Cannabis as medicine for sports are a match made in heaven. Cannabis has shown vast potential in the realm of sports medicine over the past few years, and it’s only going to expand in that direction in the future. As more research is being performed on cannaboids, more specialist doctors and researchers are starting to take note. From Olympic athletes to recreational users, people from all walks of life find cannabis useful for treating medical conditions. From pain relief to improved sleep quality, there’s a lot you can gain from using cannabis as medicine.
Its Role in Sports Medicine
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years for a variety of reasons and in many cultures, but it wasn’t until the late 1930s that it was first brought to the attention of Western scientists. Research on cannabis was short-lived, but it did succeed in creating the first cannabis-based chemotherapy. Since then, numerous studies have been conducted on cannabis and its use in sports medicine has flourished. Given the wide range of conditions it’s been shown to help, it’s no surprise that cannabis is seeing increasing attention in sports.
How Does it Work?
The primary components of cannabis responsible for its medical effects are cannabinoids. Cannabinoids include over 60 natural compounds found in both the cannabis plant and hemp. Cannabinoids are non-psychoactive and bind to receptors in the human body — including the endocannabinoid system. The cannabinoids found in cannabis have been shown to have the ability to reduce inflammation, ease pain and improve sleep quality. These functions make cannabinoids an ideal replacement for prescription drugs that come with a host of negative side effects. Cannabinoids provide a wide range of potential therapeutic applications that are just beginning to be explored in conventional medicine. There are a growing number of states that have approved the use of medical marijuana as a treatment for a number of debilitating and often painful conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain.
Advantages of using Cannabis as Medicine
- Low-risk/low-cost treatment – Many of the side effects of prescription medications can be dangerous and even deadly. Cannabis can help to treat many medical conditions without the risk of these side effects — in many cases, it’s actually less risky and more cost-effective.
- No contraindications – Unlike many prescription medications, which can interact with a variety of common health conditions, cannabis is safe and non-interactive.
- No dependency – Unlike prescription medications, which can cause dangerous side effects like dependency and intoxication, cannabis can have a positive impact on health with zero negative side effects.
- Reduced risk of drug-related interactions – As we’ve seen in the past, the risk of drug-related interactions can be a serious issue for those who rely on prescription medications. Cannabis, however, doesn’t interact with most healthcare providers. This makes it an excellent treatment option for patients who require care from a specialist.
Disadvantages of using cannabis as medicine
- Lack of standardized dosing – There’s a lot of variability in the amount of cannabinoids in each cannabis product. This can be a serious issue, especially in dosing-sensitive conditions.
- Lack of long-term data – The majority of studies have been done on cannabinoids like THC and cannabidiol, but as we’ve seen, there’s a lot more we can learn about cannabis as a medicine.
Final Words
Given the immense potential of cannabis as a medicine, it’s disappointing to see how few doctors are familiar with cannabis as a treatment option. This is especially the case when compared to many other types of treatment. From the very beginning, cannabis was lumped in with dangerous, illegal substances. As a result, sports physicians often dismiss it as a treatment option. But this is far from the truth. By educating themselves about the use of cannabis in sports medicine and by implementing cannabis therapeutics into their practices, sports physicians can help many of their patients gain relief from their conditions. Visit Budcargo.net online dispensary for all your cannabis needs.
