Medical marijuana is a drug that can help ease pain and other symptoms of certain illnesses. It contains chemicals called cannabinoids, which interact with your brain’s natural chemicals and pathways. Marijuana can be taken in different ways, such as smoked or in a liquid or pill. It’s also made into lotions and gummies. Research is ongoing, but some studies show that marijuana can help with fibromyalgia, anxiety, and chronic pain in people who have cancer or are undergoing chemotherapy. It might also help reduce nausea and vomiting in people with AIDS.
There are some risks with marijuana use, including paranoia and hallucinations. It can also make depression or mania worse in people with mental illness. And smoking it might cause a long-term cough and bronchitis.
Most states that allow medical marijuana use it to treat conditions such as chronic and neuropathic pain, spasticity from multiple sclerosis, or glaucoma. Some also approve it for PTSD, nausea from chemotherapy or other treatments for cancer, and a few others.
The FDA has approved two synthetic cannabinoid drugs, dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet). Both are used to treat nausea caused by some cancers and other diseases and to boost appetite in people with AIDS.
Your health care practitioner can recommend medical cannabis for these conditions if they meet the following criteria.. medical marijuana