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Over the past few years, medical marijuana has been legalized in more states across the US. It is used as a treatment for ailments like chronic pain, anxiety, autoimmune diseases and other disorders. But how does cannabis affect our overall immune system? Throughout a global pandemic, this question is more important than ever.
The immune system is a complex network that helps protect your body and combats infections. It is the system in our body that makes it possible for us to survive viruses and bacteria that we come into contact with daily.
The Endocannabinoid System
In the 1990s, the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) changed the game. Scientists are now able to see that cannabis does, in fact, impact the immune system. Marijuana interacts in different ways with the ECS which has direct implications on the
immune system through its anti-inflammatory properties.
While there are plenty of studies on medical marijuana for specific conditions, there is a limited amount of research on the effects it has on the immune system as a whole. Specifically, THC has been the main focus of most of this research. Research suggests that THC has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, which points to it being an immunosuppressant. This is a very promising find for patients with autoimmune diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and Crohn’s disease.
With the available research on cannabis and the immune system, we do know one thing to be true: there is not a definitive answer. As more research is conducted, we may gain a better understanding of the complexities of the immune system and how cannabis can improve the lives of even more patients suffering from autoimmune conditions.
If you are a Missourian suffering from a qualifying condition, you may be eligible to treat your ailment with medical marijuana, which includes both THC and CBD products.
Click here to learn more about what Missouri Marijuana Card's certified medical marijuana physicians can do for you, or give us a call at 877-303-3117 and our friendly patient support team can walk you through the entire process, and set you up with an appointment through telemedicine.