How Is Medical Marijuana Helping Patients With Chronic Nausea and Vomiting
Medical marijuana is gaining popularity and public support by the day. It is estimated that medical marijuana sale numbers are estimated to reach 23 billion US dollars by 2025.
Medical Marijuana has now been legalized in 34 states in the United States including North Carolina medical marijuana coming soon. According to expert medical marijuana doctors, the drug when taken in medical form, can help treat symptoms of diseases including Glaucoma and Cancer and serve as a pain killer for muscle spasms and chronic pain however the primary use of medical marijuana is to help with nausea and vomiting.
The question arises, how exactly does medical marijuana help patients in North Carolina with nausea and vomiting and why does a marijuana doctor recommend it?
What causes Nausea and Vomiting?
To start of let’s get into the reasons behind nausea and vomiting. Nausea can be defined as the unease in the stomach that often occurs before vomiting and vomiting is, in most cases, the involuntary emptying of stomach content through the mouth.
Nausea and Vomiting can’t be classified as diseases but are warnings, reactions or symptoms caused by harsh chemicals in the body that are a consequence of a variety of different conditions or infections such as overeating, food poisoning, Motion sickness and migraines to name a few.
What is Medical Marijuana?
The medical use of marijuana can be dated back to over a thousand years as part of many cultures across the world. Chemicals found in the marijuana plant are used to make medical marijuana. The product is almost the same as recreational marijuana however it is consumed strictly for medical reasons.
Over a 100 different chemicals called cannabinoids, which contain healing properties, are found in medical marijuana.
Medical marijuana can be administered through various different ways such as capsules, dermal patches, dermal sprays and cannabis edibles.
How does Medical Marijuana work?
A study conducted in 1975 consisting of 20 subjects concluded that all of them got relief from nausea when they consumed THC, which is a chemical found in marijuana.
The cannabinoids found in the medical marijuana consist of active chemicals that are similar to the ones that your body naturally creates. These chemicals are involved in bodily functions including appetite, pain, memory and movement.
When the cannabinoids from the medical marijuana are released in the body they conduct chemical reactions that help control nausea and vomiting by suppressing them.
Chemotherapy and Medical Marijuana
Cancer patients that are undergoing chemotherapy suffer from severe nausea and vomiting as a side effect.
The human body as a defense mechanism to chemotherapy trigger sensations of vomiting and nausea, which becomes extremely painful and causes severe discomfort for them throughout their treatment.
It is becoming increasingly common amongst cancer patients to take medical marijuana to suppress the nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. The drug makes drastic effects in helping them control these sensations and poses no risk to their health.
Many cancer patients preferred medical marijuana over regular pain killers as they were a lot more effective for them.
HIV and Medical Marijuana
The side effects of medicines consumed for the treatment of HIV/AIDS include severe nausea and loss of appetite as well. Medical marijuana is now commonly prescribed to HIV patients by Marijuana Doctors in North Carolina to help control these symptoms and side effects.
It is seen that HIV patients who consume medical marijuana during their medical treatment seemed healthier and didn’t suffer from loss of appetite.
Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana
Pros
Effective in Controlling Nausea and Vomiting
We have established earlier that medical marijuana is highly effective when it comes to controlling nausea and vomiting. More and more people who suffer from severe nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, HIV treatment or other reasons are now shifting to the drug instead of consuming regular medicines, as it’s more effective.
Relieves Chronic Pain
Medical Marijuana has proven to be highly effective in drastically reducing chronic pains such as neuropathic pains. The cannabinoids tend to block the pain receptors in the body, hence drastically reducing it when consumed.
Helps with Appetite Loss
One of the major side effects of HIV and Cancer treatment is nausea, which results in loss of appetite and weight loss. A marijuana doctor will prescribe the drug in order to combat the loss of appetite.
Many Options of Consumptions
Contrary to popular belief, medical marijuana can be consumed by many other ways than smoking. There are Marijuana oils, edibles and topical treatments available in the market.
A Better Option
This may come as a shock but in many cases medical marijuana is actually a safer option to battle nausea, vomiting, chronic pain or muscle spasticity. Many pain relievers sold in the market can be extremely dangerous for the body and brain while having potential adverse effects in the long run.
Aids in Controlling Muscle Spasticity
North Carolina Marijuana Doctors Near You can often prescribe medical marijuana to patients suffering from aching and cramping muscles. After consuming the drug patients have reported a drastic reduction in pain and stiffness in their muscles.
Cons
Still Illegal
Medical Marijuana, while legal in many states across the US, is still illegal under federal law. The medicinal value of this drug is also completely disregarded and rejected in most countries across the world.
Damages Lungs
Regardless of what you smoke be it a cigarette or medicinal marijuana, there is undoubtedly damage being done to your lung tissues. Smoked marijuana also consists of compounds that may cause cancer, which is a major disadvantage of medical marijuana.
Short-term Memory may Suffer
If medical marijuana is consumed regularly, in large amounts, for an extended period of time, there is a possibility that your short-term memory may be affected and you may have a hard time remember things.
Possibility of Addiction
There is a high possibility that the consumption of medical marijuana could result in abuse and addiction. Taking the drug for medicinal purposes is a major risk and requires a lot of self control.
Could affect Cognitive Ability
Again if consumed in large amounts for a very long time, medical marijuana could also have a negative affect and even impair your Cognitive ability. That is why it is necessary to consume in strict moderation and in accordance to how your medical marijuana doctor prescribed it.
Conclusion
The medical marijuana industry is a fast growing one. While the exact potential and benefits of this drug are still undiscovered and it is still under negative light for many, times are changing fast. More and more people are now accepting it and consuming it for its medicinal properties especially to counter nausea and vomiting. Contact us to get started today.