiol is one of the major cannabinoids accounting for nearly 40% of the cannabinoid compounds found in cannabis. Cannabidiol alleviates inflammation, convulsions, nausea, anxiety and it limit’s the growth of cancer cells. This compound has also been found to be successful with schizophrenics as an antipsychotic.

Caryophyllene further reduces tissue inflammation by naturally activating a cannabinoid receptor in the brain. This cannbinoid receptor in the brain is actually made for compounds like caryophyllene which calls into question any prohibition of cannabis use for patients.

The majority of medicine is extracted from medicinal plants from around the world, which can help us make sense of the fact that medical marijuana can have such a naturally positive effect. More caryophyllene can be found in concentrated cannabis oils which may harbor up to 30% caryophyllene. Caryophyllene can also be found in black pepper, cloves, hops, oregano and rosemary.

Scientists have found that cannabigerol is especially effective at lowering blood pressure. Cannabigerol is found in greater quantities in the hemp variety as opposed to the varieties with a greater THC content. The presence of many different cannabinoids in different combinations within different varieties of this substance accounts for the plants ability to provide so many medicinal benefits to so many different kinds of patients.

Patients suffering from nausea, asthma, glaucoma, unwanted weight loss, migraines, inflammatory bowel disease, Tourette syndrome and even obsessive compulsive disorders can all find relief with medical marijuana because the multitude of natural compounds within cannabis naturally work with the biochemistry of our bodies to help us feel better.

New studies are investigating the benefits of cannabis for Alzheimer’s, lung cancer, breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, brain cancer and multiple sclerosis to name just a few. The marijuana plant helps in basically the same way that thousands of other medicinal plants have helped the human race for thousands of years.