Treating Glaucoma – Marijuana decreases the pressure inside the eye, according to the National Eye Institute.
According to a study published in Journal of the American Medical Association in January 2012, marijuana does not impair lung function and can even increase lung capacity.
Marijuana use can prevent epileptic seizures, a 2003 study showed.
Robert J. DeLorenzo, of Virginia Commonwealth University, gave marijuana extract and synthetic marijuana to epileptic rats. The drugs rid the rats of the seizures for about 10 hours. Cannabinoids like the active ingredients in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (also known as THC), control seizures by binding to the brain cellsresponsible for controlling excitability and regulating relaxation.
Dravet Syndrome, which causes seizures and severe developmental delays.
The doctors who recommended this treatment say that the cannabidiol in the plant interacts with the brain cells to quiet the excessive activity in the brain that causes these seizures.
Stops the Spread of Cancer – Cannabidiol stops cancer by turning off a gene called Id-1, the study, published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, found.
Decreases Anxiety, Nausea and Pain – Medical marijuana users claim the drug helps relieve pain and suppress nausea — the two main reasons it’s often used to relieve the side effects of chemotherapy. (I know for a fact it does all three of these, plus gives the patient an appetite.)
Alzheimer’s Disease – Marijuana may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a study led by Kim Janda of the Scripps Research Institute. THC, the active chemical in marijuana, slows the formation of amyloid plaques by blocking the enzyme in the brain that makes them. These plaques are what kill brain cells and cause Alzheimer’s.
Eases Pain in Multiple Sclerosis – Jody Corey-Bloom studied 30 multiple sclerosis patients with painful contractions in their muscles. These patients didn’t respond to other treatments, but after smoking marijuana for a few days they were in less pain. The THC in the pot binds to receptors in the nerves and muscles to relieve pain. Other studies suggest that the chemical also helps control the muscle spasms.
Leeuwenhoek’s Disease – stops spasming in the abdominal muscles which are not only painful, but interfere with breathing and speaking. Smoking marijuana is able to calm the attacks almost immediately, as it calms the muscles of the diaphragm.
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis – chemicals in marijuana, including THC and cannabidiol, interact with cells in the body that play an important role in gut function and immune responses.
Rheumatoid Arthritis – Marijuana alleviates pain, reduces inflammation, and promotes sleep, which may help relieve pain and discomfort for people with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers announced in 2011.
Healthier Metabolism/Hormone Insulin – A study published in the American Journal Of Medicine on April 15 of last year suggested that pot smokers are skinnier than the average person and have healthier metabolism and reaction to sugars, even though they do end up eating more calories because of the munchies.
The body’s response to eating sugars: their levels of the hormone insulin and their blood sugar levels while they hadn’t eaten in nine hours, and after eating sugar.
Not only are pot users skinnier, but their body has a healthier response to sugar.
Lupus – Medical marijuana is being used to treat the autoimmune disease Systemic Lupus Ertyhematosus, which is when the body starts attacking itself for some unknown reason.
Parkinson’s disease – Recent research from Israel shows that smoking marijuana significantly reduces pain and tremors and improves sleep for Parkinson’s disease patients. Particularly impressive was the improved fine motor skills among patients.
PTSD – Naturally occurring cannabinoids, similar to THC, help regulate the system that causes fear and anxiety in the body and brain. Marijuana is approved to treat PTSD in some states already.
Stroke – Marijuana may help protect the brain from damage caused by stroke, by reducing the size of the area affected by the stroke. This isn’t the only research that has shown neuroprotective effects from cannabis. Some research shows that the plant may help protect the brain after other traumatic events, like concussions.
Alcoholism – Marijuana is safer than alcohol. It’s much less addictive and doesn’t cause nearly as much physical damage.
