A Complete list of Cannabis Health Benefits

There is no “complete list” of cannabis health benefits. Some states are listing as many as 40 health conditions worth treatment under medical marijuana legislation, but there is every sign that the list will continue to grow.

For instance, using Cannabis seems to help lung problems as a pleasant alternative to tobacco smoking. It is often mentioned to reduce dependence on opioid addiction. And some even suggest that marijuana use is suitable for those trying to wean themselves from alcohol.

In any case, the whole world of healthcare is opening to the promises found in treatment with THC, CBD, and cannabis-based pharmaceuticals.

So, here’s an attempt at a complete list of cannabis health benefits:

Nightmares: Chronic use can screw up your sleep patterns. But, for those suffering from PTSD, it appears that nabilone, a synthetic form of THC, will reduce the related nightmares. In one study published in the CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics Journal (Winter 2005), “The majority of patients (72%) receiving nabilone experienced either cessation of nightmares or a significant reduction in nightmare intensity. Subjective improvement in sleep time, the quality of sleep, and the reduction of daytime flashbacks and night sweats were also noted by some patients.”

Parkinson’s: Patients with Parkinson’s Disease suffer constantly from spasms and tremors, symptoms that are obvious to all. However, patients also suffer chronic pain and sleeping difficulties. MedPage refers to research headed by Dr. Ruth Djaldetti at Tel Aviv University where “Overall, patients’ scores on the standard Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) averaged 33 before they smoked cannabis in the laboratory and averaged 24 after 30 minutes (P<0.01.).” She also noted, “We saw a dramatic reduction in pain in our patients and their ability to sleep. When their pain was reduced, they slept better.”

Auto-immune Conditions: Because it has anti-inflammatory powers, Cannabis improves sleep and reduces the pain attached to inflammation in victims of auto-immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The United Patients Group reports, “Cannabis increases the levels of anti-inflammatory protein interleukin-10 and decreases the levels of pro-inflammatory protein interleukin-2. Cannabis has also been shown to suppress the immune system by activating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs may help dampen the hyperactive immune system found in Lupus.” it reduces the nausea and cramping associated with corticosteroids and other medications prescribed for Lupus.

Bowel Diseases: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease cripple patients continuously with cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. As inflammatory bowel diseases, they benefit from Marijuana’s anti-inflammatory qualities. It appears that cannabinoids reduce the permeability of the intestines to prevent the entrance of damaging bacteria. Research published in the Clinical Gastroenterology & Hepatology Journal (October 2013) concluded, “a short course (8 weeks) of THC-rich cannabis produced significant clinical, steroid-free benefits to 10 of 11 patients with active Crohn’s disease, compared with placebo, without side effects.”

Brain Damage: Patients afflicted with traumatic brain damage following concussions or strokes benefit from cannabis use. Cerebral Cortex (January 2015) published research on mice with selective CB1 and CB2 receptor antagonists in Cannabis. The researchers conjectured, “The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in reparative mechanisms and inflammation under pathological situations by controlling some mechanisms that are shared with minocycline pathways.” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said he would consider requests by players and their advocates to fund research into how the neuroprotective powers of Marijuana might protect the brain. 

At the same time, research on patients in England led by Dr. Tom England studied the response of stroke patients. It concluded, “This meta-analysis of pre-clinical stroke studies provides valuable information on the existing, and importantly, missing data on the use of cannabinoids as a potential treatment for stroke patients.” 

Glaucoma: People with glaucoma often seek relief from Marijuana. Glaucoma comes from pressure on the eyeball that damages the optic nerve to the point of causing blindness, and it is the number one cause of blindness among African Americans. The National Eye Institute, as early as the 1970s, reported, “Marijuana, when smoked, lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with normal pressure and those with glaucoma. To determine whether Marijuana or drugs derived from Marijuana might be effective as a glaucoma treatment, the National Eye Institute (NEI) supported research studies beginning in 1978. These studies demonstrated that some derivatives of Marijuana transiently lowered IOP when administered orally, intravenously, or by smoking, but not when topically applied to the eye.” Still, they felt the results did not surpass existing pharmaceutical remedies. 

Seizures: Cannabis and cannabis derivatives have proven effective in the treatment of diseases that manifest as seizures and spasms, including epilepsy, Dravet’s Syndrome, and Leeuwenhoek’s Disease. Testing shows that THC binds with the brain cells responsible. In states still prohibiting medical marijuana use, some have passed legislation exempting care for refractory or recalcitrant epilepsy in children. THC also reduces symptoms of the rarer Dravet’s Syndrome with its painful seizures and cognitive developmental delays, as well as Leeuwenhoek’s Disease. This myoclonus diaphragmatic flutter causes painful, nonstop spasms in the abdominal muscles that interfere with breathing and speaking.

Cancer: Cancer patients often use Marijuana to relieve nausea, sleeping disorders, loss of appetite, and chronic pain associated with cancer and with medical therapies like chemotherapy. However, some research indicates that the CBD in Cannabis may prevent the spread of cancer. Lab studies of breast cancer reported in the Journal of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics claim, “Cannabidiol stops cancer by turning off a gene called Id-1… Cancer cells make more copies of this gene than non-cancerous cells, and it helps them spread through the body. Other research indicating similar results is reported in the Cancer Metastasis Review (December 2011), Annals of Internal Medicine (December 1979), Oncogene (2008), The Journal of Immunology (March 2005), and more.

Depression: Marijuana treats symptoms of anxiety and depression. Certain strains successfully target psychological problems, from mild anxiety to chronic clinical depression. Users can select or mix strains to get the effect they want. Increased or excessive dosing can also lead to hallucinations, paranoia, and panic. But, well-regulated and conscientiously used, it is very effective.

