In the pursuit of enhancing and finding new medicines for everyone, researchers and scientists have decided to look deeper into the benefits of cannabis plants. Medical cannabis New Zealand has already taken off and the first licenses are expected to be issued by mid-2020. There are plenty of lists out there that talk about the cannabis plant’s benefits, but some of them don’t mention the cannabis benefits that you probably didn’t know—and we have them here!
1. Reduces the Symptoms of Dravet’s Syndrome
Dravet Syndrome causes severe developmental delays and seizures in sufferers. The acclaimed chief medical correspondent for CNN, Dr Sanjay Gupta, is using a cannabis strain that’s low in THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol—the one responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects) and high in CBD (Cannabidiol) to treat Charlotte Figi, a five-year-old girl who has Dravet’s Syndrome. During his documentary titled “WEED”, Dr Gupta interviewed the girl’s family and discovered that the child’s seizures were significantly decreased from 300 times a week, to once every 7 days.
2. Alleviates the Symptoms of an Autoimmune Disorder Called Lupus
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder that makes a person’s immune cells attacks their body for unknown reasons. It is theorised that chemicals in the cannabis plant calm the immune system down.
3. Shields the Brain from Trauma and Concussion
A study from the journal Cerebral Cortex showed promising possibilities that medical cannabis can aid the brain heal after a traumatic injury or concussion. The experiments were performed on mice, which cannabis was shown to help activate healing mechanisms and reduce bruising of the brain after a significant head injury. Medical cannabis New Zealand would do really well with this, especially in cases of vehicle accidents or work-place mishaps.
4. Aids in Reversing the Carcinogenic Effects of Tobacco
Back in January 2012, the Journal of the American Medical Association showcased that medical cannabis actually increased lung capacity and improved lung functions. Researchers tested 5,115 young adults over a period of 20 years, looking out for risk factors of heart disease, discovered that cannabis users revealed an increase in lung capacity, compared to those who smoked tobacco. Vaporised forms are now available for medical cannabis as well, which is a safer alternative.
5. Mitigates Side Effects and Increases Effectiveness of Hepatitis C Treatment
The side effects of treating Hepatitis C infection can be so severe that a lot of individuals do not finish it. Side effects include nausea, depression, fatigue, loss of appetite, and muscle pains. Fortunately, a 2006 study by the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology observed that 86% of cannabis users were able to successfully complete their treatments. The study also revealed that it improves 54% of the treatment’s efficiency.
Now that you know about some not-so-popular medical benefits that medical cannabis has, you have a better understanding of how vital this plant is. Legalising medical cannabis New Zealand is a life-changing choice for both the government and especially for the patients. With it being legally available, it’s easier for a lot of people to get the medicine they truly need.