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Since ancient times Cannabis has been used medicinally, and contemporary research supports its use for a wide range of medical conditions. Cannabis is becoming accepted worldwide as a medical treatment, but regulations are unclear and continuously changing. Focusing on the UK, we’ll examine cannabis’s medical benefits, including its legal status, new studies, and its potential to cure a wide range of conditions.
UK Cannabis Laws
Cannabis’ therapeutic use is growing, but the UK’s legal status remains unclear. Cannabis is a Class B substance in the UK, making possession, sale, and cultivation illegal. Nonetheless, some exceptions exist. Sativex and Epidiolex are legal under certain conditions. In November 2018, the UK legalised medical cannabis for a number of diseases.
Medical Cannabis
Ancient China and Egypt had medical cannabis users. Cannabis has been used for millennia. Cannabis may treat epilepsy, cancer, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis, according to emerging data.
Cannabis’ ability to affect the endocannabinoid system is thought to be one of its main medicinal benefits (ECS). The ECS is a complex network of receptors and chemicals throughout the body. It controls pain, mood, and appetite. Cannabis chemicals called cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system in various ways. These combinations may treat several medical conditions.
Chronic Pain
Medical cannabis is sought for chronic pain. The British Pain Association estimates that 20% of Brits endure chronic pain, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Opioids, for example, can be addictive and have several negative effects. This makes them unsuitable for long-term pain management.
Cannabis has been shown to relieve chronic pain from several conditions. A meta-analysis of 28 trials published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that cannabis use reduced chronic pain without harmful effects.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, a debilitating central nervous system autoimmune condition, affects over 100,000 UK residents. MS, which causes muscle spasms, pain, and tiredness, has no cure. Cannabis reduces multiple sclerosis symptoms, particularly muscle spasms and pain.
A Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry study found that multiple sclerosis patients who used cannabis had significantly less muscle stiffness and spasticity. Cannabis use improved pain, stiffness, and bladder function in multiple sclerosis patients, according to another Clinical Rehabilitation study.
Epilepsy
Seizure-causing epilepsy affects 600,000 UK citizens. Conventional epilepsy therapies can be ineffective and have many negative effects. Cannabis may treat epilepsy, according to a growing study.
Charlotte Figi, a young American girl with Dravet syndrome, is one of the most famous cases of cannabis treating epilepsy. As a last option, her parents tried a high-CBD cannabis oil, which reduced her seizures. This increased interest in cannabis for epilepsy treatment and motivated more research.
Cannabis reduces seizure frequency in certain epilepsy patients. However, the causes are unknown. Cannabis cannabinoids interact with the brain’s endocannabinoid system, which controls cell firing and neurotransmitter release. This may minimise neuron overexcitation and seizures.
The UK legalised medical cannabis for epilepsy in 2018. Many patients still have trouble getting medical cannabis. UK medicinal cannabis standards from NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) are rigorous and can make therapy challenging for patients.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, cannabis is being studied for epilepsy treatment. THC and CBG (cannabigerol) may potentially treat epilepsy and other neurological problems.
Conclusion
Cannabis has several medical uses, and interest in its use is expanding. Cannabis may be a safe and efficient treatment for epilepsy, chronic pain, and mental health conditions. It is important to remark that is not a miraculous treatment, and more research is needed to understand its therapeutic potential and ensure safe and responsible use. Anyway, before taking cannabis as a medication, you should visit a doctor.
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