Marijuana
Marijuana, also called cannabis is medically authorized for some treatments in some jurisdictions. Over the years, cannabis has been used for the treatment of different ailments. The aspect of medical marijuana is commonly applied to mean the utilization of the raw form of marijuana plant or the various forms of extractions from the plant in the cure of various illnesses. However, the utilization of the herb has not been fully permitted owing to certain health risks that could manifest when used over a long period (Ware, Adams and Guy2005, p. 292). For example, the Food and Drug Administration of the United States has not embraced and legally approved the use of marijuana in meeting different medical conditions. The controversies have witnessed the use of marijuana not duly legalized in some countries across the globe (Monte, Zane and Heard 2015, p. 241). However, there are several studies already carried out that ascertains the existence of chemicals in marijuana that helps in treating different disease conditions. The onset of the 19th century was characterized by increased research in the healthcare sector that saw the increasing number of countries that legalized the utilization of the plant, marijuana, for health reasons. Among major uses of marijuana in the healthcare sector is for pain reduction and an increase in appetite. Research makes it pronounce that marijuana contains a chemical, THC that when induced into the body stimulates the receptors of the brain that results desired conditions like pain reduction (Ware, Adams and Guy2005, p. 292).
How Does Medical Marijuana Help Improve Tourettes
The condition Tourette, is a syndrome that is hereditary in nature and is frequently made manifest much in children. The medicated state is distinguished by physical and vocal convulsions. This could include constant jerking movements. The use of the herb is major to help in the reduction of the warning signs of Tourette’s syndrome. It helps in reducing anxiety, and the frequency of the tics.
Research carried out in German that comprises many patients suffering from Tourette syndrome revealed a considerable reduction in the symptoms of the condition for patients who were administered with cannabis (Reinarman, Nunberg, Lanthier and Heddleston2011, p. 129). Also, there were minimal side-effects realized ruling out the possibility of possible risks in the medical application of the plant more on Tourette syndrome. The research also made it evident that cannabis reduced TS tics in a similar manner to other dystonia-inducing conditions such as Parkinson’s (Koppelet al 2014, p. 1557)
Reduction of the Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
The disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder is more common with patients suffering from the condition, Tourette syndrome. Among the symptoms among patients with this form of the disease include, ordering actions, repetitive actions like counting and touching challenges. In creative cases, patients suffering from this disease will be faced with high levels of aggression compared to other patients with solely OCD. Research has made it clear that the aggression related to the disorder will be reduced through the administration of marijuana in certain measures (Clark, Ware, Yazer, Murray and Lynch2004, p. 2099)
Sleep disorders
He condition Tourette often causes sleep disorders among the patients. Though it is recognized that extensive research has not been carried out in this area with aspect to marijuana, it is stated that marijuana helps in reduction of sleep disorders. Specifically, Tourette is researched to prolong the or delay the beginning of sleep (Bostwick 2012, p. 173). On the contrary, marijuana contains certain chemicals that help in the reduction of the sleep latency i.e. it reduces the difficulty among persons of falling asleep. Again, patients with Ts always have the challenge of remaining awake for a long time. This condition can also be controlled by marijuana owing to the stimulating nature of the drug (Kilmer, Caulkins, Pacula, MacCoun and Reuter2010, p. 34).
How Does Marijuana Help Improve Epilepsy
A common symptom of persons suffering from the epileptic condition is the seizure, a condition that makes persons be sensitive to various stimuli. Among the conditions that epileptic persons are often sensitive to include strong light, certain smells and even specific sounds. Seizure, also called ‘aura’ could also involve sudden feelings of fear, numbness and even nausea. It is the feelings of aura that when escalates causes persons to lose balance and even fall losing their consciousness. Studies have revealed that the use of marijuana among epileptic persons normally reduces the levels of aura faced and when consistently administered could even totally eliminate the epileptic condition but with the integration of other forms of medication. However, the response to this form of medication varies among persons. (Cerdá, Wall, Keyes, Galea and Hasin2012, p. 24).
It is worth noting that there are some concerns that have been raised with consideration to the utilization of the plant for treatment of the epileptic condition as opined by Joffe and Yancy, (2004, p. e637). Among the side effects could be how marijuana could react to other forms of medications administered. For example, in striving to curb seizure, it has been revealed that continuous use of marijuana could result in loss of memory. Again, among the children, the side effects of marijuana could be more pronounced. In children, marijuana could result in a reduction in the cognitive ability. Hence this form of medication is normally discouraged among children. Owing to the possibility of the side effects, it is normally recommended that extensive research on the best form of medications should be adopted in treating of the epileptic condition before settling for marijuana.
Legalization of Marijuana
The high use of marijuana should be a wake up call to its legalization. The chart below indicates views of sports personalities on the legalization of marijuana. According to the graph and opinions of respondent sin the survey, a large number of people support its legalization across Europe and the US.
Source: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/poll-majority-support-for-marijuana-legalization/
According to, Berman, Symonds and Birch, (2004, p. 300), legalization of marijuana can be critical in some medication programs, hence helping in saving lives. Research that shows that marijuana can be used in the reduction of pain could have been of more essential with the legalization of the drug. Also, the characteristic of the drug that helps in inducing appetite is central in increasing the life of patients. If at all, the use of the drug was legalized before 2017; many lives could have been saved. In the event of adoption, there are certain considerations that should be made clear. Firstly, the quantities to be used should be clearly be specified; this will help in curbing instances of side effects that results from administration of unspecified quantities of the drug (Ware, Adams, and Guy, 2005, 34).
References
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Clark, A.J., Ware, M.A., Yazer, E., Murray, T.J. and Lynch, M.E., 2004. Patterns of cannabis use among patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurology, 62(11), pp.2098-2100.
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Joffe, A. and Yancy, W.S., 2004. Legalization of marijuana: potential impact on youth. Pediatrics, 113(6), pp.e632-e638.
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Pacula, R.L., 2010. Examining the impact of marijuana legalization on marijuana consumption.
Pacula, R.L., 2010. Examining the impact of marijuana legalization on marijuana consumption.
Reinarman, C., Nunberg, H., Lanthier, F. and Heddleston, T., 2011. Who are medical marijuana patients? Population characteristics from nine California assessment clinics. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 43(2), pp.128-135.
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Woolridge, E., Barton, S., Samuel, J., Osorio, J., Dougherty, A. and Holdcroft, A., 2005. Cannabis use in HIV for pain and other medical symptoms. Journal of pain and symptom management, 29(4), pp.358-367.