Over the years medical marijuana has become more accepted in society’s eyes. Before, the idea of using an “actual illegal drug” to self medicate was frowned upon. Today, however, more people are beginning to understand the helpful effects of using medical marijuana from dispensaries like looking for a marijuana dispensary in San Diego. It has become legal in many states other than California and is currently used to treat many illnesses and diseases. Here are only a few of the many that it has positively impacted.

1. Crohn’s Disease- Marijuana has recently shown a positive effect on the gastrointestinal disorder Crohn’s disease by alleviating the symptoms and reducing the inflammation of the GI tract. By activating a receptor called CB2 it relieves pain and swelling caused by the disease.
2. Chronic Pain- When it comes to the usage of medical marijuana, chronic pain holds the record. Marijuana blocks the pain pathways in the central nervous system making it difficult for the receptors in the brain to pick up on. Unlike opiates, marijuana uses a different neurochemical signaling system, which lets the two act together to stop the pain.
3. Severe Nausea- The longest use for medical marijuana is to treat severe nausea and vomiting. It has been known to help cancer patients who lose weight during chemo and radiation therapy. It tends to have a dramatic effect by helping patients gain up to 50 pounds.
4. Severe Muscle Spasms- Muscle spasms happen when patients tense up a lot and resist stretching. While there are medications to treat muscle spasms they typically cause weakness and drowsiness among other side effects. Medical marijuana has the same effect on muscle spasms without the side effects and patients find relief.
5. Cancer- As many may know, cancer is no walk in the park. Medical marijuana has multiple positive effects on cancer patients. It suppresses nausea and vomiting, calms anxiety, stops pain, and increases appetite.
6. Glaucoma- Research has not fully shown how cannabinoids reduce intraocular pressure. However, they have been known to reduce intraocular pressure for up to four hours.
7. Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome- Over fifty percent of cancer patients and some AIDS patients experience extreme weight loss which appears as wasting or cachexia. THC can help patients gain up to 50 pounds and be able to keep up with their medications.
8. ALS- ALS causes excessive glutamate in brain tissue, spinal fluid, and serum of its sufferers. Cannabinoids in medical marijuana have been known to protect against glutamate toxicity. By lowering the chances of glutamate toxicity, medical marijuana can have a neuroprotective effect. Patience have described having less pain and spasms, increase in appetite, and less drooling which can be a symptom of the disease.
9. HIV and AIDS- Patients tend to lose a significant amount of weight during treatments. Medical marijuana has been know to increase appetites of cancer and AIDS patients helping them gain tremendous amounts of weight.
10. Multiple Sclerosis- MS causes spasms, tremors, depression, fatigue and anxiety, as well as imbalance. Marijuana has been known to reduce all of these symptoms for sufferers of MS.

Despite the negative outlook on medical marijuana in society, research has shown an undeniable amount of improvement for many illnesses and diseases. So much so, that many states have now begun legitimizing the use of medical marijuana so that many other qualified patients who suffer can and will find the relief they need.