The truth about medical marijuana: Is it really safe?

You've probably heard the term 'Medical Marijuana' here and there, right? Maybe in a movie, or on the internet. So, the question that many people have is whether this is really a cure for diseases, or what is the real story behind it. There are different opinions and different stories about this. So today, let's talk about this, from a purely medical perspective, in a way that you can simply understand.

What exactly is "Medical Marijuana"?

Simply put, "medical marijuana" is the use of the cannabis plant or its chemical components to control the symptoms of a medical condition, or to reduce the discomfort caused by those symptoms. The important thing to note here is that this is completely different from use for recreational purposes.

But there's a big problem here. In many countries, including the United States, marijuana is classified as a highly controlled substance with a high potential for addiction and no medically recognized uses. As a result, doctors can't "prescribe" it like a regular drug. Instead, in some countries, where the law allows it, a doctor can only "certify" that a patient has a certain medical condition and that cannabis may be able to relieve those symptoms.

Are there any medically approved medications?

Yes. Here's the important point. Although there is scientific uncertainty about the use of the cannabis plant in this way, scientists have isolated and purified specific chemicals from the cannabis plant and produced medicines from them. These are medicines that have been subjected to rigorous research, confirmed their safety and efficacy, and approved by recognized institutions in the world. This means that these are not things that are made without control, but things that are produced exactly as medicine.

Do you understand the difference? Rather than using the whole plant, the accepted method in medicine is to administer a specific chemical extracted from it, in a specific dose, for a specific disease.

So what kind of symptoms are these used to control?

In some countries and states around the world, the use of "Medical Marijuana" is only legally permitted to control the symptoms of certain medical conditions. Again, these are not treatments that cure the disease, but only things that reduce the discomfort caused by the symptoms.

Some of the medical conditions permitted in such countries are:

• HIV or AIDS status
• Alzheimer's disease
• Cancer
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson's disease
• Chronic and severe pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Conditions in the gastrointestinal system such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

This list varies from country to country. Also, research is still ongoing on how effective cannabis is for each of these conditions. If you have a condition like this, it's best to talk to your doctor and get approved, safe, and effective treatments instead of relying on what you read online and making your own decisions.

The most important question: Is "Medical Marijuana" really safe?

The most honest answer to this is, "It's complicated, and we don't know everything about it yet." There are several main reasons why doctors and scientists are concerned about this.

Lack of scientific research and approval

Any medicine we use, like paracetamol or piritan, undergoes thousands of rigorous clinical trials before it reaches the market. This involves examining everything from the effectiveness of the medicine to its safety, side effects, and the correct dosage. But there is not enough such accepted, extensive research data for "Medical Marijuana."

Is what's on the label inside?

Because these are not approved drugs, there is no specific standard for the product. The amount of THC (the main psychoactive ingredient) or CBD (another main ingredient) that is printed on the package may be less or more than what is actually inside. This means that the effect you get can be completely unpredictable.

Serious drug interactions

This is the most dangerous risk. The chemicals in marijuana can react with other medications you take and cause serious side effects.

These are just a few examples. There are over 500 chemicals in the cannabis plant, so we can't say for sure how they will interact with any medication you take.

What are the possible side effects?

The way cannabis affects each person is different. It depends on many factors, including your age, genes, the amount you take, and the method you use it. But there are some common short-term side effects that can be seen.

• Mood swings: feeling euphoric or agitated.
• Difficulty thinking and problem solving: Inability to think clearly.
• Memory impairment: forgetting events.
• Confusion: Lack of clarity about things like where you are or what time it is.
• Drowsiness and relaxation (sedation).
• Dizziness and loss of balance.
• Slowed reaction time: Things like driving can be very dangerous.
• Dry mouth.
• Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not there.
• Psychosis: Inability to distinguish between reality and delusions (this risk is particularly high when using cannabis with high THC concentrations).

In addition to these, research is still ongoing into the effects of long-term use on brain development, memory, and mental health.