Benefits of Medical Cannabis

1. Pain management

• Cannabis can reduce chronic neuropathic pain and pain from conditions like multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia.

• Works partly through CB1 and CB2 receptors in the nervous system, which modulate pain perception.

2. Muscle relaxation / spasticity

• Can help with muscle stiffness or spasticity, especially in multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury.

3. Nausea and appetite

• Medical cannabis (especially THC-containing products) is used to:

  • Reduce nausea, especially from chemotherapy

  • Stimulate appetite in conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS

4. Sleep

• Some people experience improved sleep onset and quality with cannabis.

• Best for short-term use; long-term effects on sleep cycles are less clear.

5. Mood / anxiety

• Low doses may help reduce mild anxiety or stress in some people.

• High doses or frequent use can actually increase anxiety, paranoia, or depression, so dosing is critical.

6. Seizure reduction

• Certain cannabis-derived products (CBD oil) are FDA-approved for rare seizure disorders like Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndrome.

7. Potential anti-inflammatory effects

• Cannabinoids may reduce inflammation, which could theoretically benefit conditions like arthritis.

• Evidence is still early; not yet a replacement for standard anti-inflammatory treatments.

⚠️ Important cautions

• Can impair memory, attention, and motivation, especially in heavy or long-term use.

• Can worsen anxiety or psychosis in vulnerable individuals.

• Lung risks if smoked.

• May interact with medications metabolized by the liver.