More than twenty states in the United States have legalized the use of marijuana due to its potent medicinal properties. Health experts have also been changing their minds or opinions on the usage of marijuana. Many people also have a feeling that this drug should be legalized for medicinal uses. A lot of research is still going on to establish the effects of this drug on the body.
However, you should always keep in mind that excessive smoking of marijuana can mess with your emotions and memory. This happens when the drug is abused or overused for other reasons other than for medicinal purposes. The medical properties of marijuana are attributed to its active chemicals which have medicinal applications. These chemicals are cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol.
These are the health benefits of marijuana
Used in treating glaucoma
Marijuana is used in preventing and treating eye diseases such as glaucoma. This disease is known for increasing the pressure on the eyeball thereby damaging the sensitive optic nerve. This might lead to loss of vision. Smoking marijuana helps in lowering intraocular pressure especially in people having glaucoma.
Reversing the carcinogenic effects associated with tobacco use
Smoking marijuana improves lung health as well as increasing the capacity of the lungs. It is believed that the increased lung capacity is caused by the deep breaths taken while inhaling this drug.
Helps in treating muscle spasms
Medical marijuana is used in treating diaphragm spasms which are untreatable by other forms of medications. Such spasms are very painful and they also interfere with speaking and breathing. Marijuana helps in calming the effects of muscle spasms immediately upon smoking.
It eliminates the side effects associated with hepatitis medications
The treatment process for hepatitis infection is known to be very harsh. Negative side effects are associated with this treatment including muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, depression, and loss of appetite. Many people are unable to finish the treatment because of these side effects which can last for months. Marijuana is also helpful in increasing the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Marijuana is used in treating inflammatory bowel diseases
Studies which have been conducted reveal that patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can benefit from using marijuana. Some of the chemicals found in marijuana play a significant role in improving the functionality of the gut and the immune system. The permeability of the intestines is also increased by the compounds found in marijuana.