by Elaine Parrish

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 23, 2009

How does marijuana treat pain?

In 2005, after battling cancer and two recurrences, 42 year old Ann W. was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Now, the legs that had once made her a star softball player couldn't be depended upon to hold up her slim frame. On the coldest winter day, a pair of soft cotton socks felt like barbed wire against her skin and shoes felt like steel bear traps. Even the cotton percale sheets on her bed were torture at their touch. The pain was relentless. Ann was taking all the prescribed medications that medicine had to offer. Nothing helped. Then a friend suggested marijuana. He supplied the dried vegetation and rolled one of the awkward cigarettes. Ann began inhaling deeply, and within moments, the drug began to ease her pain.

More than 40% of Americans have tried marijuana at least once (NIDA, 2008).

How marijuana works:

The body produces chemicals called cannabinoids, which aid in physical and mental functions. On some nerve cells in the brain there are cannabinoid receptors that collect the chemicals in order to optimize the body's usage in regulating learning and memory, functions such as judgment, movement, coordination, and pleasure, etc (NIDA, 2008).

THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the major active chemical in marijuana. The THC, when smoked, passes from the lungs into the blood stream where it circulates through the body, including the brain. THC attaches itself to the cannabinoid receptors and stimulates the brain cells to release the chemical messenger Dopamine, which - among other functions - stimulates the censors in what is known as the pleasure center of the brain (Dopamine, n/d; NIDA, 2008).

What ailments is marijuana supposed to help?

The most common ailments include pain relief in general and pain relief from nerve damage (neuropathic pain) in particular; nausea, especially from cancer treatments like chemotherapy; spasticity, such as is caused by Multiple Sclerosis; glaucoma; and movement disorders. It is a powerful stimulant of appetite, which aids patients suffering from wasting syndromes like AIDS, or from HIV, or dementia.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) (NORML, 2009) lists 19 ailments which are emerging as possible beneficiaries of cannabis. In addition to those listed above, the others are Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Diabetes Mellitus, Dystonia, Fibromyalgia, GI Disorders, Gliomas, Hepatitis C, Hypertension, Incontinence, MRSA, Osteoporosis, Pruritus, Rheumatoid

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>