Most individuals will agree that there is a need for extended MMJ research into the benefits of cannabis for different health conditions. All consumers of cannabis want it to become legal, but the federal government still doesn’t see the need for legalization because they are not yet convinced of its medicinal impacts. A 2017 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine showed both the therapeutic and harmful effects of cannabis. The report also emphasized the need for further research on cannabis so that users can better understand the health effects of marijuana and the need for the removal of regulatory barriers which is currently blocking cannabis research.
Many Benefits of Medical Marijuana
Marijuana has hundreds of compounds known as cannabinoids. The primary cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD) has potent antiemetic effects which can relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. According to ProjectCBD.org, CBD can lessen nausea by interacting with serotonin receptors, and that cannabis may be more effective in relieving nausea than conventional drugs. Preclinical studies show that the pure form of CBD known as CBDA has more antiemetic properties than CBD. When administered in relatively small doses, it can help relieve both nausea and vomiting. CBD also has anti-anxiety properties, which can aid patients with chronic nausea. Nonetheless, there is still a need for further MMJ research on this area to see if cannabis can benefit individuals suffering from the negative effects of chemotherapy.
Some preliminary studies on cannabis show its ability to stop the growth of cancer cells. Sadly, the lack of extensive studies as well as no clinical data proving the marijuana effects has made people less convinced. If deep research is conducted on cannabis and cancer, it could aid millions of cancer sufferers who often find difficulties with the condition.
Importance of Medical Marijuana Research
The current MMJ research on cannabis effects on heart health is both controversial and contradictory. Several reports show that cannabis can bring higher blood pressure, while others show that cannabis can act as a vasodilator, expanding the blood vessels and reducing blood pressure. Detailed research and clinical trials could clear the doubt surrounding cannabis and heart health.
Pregnant women usually use cannabis to help alleviate nausea and vomiting also known as morning sickness. This condition affects some expecting mothers throughout the day, making them unable to maintain a healthy diet while pregnant and making life difficult for them. According to several critics, marijuana use while pregnant can adversely affect the growing fetus. Nonetheless, recent studies show that cannabis reduces only a four-ounce of birth weight in babies born to mothers who consume cannabis while pregnant.
Another reason for the need for detailed studies on cannabis is because diabetics could potentially benefit from cannabis use too. Cannabis advocates believe that marijuana improves insulin generation, therefore blocking adult-onset diabetes. Some reports defy this by stating that cannabis use inhibits insulin production making people more liable to develop diabetes.
Bottom line
Cannabis has massive potential to treat varieties of symptoms. But due to federal restrictions on the drug, it becomes difficult to conduct studies. Surely, there is a lot of work to be done and as the drug gains more popularity, hopefully, we will see more cannabis research.
