Medical marijuana use has seen a significant increase in recent years, with more and more people obtaining licenses to buy it. The number of licensed users in the US alone has more than quadrupled between 2016 and 2020, reaching nearly 3 million. A similar trend is being observed in Australia, while in the UK, where medical cannabis was legalized in 2018, an estimated 1.4 million people used it for medicinal purposes in 2020.
Cannabis has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to 2700 BC. In Western medicine, it gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was even used by Queen Victoria’s doctor to treat her premenstrual symptoms. However, despite its long history of use, our knowledge of its health effects is still relatively limited due to strict research regulations.
Nevertheless, there is growing research showing that the compounds found in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, have the potential for various medical benefits. The endocannabinoid system in our bodies, which regulates essential processes like hunger, sleep, mood, and body temperature, is believed to play a key role in mediating these effects. The most well-known cannabinoids in marijuana are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), but there are over 100 other cannabinoids that are still being studied.
In this comprehensive guide, we focus on 20 conditions that are under active investigation or show potential benefits from treatment with medical cannabis. We delve into the latest research to determine where there is strong evidence of benefit, where the evidence is mixed, and where cannabis may even worsen symptoms. Topics covered include Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, chronic pain, cancer, PTSD, and more.
It is important to note that while cannabis shows promising potential, it is not a panacea and may not provide relief for everyone or every condition. Consulting a doctor is crucial, especially since cannabis may interact with other medications and may not be suitable for everyone. As research on medical marijuana continues to evolve, we gain a better understanding of its benefits and limitations.
Please click the links below to explore specific conditions:
– [Alzheimer’s disease](#Alzheimer’s%20disease)
– [Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)](#Amyotrophic%20lateral%20sclerosis%20(ALS))
– [Anxiety](#Anxiety)
– [Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)](#Attention-deficit/hyperactivity%20disorder%20(ADHD))
– [Cancer](#Cancer)
– [Chronic pain](#Chronic%20pain)
– [Depression](#Depression)
– [Epilepsy](#Epilepsy)
– [Glaucoma](#Glaucoma)
– [HIV symptoms](#HIV%20symptoms)
– [Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)](#Inflammatory%20bowel%20disease%20(IBD))
– [Insomnia](#Insomnia)
– [Migraine](#Migraine)
– [Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms](#Multiple%20Sclerosis%20(MS)%20symptoms)
– [Nausea](#Nausea)
– [Opioid use disorder](#Opioid%20use%20disorder)
– [Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)](#Post-traumatic%20stress%20disorder%20(PTSD))
– [Schizophrenia](#Schizophrenia)
– [Tourette syndrome (TS)](#Tourette%20syndrome%20(TS))
– [Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)](#Tuberous%20sclerosis%20complex%20(TSC))
Keep in mind that the evidence varies for each condition, with some having strong support for medical cannabis use, while others have limited or conflicting evidence. The goal is to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the current state of research on medical marijuana.
