Pot, Politics and Lymphoma

Like many types of cancer, lymphoma is a life-changing disease. Not only does it come with the symptoms and risks of other cancers, but it also directly affects the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to other diseases.

Due to the fact that coping with lymphoma can be debilitating, it is only logical that anyone living with the condition wants to be in the know about any new treatment options available. After all, the currently available treatment methods can put an enormous amount of stress on the body.

Finding a way to alleviate your symptoms and side effects can be a moment of impact in your life. Recent research has shown that medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, can help to stimulate appetite, relieve nausea, and alleviate inflammation, making it an attractive addition to any lymphoma treatment plan.

What is medical marijuana?

For hundreds of years, people have used marijuana in various herb remedies, recognizing it for its many biologically active compounds. Nowadays, it is a hot topic of conversation among patients and healthcare professionals. Why?

Medical marijuana is any part of the marijuana plant that is used to treat symptoms of illness and health problems, such as HIV, MS, inflammation, seizures, and pain. It is grown all over the world, but it originated in central Asia. While most marijuana that is sold legally as medicine contains the same ingredients as the type that individuals use for pleasure, some medical marijuana is specifically grown to contain less of the chemicals that spark feelings of euphoria.

Marijuana plants contain multiple chemicals known as cannabinoids, which can be taken in several different ways: inhaled, ingested, smoked, or sprayed under the tongue. The two cannabinoids that are of medical interest are THC and CBD. THC provides the pleasurable effects of marijuana and it contains some effects, such as increasing appetite and reducing nausea, which may be useful in treating health problems. It may also help ease pain, inflammation, and muscle control problems. CBC may be helpful in reducing pain and inflammation, easing MS symptoms, as well as controlling seizures in individuals with epilepsy. It is a cannabinoid that does not cause you to get high.

Read on to learn more about medical marijuana's legal barriers, and what this means for people living with lymphoma.