Cannabis sativa is a scientific name of a globally controversial plant commonly knowns as marijuana. Growing, smoking, or owning these plants is illegal in most countries since it’s considered a drug. In some countries, it has been legalized. The growth in science and research has revealed that marijuana does have a medical value. In this article, let’s discuss the medical marijuana uses for chemotherapy patients.
Pain Reliever
Cancer patients undergoing treatment are subjected to chemotherapy causing immense pain. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an essential chemical in medical marijuana uses for chemotherapy patients. It works as a temporary pain reliever. It reduces the pain signals from reaching the brain. Most pain with cancer patients is caused by inflammation. Marijuana has been proven to be an effective anti-inflammatory.
Nerve Damage
In the medical field, it is known as Neuropathy. Neuropathy is nerve damage characterized by body weakness, numbness, and a burning sensation in the hands and feet. It commonly happens to those undergoing chemotherapy and other types of cancer treatment. Cannabinoids (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) have exhibited a high potential of adding to the medical marijuana uses for chemotherapy patients, as its elements can repair the nerves.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are such awful feelings. During chemotherapy, the patient experiences nausea and vomiting caused by the brain signal reacting to the ingested and absorbed chemicals and drugs in the blood. Marijuana contains two synthetic cannabinoids chemicals. They are known as dronabinol and nabilone. They have been approved to treat nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.
Weight Loss
Cancer cells take more energy compared to healthy cells. As a result, the body tends to burn more calories than regular times. It reduces the calories in the body substantially, causing considerable weight loss. The most common remedy for weight loss is increased food intake. The research on medical marijuana uses for chemotherapy patients has shown that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) increases appetite hence helping in slowing down weight loss.
Even though medical marijuana uses for chemotherapy patients and other medicinal values it has, there are still a few facts to remember. The plant’s legality is not uniformly accepted globally; hence living in a country or state wherein illegal possession may land you in trouble. The most common intake is by smoking. Smoking itself poses a significant danger to lung and respiratory-related illnesses. Also, it can be addictive, making the user dependent on it.