Definition:
Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabis plants or their active ingredients (cannabinoids) for therapeutic purposes. It is used to treat various illnesses when conventional medication does not work sufficiently or is not tolerated.
Active ingredients:
The most important active ingredients in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is psychoactive and affects the central nervous system, while CBD mainly has anti-inflammatory and calming effects without being psychoactive.
Areas of application:
Medical cannabis is often used for chronic pain, spasticity (e.g. in multiple sclerosis), nausea and vomiting (especially in chemotherapy), loss of appetite (e.g. in HIV/AIDS) and certain neurological diseases.
Forms of administration:
There are various forms of medicinal cannabis:
- Flowers for vaporization or inhalation
- Oils and tinctures for ingestion
- Capsules
- Special extracts with defined concentrations of active ingredients
Legal status:
Medical cannabis is legal in many countries, but is usually strictly regulated. Patients usually require a doctor’s prescription and authorization from the health insurance company or authorities.
Mechanism of action:
Cannabinoids act via the so-called endocannabinoid system in the human body, which is involved in the regulation of pain, mood, appetite and other important functions.
Side effects:
Side effects can include dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth and occasionally psychological effects such as anxiety or paranoia, especially at higher THC doses.