Marijuana,
also known as cannabis,
contains about 60 cannabinoids or compounds that give the plant
various properties. Despite the drug’s potential for abuse,
marijuana has garnered interest among medical experts over the years
because two of its cannabinoids, namely CBD and THC, are known to
provide certain medical benefits. Thus, the biggest challenge for the
drug’s proponents is how to harness these cannabinoids without any
of the side-effects.
CBD,
or cannabidiol,
is a non-psychoactive compound found in most varieties of marijuana;
usually in small amounts. According to the British Journal of
Clinical Pharmacology, CBD has the potential to treat a variety of
ailments and conditions, like nausea, seizures, schizophrenia, or
even symptoms of cancer. In addition, CBD is also known to reduce the
intoxicating effects of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol,
which is the cannabinoid responsible for giving people a ‘high’
when ingested.
Even
with that side effect from THC, researchers have also looked into
this cannabinoid for possible medical applications. In fact, various
studies and researches have been done about its therapeutic
properties since the 1970s. At present, most medical experts agree
that THC can help manage epilepsy, asthma, glaucoma, or even
anorexia, provided that the addictive properties are kept in check.
One way to do this is for marijuana breeders to grow plants that are
high in CBD, but low in THC.
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