a doctor writes a medical cannabis recommendationFor thousands of years, cultures around the world have used cannabis as both a medicine and in religious ceremonies. Today, many people continue to use cannabis as a medication to improve a number of physical and mental issues. In fact, a total of thirty-six states and Washington, DC, allow for legal medical cannabis use.

At A Better You, we are proud to have obtained our medical cannabis certification for our facility in Odenton, MD. As a result, we provide medical cannabis recommendations for those who are interested in alternative forms of medication. If you would like more information about medical cannabis and its effects, contact our A Better You team today by calling 410.204.2165.

How Does Medical Cannabis Work?

Cannabis can be smoked, eaten, or vaporized and comes in different forms. Users report that the subjective effects of cannabis vary significantly depending on the form consumed.

When someone ingests cannabis into their system, THC gets into the brain rapidly and attaches to cannabinoid receptors. THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, which has long been recognized as the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. In other words, THC is the substance that causes people who use cannabis to feel high.

The cannabinoid receptors are found in many areas of the brain, which explains why it affects so many different body functions. Cannabinoids exert their influence by regulating how cells communicate, including how they send, receive, or process messages. Cannabinoids act as a type of “dimmer switch,” slowing down communication between cells. When the communication between cells is slowed, there are many results that occur.

What Are Some Benefits and Risks of Medical Cannabis Use?

Some of the benefits of medical cannabis include:

  • Pain relief – Medical cannabis has demonstrated pain-relieving qualities for a wide range of medical issues, including nerve pain, arthritis, or inflammation. Many people with chronic pain conditions use medical cannabis as a natural form of pain relief.
  • Promotes better sleep – Many people use cannabis to help them get more restful and restorative sleep. People who use cannabis for insomnia value its ability to ease their minds and promote physical relaxation.
  • Eases nausea – People have used medical cannabis as a method to treat nausea and vomiting for years. Cannabis may also increase the appetite of people who have digestive issues.
  • Decreases PTSD symptoms – Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, affects over 24 million Americans every year. Medical cannabis is often the only effective treatment for PTSD symptoms such as agitation, severe anxiety, depression, insomnia, and nightmares.
  • Helps with anxiety and depression – Research shows that medical cannabis positively affects the mood, feelings of anxiety or fear, and stress. As a result, many people use cannabis as a way to lessen the effects of both anxiety and depression.
  • Muscle relaxation – Medical cannabis has also shown qualities of muscle relaxation for people with minor aches and pains. The THC in cannabis has an anti-inflammatory effect on muscles for many people.

Some of the risks of medical cannabis use are:

  • Mental confusion
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Paranoia
  • Dry mouth
  • Dry eyes
  • Headache
  • Impaired balance and coordination
  • Elevated heart rate

The adverse effects of cannabis use are minimal when compared to the side effects of prescription medications that are used to achieve the same treatment goals. For many people, medical cannabis is a safe and effective alternative to more commonplace medications.

Discover More About Medical Cannabis at A Better You

At A Better You, we provide a wide array of medical and Medispa services to help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated. One medical cannabis certification at our Laurel, MD, facility gives us the opportunity to offer medical cannabis recommendations. If you are interested in medical cannabis as an option for balance and wellness, reach out to A Better You today by calling 410.204.2165.