Medical marijuana is gaining popularity as a complementary medicine to help with many symptoms associated with chronic illnesses. While many people are curious about how marijuana (or cannabis) may help improve their symptoms, they are also reluctant to smoke the substance. However, there are ways that medical marijuana can be administered, including in tea form.
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According to thealternativedaily.com, there are five ways that cannabis tea can help relieve some of the symptoms people with chronic diseases live with.
Relieves pain
Marijuana has been associated with pain relief for centuries. Researchers have found the cannabinoids in marijuana dampen pain signals by binding to the pain receptors in the central nervous system (CNS).
In contrast to opiates such as morphine or codeine, cannabis is not addictive and poses no withdrawal symptoms to patients. Cannabis-infused tea is delivered to the whole of the body through the digestive system so the effects are longer lasting and more efficient than smoking.
Reduces inflammation
Medical marijuana has been found to reduce inflammation associated with many autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus. It also helps to temper the body’s immune system making it less likely to attack itself.
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Protects the brain
Studies of cannabis’s effect on the brain have found that the drug has a neuroprotective effect and appears to slow down or even block the beta-amyloid protein build-ups associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Promotes digestive health
Many chronic illnesses present symptoms which affect the gastrointestinal system. Cannabis has been found to improve digestion and relieve symptoms such as cramping, stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, constipation and acid reflux.
Mood enhancer
While smoking cannabis may produce mind-altering effects that most people are weary of, drinking cannabis tea can help with stabilizing mood and helping to relieve emotional symptoms associated with chronic illness such as depression and anxiety.
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