Medical Conditions That Can Be Treated With Cannabis: A – Z

Cannabis can ease both the physical and psychological effects associated with withdrawal from both of these addictive substances.
Cannabis-med studies on marijuana treatment for alcohol and drug abuse
Marijuana in treating alcohol addiction
Medical marijuana as a treatment for alcohol addiction

Alzheimer’s disease

Research shows that cannabis may prevent the formation of deposits in the brain associated with this degenerative disease.
Information from medicalmarijuana.procon.org
Cannabis and the treatment of dementia
Cannabidiol: a promising drug for neurodegenerative disorders?

Neurodegeneration is a feature common to dementia sufferers.
This has led to interest in whether cannabinoids may be clinically useful in the treatment of people with dementia.

Recent studies have shown that cannabinoids may be effective at interrupting the pathological process in Alzheimer’s.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

This condition refers to a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. This is a fatal, degenerative disease marked by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy.
Marijuana may extend life expectancy of lou gehrig disease patients
Marijuana as ALS treatment
Medical marijuana and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anorexia nervosa

Cannabis use can increase appetite and ease anxiety. Antispasmodic Trials show that cannabis helps relieve peripheral muscular pain and cramping.
Association study of cannabinoid receptor gene (CNR1) alleles and anorexia nervosa
Role of endocannabinoids and their analogues in obesity and eating disorders
Brain type 1 cannabinoid receptor availability in patients with anorexia and bulimia nervosa

Appetite (See Anorexia nervosa)

One of the most fascinating aspects of cannabis in relation to appetite and eating disorders is the effect of cannabis oil on body weight.

Arthritis (rheumatoid or osteoporosis)

There are over 100 different types of arthritis and studies have shown that THC and CBD have potent anti-inflammatory effects and that CBD blocks progression of rheumatoid arthritis producing significant improvement in symptoms.
Is marijuana an effective treatment for the symptoms of arthritis?
Cannabis drug cuts arthritis pain
What is the role of marijuana in arthritis?

Asthma

Cannabis use is shown to ease attacks in patients.
Can marijuana help people with asthma or other breathing disorders?
Effects of smoked marijuana in experimentally induced asthma
Cannabis cures asthma

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric disorders of childhood and is characterized by persistent impairments in attention and concentration with the associated symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity.
ADHD and marijuana
Applying ADHD lessons to medical marijuana
Medical Marijuana: No longer just for adults

Atherosclerosis (arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD)

This is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol. Studies show the benefits of cannabis treatment.
Cannabinoids and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease
Cannabis chemical ‘helps heart’
Cannabinoids and Atherosclerotic Coronary Heart Disease (PDF)

Autism

In a well-documented case Marie Myung-Ok Lee has been using cannabis treatment for her autistic son with legally acquired medical marijuana for several years. It has helped calm her son’s gastrointestinal pain and decrease his associated violent behavior.
Marijuana-Like Chemical May Help Autism
Can cannabis improve autism?
NORML Backs Survey On Marijuana And Autism

Bipolar disorder

This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging between episodes of acute euphoria mania and severe depression.
Study: Pot May Improve Cognitive Functioning in Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder May Be Ameliorated By Pot Smoking, Research Finds
Cannabinoids in Bipolar disorder

Burns

This burn from a car exhaust is on the patients leg. The injury is not serious, however it is painful and prone to infection. The left side has been treated for 4 days with antibiotic cream. The right side was treated just once with cannabis oil. The patient reported pain relief and continued treatment with cannabis oil. The wound healed quickly with minimum scarring.

Cancer

Referred to medically as a malignant neoplasm, cancer is a broad group of various diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. Cannabis oil has been shown to be extremely effectivecannabis treatment in fighting even the most aggressive of cancerous tumours. Below are a series of images taken over a two month period where a 7mm deep melanoma (skin cancer) that was exposing the bone was successfully treated using only cannabis oil.

Scientists find cannabis compound stops metastasis in aggressive cancers
Cannabis treatment could stop breast cancer
Can cannabis treatment cure cancer

Information regarding the efficacy of cannabis treatment for cancer.
Scientists report that THC and other cannabinoids such as CBD (cannabidiol) slow growth and/or cause death in certain types of cancer cells growing in laboratory dishes.
Some animal studies also suggest certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce spread of some forms of cancer.
If you need any advice or help please use the contact form provided. We try to answer all emails within 24 hours and are happy to help and advise on all aspects of medical marijuana treatments in complete confidence.

