Medical cannabis

Medical cannabis, also known as medical marijuana (pronunciation: /ˈmɛdɪkəl ˈkænəbɪs/), is a term referring to the use of the Cannabis plant and its cannabinoids to treat disease or improve symptoms. The use of cannabis as medicine has not been rigorously tested due to production and governmental restrictions, resulting in limited clinical research to define the safety and efficacy of using cannabis to treat diseases.

Etymology

The term "cannabis" is derived from the Greek word "kannabis" (pronunciation: /kɑːnəbɪs/), which was borrowed from Scythian or Thracian. The term "marijuana" is of Mexican Spanish origin, possibly derived from an Aztec language.

History

The history of medical cannabis spans several centuries. The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is evident in ancient texts from China, Egypt, and Greece. The Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung, who reigned from about 2700 B.C., is said to have discovered the healing properties of cannabis as well as those of two other mainstays of Chinese herbal medicine, ginseng and ephedra.

Medical uses

Medical cannabis is used in a variety of medical applications, including pain relief – particularly of neuropathic pain (pain from nerve damage) – nausea, spasticity, glaucoma, and movement disorders. It is also a powerful appetite stimulant, specifically for patients suffering from HIV, the AIDS wasting syndrome, or dementia.

Adverse effects

The use of cannabis can have several adverse effects, such as dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, somnolence, euphoria, vomiting, disorientation, drowsiness, confusion, loss of balance, and hallucination.

Legal status

The legal status of medical cannabis varies widely, with it being legal in some countries, provinces, and U.S. states, but illegal in others. Many nations have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Medical cannabis
Wikipedia's article - Medical cannabis

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Medical cannabis