Common Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana
Today, you can find a “medical marijuana and _____� article on almost every condition out there. While marijuana is nothing short than a medical miracle, some conditions will see more success with medical marijuana treatments than others - and only some such conditions even qualify for medical marijuana coverage. In the case of most medical marijuana patients, the recommendation is for CBD, which is the non-psychoactive form of cannabis. However, there are cases to be made for the benefits of THC as well. Often, the most ideal treatment can be a combination of both of these cannabinoids to get the full-effect of the plant. Most of the conditions that qualify for medical marijuana can be treated with prescription medication or opioids, but patients are shifting towards more natural alternatives with less side effects. Regardless of which form you take, the side effects for cannabis are mostly limited to dry mouth, dry eyes, increased appetite (not always a bad thing!).
Common Conditions Treated With MMJ With legalization on the way, you will soon be able to get marijuana with or without a medical license, however, for financial ease as well as comfort, a lot of individuals may still prefer to still seek out a medical marijuana card. For these individuals, it can be helpful to know what some of the most commonly approved conditions are for medical marijuana coverage.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Post-traumatic stress disorder is classified as an anxiety disorder and is often characterized by panic episodes and hypervigilance, which can affect mood and sleep. Patients suffering from this disorder can often have a hard time in public or with sleep, as many are riddled with night terrors caused by their experience. Fortunately, many patients find relief in medical marijuana particularly high CBD cannabis products. These do not create any psychoactive effects, which makes them the best option for helping to ease anxiety. It is also proven to help patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer when taken before bedtime.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Multiple Sclerosis (also known as M.S.) is a neurological disorder that causes the body's immune response to attack the central nervous system, resulting in a variety of symptoms. Medical marijuana has proven beneficial for these patients in a variety of ways: ● Acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce the immune response ● THC is proven very effective for managing pain ● Can reduce frequency and severity of muscle spasms ● Cannabis can ease gastrointestinal issues and THC is a proven appetite stimulant ● Can help patients fall asleep and stay asleep ● Reduces depression
Chronic Pain One of the most common reasons for seeking medical marijuana is pain. There are many different kinds of pain ranging from motor vehicle accidents, previous injuries, back and neck problems, joint issues, etc. The type of pain and severity will influence the dosage and type of cannabis prescribed, but most doctors find a combination of CBD and THC (such as 1:1 strains) to be most effective.
Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders CBD oil is becoming more popular as a treatment for epilepsy or other seizure disorders. Thanks to the non-psychoactive properties and multiple benefits of CBD - such as to help manage brain activity - CBD can reduce the frequency of seizures up to 42%, according to a 2018 study1. In addition, CBD is the only form of cannabis that is approved for minors and can be used to treat epilepsy in children and minors.
Cancer and Chemotherapy Treatment There are dozens of stories out there about cannabis treating cancer. In fact, The National Cancer Institute, which is run by the US government, recently admitted that cancer cells have been killed by cannabis in a lab setting. While this is still a grey area, and can depend on the type of cancer and the stage, there is no doubt that cannabis is great for managing the symptoms and side-effects of cancer. Many chemotherapy patients find relief from the brutal nausea thanks to a combination of CBD and THC treatments.
HIV / AIDS Some of the very first data on cannabis was in regard to it as a treatment option for HIV and AIDs to help manage pain, nausea, appetite loss and the emotional effects this type of condition can have on a person.
Neurodegenerative Diseases It has been recently proven in several studies that cannabis can have a positive effect on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease due to its ability to contribute to neurogenesis of cells and help to improve quality of life. Cannabis has been proven to have a positive effect on improving cognition and mobility and relieving stiff muscles or tremors. The benefits come from the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found within these cannabinoids (CBD and THC). 1 https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/study-finds-cbd-drug-epidiolex-reduces-seizures-by-42
In addition, in the case of Alzheimer’s Disease, it has been proven that THC can reduce the levels of beta-amyloid proteins, which are believed to be one of the root causes for Alzheimer’s.
Additional Conditions
The above conditions are not all-inclusive as there are several other conditions that can qualify for, and benefit from, medical marijuana. The above conditions are some of the most common, but additional conditions that can benefit from marijuana treatments include:
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ADD/ADHD Anxiety Arthritis Brain Injury Cancer Chronic Nausea Colitis Crohn’s Disease Depression Eating Disorders Epilepsy Fibromyalgia Gastrointestinal Disorders Hepatitis C Irritable Bowel Syndrome Kidney Failure/Dialysis Migraines
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Muscle Spasms Muscular Dystrophy Sexual Dysfunction Sleep Disorders Spinal Cord Injury/Disease
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