Of all the medicinal
plants known to man, marijuana (cannabis) is one of those that have
been deemed both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, marijuana can
indeed lead to erratic and violent behavior if a person ingests too
much of it, not to mention the health risks it poses if used without
medical supervision. On the other hand, it is also one of the most
potent pharmaceuticals available and is touted to help treat a myriad
of diseases.
The
ancient Chinese and Egyptians have used cannabis
for
thousands of years, mostly as pain-reliever and a drug to treat
rheumatism, hemorrhoids, and other ailments. However, it is only
quite recently that the major ingredients of the drug are
fully-explored, hinting of other medical benefits that were not yet
known until now. Tetrahydrocannabinol
or
THC, for instance, has been shown to help in treating chronic anxiety
and depression.
Another
major component of medical cannabis is cannabidoil
(CBD) which is known to treat inflammations, multiple sclerosis, and
dystonia. However, it is also found out to be able to halt/hinder the
growth of some cancer cells, particularly those that propagate breast
cancer, by neutralizing a gene called ID1 found in the body. In
November 2012, some Israeli scientists have created a new strain of
cannabis with higher levels of CBD and almost no traces of THC,
creating a drug that doesn't have the addictive potential found in
other kinds of medical
marijuana.
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