Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-05 Origin: Site
The active components in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body, inhibiting the transmission of pain signals. Clinical data show that for neuropathic pain (such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy), cancer pain, and rheumatoid arthritis pain, the relief effectiveness of marijuana preparations reaches 60%-80%, especially suitable for patients who are tolerant or allergic to opioid drugs, which can reduce the dosage of opioid drugs and the risk of addiction.
CBD, as a non-psychoactive component, has an anticonvulsant effect. The cannabis extract drug Epidiolex, approved by the US FDA in 2018, is used to treat rare and difficult-to-treat epilepsies such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. In clinical trials, it can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures by 30% to 50% for patients, and for some severe patients, the number of seizures can be reduced by more than 70%. Its mechanism is to regulate the activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain, stabilize the excitability of neurons, providing a new treatment path for patients who have not responded to traditional anticonvulsant drugs.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): THC can help patients reduce intrusive memories and nightmares, while CBD can alleviate anxiety. Research conducted by the US VA healthcare system indicates that cannabis-assisted therapy can reduce the core symptom scores of PTSD patients by 40%, without causing serious mental side effects.
Anxiety Disorders and Depression: CBD can regulate serotonin receptor function, improve emotional regulation ability, and significantly inhibit the fear responses of patients with social anxiety disorder. However, the dosage must be strictly controlled to avoid emotional disorders caused by high doses of THC.
The potent antiemetic cannabis for chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a classic adjuvant drug for treating CINV, and its antiemetic effect is superior to that of traditional 5-hydroxytryptamine antagonists. THC activates the CB1 receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, inhibiting the vomiting reflex center. Its control rate for moderate to severe CINV is over 75%, significantly improving the chemotherapy tolerance and quality of life of cancer patients. Currently, various formulations such as oral and sublingual administration are available for clinical use.
Patients with AIDS and advanced cancer often exhibit symptoms of cachexia such as weight loss and loss of appetite. THC can stimulate the appetite center in the hypothalamus and promote food intake. Studies have shown that cannabis treatment can increase the average daily food intake of such patients by 20%-30%, stabilize or increase their weight, and improve sleep quality, thereby prolonging their survival period.
Short-term side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, etc. Long-term and high-dose use may lead to a decline in cognitive function. Pregnant women, lactating women, patients with severe cardiovascular diseases, and those with a history of schizophrenia should avoid using it.
THC is addictive. For medical use, the "minimum effective dose" principle should be followed, and it should be managed through a prescription system to prevent self-adjustment of the dosage.
The core medical value of cannabis lies in the targeted therapeutic effects of its active components on specific diseases. Particularly, it demonstrates irreplaceable advantages in pain management and epilepsy treatment, among others.
