Every day, more and more medical marijuana research is being conducted on its medical properties. In fact, the World Wide Web is now overflowing with articles related to the drug and its uses in treating various illnesses.
For many people – especially those who are new to the topic – this information can be overwhelming. To make sense of it all, it’s helpful to understand exactly why there’s so much public interest in medical marijuana.
The answer is that there are plenty of reasons why cannabis has become such a hot topic for scientists worldwide. There are also a number of published materials that contain detailed explanations about how marijuana can work as a treatment for numerous conditions.
If you’re interested in learning more about what we know about marijuana and its potential for healing, read on for an overview of leading medical marijuana research from around the world.
What’s Happening in Medical Marijuana Research?
In recent years, we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of studies that focus on the medical uses of marijuana. For example, in 2013, there were almost 100 new studies published on the topic. Over the past decade, studies on medical cannabis have increased by over 1000 percent.
This massive spike in research can be attributed to a number of factors. First and foremost, there has been a drastic cultural shift in how we view drugs. For example, in 1969, the Controlled Substances Act was passed, which officially listed cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug.
This designation meant it to be highly addictive with no medicinal value. In contrast, many researchers now believe that cannabis does have medical applications and that it is an extremely useful treatment for certain health issues. Additionally, researchers have also received more funding to investigate these uses thanks to the legalization of medical marijuana in certain states.
Why Is There So Much Interest in Medical Marijuana?
There are a few reasons why researchers are so eager in learning more about the medical uses of cannabis. For starters, the drug is relatively easy to access. In other words, scientists don’t have to go through the rigorous approval process that they would if they were trying to get access to other treatments.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, there has been a cultural shift in how people view marijuana. This has led to an increase in the number of people who are willing to participate in medical marijuana studies.
Additionally, researchers have also obtained access to advanced technologies that allow them to study the molecular structure of cannabis. This has allowed scientists to identify the specific compounds that give cannabis its healing properties.
Using Cannabis as a Treatment for Depression
There is a lot of evidence that suggests cannabis can treat depression. In fact, many researchers believe that the drug is just as effective as traditional medications like Prozac and Zoloft. However, it’s important to note that the effects of cannabis on mood are different for every person.
Therefore, it’s important to discuss the best way to obtain and consume the drug with a medical professional before you begin treatment. For example, some people may want to try smoking marijuana, while others may prefer to ingest it as an extract.
Researchers don’t yet know why smoking cannabis produces different effects than ingesting it in other ways. However, they are able to confirm that smoking cannabis is likely to produce a more intense reaction than ingesting the drug in another form.
Using Cannabis to Help Treat Anxiety Disorders
There is also a growing body of medical marijuana research that suggests cannabis can treat anxiety disorders. However, researchers note that not all strains of cannabis are likely to produce the same results. For example, strains that contain high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) are more likely to help people overcome anxiety.
Depending on the level of anxiety you’re experiencing, the doctor may advise you to take different amounts of cannabis. For example, if you have severe anxiety, they may recommend you take a large dose of CBD oil.
In contrast, if you just have occasional bouts of anxiety, a small amount of CBD oil may be enough to help you. Unfortunately, we don’t yet know exactly how long it takes before CBD oil will begin to work. However, most people report that they begin to notice an improvement in their symptoms after a few weeks.
Marijuana Can Be Used to Help Combat OCD
There is also a lot of evidence that suggests cannabis may help to treat OCD. Many people who suffer from this condition turn to cannabis to cope with their symptoms. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some strains of cannabis may produce more effective results than others.
For example, strains that are high in CBD and low in THC are more likely to help reduce OCD symptoms. However, the intensity of the results depends on the amount of cannabis you consume.
For example, someone who has severe OCD may need to take larger doses of the drug than someone who has milder symptoms. Similarly, you’ll also want to talk to your doctor about the best way to obtain and consume cannabis.
There’s Evidence That Supports Its Use as a Treatment for PTSD
There is a lot of evidence that suggests cannabis as a treatment for PTSD. Many veterans who suffer from PTSD have found that cannabis helps them cope with their symptoms. However, the best way to obtain and consume cannabis for the treatment of PTSD depends on the individual.
For example, some people may prefer to ingest cannabis as an extract, while others may smoke the drug. Again, researchers don’t yet know why consuming cannabis in different ways produces different effects. However, they do know that the method you choose may depend on the severity of your symptoms.
For example, if you have severe PTSD, the doctor may advise you to take larger doses of cannabis than someone who has milder symptoms.
Conclusion
There is a lot of research being conducted on the medical properties of marijuana. In fact, the World Wide Web is now overflowing with articles related to the drug and its uses in treating various illnesses. For many people – especially those who are new to the topic – this information can be overwhelming.
To make sense of it all, it’s helpful to understand exactly why there’s so much public interest in medical marijuana. The answer is that there are plenty of reasons why cannabis has become such a hot topic for scientists worldwide.
There are also a number of published materials that contain detailed explanations about how marijuana can benefit as a treatment for numerous conditions.
