Health Benefits of Marijuana

The Health Benefits of Marijuana 

Cannabis Sativa

Treats migraines THC and many of the ingredients of the marijuana plant, such as cannabidiol, have relatively potent pain-reducing and anti-inflammatory actions within the body. These effects are several hundred times more powerful than that of aspirin, allowing doctors in California to treat more than 300,000 cases of migraines with medical marijuana.


Slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease A 2006 study published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics found that THC slows the formation of amyloid plaque, which is what kills the brain cells of Alzheimer’s patients, by blocking the enzyme in the brain that creates the plaque.
Stops cancer from spreading Cancer cells make more copies of the gene ID1 than non-cancerous cells, and it helps them spread through the body. Cannabidiol stops cancer by turning off the gene, according to a study published in the journal Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Prevents blindness from glaucoma Marijuana decreases the pressure inside the eye, according to the National Eye Institute: "Studies in the early 1970s showed that marijuana, when smoked, lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with normal pressure and those with glaucoma."

Controls epileptic seizures, helps calm Tourette’s The active ingredient in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (aka THC), controls seizures by binding to the brain cells responsible for controlling excitability and regulating relaxation, according to findings published in Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. Similarly, it’s effects slow down the tics in those suffering from Tourette’s.

Treats depression A study on addictive behaviors published by USC and SUNY Albany in 2005, found that "those who consume marijuana occasionally or even daily have lower levels of depressive symptoms than those who have never tried marijuana."


Lessens side-effects from treating Hepatitis C Hepatitis C medications have severe side effects that often cause patients to discontinue therapy. According to the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, patients that smoked marijuana every day found that not only did they complete the therapy, but marijuana even made it more effective, showing no sign of the virus left in their bodies.


Relieves arthritis discomfort Marijuana proves useful for many types of chronic pain conditions, but patients with rheumatoid arthritis report less pain, reduced inflammation and more sleep, according to a 2011 announcement by researchers.


Treats inflammatory bowel diseases THC-like compounds made by the body increase the permeability of the intestines, allowing bacteria in. According to a 2010 study in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the plant-derived THC in marijuana blocks the THC compound in the body, making the intestinal cells bond together tighter.


Decreases insulin levels in diabetics Three prior studies have shown that marijuana users are less likely to be obese and have a lower risk for diabetes. Research conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2005 and 2010 found that marijuana users showed fasting insulin levels that were 16% lower than those of never users, along with a 17% reduction in another measure of insulin resistance as well.

Eases the pain of Multiple Sclerosis Jody Corey-Bloom studied 30 multiple sclerosis patients with painful contractions in their muscles, and found after smoking marijuana for a few days they were in less pain. The THC in pot binds to receptors in the nerves and muscles to relieve pain.

Disclosure: The above is for informational purposes only. The article is not meant to condone nor influence anyone to smoke or ingest marijuana.