Part III Alternative Treatments For Chronic Pain

Health Tip - Alternatives Treatments For Chronic Pain (see tip 2/22/13)

This week is Medical Marijuana
                              

What is Medical Marijuana?

Medical Marijuana is defined as cannabis used for therapeutic purposes. The terms "medical marijuana" and "medicinal marijuana" are used interchangeably.  

Medical Marijuana refers to the use of cannabis or marijuana, including constituents of cannabis, THC and other cannabinoids, as a physician-recommended form of medicine or herbal therapy.

Cannabinoids have well-documented analgesic properties that make Medical Marijuana an effective medicine to treat many cases of chronic pain syndrome.

The active component in Marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which induces psychoactive effects in the user and provides the drug's medicinal benefits.

                                          

Marijuana is one of the most beneficial and therapeutically active substances known to man.

Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for approximately 4,000 years. In the 1970's, a synthetic version of THC, the primary active ingredient in cannabis, was synthesized to make the drug Marinol.

In the United States Marijuana is classified as a Substance 1 Controlled substance, making possession illegal.

         
                              

What is Medical Marijuana use for?

Chronic Pain - Marijuana helps to alleviate the pain caused from many types of injuries and disorders.

                                                  

                                        

 Other Therapeutic Applications:

• Relief of muscle spasms
• Reduction in interlobular pressure inside the eye
• Suppression of nausea
• Weight loss - increase and restore metabolism
• AIDS - can reduce the nausea, improve loss of appetite, vomiting from the condition itself and the medications as well.
• Glaucoma - Marijuana relieves the internal eye pressure of glaucoma, and therefore relieving the pain and slowing or even stopping the condition.
• Cancer - many side effects of the medication to stop cancer can be relieve with Marijuana, some studies suggest that Marijuana tends to slow down the progress of some types of cancer.
• Multiple Sclerosis - muscle pain, spasticity, tremors and unsteadiness are some of the effects caused by disease that can be relieved by Marijuana.
• Epilepsy - in some patients, epileptic seizures can be prevented with Marijuana use.
• Anxiety, Depression or Obsession - Cannabis can elevate your mood and expand the mind.
• Physical Addictions - some cannabinoids in cannabis are believed to have similar effects as ibogaine, a medication used to treat heroin addiction.
• Psychologically and Spiritually - can be used to enhanced personal Spirituality. The herb tends to reveal your true self. 

                                                            

What are the Benefits of Medical Marijuana? 

Medical Marijuana as a chronic pain management tool can reduce patients' pain and improve quality of life, without the same serious side effects associated with use of some pharmaceutical pain relievers. 

Marijuana offers an effect that is both energizing and relaxing at the same time. This balanced effect will help some to think more clearly and more efficiently afterwards.

How is it taken?

Marijuana can be smoked, inhaled (vaporized) or injested orally.

The oral ingestion can be taken through food infused with marijuana or in the form of a pill.

Marinol is the active ingredient in Synthetic THC a Federal Drug Administration- approved drug used to treat nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

How does Marijuana work?

Marijuana contains chemicals that work by binding to specific sites in the brain and nerves.

What are the Side Effects?

• Headaches
• Dry or red eyes
• Impaired mental functioning
• Dizziness
• Panic reactions
• Hallucinations
• Flashbacks
• Heart and blood
• Depression
• Lung problems
• Numbness
• Cough
• Burning Sensation
• Sexual problems

Remember!
Marijuana is classified as an illegal substance;

Due to the prohibition of marijuana it's use as a medicine is restricted.
Do your homework findout about the laws and restictions in your state or city.

                       
Continue to be open "Pain" is not normal


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Next week Cupping Therapy  


For more information go to www.WebMD.com, www.sciencedaily.com,  www.medicalmarijuana.net/uses-and-treatments/chronic-pain/,
http://www.psychcentral.com, http://backandneck.about.com, www.disabled-world.com, www.sciencedaily.com, www.dailylung.com/medical-marijuana/chronic-pain.html, and www.voices.yahoo.com


Live well
Doc V