So how does a single plant
treat such a vast array of
health conditions, each with
their own distinct symptom-
atology? The mechanism for the
positive effect is fascinating. THC is
the main psychoactive cannabinoid
(another word for ‘chemical’) in mari-
juana. Remarkably, the human body
produces a natural version of this
Pot doesn’t
carry the
stigma it used
to. More and
more doctors
are prescribing
it for various
conditions, with
success.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA HAS
BEEN LEGAL SINCE 2000.
THE FOLLOWING ARE JUST
A FEW CONDITIONS FOR
WHICH DOCTORS ARE
PRESCRIBING CANNABIS
TO THEIR PATIENTS:
n HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES
n INSOMNIA
n PARKINSON’S DISEASE
compound, called endocannabinoids,
which helps the body to regulate
various stimuli, specifically aiding in
the secretion of hormones related to
reproduction and stress. These chemi-
cals are found throughout the central
and peripheral nervous systems, the
connective tissue, glands, organs, im-
mune cells, and so on, and are par-
ticularly prominent in the brain. The
THC in marijuana attaches to these
receptor sites, creating a chemical
response—what is experienced as a
therapeutic effect. It is this extensive
endocannabinoid system dispersed
throughout the body that makes the
THC in marijuana so efficient and
successful. Various strains of the plant
are said to produce different results,
and although these aren’t yet pre-
cisely defined, extensive research is
currently being carried out to this end.
WHETHER YOU EN-
DORSE OR OPPOSE
THE USE OF THIS
ANCIENT HERB FOR
MEDICINAL PURPOSES,
IT APPEARS TO BE
HERE FOR THE LONG
HAUL.
THC IN MARIJUANA AT-
TACHES TO THESE RECEP-
TOR SITES, CREATING A
CHEMICAL RESPONSE—
WHAT IS EXPERIENCED AS
A THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
n EPILEPSY
n ANOREXIA
n IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME
n FIBROMYALGIA
n ARTHRITIS
n MUSCLE SPASM
n NAUSEA
n ANXIETY
n DEPRESSION
(For a more exhaustive list, go to
at medicalmarijuana.ca )
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