Benefits of medical cannabis - Essay Example

Jessica Gomez A few months ago, I went to check on my neighbor. When I walked into her house I was taken by surprise when I smelled marijuanaand caught her with a pipe in hand. She suffers from cancer and multiple sclerosis and would often complain about her condition as she had regular symptoms of fatigue, muscle weakness, spasms, chronic pain, bladder and bowel difficulties. When I asked her why she was smoking marijuana she smiled and said her doctor recommended it and told me that it has helped manage a lot of her symptoms as well as regain her apatite.

Many MS patients (like my neighbor) report that cannabis has a profound effect on muscle spasms, tremors, balance, bladder control, speech and eyesight. Wheelchair-bound patients have even reported that they can walk unaided when they have smoked cannabis. This essay examines the health issues medical marijuana can aid, and considers means of consumption. Even as marijuana has gained a negative reputation in much of mainstream culture, medical cannabis can be used to safely treat a variety of symptoms.

In terms of a broad category of symptoms, it’s understood that marijuana use aids individuals suffering from nausea, vomiting, premenstrual symptoms, and lack of appetite. In addition to these broad ranging issues, marijuana use has been noted to aid individuals that experience levels of spasticity. In these regards, the substance has a sedative effect that calms the patient and allows nerve functioning to assume recognized levels of normalcy. In terms of these other serious issues, marijuana has also been noted to have significant contributions to the fight against glaucoma, asthma, and a variety of neurogenic disorders.

In examining the contributions medical marijuana has made to specific ailments the greatest current challenge is a lack of research, coupled with the pervasive negative connotations associated with the substance. Still, a growing body of research has indicated that marijuana may have medical benefits significantly more far reaching than previously believed. In these regards, it’s possible that medical marijuana usage may contribute to healing such large-scale issues as Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, collagen-induced arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease.

In large part, current research and acceptance has indicated that marijuana can be effectively implemented in the treatment of physical ailments. Still, a growing body of research has indicated that marijuana can potentially contribute to a variety of psychic disorders. Perhaps the most pervasive in these regards is the use of medical marijuana for a variety of anxiety issues. The sedative elements of marijuana have been reported to create a relaxing effect that calms the individual’s nerves and has a holistic effect on their psychological anxiety symptoms.

In addition to contributions medical marijuana makes to anxiety, it also has gained growing support in alleviating psychic elements associated with post-traumatic stress disorder. While PTS is still an area of mental illness that demands a complex psychological response, medical marijuana has been qualitatively reported to reduce the psychic trauma and redirect the individual’s consciousness towards more functional concerns. Medical marijuana can be consumed through a variety of methods; most prominently marijuana is smoked in a pipe, but can also be vaporized or even eaten.

Notably, one of the growing means of medical marijuana consumption is through synthetic pill form, known as Marinol. In conclusion, this essay has examined the means and extent medical marijuana can aid in curing and alleviating health concerns. In addition, the essay has noted means of marijuana consumption. It’s clear that marijuana can alleviate a variety of symptoms, both physical and psychological in nature. Ultimately, while marijuana still retains a negative connotation in much of society, it is progressively gaining acceptance as a viable medical outlet.

ReferencesAggarwal, Sunil K.; Carter, Gregory T.; Sullivan, Mark D.; ZumBrunnen, Craig; Morrill, Richard; Mayer, Jonathan D. (2009). "Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions". Journal of Opioid Management 5 (3): 153–68.Joy, Janet E.; Watson, Stanley J.; Benson, John A., eds (1999). Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.Watson SJ, Benson JA, Joy JE (2000). "Marijuana and medicine: assessing the science base: a summary of the 1999 Institute of Medicine report".

Archives of General Psychiatry 57 (6): 547–52.