Medical Marijuana for Weight Loss and Other Conditions
The legal or licensed use of cannabis derivatives in medicine is a controversial issue and frequently debated on a national level. Though marijuana is primarily known as an illegal recreational drug, cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Weight Loss is just one of the proposed medical uses of cannabinoids.
The following is an introduction to the basic questions surrounding medical marijuana – What it is, what it can treat and the risks involved. If you want to understand more about this issue, you will also find links to further reading
Medical Marijuana defined
Medicinal Marijuana can be simply defined as a product which has the properties of a medicine and is made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the cannabis plant. The compounds of cannabis produce a mind altering effect that recreationally can induce euphoria but can also have potential medical benefits such as pain relief and as a weight loss treatment for medical obesity. Cannabinoids are the active ingredients of cannabis.
Conditions Medical Marijiuna Could Potentially Treat?
There are currently prescription medicines available that do contain cannabinoids. Research into further use of the compounds of the cannabis plant is ongoing and scientists studying marijuana's potential medical uses have found that it may help treat a variety of conditions.
Pain: Pain relief is one of the most historical uses of cannabinoids. In fact, it is well documented that marijuana was widely used for pain relief in the 1800s. Studies have shown that cannabinoids may work as well in treating cancer pain as codeine. Cannabinoids also appear to enhance the effects of opiate pain medications to provide pain relief at lower dosages.
Nausea: One of the best supported medical uses of medical marijuana is the treatment of nausea. It can improve mild to moderate nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy and help reduce nausea and weight loss in people with AIDS. There is currently a prescription form of called ‘dronabinol’ available; however it has been found that younger people have found it more useful as a treatment than older people due to its mind-altering side effects.
Multiple Sclerosis: MS is a degenerative condition which attacks the nervous system and causes muscle pain and tremors. Much anecdotal evidence exists that cannabinoids may be effective in the treatment of the tremors, muscle spasms and pain of multiple sclerosis. A 2003 study found that cannabinoids significantly reduced pain in people with multiple sclerosis. However, further research is required.
Weight-loss: Weight Loss and appetite regulation is another proposed medical use of cannabinoids. There is a new treatment available, SR141716, (also known as Rimonabant, Acomplia, Riobant, Slimona, Rimoslim, and Zimulti), which does contain cannabinoids. CB1 receptors are being widely investigated in appetite regulation. Some can stimulate your appetite, and some, as is the case with SR141716, can suppress your appetite.
The Risks Involved
Though some doctors and patients suggest marijuana has a legitimate use, others are of the opinion that marijuana has too high a potential for abuse and currently has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. The government says it will not consider legalising cannabis for medical use until clinical trials had been completed.
The British Medical Association believes only cannabinoids - part of the cannabis plant - should be used in medicine. The BMA says crude cannabis contains many toxic ingredients as well
External Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/cannabis/ - Further Reading about medical marijuana from the BBC
Report on the uses of cannabis - House of Lords
Report on and index of marijuana medical studies - by Todd Mikuriya, M.D
GW Pharmaceuticals - Making medicinal cannabis
Should marijuana be a medical option? - Further info from British educational charity, ProCon.org
http://www.druglibrary.org/mags/medical_marijuana_throughout_his.htm : - Medical Uses of Marijiuna Throughout History