Much of the clamor caused by arthritis is due to the fact that it seems to be affecting more and more people every year. With an estimated number of over 30 million, arthritis with its ability to paralyze a person affected with it is one of the many illnesses feared by mankind.
Its direct effect on the joints and bones can make a person totally immobile and its ability to cause so much pain can alter lives tremendously. For this reason, doctors, scientists, and pharmaceutical companies have long been finding a cure for arthritis.
A successful treatment has yet to be discovered, but in the meantime, we have to be content with the drugs that can alleviate pain along with the symptoms of this ailment.
One of the many controversial means of relieving pain from arthritis is by using marijuana. It has been known to be helpful to patients with cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries. It is also known to treat glaucoma by reducing intraocular pressure.
Marijuana
Unfortunately, because of its many recreational benefits, the use of marijuana as a treatment for certain illness and disease still pose a very big issue to the public. In the first place, marijuana is still illegal in most parts of the world and you simply cannot turn a blind eye to the many harmful effects of taking it.
For this reason, it is still very difficult to prescribe marijuana as treatment because of the risk it involves, not to mention the fact that possession of the drug can still send the bearer to prison.
Many stories of dependency and addiction have been heard about marijuana. In fact, not only teenagers are found to be at risk with using it. Often times it has become a choice between being dependent on the drug to be able to continue with their lives or being dependent on family and friends to be able to get by. It is, therefore, a very tough decision to make and often times pride gets in the way.
It might take a little longer for a definite arthritis cure to be discovered. Right now, there are a number of options that you can explore. There are supplements and pain relievers that can successfully remove the pain. Most of the time, however, it is still best for you to consult your doctor to be able to get proper diagnosis and to receive the most up-to-date treatment for your condition. There is a way for you to still enjoy life while beating the symptoms of arthritis. Knowing more about the disease is the first step to gaining ground.
The good thing about arthritis is that the pain is not constantly felt however its arrival could not be suspected, either. Nonetheless, a person who is suffering from arthritis can still very well enjoy life to its fullest.
Hi there,
First off, let me say that it is great to see that people are finally beginning to poke their heads out form under the sheets to see what benefits cannabis really has to offer. I commend you for at least taking the first step.
What I find disheartening is that this article has no references. No references to those who have studied the medical benefits of cannabis, but even worse, no references to the “harmful effects of taking it” that you would like to warn your readers about.
The fact is, smoking anything is bad for you. But you didn’t say “smoking”, you said “taking” and if you did any research at all, you would find plenty of evidence to suggest that cannabis is one of the most HARMLESS substances one can take as a medicine.
Basically, you could ingest a pound of high THC cannabis (undstand that Hemp is also cannabis, but with low THC and is a well established dietary supplement) and there would be no lasting side effects. Try that with any other drug on this planet!
Now, if you do choose to do some research, I would caution you to take a close look at where the information is coming from, the level of bias that might be present, and whether or not the information comes from arguments of authority or are scientific.
Most organizations that publish anything about cannabis are biased and are supported directly or indirectly by government agencies. The US government has written in law that no agency may publish, support, or fund anything/one that contradicts the notion that cannabis has no medical value. Other governments have no such restrictions, so much of the unbiased studies of cannabis and its effects come from Canada and elsewhere.
Another few facts to take into consideration is: 1) cannabis has been used medicinally for thousands of years; 2) there have never been a single reported death caused by cannabis (compare that with alcohol or even aspirin!); 3) cannabis has only been outlawed for the past 60 years and the reasons behind that are hardly scientific by any account.
The issue of using cannabis then, is not a moral one, nor one of scientifically proven harmful effects. The issue is, and has been for our generation, one of cultural discrimination and corporate greed. So, when writing an article like this, please be aware, many folks have hidden agendas which must be scrutinized by the truth seeker.
Although I could include many links, I will refrain. The truth is out there.
Well, I wasn’t going to post any links, but since the lack of references was one of my criticisms on this article, I thought better of my decision. See, it is OK to change one’s mind!
So, here’s a couple which are quite in-depth on the overall subject…
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/library/studies/ledain/ldctoc.html
http://www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/Com-e/ille-e/library-e/Spicer-e.htm
There are also plenty of studies out there that show promise for cannabis used for treating cancer, depression, asthma, etc. Easy to find.
Remember, when reviewing any study of “smoked” cannabis that claims harm, it is important to be clear what the harm is from the “smoke” (which could be the equivalent of smoking some weeds in your yard) and what harm is actually proven to stem from the consumption of the active cannabinoids.
Good luck in your seeking!