Medical cannabis has gained increasing attention for its therapeutic potential in treating a variety of medical conditions. Its use is rooted in the plants bioactive compounds, primarily cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain sensation, mood, sleep, and immune responses. Here’s a detailed overview of the conditions most treated with medical cannabis and the benefits patients often experience.
“Through the responsible and innovative use of medical cannabis, we are not just transforming lives; we are giving hope to those who thought they had none. This is more than a business; it is a mission to alleviate suffering and restore dignity.” Lady Anna Prokofjeva
Medical cannabis has gained increasing attention for its therapeutic potential in treating a variety of medical conditions. Its use is rooted in the plants bioactive compounds, primarily cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including pain sensation, mood, sleep, and immune responses. Here’s a detailed overview of the conditions most treated with medical cannabis and the benefits patients often experience.
How it helps: Medical cannabis, particularly products with a balanced THC: CBD in equal ratio, is approved in many countries for managing spasticity and pain in MS patients. THC’s muscle-relaxing effects help reduce spasms and improve mobility, while CBD reduces inflammation that exacerbates MS symptoms.
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV)
Pain
Loss of Appetite
Anxiety
How it helps: THC is particularly effective for reducing nausea and stimulating appetite, making it beneficial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The pain-relieving properties of both THC and CBD are valuable in managing cancer-related and treatment-induced pain. Additionally, medical cannabis helps reduce anxiety and depression, contributing to a better overall mental state during treatment.
Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Social Anxiety Disorder PTSD Panic Disorder.
CBD’s anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties have shown promise in reducing symptoms of anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC. CBD can modulate serotonin receptors, promoting relaxation and lowering stress levels. In PTSD patients, cannabis may help reduce flashbacks and nightmares, improving sleep and overall mental well-being. However, THC should be used with caution as it can sometimes exacerbate anxiety in higher doses.
Insomnia
Sleep Apnoea,
Restless Legs Syndrome.
How it helps: Medical cannabis, especially strains or products high in THC, can induce relaxation and help patients fall asleep more easily. It reduces the time to fall asleep and improves overall sleep quality by reducing factors like chronic pain and anxiety that disturb sleep. CBD, on the other hand, helps regulate circadian rhythms, offering benefits for sleep without causing sedation.
Tremors
Rigidity
Muscle Spasms
Sleep Disturbances
Pain.
How it helps: Medical cannabis can provide relief from motor symptoms in Parkinson’s patients, especially muscle rigidity and tremors. It also improves non-motor symptoms such as pain and sleep problems. THC’s muscle-relaxing properties and CBD’s neuroprotective effects contribute to better motor function and overall quality of life.
Crohn’s Disease
Ulcerative Colitis
How it helps: Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for patients with IBD. CBD can reduce gut inflammation, improve appetite, and help manage abdominal pain. Medical cannabis may also assist in maintaining remission and improving the overall quality of life for those living with chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Irritability
Aggression
Anxiety.
How it helps: In children and adults with ASD, CBD has shown promise in managing symptoms of anxiety, aggression, and self-harming behaviour. By modulating neurotransmitters like serotonin, CBD can promote calmness and reduce emotional outbursts without significant side effects.
Pain
Loss of Appetite
Nausea
Weight loss.
How it helps: Medical cannabis can stimulate appetite, reduce nausea, and alleviate neuropathic pain in HIV/AIDS patients. THC, in particular, helps improve mood and reduce discomfort, leading to improved overall quality of life.
Conditions treated:
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Neuropathic Pain
Migraines
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Post-operative Pain. How it helps: Cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD, act on the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the Endocannabinoid System to modulate pain signals and reduce inflammation. CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while THC is more effective in directly reducing pain perception. Patients with chronic pain often experience improved quality of life, with better sleep, reduced need for opioids, and enhanced day-to-day functioning.
% patients with significant improvement after 3 months of using cannabis products
