Perhaps no plant in the world has been more steeped in controversy than the humble marijuana plant. Cannabis sativa has been cultivated for at least 10,000 years, says Advanced Holistic Health.org. The website goes on to say that many ancient cultures prized it for textiles, food, and medicine. Many of our Founding Fathers made a place in their vast gardens to grow marijuana.
Why is such a useful plant outlawed or heavily regulated across the globe? DrugPolicy.org claims that Americans had touted the benefits of cannabis for generations. They did recognize the hallucinogenic properties of the crop; however, and they believed that it acted as a nerve tonic. Later scientific data would back up their opinions.
The website continues to cite that marijuana was made illegal to thwart the influx of Mexican immigrants in the 1930s. The lawmakers did not realize that the plants the Mexicans venerated were the same one that was a major ingredient in common medicines. In the 1970s, the American government continued the hash ban under the umbrella of the Controlled Substance Act.
Recently, many states have gone the polls to vote for the legalization of marijuana. Proponents say that there are too many studies that prove health benefits of cannabis to outlaw it. While the word is still out if it will ever be totally legal for recreational use, many grateful patients can now get it for their medical conditions. CBD oil is a derivative of cannabis and is readily available. People can buy CBD oil online after performing a little bit of research of their own.
Here are some recognized health benefits of cannabis:
• CBD oil can help certain cancers from spreading: An article from Medical News Today.com states that international studies suggest that certain chemicals found in the marijuana plant can reduce tumor sizes and prevent others from appearing.
• Reducing pressure in glaucoma: Glaucoma is a disease that causes fluid pressure to build up in the eyes. Left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness. It is a common eye disease in the elderly. According to Verywell.com, smoking marijuana can relieve some of this eye pressure. It is also better tolerated than many traditional glaucoma medications.
• Alleviating Epileptic Seizures: One of the reasons that many epileptic patients are not faithful with their medications is because of the possible side effects. An article from the Epilepsy Foundation explores possible uses of CBD derivatives as a treatment for seizures.
• Slowing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease: WebMD states that a major ingredient (THC) in marijuana does a better job at Alzheimer brain plaque than some of the standard medications. While there is still no cure for this disease, THC may slow its progression, states the website.
• Soothing the pain of Multiple Sclerosis: One of the most difficult symptoms of MS is the excruciating nerve pain patients suffer. The National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation says that cannabis oil can reduce these pains and muscle spasms.
• Easing Arthritis pain: A lot of the medications given for arthritis can have serious side effects. Safeaccessnow.com reports that not only can medical marijuana help arthritis pain, but it also has certain benefits for the bones.
• Help for Parkinson’s Disease: This neurological disorder causes uncontrollable tremors and a gradual degeneration of certain brain tissue. In an article from Marijuana Doctors.com, cannabis can offer welcomed relief to these symptoms. It also does not have the side effects that regular Parkinson medication has.
• Relief for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome: Mental health professionals often have difficulty treating people who have been severely traumatized. The stress and depression that accompany PTSD can be devastating. In a report that was addressed on sciencedaily.com, many patients feel relieved from the fear and other symptoms of PTSD when using cannabis.
There is still a long way to go with studies about cannabis health benefits. As more states open the gates for scientific research and patient trials, better results can be calculated. Until then, there are people who still advocate medical marijuana for their conditions.