Introduction
Marijuana or cannabis is a plant that has received attention globally for many reasons, but mainly for medical purposes. However, there is a slight difference between cannabis and marijuana, while some people use these two interchangeably. Cannabis is used as a common term of all products obtained from the plant known as Cannabis sativa L., which contains more than 540 different compounds. While the term marijuana includes concentrations of THC, it is limited strictly to parts of the cannabis plant that contain said substance in a high degree.
Cannabinoids: The Active Compounds in Cannabis
Cannabis is composed of several active compounds referred to as cannabinoids of which the most widely known are THC and CBD. THC is the component of marijuana that can cause mental impairment, while CBD is the non psychoactive compound that holds medical properties.
All together over one hundred have been discovered. It was proposed that these substances affect the body’s endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for physiology of pain, mood and appetite.
Cannabis in Medicine: Approved Uses and Ongoing Studies
While marijuana has not received the FDA nod in terms of medical use, some of its variants have gotten the go-ahead. For instance, Epidiolex – which is essentially a purified extract of CBD – is prescribed for treating seizures in patients with two rarer subtypes of epilepsy, what is called both Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Other approved drugs, Marinol and Syndros contain synthetic THC and are recommended for treatment of nausea due to chemotherapy and for HIV/AIDS associated anorexia.
Current research focuses on various cannabinoids effects on diseases such as chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and anxiety. However, not all of the research made in this regard is conclusive and even more research has to be done to determine how all these substances may be used to treat different health conditions.
Risks and Side Effects of Cannabis
While there are potential benefits, cannabis use is not without risks. Using cannabis in any form increases the chances of having a car accident, gives birth to low weight babies and increases the chances of having schizophrenia or any other mental illness. Moreover, some patients who use cannabis for a long time may be diagnosed with cannabis use disorder – the signs include desires and inability to regulate the usage level.
CBD, while normally has few side effects, can cause various unwanted symptoms that include changes in mood, lethargy, diarrhea, etc. Some over the counter CBD products could actually contain or lack cannabinoids in the advertised amounts or even contain dangerous chemicals.
The Bottom Line
Cannabis is the plant and it is rather useful especially in matters concerning medical science. But it should be taken responsibly and individuals are advised to seek doctor’s advice before they take cannabis or any cannabinoid products for medicine. Future studies may clear the air on the best ways to use the substance in an appropriate and beneficial manner in future.
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