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Our veterans are important members of our society, and it is unfortunate that they are often overlooked or even shunned by our communities. There are a lot of things out there that can help veterans be more productive members of society. One of the most beneficial things for veterans is medical cannabis. Here are three ways that medical cannabis can change the outlook for many veterans.

Treatment of PTSD

Many veterans, especially those who have seen action overseas, come back to the states with PTSD, or post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is the leading cause of violence and suicide in veterans. While some patients are treated with psychotherapy and medications, other veterans are finding that they get the most benefits from a combination of medical cannabis and psychotherapy.

Elderly patients over the age of 65 are the fastest growing group of marijuana users in the United States. There are several reasons that elderly patients are turning to medical marijuana to treat their many health conditions. With 33 states and the District of Columbia passing medical marijuana laws, it is becoming a popular method of medical treatment. Here’s what you need to know about the use of medical marijuana with the elderly.

Reduce Pain and Opioid Dependency

Many elderly patients experience chronic pain due to decayed joints, arthritis, back problems, or other health conditions. Studies have found that medical marijuana can reduce chronic pain and dependency on opioid pain medications. In fact, one study found that 33% of elderly patients decreased their opioid use on their own after starting medical marijuana.

Did you know that scientists have discovered a link between depression and inflammation? In fact, researchers have discovered that people who are depressed have increased inflammation in certain parts of the brain that affect mood. This inflammation could be the cause of the symptoms of more severe depression.

Depression affects millions of people every year. Whether depression is clinical or situational, the results of the studies are the same. Inflammation is present in the brain. Researchers are currently looking for ways to reduce this inflammation, so that depression symptoms can be lessened, helping medications to work better or be unnecessary at all.

One of the ways that you can reduce inflammation in any part of the body is by using medical cannabis. Medical cannabis has been proven to reduce inflammation in the body. Preliminary studies have shown that cannabis helps to relieve symptoms of depression. This lessening of inflammation in the brain could be one reason for this improvement.

Many people are not aware of the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis. In fact, cannabis is the original natural anti-inflammatory plant that can be used to treat a number of conditions. One of the reasons that cannabis has become so widespread in its medical use is because it reduces inflammation, which can reduce symptoms of a number of conditions.

Inflammatory Illnesses

There are several inflammatory illnesses that can be successfully treated with cannabis. These include conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, both of which involve the immune system attacking itself and causing inflammation. While there are no cures for these disorders, cannabis can help reduce symptoms including pain and discomfort associated with these illnesses.

Surgery of any kind can leave you with a lot of discomfort and pain. How long you require something for the pain depends on how fast you heal and what type of surgery you have. Many people who undergo surgery and take prescription pain medications become addicted to them due to extended use. Instead of putting your health and mental health at risk, there are some alternatives that will reduce your dependency on pain prescriptions.

Alternatives to Pain Killers

There are many alternatives to prescription pain killers. Acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy, and other therapies and treatments have been developed in recent years to combat pain without risking your health. Another great way to regulate pain is with medical marijuana. Medical marijuana can help reduce pain by reducing inflammation, blocking pain receptors, and changing the way the brain processes pain from physical injury.

One of the most difficult times in a woman’s life is going through menopause. Perimenopause can last for years before menopause fully sets in. Throughout these years, women experience irregular periods, mood changes, and changes in their body such as weight gain. Hormone replacement therapy can help with symptoms, but they can sometimes be harmful and have side effects. Medical cannabis is a more natural solution to managing the changes.

Improve Mood

Cannabis can help improve and regulate your mood. Mood swings are a big problem for women who are going through menopause. The changes in your hormones can make your mood fluctuate wildly throughout the day and night. Using cannabis can help regulate your mood even while the hormones are making it difficult.

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition in which widespread pain permeates the body. There are no known cures for fibromyalgia, and there are few treatment options. The best that most patients can hope for is to manage their symptoms. Opioids have been used frequently manage this pain, but with the opioid epidemic and subsequent regulations, these medications are no longer viable options for many people.

Cannabis is a great option for treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Full spectrum cannabis has been proven to decrease fibromyalgia pain, even if only temporarily. For many patients, a temporary reprieve two or three times a day is preferable to 24 hours a day of constant and consistent pain.

You may be surprised to learn that medical marijuana is a great treatment for several eye conditions, especially glaucoma. In fact, marijuana was first discovered to assist glaucoma patients as early as the 70s. There are several ways that cannabis can ease the discomfort and strain from eye conditions.

Reducing Eye Strain

Marijuana has been found to reduce eye strain. Eye strain can make vision worse, and is usually caused by an eye condition or excessive screen time. Cannabis can effectively reduce the effects of eye strain, allowing your vision to be clear. It will also help with the discomfort and headaches that often accompany eye strain.

With more and more states passing medical marijuana laws, more scientific studies about how cannabis helps certain disorders have been completed. Most recently, an article was published in the US National Library of Medicine that compiles everything that is known about how cannabis relieves migraines.

Cannabinoid Receptors

The human body has cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. There are specific cannabinoid receptors in the head and neck that directly affect the brain’s systems that cause migraines. When you use cannabis products, it goes through these cannabinoid receptors and relieves the pain of migraines. The migraine will still be present, but it will be much less painful so you can work through your day.