Finding Relief for Invisible Illnesses with Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis use is becoming more and more widespread. Currently, some form of medical cannabis is illegal in all but ten states. And while there is still no plan to legalize cannabis at the federal level in the United States, the fact that its use has become more common and better provided for under the law has opened the door to more testing, which has in turn allowed us to discover more uses for the substance. Medical cannabis has long been recognized as a method of helping those suffering from epilepsy control their seizures, and it’s proven effective at reducing seizures caused by other conditions as well. We’ve also seen it used effectively by those battling cancer. Scientists have even developed a strain that has been used to kill cancer cells, which is a pretty incredible thing. So we know that medical cannabis is turning out to be quite a heavy hitter. But there are many other conditions that can be helped by the inclusion of cannabis into a person’s life—some of which may surprise you. Seizures and cancers are illnesses that make their presence known. But invisible illnesses can be just as insidious, and effective treatment can provide just as much relief.

Not All Illnesses Are Noticeable

Invisible illness is a fairly basic term used to describe any illness that isn’t obvious to others. Looking at someone suffering from an invisible illness, you might mistakenly believe that you’re looking at a healthy person. The symptoms they’re suffering from don’t usually manifest themselves in ways that can be observed by others—but those symptoms can be life-altering to the person who is suffering.

This matters because there is still a stigma surrounding the use of cannabis. For some, it’s easier to understand and accept that a person suffering from an obvious condition, such as chronic seizures, might need cannabis than it is to understand that someone suffering from something they can’t see might need it. For that reason, it’s important to know and to educate others about the ways cannabis can help people suffering from invisible illnesses.

Invisible Illnesses Helped by Cannabis

There are many conditions whose symptoms can be eased through the use of cannabis. We almost certainly haven’t discovered all of them yet. But here are a few that we do know about.

• Anxiety and Depression: Since cannabis has the ability to elevate moods, it’s a great contender for treating symptoms of anxiety and depression. Choosing a high CBD strain with a low concentration of THC could help combat the overwhelming symptoms of these mental illnesses.  
• Cluster B Personality Disorders: With the help of a physician, those suffering from certain personality disorders may be able to achieve homeostasis using THC.
• Muscle and Nerve Pain: Conditions like sciatica and fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain. Cannabis is highly effective as a pain management tool and can improve your quality of life if you suffer from such a condition.
• Autism: Some people on the autism spectrum deal with social functioning issues, and many of these issues can be eased by the use of cannabis to help promote relaxation in otherwise stressful situations.
• Insomnia and Other Sleep Disorders: It’s important to understand how cannabis impacts restorative sleep. You can consult with your doctor to see what they think is a good idea for you. Be sure to also speak to your budtender about choosing a good strain that will promote relaxation and not leave you wired.
• PTSD: Post-traumatic stress can greatly interfere with a person’s livelihood. Medical cannabis can alleviate PTSD symptoms such as depression, aggression, and anxiety. And it can also help give sufferers a better quality of life.

Cannabis can be helpful to many people suffering from many different kinds of conditions. In time, we hope the research will uncover even more possibilities!