The history is full of people using cannabis for medicinal purposes. The first recorded use of medical cannabis dates back to 2737 BCE in ancient China. Since then, people all over the world have used cannabis to treat a variety of conditions and illnesses.
In the United States, public attitudes toward medical cannabis have changed dramatically in recent years. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize medical cannabis. As of 2018, 33 states plus Washington D.C. have legalized medical cannabis in some form.
A 2018 Pew Research Center survey found that 61 percent of Americans now support legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes. This is up from just 31 percent in 2000. Later, in 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first-ever medication containing a purified form of cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in the cannabis plant.
The FDA has also approved two drugs that contain synthetic forms of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. These drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. While more research is needed, there is growing evidence that medical cannabis can effectively treat certain conditions and symptoms.
The changing attitude is due in part to an increasing body of scientific evidence showing that cannabis can be effective. In recent years, the use of medicinal cannabis has become increasingly popular. This is partly due to the growing body of research that is beginning to emerge about the potential health benefits of this natural remedy.
While there is still much to learn about the exact mechanisms by which cannabis works to improve health, the latest studies are beginning to shed some light on how this plant may be able to help treat a variety of conditions.
One of the most well-known potential uses of medicinal cannabis is chronic pain treatment. A recent study published in the Journal of Pain found that patients who used cannabis for chronic pain experienced a significant reduction in their symptoms.
This is just one example of the growing body of evidence that suggests medicinal cannabis could be an effective treatment for chronic pain. In addition to pain relief, other potential health benefits of medicinal cannabis include anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and anti-seizure effects.
Cannabis is also being studied as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. A recent study published in the journal Nature found that a THC-based drug could reduce the formation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brains of mice. These plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
While more research is needed, the findings of this and other studies suggest that medicinal cannabis could one day be a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to the potential uses of medicinal cannabis mentioned so far, this natural remedy is also being studied as a treatment for various conditions. These include cancer, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and even addiction. While more research is needed to confirm the exact therapeutic potential of medicinal cannabis, the latest studies are beginning to paint a promising picture of this natural remedy.
