Medical Cannabis

Following the high profile Billy Caldwell case doctors are set to be allowed to prescribe medicinal cannabis from this autumn. This change offers hope of safe and effective treatment for many children and adults who’s conditions cannot be helped by licensed drugs

Our bodies contain endocannabinoid system which is responsible for releasing human cannabinoids. These interact with cannabinoid receptors that are found in most of our tissues in order to produce a variety of effects. The therapeutic and psychoactive properties of marijuana occur when a cannabinoid activated a receptor is order to bring balance to your tissues and biological systems. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the psychoactive component of marijuana. It is what causes the ‘high’ people feel and gives some of it medicinal properties. THC alters the way you process information and how the information is processed in the hippocampus which can affect the way in which memories are formed and in turn help with mental illnesses such as PTSD. THC could potentially be used for cancer patients in order to decrease the risk of tumour growth. Research suggests that THC may interfere with tumour growth as it’s carried throughout your bloodstream. However it’s still unclear whether there is a direct connection between the two.

In allowing doctors to it means that many people suffering from certain conditions will be able to access the medicine needed in order to reduce the effects of their conditions. Studies have shown evidence of medicinal cannabis helping with chronic pain, spasticity, nausea, committing and epilepsy and there is constant research emerging suggesting that it may also help in anxiety, sleep disorders, reduced appetite during chemotherapy, ptsd and Parkinson’s disease. Medicinal cannabis does have some serious side effects however they are linked to a high ratio of THC:CBD.

The UK allowing the prescription of medicinal cannabis is a positive step forward which will be beneficial in thousands of lives.

Thank you for reading.




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