Cannabis in medicinal use

History Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for over 4,800 years Early doctors used it for a variety of illnesses and ailments

History It has been used in gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, headaches and as a pain reliever, frequently used in childbirth In India, cannabis can be definitely identified in such contexts only from about 1000 AD.

History In 19th century Euoropean doctors used cannabis to treat melancholia, migraines, and as a sleeping aid, analgesic and anticonvulsant In 1943 cannabis was excluded from USA’s pharmacopoeia

Biochemical effects There are about a dozen different substances in marijuana that are psychoactives The most prevalent psychoactive substance in cannabis is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol commonly known as THC

Biochemical effects

Biochemical effects Cannabinoidic receptors are spread throughout the whole nervous system and are some 500 million years old. Cannabis also contains compounds called the Cannaflavins. These compounds have been suggested to contribute certain effects of cannabis, such as analgesia and anti-inflammatory properties, and are considerably more effective than aspirin

Physiological effects Cannabis has several proven medicinal purposes: - Pain reliever - Reduction of nausea and vomiting - Increase of appetite - Reduce of intraocular pressure (glaucoma)

Addictivity Research made by the French health comission in 1998 - most addictive and lethal: heroin, cocaine and alcohol - second group: benzodiazepine, hallucinogens and tobacco - least addictive and lethal: cannabis

Side effects THC lowers the testosterone levels, impairs sperm production, mobility and viability Disrupt the ovulation cycle and decreases the output of gonadotropic hormones Lack of focus, short-term memory loss Enhanced cancer risk

Methods of use Filtered/unfiltered cigarettes bongs vaporizers eating cannabis cannabis-based medicines