Medical Marijuana
It’s awesome that you want to learn more. First, let’s talk about how marijuana actually works. For your convenience, here, you may watch Dr. Sajnay Gupta explain the basics in under two minutes (also be sure to scroll down to see some of the maladies marijuana helps with) :
Note: It is very important to understand, that while states are finally coming around to accept that marijuana is in fact something that has important medicinal properties that can actually help people, and are more effective, less addicting, and less dangerous in many cases than more commonly prescribed medicines (particularly opioids)- that the majority of states only accept one condition, or just a few, as evidenced here, and while this may seem like a long list, there are still many more ailments marijuana has been proven to show to be useful in the treatment of, that do not make the list below.
There are many people struggling to find medicines that work so they, or a loved one, can feel better and take their lives back. Below is a list of maladies that medical marijuana can help with as accepted by certain states:
Cancer- Term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases. There are more than 100 kinds of cancer.
HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus weakens a person’s immune system by destroying important cells that fight disease and infection, called CD4 cells, or T Cells. No effective cure exists for HIV, but with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled, but if it cannot, it will lead to AIDS.
AIDS- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the most severe phase of HIV infection. People with AIDS have such badly damaged immune systems that they get an increasing number of severe illnesses, called opportunistic illnesses.
Parkinson’s Disease- A progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
Damage to the nervous tissue of the spinal cord with objective neurological indication of intractable spasticity- A muscle control disorder that may develop after a spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. This condition is characterized by uncontrollable, painful muscle movements and reflexes, which persist for an extended period of time.
Lou Gehrig’s Disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)- A progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.
Decompensated Cirrhosis- Defined by the development of jaundice, ascites, variceal hemorrhage, or hepatic encephalopathy.
Spinal Cord Disease- Typically, muscles are weak or paralyzed, sensation is abnormal or lost, and controlling bladder and bowel function may be difficult.
Migraines- a recurrent throbbing headache that typically affects one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea and disturbed vision.
Arthritis- Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age.
Rheumatoid Arthritis- A chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation- A condition in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, present at birth.
Demyelinating Polyneuropathy- A neurological disorder in which there is inflammation of nerve roots and peripheral nerves and destruction of the fatty protective covering (myelin sheath) over the nerves.
Alzheimer’s Disease- A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.
Fibromyalgia- A chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.
Lupus- An inflammatory disease caused when the immune system attacks its own tissues.
Neurofibromatosis- A condition that causes tumors to form in the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Sjogren’s Syndrome- A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by degeneration of the salivary and lachrymal glands, causing dryness of the mouth and eyes.
Residual Limb Pain- A painful sensation or feeling from the remaining part of the leg. Aggressive bone edge, bone spur formation, neuroma, abscess or bursitis are common causes.
PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- A condition of persistent mental and emotional stress occurring as a result of injury or severe psychological shock, typically involving disturbance of sleep and constant vivid recall of the experience, with dulled responses to others and to the outside world.
Hydrocephalus- A condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain, typically in young children, enlarging the head and sometimes causing brain damage.
Fibrous Dysplasia- An uncommon bone disorder in which scar-like (fibrous) tissue develops in place of normal bone. This can weaken the affected bone and cause it to deform or fracture. In most cases, it affects only a single bone — most commonly the skull or a long bone in the arms or legs.
Causalgia- Now known as CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II).
CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I)- Occurs after some kind of injury or trauma to the area. CRPS is thought to be the result of damage or malfunction of central or peripheral nervous system, also known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS).
CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type II)- A chronic progressive disease characterized by severe pain, swelling and changes in the skin. Type II, formerly known as causalgia, is similar to Type I but involves overt damage to a peripheral nerve.
Dystonia- A state of abnormal muscle tone resulting in muscular spasm and abnormal posture, typically due to neurological disease or a side effect of drug therapy.
Nausea- A feeling of sickness with an inclination to vomit.
Seizures- Seizures are changes in the brain’s electrical activity. This change can cause dramatic, noticeable symptoms or it may not cause any symptoms. The symptoms of a severe seizure include violent shaking and a loss of control.
Muscle Spasms- A sudden, uncontrollable cramp.
Multiple Sclerosis- A chronic, typically progressive disease involving damage to the sheaths of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, whose symptoms may include numbness, impairment of speech and of muscular coordination, blurred vision, and severe fatigue.
Glaucoma- A condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, causing gradual loss of sight.
Cachexia (Wasting Syndrome)- A general state of ill health involving marked weight loss and muscle loss.
Pain- Physical suffering or discomfort caused by illness or injury.
Crohn's Disease- A chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines, especially the colon and ileum, associated with ulcers and fistulae.
Epilepsy- A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Hepatitis C- A form of viral hepatitis transmitted in infected blood, causing chronic liver disease. It was formerly called non-A, non-B hepatitis.
Mitochondrial Disease- A disorder that occurs when structures that produce energy for a cell malfunction.
Sickle Cell Disease- A severe hereditary form of anemia in which a mutated form of hemoglobin distorts the red blood cells into a crescent shape at low oxygen levels. It is most common among those of African descent.
Interstitial Cystitis- A chronic, painful bladder condition.
Myasthenia Gravis- A chronic autoimmune disease marked by muscular weakness without atrophy, and caused by a defect in the action of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.
Myoclonus- Spasmodic jerky contraction of groups of muscles.
Nail-Patella Syndrome- (NPS) (also known as "HOOD syndrome") is a genetic disorder that results in small, poorly developed nails and kneecaps, but can also affect many other areas of the body, such as the elbows, chest, and hips.
