Marijuana

The Medical Importance of Cannabis

The medical use of marijuana, obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica, includes relieving symptoms of certain diseases and conditions. This plant has been used for medicinal purposes around the world for centuries. Strong opinions, including both pros and cons, exist related to the medical importance of marijuana. Some traditional uses, off label uses, and more cropped-up research regarding this plant are summed up in this article.

Active ingredients

THC or Tetra-hydro-cannabinol is the psychoactive component in marijuana. It is responsible for the euphoria people feel after taking it. There are two synthetic forms of this drug called dronabinol and nabilone that are human-made. These are strong anti-emetic and approved by the FDA for people receiving chemotherapy to prevent nausea and vomiting.

CBD or cannabidiol is another component of marijuana that is not psychoactive and is thought to have the most medicinal benefits. A CBD oil extract named Epidiolex is undergoing clinical trials for its capability to treat epilepsy.

Nabiximol is a specific plant extract with an equal ratio of THC and CBD. It is approved as a drug in the UK and elsewhere in Europe to treat multiple sclerosis, spasticity, neuropathic pain, overactive bladder, and other indications.

Medical marijuana products are available with a huge range of THC and CBD concentrations. The expert opinion states that 10mg of THC should be considered “one serving,” and a person new to medical marijuana should inhale or consume no more until they know their individual response.

Benefits

One of the active ingredients in marijuana, tetra-hydro-cannabinol (THC), interacts with the brain’s reward system by mimicking the action of a neurotransmitter called anandamide. It is the part that responds to things that make us feel good and energized. Therefore, it can be used as a nootropics supplement as well.
Some studies have indicated that overuse of marijuana can be difficult for some people; the more often you trigger that euphoria by taking this drug, the more your brain will become dependent on it, and the less you will enjoy other natural experiences.

Depression is a widespread social issue in most people who are not even aware of it. The cannabinoids in marijuana can help to stabilize moods, which can calm down anxiety and depression.

Marijuana has chemical compounds such as cannabinoids and cannabidiol, which are known for their therapeutic properties. Those benefits can include anti-inflammatory and pain relief. Therefore, cannabis is very much effective for the treatment of chronic pain. Chronic pain is the most common cause that most people request medical marijuana.

According to the American Medical Directors Association journal, marijuana might actually prevent people from more vicious drugs. Drug addiction is more common in patients suffering from some chronic pain. It is suggested that legal access to cannabis can lower prescription-only medications with a high rate of side effects. In the USA, drug overdose is the leading cause of death in people under 50.

When you smoke a cigarette, your lungs are at stake, but by smoking marijuana, your lungs are not damaged. In fact, a study found that marijuana actually helps to increase the working capacity of the lungs, rather than causing any harm to it.

A drug named Epidiolex (which contains CBD oil) is likely to become the first of its kind to be approved by the FDA to treat childhood epilepsy. The study is under process and is exploring CBD for its potential use in people with Dravet syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy that initiates in infancy.

Is marijuana legal?

Some states in the USA have legalized marijuana for medical purposes and with multiple restrictions. Few states, such as Colorado and California, have legalized the recreational use of marijuana as well. However, it is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Federal Drug Administration. Therefore, it is illegal at the Federal level. In almost all states where recreational use has not become legal, a prescription, authorization, or medical recommendation is strictly required, and a license is issued to the person.

How can you get marijuana?

In states where cannabis is legal, dispensaries and pharmacies often sell marijuana products in various forms. Medical marijuana is available in the edible form such as candies or gums, oils and extracts, and as the plant which can be smoked or powder to be inhaled. You must have a medical marijuana card before they sell you these products. Obtaining a marijuana card or license varies from state to state. It either requires a prescription from a licensed pharmacist or a doctor.

Is marijuana “addictive?”

If it is taken as recommended and in low therapeutic doses, there are very few chances of addiction. Concerns about psychological dependence are in heavy consumers and in the case of marijuana abuse.

Precautions

Side effects of cannabis are minimal if it is used at low doses, but in some cases, you may feel one of the following inconveniences: Dry mouth, fatigue, and lethargy, dizziness, paranoia, mood swings, and hallucinations.

