“Medical cannabis is used as an appetite stimulant, antiemetic, antispasmodic and sometimes as analgesic to help treat chronic, non-cancerous pain, vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy. In some cases, it is also used to aid treating symptoms of AIDS patients…
Marijuana or “weed” is now among the several ingredients that researchers are looking into to helping stop further spread of HIV infection.”
“But the U.S. government won’t let scientists try out this promising treatment on humans… proving that an illegal drug can stop a deadly disease in humans—without testing it on them—is impossible…
THC is one of 500 active ingredients in marijuana. And marijuana, despite many studies proving its medical value, is sill classified by the government as a Schedule 1 Substance.
In the face of mounting evidence that it is beneficial in treating diseases… it remains a controlled substance.
During HIV infection, one of the earliest effects is that the virus spreads rapidly throughout the body and kills a significant part of cells in the gut and intestine. This activity damages the gut in a way that allows the HIV to leak through the cell wall of the intestines and into the bloodstream.
When THC is introduced into this environment, it activates the CB2 receptors in the intestines to build new, healthy bacterial cells that block the virus from leaking through the cell walls. In other words, the body works hard to keep bad stuff in the intestines and the good stuff out.
Put another way: HIV kills the cells that protect the walls— THC brings them back. Reducing the amount of the virus in the lower intestines could then help keep uninfected people uninfected.”
More: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/15/weed-can-block-h-i-v-s-spread-no-seriously.html
“Well before the start of Marijuana’s official prohibition (1937!), the bountiful health benefits of Cannabis were apparent to those with any sense. Especially Doctors and Indians and Indian Doctors. Doctors and Indians in the 19th century loved to use weed–and all drugs–as part of their magical cures.”
“Based on the images shared by io9, the buds powers has deep roots, it’s one of an assortment of hazardous drugs used as medicine in the pre-Dabistoric days. These ones of “weed” in medical, liquid form stood out as just more, ancient proof that Marijuana is simply Medicine.”
More: http://www.marijuana.com/news/2013/05/medical-marijuana-looked-like-this-in-the-19th-century/
“(CNN) — My friends have always told me that rock stardom was wasted on me.
To them it seemed that being a rock star was a free ticket to debauchery. It was sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, and I was only taking advantage of two. Drugs were not a part of my rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. I wasn’t even much of a drinker. I have never thrown up from being over intoxicated.
What kind of rock star is that? I had certainly encountered drugs during the ’80s, mostly cocaine, but nothing about grinding my teeth and rambling on about myself appealed to me. During the ’90s, I smoked an occasional joint. Those were usually fun social occasions. My work was a drug-free zone.
Then in 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The chemotherapy that was prescribed was called “dose dense”: a harsher, stronger chemo than the usual because I had the benefit of not having to work during the treatment. My close friends told me that, as an alternative, medical marijuana was a natural way to help with the excruciating side effects of chemo.
It worked. The entire experience changed my life. It opened my mind to a new way of thinking about my body, my health and the future.
This herb, this weed that is so strong it grows wild by the side of the road, has always been with us. In ancient times it was highly regarded and has even been found in tombs. It has even been put forth from some biblical scholars that Jesus may have used cannabis oil to heal.”
“My friends have always told me that rock stardom was wasted on me.
To them it seemed that being a rock star was a free ticket to debauchery. It was sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, and I was only taking advantage of two. Drugs were not a part of my rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. I wasn’t even much of a drinker. I have never thrown up from being over intoxicated.
What kind of rock star is that? I had certainly encountered drugs during the ’80s, mostly cocaine, but nothing about grinding my teeth and rambling on about myself appealed to me. During the ’90s, I smoked an occasional joint. Those were usually fun social occasions. My work was a drug-free zone.
Then in 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The chemotherapy that was prescribed was called “dose dense”: a harsher, stronger chemo than the usual because I had the benefit of not having to work during the treatment. My close friends told me that, as an alternative, medical marijuana was a natural way to help with the excruciating side effects of chemo.
It worked. The entire experience changed my life. It opened my mind to a new way of thinking about my body, my health and the future.
This herb, this weed that is so strong it grows wild by the side of the road, has always been with us. In ancient times it was highly regarded and has even been found in tombs. It has even been put forth from some biblical scholars that Jesus may have used cannabis oil to heal.
Now, this herb, marijuana, is at center of a debate within our society….
“Tommy Chong and his partner Richard “Cheech” Marin have built an entire career out of stoner comedy and marijuana-centric counterculture jokes, but now Tommy Chong is getting a little more serious about marijuana legalization and politics than he ever did before in Cheech & Chong’s 42-year entertainment career.”
“Tommy Chong, 74, is a public advocate for the legalization of marijuana. He believes legalizing the drug on a federal level would bring about “numerous benefits,” including giving a lift to the U.S. economy – if the plant were to be taxed, of course.
Tommy Chong has personal ties to the medical usage of marijuana. Last June, Chong announced that he was suffering with stage one prostate cancer. However, he decided to forego traditional medicine and instead decided to overhaul his diet and lifestyle.
And now, Tommy Chong is cancer-free.”
“How is Tommy Chong treating prostate cancer? With marijuana, of course. The serially stoned actor says he’s taking hemp oil and smoking weed to treat the illness, with which he was diagnosed a month ago. Chong boasts that his illness only emerged during a three-year drug-free period, preemptively countering detractors who may claim marijuana might have caused his problems. “So I know it had nothing to do with cannabis,” he said. “Cannabis is a cure.” It’s an interesting theory, but unless you want your health going up in smoke, we suggest he put the lighter down and contact a real doctor.” 6/10/2012
http://now.msn.com/pot-is-tommy-chongs-cure-for-prostate-cancer-naturally
Update 5/13/2013:
The Cheech & Chong star revealed last June (12) that he was suffering with stage one prostate cancer, but he decided against traditional medicine to treat the disease and instead opted to overhaul his diet and lifestyle.
Chong has now told fans he has overcome the cancer, and opened up about how he treated the condition.
…doctor changed my diet and put me on supplements, and within a year I brought my PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) numbers down drastically and eliminated the cancer threat. I also treated the condition with hemp oil (hash oil). With the diet, the supplements and the hash oil, plus a session with a world-renowned healer, Adam Dreamhealer, I’m cancer-free.
That’s right, I kicked cancer’s a**! So the magic plant does cure cancer with the right diet and supplements.”
More: http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/celebs/tommy-chong-is-cancer-free-1
“The magical weed that helps us stay trim, be less crazy, control seizures, cure Crohn’s, rescue the economy and make watching TV game shows more enjoyable is now being credited for possibly reducing the risk of diabetes, too. Analyzing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” researchers uncovered the good news that current marijuana users had 16 percent lower fasting insulin levels and 17 percent lower levels of insulin resistance than their nonstoner friends.
Bonus: Scientists found that pot users also had slimmer waistlines and higher levels of “good” cholesterol.”
http://now.msn.com/marijuana-may-fight-diabetes-researchers-say
IMPLICATIONS: Although they’re not sure exactly how it happens, write the authors, these findings suggest that marijuana somehow works to improve insulin control, regulating body weight and perhaps explaining why marijuana users have a lower incidence of diabetes. Adding to the big questions — “can weed can treat obesity?” and “marijuana makes you skinny?!” — is the possibility that marijuana might be useful in helping people to manage their blood sugar.”
Read more: http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/05/study-why-pot-smokers-are-skinnier/275846/