Medical Marijuana Research: Cannabis Medicine Offers Pain Relief Merits, According to Recent Research

The most progressive state in the union for researching medicinal marijuana, California is also one of the only states that has authorized different groups to conduct extensive research into the medicinal benefits of cannabis, in spite of federal laws that make it nearly impossible for other organizations to research marijuana. Thankfully, the state has approved many different groups – consisting of mostly universities – in order to better understand how cannabis can aid people in a medical manner.

“I think the evidence is getting better and better that marijuana, or the constituents of cannabis, are useful at least in the adjunctive treatment of neuropathy,” Igor Grant, MD, executive vice-chairman of the department of psychiatry at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California, told WedMD in a recent report that they published. (See Full Report Here)

Grant further added, “We don't know if it's a front-line treatment. I'm hoping the results of our studies will prompt larger-scale studies that involve a much more varied population.”

Currently there are several ongoing studies that demonstrate that cannabis can be effective in treating pain and other spastic and chronic conditions.

The studies include:

•  Neuropsychopharmacology
• Journal of Pain
• Anesthesiology.
• Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics
• Multiple sclerosis

Some people worry about the abuse that may occur for patients using marijuana to treat chronic pain symptoms. However, there has never been a recorded overdose of marijuana, or a fatal overdose, and most doctors agree that it is impossible to overdose on cannabis or THC, its active chemical.

In contrary, painkillers that are prescribed to treat pain often contain highly addictive properties and can tax the internal organs, leading to thousands of deaths annually. In fact, prescription painkiller abuse is up 400% in recent years, testament that it’s a dangerous conventional alternative to marijuana. (Read Full Report on Prescription Painkiller Abuse)

Medical Marijuana Research: Efficacy of Inhaled Cannabis in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

The Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research (CMCR), one of the few organizations that conducts extensive clinical testing on the benefits of inhaled cannabis, is currently undergoing a very interesting study to determine the medicinal benefits of inhaled (smoked or vaporized) cannabis with the treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. The study is listed as “Active” or in progress on their website, and is being headed up by Mark Wallace, M.D. at the University of California, San Diego. According to the National Diabetes Clearing House (NDIC), an organization dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes, Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy is defined as: “Diabetic neuropathies are a family of nerve disorders caused by diabetes. People with diabetes can, over time, develop nerve damage throughout the body. Some people with nerve damage have no symptoms. Others may have symptoms such as pain, tingling, or numbness—loss of feeling—in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Nerve problems can occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. About 60 to 70 percent of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy. People with diabetes can develop nerve problems at any time, but risk rises with age and longer duration of diabetes. The highest rates of neuropathy are among people who have had diabetes for at least 25 years. Diabetic neuropathies also appear to be more common in people who have problems controlling their blood glucose, also called blood sugar, as well as those with high levels of blood fat and blood pressure and those who are overweight.” The ongoing study by CMCR is to find out if inhaled cannabis provides pain relief for patients who are suffering.

Read full article here: http://www.cannabisdoctorsnetwork.com/blog/medical-marijuana-research--efficacy-of-inhaled-cannabis-in-diabetic-peripheral-neuropathy/