Cannabis, also known as marijuana or hemp, has gained increasing attention in the medical world in recent years. The active ingredients of cannabis, particularly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), are being studied for many medical applications, such as pain relief, anxiety relief and epilepsy treatment. Although further studies are needed, there are already promising results regarding the use of cannabis in medicine.
An overview of the 5 medical uses of cannabis
- Pain relief: Cannabis contains active ingredients such as THC and CBD, which can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It is often used as an alternative to opioids to treat chronic pain.
- Cancer treatment: Cannabis can help alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy, such as nausea and vomiting, and improve appetite loss. It is also being studied to see if it can help slow or even stop the growth of cancer cells.
- Mental illness: Cannabis can help alleviate anxiety and depression by influencing the activity of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It is also being investigated whether it can be helpful in the treatment of schizophrenia and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Multiple sclerosis: Cannabis can help reduce muscle stiffness and spasticity, which are common symptoms of MS. It can also help to relieve pain and nausea.
- Epilepsy: Cannabis can help reduce seizures in people with severe epilepsy, especially in children. It is being investigated whether it can help to reduce the number and severity of seizures and improve quality of life.
Pain relief
Cannabis has a long history as a natural painkiller and is now used as an alternative to opioids and other painkillers. It contains active ingredients such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), which can relieve pain and reduce inflammation (1).
THC
THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that is responsible for the “high” feelings. It binds to the CB1 receptors in the brain and spinal cord, which contributes to pain relief (2).
CBD
CBD, on the other hand, has no psychoactive effect and affects the CB2 receptors in the body, which are responsible for inflammation and pain. It also acts on the serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain, which helps to relieve pain (3).
Cancer treatment
Cannabis is being studied in cancer research in several areas, including symptom relief during chemotherapy, effects on cancer cell growth, and use as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer.
Symptom relief from chemotherapy
One of the most important areas where cannabis is used in cancer research is for symptom relief during chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can often lead to nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss, which affects patients’ quality of life. Cannabis can help to alleviate these symptoms and improve appetite loss (4).
Growth of cancer cells
Another area where cannabis is being used in cancer research is its effects on the growth of cancer cells. Studies have shown that THC and CBD can help to slow or even stop the growth of cancer cells. It is being investigated whether cannabis can be used as part of the treatment of cancer to slow or prevent the growth of tumors (5).
Use as an adjuvant
Another interesting application of cannabis in cancer research is its use as an adjuvant in the treatment of cancer. Adjuvant therapy involves the use of drugs or therapies in combination with a basic treatment to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Research is being conducted to determine whether cannabis can be used as an adjuvant in the treatment of various types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer (6).
Overall, there are many medicinal properties of cannabis that are of interest in cancer research. These include the ability to relieve pain and inflammation, slow or stop the growth of cancer cells and alleviate the symptoms of chemotherapy. However, it is important to emphasize that further research and clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of cannabis in cancer treatment.
Mental illnesses
Cannabis is used in the treatment of mental illness as an alternative to conventional medication. It contains active ingredients such as THC and CBD, which can influence the activity of serotonin and dopamine in the brain and thus alleviate the symptoms of mental illness.
Anxiety and depression
One of the main areas where cannabis can help with mental illness is in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that THC can increase the activity of serotonin in the brain, which can help relieve anxiety and depression. CBD, on the other hand, has a calming effect and can help relieve anxiety without causing the ‘high’ feeling (7).
Schizophrenia
Another area where cannabis can help with mental illness is in the treatment of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions and impaired thinking. Studies have shown that CBD can alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia, especially the positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions (8).
Post-traumatic stress disorders
There is also evidence that cannabis can be helpful for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a disorder that develops after a person has experienced a traumatic event. Studies have shown that THC and CBD can alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety, depression and sleep disorders (9).
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the nervous system that can lead to muscle stiffness, spasticity and pain. There is evidence that cannabis can be helpful in the treatment of MS by alleviating symptoms and improving patients’ quality of life (10).
THC
One of the main active ingredients in cannabis that is of interest in MS is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and can help reduce muscle stiffness and spasticity, which are common symptoms of MS. It can also help to relieve pain and nausea (11).
CBD
Another important active ingredient in cannabis that is of interest in MS is CBD (cannabidiol). CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help to reduce muscle stiffness and spasticity. It also has a calming effect and can help alleviate anxiety and depression, which often occur in MS (11).
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. There is evidence that cannabis can be helpful in the treatment of epilepsy by reducing the number and severity of seizures and improving patients’ quality of life.
THC
THC has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce seizures in people with epilepsy, especially in children. Studies have shown that THC can reduce the number and severity of seizures and improve quality of life.
CBD
One of the most important active ingredients in cannabis that is of interest in epilepsy is CBD (cannabidiol). CBD has anti-inflammatory and calming properties and can help reduce seizures, especially in children with severe epilepsy. In some countries, such as the USA, CBD oil is approved as a medicine and is used in the treatment of epilepsy.
How is cannabis used for medical applications?
Cannabis can be used in various forms to relieve pain, including:
- Smoking or vaporizing: This is the fastest way to achieve pain relief, as the active ingredients are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Oils or capsules: These forms contain CBD or THC and are good for relieving pain over a longer period of time. They are also easier to dose than smoking or vaporizing.
- Topical applications: Cannabis ointments or creams can be applied directly to the affected area to relieve pain.
- Edibles: Cannabis edibles such as brownies or cookies can also be used to relieve pain, but it takes longer for the active ingredients to take effect and it is more difficult to control the dosage.
It is important to note that the active ingredients of cannabis can vary from person to person and that it is important to find the right dosage and the most appropriate form of application. A medical consultation with a specialist or pain management doctor is recommended to find the best treatment method.
Sources
- https://www.kssg.ch/schmerzzentrum/fuer-patienten-besucher/faq-cannabis-der-schmerztherapie
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/216174/Neuropathische-Schmerzen-Cannabinoide-in-Kombination
- https://www.bio-apo.de/ratgeber/naturheilmittel/cbd-wirkung/
- https://www.krebsgesellschaft.de/onko-internetportal/basis-informationen-krebs/nebenwirkungen-der-therapie/cannabis-bei-krebs-ein-fester-platz-in-der-schmerzther.html
- https://www.deutschesgesundheitsportal.de/2022/06/16/wirkstoffe-aus-cannabis-gegen-krebs/
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/127598/Das-therapeutische-Potenzial-von-Cannabis-und-Cannabinoiden
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/218224/Cannabisbasierte-Arzneimittel-Therapieoption-fuer-die-Psyche
- https://www.aerztliches-journal.de/medizin/psychiatrie/psychiatrie/psychose-und-schizophrenie-hoffnungstraeger-cannabidiol/5857d35a68ea69c638dc849c97b30e1e/
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/134918/Therapie-mit-Cannabis
- https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/39576/Cannabisbehandlung-bei-multipler-Sklerose
- https://www.multiplesklerose.ch/PDF/de/Infoblaetter/01_Medizinische_und_therapeutische_Fragen/MS-Info_Cannabis-Therapie_bei_MS.pdf