yuyuUand more are exploring its benefits for a wide range of health issues. Medicinal marijuana is a fairly new introduction to the medical field that can help cure diseases and prevent some from developing. There are many products infused with water soluble CBD and other forms for better absorption in the body. There are some pros and cons to medical marijuana, and the debate on its legality and efficacy is still ongoing. If you are living where medical marijuana is legal and you are suffering from health problems and considering taking it, you may consult these pros and cons to see if it will suit your medical needs. Of course, these should not overstep the advice of your health practitioner. Seek medical advice first and foremost before making a decision.
Pros
- It has been studied and proven to treat some ailments such as chronic pain, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and others. It can also reduce after-chemo side effects such as nausea, pain, and vomiting.
- It can treat loss of appetite brought about by certain cancers and HIV/AIDS.
- You don’t have to smoke cannabis to reap the benefits. CBD oil is available in pure or infused forms. They can be taken orally or topically, depending on what you need.
- Marijuana has been in use for thousands of years – way before medical breakthroughs were developed and introduced.
Cons
- Marijuana, if smoked and abused, can possibly cause impairments in cognitive abilities.
- It is illegal in most countries, and even the use of medical marijuana is still up for legalization.
- Prolonged use can affect short-term memory.
How does marijuana work?
It contains two components – CBD and THC. THC is the active ingredient in marijuana, the one that gives you the high. It is psychoactive and can affect your body functions. CBD, on the other hand, is the opposite of THC. It is non-psychoactive, and it is the ingredient that provides many health benefits. CBD is extracted from cannabis and processed into different products – be it in pure or infused form. CBD provides relief to pain, cancer-related symptoms, and anxiety and depression. Studies show that it can further prevent other diseases from developing, such as diabetes. People who take CBD do not get high, because the THC component is minuscule. Medical marijuana is not psychoactive. Recreational marijuana is.
Is CBD safe?
Since it is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana and has been proven to be beneficial to health, it is safe to use in the right amounts. Should you opt to use CBD to treat your health issues, your doctor will advise on how much to take, what form to take, and the like.
Self-medicating is still a no-no, regardless if it is a pharmaceutical drug or medicinal marijuana. Consulting your health practitioner before using CBD is still the way to go to ensure that you will get the most benefit from it. Take note, too, that recreational and medicinal marijuana are two entirely different things. Do not confuse the two.
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