Cystic Fibrosis

This condition is an inherited genetic disorder that is caused when two particular genes fail to function correctly.
Cannabis fights Cystic Fibrosis
Marijuana (Cannabis) and Cystic Fibrosis; A Case Study
Cannabinoids and Cystic Fibrosis: PDF file

Depression

Cannabis sativa varieties used in moderation have been shown to help combat clinical depression by increasing the production of serotonin.
Can cannabis treat depression?
Smoking cannabis ‘alleviates pain and depression’
Cannabis and mental health

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes refers to a group of metabolic diseases in which a person suffers from high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.
Dystonia This is a severely painful neurological disorder causing involuntary muscle spasms and twisting of the limbs.
Cannabis and diabetes
The role of cannabis in diabetes
Cannabis diabetes

Emphysema

Marijuana aids in expansion of the bronchi and bronchioles allowing higher oxygenation in patients, this is not a cure but provides tremendous relief for patients (See Asthma).
Medical Marijuana and COPD
Emphysema-Cannabinoids

Emphysema causes the small airways in the lungs to collapse during exhalation.
As a result, airflow is impeded and becomes trapped, as in other obstructive lung diseases.

Symptoms include shortness of breath and an expanded chest. Vey Linville discusses using marijuana to treat his severe emphysema.

Epilepsy

Compound in cannabis may help treat epilepsy
Medical pot treats boy’s epilepsy, without getting him high
Psychology and Pharmacy provide hope for those with epilepsy

This is a medical disorder involving episodes of irregular electrical discharge within the brain.
It is characterized by the periodic sudden loss or impairment of consciousness, often accompanied by convulsions.
In around one third of cases, the available treatments do not work and cause serious side-effects.
Oral drops of a cannabis tincture greatly help control the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS)

This medical disorder is characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, which is a heightened and painful response to skin contact or touch, even light pressure is agonizing for many sufferers.
What the experts have to say about the use of marijuana for treating fibromyalgia
One in eight with fibromyalgia uses cannabis as medicine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about two percent of adults have fibromyalgia, which remains a mystery to scientists.
The condition can be treated with physical therapy, antidepressants, pain medications and other approaches, although none of them is a cure.

Glaucoma

Does cannabis help treat glaucoma?
Marijuana an effective treatment for glaucoma?
Cannabinoids and glaucoma

This is caused by high pressure within the eyeball that damages the optic disk.
Typical treatments have serious side effects and little effect in end-stage glaucoma.
Cannabis lowers intraocular pressures dramatically with none of the side effects and is highly recommended as a treatment.

Glioma

This is the term for a tumor in the brain or spine . Malignant Glioma is very difficult to treat and the average survival time from diagnosis is only 40 to 50 weeks. THC has been shown to kill the Glioma cancer cells and is an effective treatment; many patients owe their lives to medical marijuana.
Gliomas/Cancer
Cannabinoids inhibit glioma cell invasion in brain cancer studies

Hepatitis C

The current treatment for Hepatitis C involves interferon medication. Its side effects can induce flu-like symptoms, fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle or joint pain and depression.
A Californian study has demonstrated that cannabis use can relieve all of these unwanted effects.

Medical marijuana and Hepatitis C
Use of cannabis during hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment
Hepatitis C therapy enhanced by marijuana

If you need any advice or help please use the contact form provided. We try to answer all emails within 24 hours and are happy to help and advise on all aspects of medical marijuana treatments in complete confidence.

Cannabis Treatment: Herpes

Cannabis treatment particularly with THC has been shown to have a beneficial effect when used in the treatment of Herpes. A topical application reduces the healing time of blisters and regular cannabis use reduces the frequency of attacks.

Can cannabis cure genital herpes?
Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on herpes
Tetrahydrocannabinol on herpes

High blood pressure

Preliminary studies do show that cannabis treatment can lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels, despite marijuana use initially speeding up the heart rate in some user’s thereby increasing blood pressure.

