Medical Cannabis
Medical cannabis is increasingly being used as a treatment option in many countries, especially for certain medical conditions where conventional treatments are inadequate or associated with severe side effects. The cannabinoids, the main active ingredients in cannabis, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), interact with the body's endocannabinoid system and can have a wide range of therapeutic effects.
Areas of application of medical cannabis
1. Chronic pain: Medical cannabis is often prescribed to patients with chronic pain, especially when conventional painkillers such as opioids are not sufficiently effective or cause significant side effects. This includes pain due to rheumatism, arthritis, back pain or cancer.
2. Multiple sclerosis (MS): Many patients with MS benefit from the muscle-relaxing effects of cannabis. It can relieve muscle spasms (spasticity) and improve mobility.
3. Epilepsy: The cannabinoid CBD in particular has been shown to be effective in treating certain forms of epilepsy. In children with severe, treatment-resistant epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome, medical cannabis can significantly reduce the frequency of seizures.
4. Nausea and vomiting: Cannabis is often used to relieve nausea and vomiting, especially in patients undergoing chemotherapy. THC can stimulate appetite and improve quality of life.
5. Loss of appetite in HIV/AIDS: Cannabis can help increase appetite and counteract disease-related weight loss in patients with HIV/AIDS.
6. Anxiety disorders and PTSD: Some studies suggest that cannabinoids may help relieve anxiety and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in cases where other treatment approaches have failed.
therapeutic approach
Therapy with medical cannabis is carried out in close consultation with the doctor and is based on an individual dosage. Cannabis is administered either in the form of flowers, extracts or as a finished preparation (such as dronabinol). The dosage usually starts low and is slowly increased in order to achieve the best possible effect without causing unpleasant side effects.
side effects
Although medical cannabis provides relief for many patients, side effects can also occur, especially with higher doses of THC. These include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and, in some cases, psychological effects such as anxiety or paranoia. Therefore, close medical supervision during therapy is particularly important.
Conclusion
Medical cannabis offers a promising treatment option for patients suffering from severe, chronic or treatment-resistant diseases. Research in this area continues to grow, suggesting that even more conditions could be treated with cannabis in the future. However, a careful weighing of the pros and cons is necessary to find the right therapy for each patient.
training and consultation
On request, further training and consultations for medical colleagues, pharmacists, medical professionals as well as training courses, lectures and workshops on the subject of "Medical Cannabis" are available for all interested parties (online or in person).
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For all new patients we offer a webinar once a quarter on the topic of "Medical Cannabis and Driving License" (free of charge). Register via "Book an Appointment - Webinar".