Cannabis as medicine?
In most cases the benefit of medicinal cannabis use is limited
to individual experiences. So don't put your expectations to high.
In
cannabis there are a lot of active substances. The exact activity
of these substances is unkown. The most important substances are
measured in the laboratory. The substances are dronabinol and
cannabidiol. Of all the other substances a fingerprint is made
to verify that all these substances are present in the cannabis
in the same amount every time.
February 1995 Dr. Lester Grinspoon (Professor
of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School), in llecture on the medical
uses of cannabis, recommended cannabis for it's natural and save
activity. Cannabis is no "miracle medicine", but in
some cases gives relief and suppresses the side effects of other
medicine. Dr. Grinspoon considers cannabis as therapeutic medicine
for:
Cancer Chemotherapy:
against nausea, vomiting and pain, as appetizer and euphoria stimulant
Glaucoma:
increases the eye pressure
Epilepsy:
relaxation of the muscles.
Multiple Sclerosis:
relaxation of the muscles.
Aids:
relieves stress and depression, against nausea and vomiting, as
appetizer and euphoria stimulant.
Chronic pain:
relieves pain.
Migraine:
relieves headache, against nausea and vomiting.
Purities:
stimulate healing, relieves itch.
According to the report on the use of cannabis (1939) by Dr. W.B.
O'Shaugnessy, the use of cannabis was as important for the
mid-ninety's as the discovery of antibiotics (like penicillin)
was for the mid-twenty's.
From 1850 to 1937 cannabis was prescribed
as the most important medicine in the American Pharmaceutical
Industry for more than 100 different diseases and illnesses.
In 1964 Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, from the University of Tel Aviv
discovered THC for the first time. Until then (from pre-history
to 1964) researchers, doctors and the Pharmaceutical Industry
had no idea of the active substances of the cannabis.
From 1964 more than 400 different chemical substances were isolated
from cannabis. Besides these, more than a thousand other remarkable
substances have been discovered. 60 of the isolated chemicals
have therapeutically value.
A hundred surveys suggest that cannabis contains a "a medical
array" of therapeutically uses.
Research done between 1966 and 1976 cites that "natural cannabis"
(female flowers), is the most useful and safest medicine.
Other research (1988) show's that cannabis is one of the safest
therapeutically agents known to man.
According to a recent survey in the U.K. 70% of the doctors would
prescribe cannabis if it would be legal. A similar survey in the
U.S. indicates that 60% of the doctors would prescribe cannabis
on medical grounds, when legalised.
According to Dr. Grinspoon
a lot of work still has to be done. Double-blind research of all
the uses of cannabis as medicine.
A hundred surveys suggest that cannabis
contains a "a medical array" of therapeutically uses.
Research done between 1966 and 1976 cites that "natural cannabis"
(female flowers), is the most useful and safest medicine.
Other research (1988) show's that cannabis is one of the safest
therapeutically agents known to man.
According to a recent survey in the U.K. 70% of the doctors would
prescribe cannabis if it would be legal. A similar survey in the
U.S. indicates that 60% of the doctors would prescribe cannabis
on medical grounds, when legalised.
According to Dr. Grinspoon
a lot of work still has to be done. Double-blind research of all
the uses of cannabis as medicine.
|
-
 A
few medical web portals:
-
Historical use of Cannabis as
medicine
History tells us that as early as 2837 B.C. Emperor Shen Nung, who
the Chinese regard as the inventor of agriculture and the patron
of medicine, cultivated cannabis. Historians estimate that Hemp
has been used by man for over 8000 years.
The Greek historian, Herodotus, proved that cannabis has psycho-active
effects.
Queen Victoria was treated regularly with cannabis for several illnesses.
Between 1840 and 1900 over a 100 articles were published in Western
literature, in which cannabis was recommended for hundreds of diseases
and illnesses.
Between 1960 and 1986 extensive research was done, hearings were
called and medical research was initiates by the U.S.-government
together with Universities, public and private hospitals and several
other medical institutions and doctors.
Sixty years before the re-discovery of aspirin (about 1900) cannabis
was one of the most widely used pain-killers. Of the medicine sold
in America from 1842 to 1900 more than 50% contained cannabis, without
any fear of psycho activity.
Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, NORML, High Times and Omni magazine estimate
that, if cannabis was legal, it immediately would replace 10% to
20% of all medical prescriptions.
Probably 40% to 50% of all medicines (among those patented) would
contain a certain amount of cannabis-extract. Therefore the plant
and it's active components must be examined thoroughly.
References:
- Gottlieb, Adam, Cooking with cannabis.
- Herer, J., The emperor wears no clothes, Van Nuys,
1990.
- Grinspoon, L.M.D. & J.B. Bakalar, Marihuana,
the forbidden medicine, Yale University, 1993.
- Hafen, B.Q. & D. Soulier, Marijuana, current
facts, figures and information, Center City, Hazelden,
1989.
- Derkx, S., A. & B. Dronkers, en J. Joosten, Hennep,
pleidooi voor mens en plant, Hasj en Marihuana Info
Museum, Amsterdam, 1994.
- Websites: Medicinal-marihuana.com
- Magazines: Cannabis City , High times. |
|
|
