Every day, researchers are reporting new progress and breakthroughs in cannabis and the medical benefits it offers to humanity.
With the federal government of different nations gradually approving the use of cannabis for medical purposes, it can be tasking to stay abreast of all the exciting things happening in the medical community. So, we have compiled a list of 10 recent breakthroughs in cannabis. Read on.
Cannabis Breakthroughs
1. Cannabis and Brain Cancer:
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a severe and often fatal type of cancer. Although the chance of surviving the disease is about 70 percent, most of the patients who live past the first diagnosis die within two years. However, a British company, GW Pharmaceuticals has made a groundbreaking discovery on how cannabis can help treat cancer. Based on its study of two groups of patients, those who were given cannabinoids had an increased life expectancy of 6 months than the order group. More research is still ongoing to increase the expectancy beyond six months.
2. Cannabis and Chemotherapy:
New research published by the University of London has shown that THC and CBD (cannabinoids from cannabis) make chemotherapy drugs more effective. According to the study, when THC and CBD are used alongside chemotherapy, the results are better than using chemotherapy alone. If the findings from the study are confirmed, it means cancer patients will receive lower doses of chemotherapy as CBD and THC will play a key role in the treatment. This means fewer harsh effects for the patients.
3. Cannabis and Fibromyalgia:
Cannabis Science Inc., a Californian company, has developed a transdermal patch from cannabis that can be applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream to treat patients with fibromyalgia. The patch will contain different ratios of THC and CBD which will supply sufficient cannabinoids without the patient having to smoke or ingest cannabis.
4. Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis:
Another study by researchers at the University of Manitoba, Canada, has shown the possibility of treating the neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis patients. Preliminary studies using mice have so far been successful, and if this continues, the oil will be developed for human use.
5. Cannabis and Alzheimer’s:
Amidst growing researches on how cannabis can be used to fight Alzheimer’s disease, new studies from Salk Institute for Biological Studies, California, have proven that THC molecules attack Alzheimer’s by removing amyloid from the brain and relieving inflammation. More work is still ongoing to discover how cannabis can stop the development of the disease as well as how it can reverse its negative effects.
6. Cannabis and Opioids:
Recent studies by researchers at John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have shown that cannabis can lead to a huge drop in addictions to Opioid. They discovered a sharp drop (up to 25 percent) in the purchase of Oxycontin, Vicodin, and Percocet in places where cannabis was prescribed as a treatment for chronic pain.
7. Cannabis and Pets:
Animals also suffer from health pathologies like cancer, anxiety, seizures, arthritis and many more. Many pet owners are now turning to alternative therapy, and the most popular is cannabis. Cannabis can be used as extracts; edibles meant for animals and even ointments to treat symptoms of pets. While there’s skepticism surrounding the prescription of medical marijuana, companies like Treadwell offers products that can be added to animal foods or administered orally.
8. Cannabis and Epilepsy:
The UK-based Company, GW Pharmaceuticals, has discovered and created a drug (Epidiolex) that can be used to treat epilepsy. Following the data the company made available, the drug was recommended for use by a US Food and Drug Administration and advisory committee. If approved, Epidiolex would be the first drug derived from plants to be used in the United States.
9. Cannabis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
AXIM Biotechnologies, a US-based company, has created a weed gum called CanChew Plus that can help treat patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a medical condition where the gut becomes painful while trying to digest food and absorb nutrients. The gum contains cannabidiol (CBD), and researchers hope the gum can release sufficient dosage in a bioavailable form.
10. Cannabis and Psychosis:
New studies from researchers at GW Pharmaceuticals have ignited hopes that medical marijuana can be used to cure psychosis. While many have feared that cannabis may lead to schizophrenia (thanks to THC), researchers are convinced that cannabidiol (CBD) can help negate psychotic effects.
