One solution for the rising costs of health care is to provide preventative care. Preventing illness and injuries in advance is the strategy. Preventative measures include vaccinations, a healthy diet and regular screening tests.
The Partnership for Preventative Care found that preventative services were grossly underutilized, and minorities received the lowest number of preventative treatments in the United States. The authors of the study concluded that by utilizing just five out of the 12 most important preventative services in the United States, they could save up to 100,000 people’s lives within a year.
Can cannabis be used to prevent disease?
Cannabis Use as a Preventive Care: Benefits
1. Analgesic effectCannabis’ anti-inflammatory effects have been proven. Inflammation is the cause or symptom for a wide range of medical conditions. Cannabis offers an alternative to harmful prescriptions and over-thecounter medications.
The performance of different strains varies depending on the patient and condition. You can still find the right balance of THC and CBD for your needs. By interacting with the Endocannabinoid System, they can reduce or even eliminate inflammation in cells.
2. Anti-emeticCannabis can affect the musculature of the digestive organs. The natural effect of cannabis on muscle movement in the entire system helps reduce nausea and vomiting.
Cannabis increases the production of anandamide. This is a neurotransmitter made up of fatty acids, also known as “the happiness molecule.” Anandamide has many functions. It modulates the digestive system and metabolic system. Anandamide has been shown to be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting for patients undergoing HIV/AIDS therapy or chemotherapy.
3. GlaucomaGlaucoma can cause blindness when the pressure of fluid builds up in the eyeball and damages the optic nerve.
American Glaucoma Society states, “It’s been proven and is well known that smoking pot lowers your IOP.” [Interocular Pressure] The treatment could work for both normal people and those with glaucoma. The researchers point out that smoking cannabis only has a three- to four-hour effect, while edibles, oils and drinks are available that don’t have the same negative effects.
4. AnxiolyticTHC can cause psychoactive effects that are disturbing or paranoid. CBD is the exact opposite. It is calming, soothing, and tranquilizing.
Scientists believe CBD can have an “entourage” effect. It does not affect the neural receptors directly, unlike THC. However, the effects are indirect, as it modulates dopamine and serotonin. Cannabis can reduce stress, including that associated with PTSD.
5. StrokeAccording to the American Council on Science and Health, frequent marijuana smoking can lead to an ischemic stroke. However, it was also acknowledged in the report that most cannabis smokers were also smokers of tobacco.
However, the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism concluded that cannabinoid therapy reduced the amount of brain cells that were injured during stroke. According to the testing, “cannabinoids act as neuroprotectants. They may also stimulate brain cell growth in diseased or damaged areas.”
6. TumorsCannabinoids prevent tumor growth. American Cancer Society: “More recent, scientists reported THC and cannabinoids like CBD cause death or slow the growth of some types of cancerous cells that are growing in lab dishes.” Animal studies suggest that cannabinoids might also slow down the spread and growth of certain types of cancer.
Cannabis has anti-proliferative properties, which stop the growth of cancerous cells. Cannabis also stops cells from metastatic (i.e. spreading from one body part to another). The drug stops the cancer cells from gaining food and causes apoptosis.
7. DementiaAlzheimer’s Disease, a neurodegenerative chronic disorder that is associated with the aging process. However, compounds derived from cannabis slow the progress of the disease.Â
Alzheimer’s is still a mystery. However, a plaque buildup in the brain and between the cells seems to be its cause. Cannabis specifically relieves amyloid accumulation. Cannabis is able to work with the endocannabinoid receptor system of the human body in order to stop inflammation and accumulation within brain cells.
8. OsteoporosisTHC and CBD aid in bone metabolism. They manage the creation of cartilage and bone cells in order to avoid or prevent osteoporosis.
Annals of Medicine examined how cannabinoids interact with CB2 receptors in order to promote bone formation and prevent bone loss.
9. Skin DamageCannabis is not just anti-inflammatory, as we have already explained. It also contains antioxidants that act transdermally. Cannabis-derived creams, lotions or topicals can be used to combat wrinkles and dryness of the skin.
10. Sun DamageTHC produces a fat known as sphingolipid Ceramide. This lipid is involved in carbohydrate metabolism, and also detoxification within cells. The lipid helps keep skin cells healthy and alive. It also makes them resistant to melanoma.
Cannabinoids in suntan lotions protect skin from UVB rays, which can damage DNA. The cannabis tanning cream needs to be enriched with SPF50 factors, fragments and other additives. It does, however, attract people who are interested in anything green.
Benefits of using cannabis as preventative care—
Prevention has always been part of the medical system to help prevent disease. Recommending periodic breast X-rays and pap smears to women, and prostate tests to men is part of risk management.
Similar tactics are used in preventative care. But it is now used to describe holistic medicine, which uses a focused and continuous approach to avoid and prevent medical conditions. In preventative medicine, supplementary, organic, and natural treatments are combined in an effort to maintain and control body, spirit, and mind.
Cannabis in its entirety offers a variety of preventative and mitigation options, including smoking, eating, or applying.