Examining the Benefits of Medical Cannabis for New York Patients

Cannabis laws across the U.S. vary widely, even with the legalization measures that many states have undergone in recent years. For 39 states, the plant and its derivatives are only authorized for medical use, with 21 out of those allowing recreational use.

New York is one of the lucky states where cannabis is fully legal, with an established medical cannabis program that has been running since 2014.

Currently, the state has over 122,000 patients registered under the medical program. You may be wondering, though, how does medical cannabis actually benefit patients?

Let’s look at the profound benefits medicinal weed has for patients in New York.

Pain Relief

If you qualify for medical marijuana in New York, you are free to explore some of the best weed strains for pain available at state dispensaries.

Studies looking into the role of cannabis in treating chronic pain have discovered that the cannabinoids found in cannabis can help.

Cannabinoids are a group of compounds in the cannabis plant that can interact with receptors in the brain and spinal cord, affecting pain perception pathways, which, in turn, can relieve pain.

Depending on the type of pain you experience, a qualified physician can recommend treatment with cannabis. Some of the painful conditions that can benefit from medical cannabis in New York include:

• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic pain
• Endometriosis
• Migraine

Cancer Treatment

Patients in New York can treat the symptoms of cancer using medical cannabis.

There isn’t much research suggesting that cannabis can prevent, cure or even stop cancer’s progression. However, one review found that cannabinoids have antitumor effects when it comes to certain types of cancers.

While weed may not offer a cancer cure anytime soon, it may benefit cancer patients in various ways. Besides relieving pain associated with cancer, it can relieve chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting due to its antiemetic properties.

Blood Pressure Management

High blood pressure is a health problem affecting many Americans. While there’s no cure for the condition, lifestyle adjustments involving a healthy diet and exercise can help keep it under control.

Recently, researchers discovered that the cannabinoid CBD could lower blood pressure. If you are struggling to keep your blood pressure under control, marijuana may be an alternative treatment.

Appetite Boost

You may have heard of the “munchies” in some cannabis discussions. It’s a strong craving for food that tends to occur when you consume marijuana.

THC is the other most active compound in the cannabis plant besides CBD. It’s known for its mind-altering effects, but the cannabinoid has other therapeutic properties.

When you consume THC, it activates the endocannabinoid receptor CB1 which boosts your appetite, and which many experience as the “munchies.”

Weight Loss

Patients on medical marijuana may be able to fight off weight gain naturally. Even though weed can stimulate appetite, it can also suppress it depending on the dominant cannabinoid in a particular strain.

If you qualify to use medical marijuana but would also like to benefit from the properties that promote weight loss, go for CBD-dominant cannabis strains because, unlike THC, CBD actually suppresses appetite.

But cannabis can do more than just affect your appetite.

Various studies have linked prolonged cannabis use with reduced body mass index (BMI), suggesting that cannabis may actually be able to improve metabolism.

The theory is that the body’s endocannabinoid system can be imbalanced by unhealthy diets. And since cannabinoids interact with this system, they can promote balance and boost metabolism as a byproduct.

Relief from IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may not be a qualifying condition under the New York medical marijuana program. But it’s a problem that affects about 11% of the global population.

For patients on the program who also happen to struggle with any of the various types of IBS, cannabis may be able to help with that problem as well.

Studies on endocannabinoids show that the compound’s interaction with CB1 receptors can affect gastric and intestinal transit. Phytocannabinoids from plants like cannabis interacting with CB1 receptors can do the same.

Basically, cannabinoids have therapeutic properties that may help people with their IBS symptoms.

Conclusion

Medical marijuana offers an option where conventional medications are not enough.

If you are considering cannabis as a patient, remember that the drug is not well understood, even though many of its benefits are indeed scientifically proven.

Work with a qualified healthcare practitioner beforehand to determine if your condition is better off treated with cannabis or other medicines