What conditions does medical cannabis treat?
Cannabis is nothing short of a wonder plant. It can not only help banish short-term aches and pains, but it’s also incredibly effective at easing long-term, chronic conditions and helping sufferers address the root causes of their issues. Under the correct supervision, medical cannabis can be taken in a range of forms, and used to address:
Chronic pain
One of the most common reasons for taking medical cannabis is to treat chronic, or long-term pain. This can include cancer pain, with cannabis not only easing the pain itself but also reducing side effects such as nausea and sleep problems. Similarly, medical cannabis may also be an effective form of pain relief for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, with the added benefit of reducing the frequency of muscle spasms, and for those living with chronic back pain or arthritis.
Insomnia and sleep apnoea
Increasingly, older people, in particular, are turning to medical cannabis to help them get a good night’s sleep. According to some studies, several of the cannabinoids found inside the cannabis plant may have the ability to react with brain cell receptors and address some of the underlying problems affecting sleep. As well as insomnia sufferers, adults struggling with the effects of sleep apnoea may also benefit from regular treatments of medical cannabis.
Fibromyalgia
Sufferers of this disorder have to live with not just widespread musculoskeletal pain but also a variety of associated issues, including mental fatigue, exhaustion and emotional distress. For many, medical cannabis is a welcome source of relief. A number of
medical studies have shown cannabis to be a safe and reliable treatment for fibromyalgia, easing pain and also providing sufferers with a mental health boost and allowing them to regain some of their independence.
Crohn’s disease and colitis
According to the
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, several studies have shown how smoking medical cannabis can improve the symptoms of these potentially-debilitating conditions. As well as providing pain relief, regular treatments can also reduce inflammation. At the same time, it can also address related issues, including but not limited to, loss of appetite, sleep problems, and anxiety and mental fatigue.
Glaucoma
Illustrating just how diverse medical cannabis can be, it is also commonly used to treat glaucoma. While experts advise that it be used alongside other treatments for this disease of the optic nerve such as eye drops and even surgery, medical cannabis can prove effective in lowering intraocular pressure. This in turn reduces the risk of further nerve damage.
Again, the benefits also include easing the anxiety and sleep loss that often comes hand-in-hand with such a potentially life-changing condition.
Eating disorders
Reasons for people developing eating disorders can be complex and are still not fully understood. However, several studies have shown that medical cannabis can serve as an effective treatment for disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, particularly when used alongside therapy. Here, medical cannabis can not only address the anxiety that may trigger the disorder, but it can also stimulate the appetite.
These are just a few ways in which medical cannabis can be used for common conditions, addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes. The list of possible benefits is much wider.
To find out more about the properties of medicinal cannabis and how it may be able to help, get in touch with our team of expert medical professionals for a personalized assessment. We offer medicinal cannabis treatment London residents can rely on.
