Are There Any Therapeutic Effects to Cannabis

2009.04.03

When the word is pot, grass, weed or any other derivative like Maryjane etc., then it’s a drug, but when it is referred to as Cannabis it takes on a medical term and therefore a different application. When it is thought of as a drug it has the connotation that it is evil and addictive and that it will ruin you, but when it is thought of in the context of cannabis, it has been said to be therapeutic.

Cannabis has been referred to as early as 2800 B.C. by the Chinese, and has been use for centuries as a plant with medicinal and psychoactive properties. In fact, before pharmaceuticals became so popular, many home remedies contained Cannabis for many different ailments. It has been prescribed for glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, HIV, and cancer, as well as many other diseases and afflictions.
 
The real difference lies in the quality of the product. On the street, it can be cut with almost anything, and therefore its natural properties are reduced, but in its pure form, with all of the more than 400 chemicals that make Cannabis what it is, it has many medicinal properties that can be natural and beneficial, like the additional energy it can give to a person that makes them feel healthier.

Too much of anything isn’t good for you, obviously, and with Cannabis, there is no exception, with too much of it having adverse effects on blood pressure and those who have conditions related to poor circulation, heart trouble, etc., should avoid Cannabis, in fact some people even have an allergic reaction to it.

As far as make up goes, the active element of Cannabis is called THC, a technical abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, this is what makes cannabis psychoactive. This not to say that people who use the substance are prone to psychotic activity, quite the contrary, many users are fairly docile, and are not a social threat.

Cannabis can be addictive to certain people, in the same way some people can’t take alcohol, or certain prescription medicine, and it also has more tar than tobacco, which means it can be a high cancer risk if used heavily and continuously. It is wise to listen to your body, and if Cannabis is affecting you adversely, it is best not to pursue its further use because of the damage that may occur.

There is the herbal form of Cannabis which is also known as skunk, weed, or grass, and the processed resin is known as black, (Because of the color), or hash, from hashish. The word assassin comes from hashish, and the tribe who used it heavily as a psychotropic, that were called hashashins. So, Cannabis can have therapeutic benefits, when it isn’t abused, but when it is overdone, it can lead to other, more powerful drugs like heroin or cocaine, but in moderation, it can have some therapeutic value, just listen to your body, and it will let you know.