Cannabis should be considered to treat those with high blood pressure
Can marijuana lower blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension study on cannabinoids effect

Cannabis Treatment: HIV

Many people with HIV/AIDS use cannabis treatment to combat wasting and other symptoms (See Anorexia nervosa) and there are indications that cannabis use and a dietary supplement of hemp seeds has a positive influence on the body’s immune system.
Marijuana and its CD4 receptors: A new HIV treatment strategy?
Marijuana compounds fight AIDS

According to new research published in the medical journal PLoS One – cannabinoids actually fight the HIV virus in late-stage AIDS patients.
The study found that cannabinoid receptors are triggered by marijuana-like compounds and can actually block the spread of the HIV virus throughout the body.

Huntington’s disease

Research led by Dr. Javier Fernandez-Ruiz, published in the Journal of Neuroscience Research, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, studied the effects of both THC and CBD on Huntington’s disease. This study was not carried out on human patients but tested on rodents; THC did show positive effects.
Smoking marijuana doesn’t have to be a bad thing – Especially if you have HD
Cannabis could help Huntington’s
Cannabinoids: novel medicines for the treatment of Huntington’s disease.

Incontinence

Cannabis treatment has been shown to reduce urge incontinence episodes without affecting voiding in patients with multiple sclerosis. Beneficial effects of cannabis treatment have been reported for appetite, pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, activity, and depression.
Patients also reported that cannabis treatment resulted in weight gain, fewer stools per day and less severe flare-ups. Patients not only report significant relief of their symptoms, they are also able to reduce the amount of prescribed immunosuppressive medications.

Cannabis-based extracts for bladder dysfunction
The effect of cannabis on urge incontinence
Cannabis and urge incontinence

Insomnia

Cannabis treatment has been shown to have a beneficial effect in helping chronic insomnia sufferers who report positive results from moderate consumption one hour before retiring.
Medical marijuana and persistent insomnia
Cannabis and sleep
How cannabis affects sleep

Leukemia

Studies have shown that cannabis treatment kills leukemia cells and cannabis oil is an effective treatment for this condition.
Medicinal marijuana will destroy leukemia cells
Medicinal marijuana aids in recovery of 7 year old cancer victim
Cannabis and leukemia (in depth assessment)

Mykayla Comstock is a 7 year-old Leukemia patient. She has consumed a daily gram of cannabis oil since shortly after her diagnosis.
The leukemia quickly went into remission and she likes that cannabis makes her laugh.
She recently told reporters “It’s like everything’s funny to me.”
You can read more of Mykalas remarkable story here: www.bravemykayla.com

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Cannabinoids are unaffected by the mechanism that superbugs like MRSA use to resist antibiotics. Scientists from Italy and the United Kingdom, who published their research in The Journal of Natural Products report that cannabis-based creams could also be developed to treat persistent skin infections.
Marijuana may fight MRSA
Cannabis kills MRSA

Migraines

Cannabis use is one of the most effective treatments for chronic, debilitating migraine attacks. Sufferers report that cannabis buds administered with a vaporizer give sustained relief within a very short period of time.

Is marijuana an effective treatment for migraines?
Cannabis gave me my life back
Cannabis was highly regarded as a treatment for migraine in the 19th century

Cannabis Medical Treatments: Multiple sclerosis

Studies on cannabis medical treatments show that a dosage of 5mg/day of THC produced relief from symptoms. According to clinical trial data published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry: “The oral administration of cannabis extracts significantly reduces muscle stiffness in patients with MS.”
Marijuana extract relieves Multiple Sclerosis symptoms
Marijuana may ease multiple sclerosis symptoms

Several studies have been conducted on cannabis medical treatments using tetrahydrocannabinol.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) published a study in May 2012 which showed that smoking marijuana helps alleviate pain and muscle tightness in patients with MS.

