It’s no secret that marijuana can be highly beneficial under certain circumstances, for a wide variety of health concerns that may be difficult to deal with by other means. Aside from the legal implications which will vary depending on your state or country, there is a growing debate about the medical applications of using cannabis which is gradually swinging in favour of making it more accessible for people.

The reasons people are interested in marijuana for health reasons are numerous, and we have addressed many of them before. It’s possible to delve into great detail about why and how cannabis can help treat and prevent such a wide variety of conditions, but suffice to say research has shown positive results for people dealing with PTSD, MS, anxiety, arthritis, lung disease and more. It can even be effective at preventing the spread of Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

 

The science behind it all is very interesting once you get to grips with it. Normally it’s recommended to have as thorough an understanding as possible when you’re dealing with drugs and trying to affect your body’s natural responses to afflictions or situations. The main active elements in marijuana that you should be aware of for medical purposes are cannabidol (CBD), which can affect the brain but without a traditional “high” that leads to a comedown, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has pain relieving effects.

 

CBD and THC are the chemicals that scientists have the most interest in extracting from cannabis to use in other forms. They could potentially have an amazing impact on medicine, so research into their possible extraction and application is currently ongoing by specialists in the field. Until then, we have marijuana to provide the same health benefits, although it does come with side effects. Of course, smoking is not recommended by healthcare professionals in any circumstances, so consuming medical marijuana in edible forms is far preferable and cuts out most of the dangerous potential side effects.