Multiple Sclerosis: The involuntary contractions that afflict people living with Multiple Sclerosis are painful. The drug eases the pain of multiple sclerosis. Marijuana reduces that pain and helps manage the spasms themselves. One study in CMAJ (May 2012) concluded: “Smoked cannabis was superior to placebo in symptom and pain reduction in participants with treatment-resistant spasticity.”

Alzheimer’s Disease: Spreading with epidemic proportions, Alzheimer’s cripples millions every year. Little is known about its origins or mechanics, but amyloid plaque builds up in the brain, killing its cells. Testing has shown that THC slows the development of the plaques and, thereby, slows the progressing brain damage.

The simple breadth of proven health benefits from cannabis and cannabis derivatives does not make it the “miracle drug.” But, it does justify authorizing and extending research into its efficacy. Patients seeking relief don’t care if it is smoked, vaped, topical, edible, or pharmaceutical; if they get relief, they want to have access.  

People have been self-medicating with cannabis for centuries. They smoked it, ate it, and rubbed it on. And, throughout this time, there has not been adequate serious research on the efficacy of the plants secrets on various medical conditions.

However, you do have a growing volume of anecdotal evidence, an increasing amount of in vitro research, and now a growing body of work on humans. Allbudrecently offered a list of medical conditions treated with cannabis. While it dealt with better known health problems, it was not exhaustive.

Here are ten more medical conditions (in alphabetical order) towards completing a list of cannabis health benefits:

1. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS/HIV) has caused 36 million deaths in its spread since the 1980s. Typical symptoms of the illness and its treatment include appetite loss, depression, nausea, and peripheral neuropathy. Cannabis-derived options —from smoking to edibles—has a track record of analgesic and antiemetic effects allowing patients to improve their quality of life.
2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressively incapacitating and eventually fatal neurodegenerative condition. Research reported by ALS News Today says, “According to a single observational study of patients with ALS, only the 10 percent who admitted consuming cannabis revealed moderate relief of several symptoms, including appetite loss, depression, pain and drooling… In addition, spasticity is also a major problem for ALS patients, which reported that cannabis can subjectively improve spasticity.”
3. Arnold-Chiari malformation (CM) describes the descent of the cerebellar tonsils through the largest opening at the base of the skull into the upper neck region. This causes pressure on the brainstem and cerebellum and blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Experience shows marijuana relieving CM symptoms like chronic pain, depression, insomnia, migraines, and spasticity.
4. Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome describes the weight loss and deterioration attached to cancer, Chron’s disease, congestive heart disease, COPD, cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, and more. Cannabinoids reputedly stimulate appetite, both historically and in recent studies of human volunteers and AIDS patients. American Society of Clinical Oncology (2006) reports on studies that determined patients with cancer-related anorexia-cachexia benefited from fixed doses of THC daily.
5. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) identifies the inflammation of nerve roots and peripheral nerves leading to destruction of the fatty protective covering (myelin sheath) over the nerves. Academic research published in the Journal of Pain concluded, “as cannabis has analgesic efficacy with the low dose being, for all intents and purposes, as effective a pain reliever as the medium dose. Psychoactive effects were minimal and well-tolerated, and neuropsychological effects were of limited duration and readily reversible within 1–2 hours. Vaporized cannabis, even at low doses, may present an effective option for patients with treatment-resistant neuropathic pain.”
6. Causalgia is the severe burning pain in the hand or foot following peripheral nerve injury. Any external stimuli or even the emotions can trigger the sensation. Even morphine may not reduce the pain, but high levels of THC daily may offer hope for eliminating the pain and related psychological effects.
7. Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I and II (CRPS) or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) are difficult to diagnose and treat. They produce a severe and continuing pain that gets worse in time. Symptoms include sensitivity, swelling, and changes to the skin. Over one third of patients report pain throughout their bodies. Several researched studies have found, “cannabis might be more effective at relieving the pain associated with CRPS-I than opioid medications, including morphine. When the nerves are damaged, the receptors that respond to morphine tend to disappear, making the medication ineffective.”
8. Fibromyalgia afflicts more women than men with widespread musculoskeletal pain. Other symptoms include fatigue, sleep, memory, mood issues, tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and depression. Tests on humans using Nabilone (a cannabis-derived pharmaceutical) study showing that one such compound, nabilone (Cesamet), helped fibromyalgia patients with pan and insomnia. Canadian researchers concluded, “It was more effective than amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant often prescribed to fibromyalgia patients to ease pain and improve sleep.”
9. Fibrous dysplasia is a genetic bone disorder marked by scar-like (fibrous) tissue developing in place of normal bone. This irregular tissue can weaken the affected bone and cause it to deform or fracture. The condition weakens one or more bones and makes them vulnerable to easy and frequent fracture, especially among children. Cannabis-derived medical marijuana and pharmaceuticals have successfully treated the radiating pain, weakness and stiffness, and the nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite linked with the condition.
10. Hepatitis C (HCV), an auto-immune viral infection, remains unknown and silent for a long time before its damage to the liver starts to manifest itself. Marijuana does not treat or cure damaged liver or cirrhosis of the liver, but it will reduce associated pain, depression, and vomiting.

And, there are more!

FDA and DEA restrictions directly and indirectly limit the deep and lengthy research required to find, test, and prove the any the efficacy of any cannabis form in treatment of human medical problems. Research is permitted at only a few institutions. Cannabis resources for testing are restricted to a small number of locations. And, the restrictions discourage capital investment in the lengthy approval process. 

So, we have an awkward situation where the best research is going on in Israel and Great Britain. Yet, the states approving legalization of at least medical marijuana have been convinced of its value in treating so may conditions and more. We are still trying to complete that list of cannabis health benefits, but the list keeps getting longer. If the self-medicating works, there might just be something to it!