There are concerns about the side effects of marijuana in adolescents because brain damage risks are greater in the immature neurological system. These issues include an increased risk of schizophrenia and brain fog.

Kratom

A Nootropic Remedy to the Opiod Crisis

If you read health newspapers or visit nutritional supplement stores, you may have come across kratom. It is a supplement available in the market as an energy booster, mood enhancer, pain reliever, and antidote for withdrawal symptoms of opioids.

Kratom comes from the leaves of an evergreen tree named Mitragyna speciose, grown in Southeast Asia. Kratom is available in powder form to brew or swallow, leaves extract, and raw leaves form to chew. Kratom extract is used to make liquid syrups of different concentrations. You can get these from specific retail pharmacies or vitamin shops by prescription to treat muscle pain or spasms, repress appetite, and cure diarrhea. Kratom is also marketed as a therapy for panic attacks.

How does it work?

Kratom contains a chemical substance in it named mitragynine. It works just like analgesic opioid drugs, for example, codeine and morphine.

It mainly works by acting on brain opioid receptors. Kratom acts as a brain stimulant when taken in small doses and makes the person feel more active mentally and physically. It works as a strong analgesic at a moderate dose and relieves pain, plus makes you feel relaxed. When taken in higher doses, kratom works as a tranquilizer and makes consumers sleepy. Some traditional medicine practitioners consider kratom as a substitute for opium.

Some people consume kratom to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms because kratom is easily available than prescription-only opioid analgesics.

Kratom benefits

This drug has gained the attention of the American populace over the last 10 years. People who consume this substance often claim that it may act as a nootropics agent by increasing serotonin and brain dopamine levels. According to some studies, it works as a brain stimulant and makes menial tasks enjoyable. It also works as an anti-depressant and anti-anxiolytic medicine to reduce stress and anxiety symptoms in patients.

Kratom is often used for recreational purposes in concerts and other occasions. Defenders claim this to be a natural plant-based and safe alternative to other drugs used for recreational purposes. However, it depends on the amount of active ingredients present in the product. One should be aware of the capacity and concentration of the drug they are consuming; otherwise, complications may occur.

The people suffering from withdrawal symptoms of opioid drugs such as heroin, morphine, and many others use kratom for treatment. It is often because kratom is natural and less potent than those drugs, but there is no clear scientific evidence to support these theories.

Dosage

An expedient dose of kratom depends on several factors like the user’s age, health, and medical history. There is a scarcity of enough scientific studies detailing a reasonable range of doses for this drug. It is a fact that natural ingredients are not always safe and free from side effects. Therefore, a proper regimen for use is essential. Remember to follow instructions written on the product label, consult your pharmacist or other healthcare professionals, and discuss its pros and cons before taking this drug.

Kratom should be consumed in moderate doses because it may cause breathing difficulty, seizures, termers, and hepatic damage at higher doses. Due to the above-mentioned reasons and some other serious safety hazards, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns people to avoid using certain products containing high kratom concentrations.

Side effects

Kratom can cause many side effects when taken orally, such as stupefaction, nausea, vomiting, dryness or numbness inside of your mouth, frequent urination, constipation or bloating, GIT distress, hallucinations, delusions, and thyroid problems.

Safety and Precautions

An important thing to be aware of is that it can cause dependence on your brain and body if you consume this drug daily. People who often use kratom in larger quantities and then suddenly stop taking it may experience some withdrawal symptoms like loss of appetite, severe diarrhea, muscle spasms and consistent pain, muscle twitches, swollen eyes, nervousness, insomnia, disorientation, aggression, and increased body temperature.
Pregnancy: Kratom is considered unsafe when taken orally during pregnancy. Newborns to women who consumed this drug during pregnancy have shown some withdrawal effects right after their birth. These babies required special treatment in this matter.
Breast-feeding: There is no clear-cut and reliable information on whether it is safe to consume while breastfeeding or not. However, you should stay on the precautionary side and avoid its use.
Mental disorders: It has been suggested that kratom might worsen patients’ mental condition suffering from some brain impairment.

Bottom Line

It is an old saying that a coin has two sides. This rule applies here, as well. No doubt that there are some significant advantages of kratom, but one should avoid excessive use of this nootropic. After all, it is a drug, and overdose can lead to serious health damage.