A Care2 favorite by Michelle Schoffro Cook
Follow
Michelle at @mschoffrocook
Marijuana
frequently gets a bad rap. But how much of it is deserved?
After my
previous post, “Should Marijuana Be Legalized?“ I conducted
research to understand the benefits and risks of marijuana. Here are just ten
of the many health benefits attributed to the plant, as well as some of
the problems associated with its use:
1.
Alzheimer’s
Marijuana
may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to research by the
Scripps Research Institute published in “Molecular Pharmaceutics.”
2.
Anxiety
Harvard Medical School found that marijuana may
have anti-anxiety effects. Of course, keep in mind
that high doses may increase anxiety and paranoia.
3.
Arthritis
Marijuana
can alleviate pain and inflammation linked to arthritis.
4. Cancer
Research
published in the journal “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics” suggests that cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in
marijuana, turns off the “ID-1″ gene, which cancer cells use to spread.
5.
Epilepsy
Studies conducted by researchers at Virginia
Commonwealth University indicate that marijuana may stop seizures.
6.
Glaucoma
Researchers are working to develop new
cannabis-based drugs to treat glaucoma pain after determining marijuana’s
effectiveness for treating the condition. Glaucoma is a condition that increases pressure
inside the eyeball and can lead to vision loss.
7. Lung
health
Research
in the “Journal of the American Medical
Association“ found that marijuana can increase lung capacity – not decrease it, as
many people have long believed.
8.
Multiple sclerosis
A study
published in the “Canadian Medical Association Journal” found that
cannabinoids significantly reduced multiple sclerosis pain.
9. Nausea
Marijuana
contains a minimum of 60 cannabinoids. THC is the primary chemical associated
with its mind-altering effects. THC has been used in the treatment of nausea, including drug- or chemotherapy-induced
nausea.
10.
Parkinson’s Disease
Research
published in “MedPage Today” found that
marijuana use eased tremors and improved fine motor skills in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Despite
these health benefits, it’s also important to consider the potential health
risks of marijuana use:
•
Addiction can cause uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms in people who discontinue
marijuana use.
• In high
doses or in sensitive individuals, marijuana can cause anxiety and paranoia.
•
Marijuana may impair memory.
•
Mind-altering effects are particularly evident among young and first-time
users.
• One
study found an increase in
risk of heart attack within the first hour of smoking marijuana.
If you
think severe sentencing laws are doing more harm than
good, consider signing this Care2 petition.
Dr. Michelle
Schoffro Cook, PhD, DNM is an international best-selling and 20-time
published book author whose works include: Be Your Own Herbalist:
Essential Herbs for Health, Beauty & Cooking.
Source: care2
