The emergence of the legal cannabis industry has created an unprecedented opportunity for investors. Although this burgeoning industry is already a multi-billion-dollar business, it is not even in the first inning of what will be multi-decade growth super cycle.
The biotech industry will be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the legal cannabis industry. From Israel to the United States, the number of studies on the medical benefits of cannabis continues to increase and to provide exciting results.
The cannabis plant has over 100 known chemical compounds but the two best known are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Although CBD has a much shorter history than THC, recent research studies have significantly increased our understanding of its medical benefits and its popularity continues to grow.
CBD is an appealing option for patients who are looking to treat ailments such as pain, anxiety, psychosis, seizures, spasms, to just name a few. It also does not have the primary psychoactive ingredient found in THC, which gets the user high.
A Miracle Plant with Endless Benefits
Cannabis has the potential to treat countless debilitating conditions. From epilepsy to multiple sclerosis, cannabis can improve daily life for millions of people across the globe and we need to recognize it for what it is, a medicine. Unlike other pharmaceutical drugs such as opiates or benzodiazepines, cannabis does not require you to take another type of drug to combat its side effects.
Although medical cannabis still has a way to go before it will be accepted as a medical treatment, there have been several developments with regard to its medical benefits and we want to highlight five of the known benefits of CBD.
Epilepsy
Over the last two years, we have heard some incredible stories from the parents of children who were having more than 300 seizures a day. These children were being prescribed large doses of prescription drugs such as benzodiazepine, which did not solve the problem and had a negative impact on the child’s demeanor.
The growing number of research studies and stories from the parents of children who have benefited from CBD have led to an influx in the number of parents using CBD as a treatment. Many parents have said that CBD is an effective treatment that has reduced the frquency of daily seizures by more than 95%.
The benefits that CBD has had for patients with epilepsy has been a catalyst for the legal cannabis movement as we have seen a significant increase in the number of states with a limited medical cannabis market, which allow only strains with very low THC and high CBD.
Crohn’s Disease
Researchers and scientists have said CBD could be an effective treatment for Crohn’s Disease. In 2015, researchers in Israel conducted a study which reported significantly lower symptoms in 10 out of 11 patients with Crohn’s disease. The study said five of those patients saw a complete remission from the treatment.
Many researchers talk about the entourage effect and how cannabis works best as a medical treatment when all molecules in cannabis are present, even in a very minor capacity (less than 0.1%). When it comes to Crohn’s, it has been found that the interaction of THC and CBD helps control stomach functions, a major benefit for Crohn’s patients. Cannabis has an anti-inflammatory component providing relief to those suffering from Crohn’s.
Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD)
One of the major benefits of CBD is its ability to produce anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects when ingested. This is very helpful for patients who suffer from PTSD since it slows everything down (including the mind) and calms the user.
People suffering from PTSD can become overcome with anxiety and stress and anecdotal evidence shows that CBD can help treat these symptoms. The antipsychotic benefits of CBD provide relief to patients in need of a more stable emotional environment.
Pain
One of the most well-known and well-documented medical benefits associated with cannabis is its ability to treat pain. In 2011, researchers said that cannabis may help relieve pain for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
CBD can help reduce pain associated with a wide variety of illnesses and debilitating diseases. From cancer to fibromyalgia, from irritable bowel syndrome to neuropathic pain, CBD can help throughout the treatment and the recovery process.
Multiple Sclerosis
Nasdaq-traded GW Pharmaceuticals’ (GWPH) developed and commercialized Sativex, the world’s first cannabis-derived product for the treatment of spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. Sativex is sold in 29 countries and is also being developed as a treatment for neuropathic pain (in Phase 2 Clinical trials).
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