Cannabis is a two-sided coin. On one side, we have the harmful psychoactive drug with all those side effects that society truly and rightfully fears. On the other hand, we have a curative component to ailments as lethal as cancer. Scientists have worked hard to isolate the latter part, Cannabidiol or CBD, and test its medicinal qualities. With a lot of opposition from anti-drug units and federal governments, research has shown that some medical cannabis uses include the following:

Treat Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical cannabis uses serve a more curative than preventive role and thus is more efficient in treating a pre-existing condition, i.e. Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a medical condition where the brain cells degenerate and the brain atrophies (shrink). It causes dementia, a condition resulting from the impairment of two or more brain functions. Some cannabinoids have been known to suppress the indications of Alzheimer which include amnesia, behavioural disorders and Motor-CNS miscommunication, by reducing brain inflammation and neuron death.

Counter the effects of Chemotherapy

Of all the medical cannabis uses, this is the most popular ( not overlooking the other theory that cannabis kills tumour cells, but we will stick with what has proof today).

Cancer patients regularly have Chemotherapy to kill cancer cells using radioactive rays. Effects of exposure to these rays include vomiting and nausea, which interfere with the patients’ ability to eat. Researchers have found that CBD components can reduce these effects and provide some pain relief (for these chemotherapeutic sessions are known to be extremely painful).

Deal with Spasticity

What is Spasticity?

Spasticity is a condition where the muscles become taut as a result of muscle tension due to abnormal muscle tightness. Damage to nerve pathways is the main cause of this ailment, and this damage can either be in the brain or the spinal cord. 

Apparently, the brain has receptors for cannabinoids, a good example being CB1 and CB2. These receptors can be used to create special signal transduction cascades that can regulate Glutamate ( a key excitatory neurologic signal transmitter in the central nervous system) activity in the brain and therefore limit excitation of muscles, lessening muscle contraction.

Pain relief and inflammation reduction

Many medical cannabis uses often revolve around the painkilling properties of cannabis. The cannabinoid receptors mentioned above in the brain come into play again as the action of the endocannabinoid system, responsible for pain sensation, is altered by cannabidiol which disrupts pain receptor activity and interacts with other neurological signal transmitters. In this case, CBD is most effective for back and nerve pain.

Summary

The above listed medical breakthroughs are just but a sample of the extensive collection of Green Society BC . Therefore, it is imperative that the debate on whether or not it safe to conduct research on cannabis  be brought to a halt and the research intensified to find what other benefits these cannabinoids have.