Nausea and vomiting

Cannabinoids are extremely effective in treating nausea, vomiting and general sickness in many patients. Cannabis medical treatments are useful for cancer patients who choose to undergo chemotherapy.
Is marijuana an effective treatment for reducing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy?
Medical marijuana for nausea treatment
Marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea and vomiting

Cannabis Medical Treatments Osteoporosis

Studies indicate that cannabis medical treatments may protect against Osteoporosis otherwise known as brittle bone disease. Recently, the main components of the endocannabinoid system, namely the CB1 and CB2 receptors, along with the two main endocannabinoids; Anandamide and 2-AG, have been found in the human skeleton and they are reported to be involved in the regulation of bone metabolism.
Cannabis may prevent osteoporosis
Marijuana/Cannabis may protect against osteoporosis
Medical marijuana treatment for osteoporosis

Pain relief (analgesia)

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, found that marijuana significantly reduces HIV-related neuropathic pain. A further study carried out by researchers from McGill University in Canada and published in the peer-reviewed Canadian Medical Association Journal. They reported that smoking cannabis can significantly reduce chronic pain in patients with damaged nerves.
Marijuana relieves chronic pain
Cannabis and pain relief
Cannabis may offer best pain relief

Parkinson’s syndrome

Cannabis is very effective at reducing and in some instances completely stopping the tremors and shaking. The cannabinoids need to be taken at regular intervals to maintain the effect and the condition is not cured by cannabis use but it does provide relief from symptoms of sufferers.
Cannabis is a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals
Cannabis, Parkinson’s Disease and the endocannabinoid system
Cannabis and Parkinson’s article and info graphic

There is evidence that cannabinoids play a neuroprotective role in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and several neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis and even Parkinson’s disease.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Whilst Israel allows medical marijuana use for any of its soldiers suffering from PTSD, an effort to persuade the Obama administration to legalize marijuana for disabled U.S. war veterans who suffer from the condition was met with rejection from the White House.
Premenstrual syndrome Studies indicate that cannabis medical treatments can aid in the relief of painful stomach pains and cramps that are sometimes associated with this syndrome. It can also have a positive effect on a sufferer’s mood and mental state.

Veterans for medical marijuana
Military veterans say pot eases PTSD
Cannabis and PTSD By Michael McKenna

Pregnancy

Research on human children for the effects of prenatal exposure to marijuana have found no detrimental indications between marijuana-exposed babies in terms of health, temperament, personality, sleeping patterns, eating habits, psycho-motor ability, physical development, or mental functioning.
In fact other studies indicate that cannabinoids are present in mothers breast milk and that it has an important role in stimulating a feeding response in newborn babies as well as aiding in the development of a healthy immune system.
Research also demonstrates that babies can actually benefit from exposure to cannabinoids whilst in the womb.
Marijuana use in pregnancy Dr. Melanie Dreher
Pot and pregnancy
Does cannabis/THC do harm to the fetus if it is used during pregnancy?

Pruritus

Researchers at the Wroclaw University, Poland, investigated the effects of a cannabis based ointment on twenty one patients with pruritus due to end- stage failure of kidney function.
All patients applied the cream twice daily for a period of three weeks. Pruritus was completely eliminated in eight of the patients with a noticeable improvement in the other test subjects.
Does cannabis help in severe itching?
Cannabinoids in the treatment of pruritus?

Psoriasis

Cannabis medical treatments are used by many patients to treat psoriasis; the positive reaction is thought to be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids and their regulatory effects on the immune system. Regular topical applications of a cannabis based cream or lotion can be beneficial and effective for many sufferers.

cannabis medical treatments

Cannabis cures psoriasis
Cannabis and psoriasis
Psoriasis and cannabis

Sickle-cell disease

Cannabis does not cure Sickle-cell anemia, but is highly effective in managing pain. Cannabis also acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory without any side effects.
Cannabis may treat Sickle-cell disease
Marijuana compound may be an alternative treatment option for patients
Medical marijuana and Sickle Cell Anemia

Spinal cord injuries

Cannabis medical treatments have been shown to be effective in reducing spasticity and reports by individuals with these injuries have revealed a beneficial effect from marijuana use.
Strokes Extracts from marijuana plants could have some efficacy in preventing brain damage after stroke, according to a team led by the British-born biologist Aidan Hampson, at the U.S. National Institute for Mental Health, in Maryland, they discovered that THC and cannabidiol each act to prevent damage to brain tissue under laboratory conditions.
Medical marijuana and spinal cord injuries
THC reduces Spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury

Chronic pain remains a significant problem for many with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Recent data from the national Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems indicate a pain prevalence ranging from 81% at 1 year after injury to 82.7% at 25 years.