Cannabis

Сannabis is a term used to describe the use of cannabis or marijuana, which is a plant that contains biologically active substances in its leaves, flowers, and buds and their extracts (for example, oil and concentrates) to treat certain medical conditions. Cannabis has been found to be useful in managing pain, nausea, and lack of appetite, and may be used by people with conditions like cancer, AIDS, or multiple sclerosis.

The two most biologically active chemicals in cannabis are THC and CBD, which affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels. THC can make a person feel intoxicated or “high,” while CBD may lessen pain and other symptoms. There are many types or strains of cannabis, and each plant has specific THC-to-CBD ratios, meaning that some strains may have different effects than others. Healthcare providers can advise patients on the different strains they can try for their health problems and their possible effects.

Сannabis may be helpful for some health conditions, including nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, low appetite and weight loss for people who have AIDS, muscle stiffness for some multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injury patients, chronic pain, in particular nerve (neuropathic) pain or pain at the end of life. Cannabis is available as a fresh, dried plant or oil extracts from licensed producers, and medicines that contain THC are also available.

There are several ways people can use cannabis, including smoking it as a dried plant, brewing it into tea, inhaling it as a vapor, spraying it under the tongue, applying it to the skin, or eating it in prepared or homemade foods (edibles). The effects of cannabis depend on how it was taken, and how much cannabis has been used and how long it has been taken can also affect how a person’s body responds to it.

Like any medication, cannabis has risks. It can interact with many other medicines and can be dangerous if used with medicines that make a person sleepy or control their mood. It can also be dangerous to use cannabis with alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. Cannabis can affect a person’s blood pressure, so caution should be taken if someone is taking medicine for this condition. Cannabis may affect a person’s judgment, memory, concentration, coordination, and decision making. It may cause side effects such as dry mouth, red eyes, anxiety, paranoid thoughts, faster heart rate, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea and vomiting. Long-term regular use of cannabis may increase a person’s risk for severe nausea and vomiting (cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, or CHS), and smoking cannabis can damage a person’s lungs.

Regular use of cannabis may lead to cannabis use disorder, which is when a person finds it hard to control their use and keeps using cannabis even though it’s having harmful effects on their lives. The risk of cannabis use disorder is higher in people who start using cannabis when they’re young, use it every day, or have other substance use disorders and mental health disorders.

In conclusion, cannabis has been found to be useful in managing certain medical conditions, but like any medication, it has risks. People who are considering using cannabis should talk to their healthcare provider to discuss the risks and benefits and whether it’s appropriate for them.