Marijuana is a popular medication, which is known for delivering ultimate psychological effects. The herb contains over 100 cannabinoids, which possess amazing medicinal properties, thus can help in treating anxiety, depression, PTSD, and many other mental illnesses. However, medical researchers have found that cannabis can also be used for treating topical wounds such as burns and cuts. How does marijuana work for accelerating the healing process? Read on to know more.
In various cultures and historical medical texts, cannabis is mentioned as a primary ingredient for topical preparation for the treatment of burns, scraps, etc. Egyptian papyri note that marijuana used for preparing antiseptic solutions was mixed with fat. While Greek writers said that cannabis was used for treating wounds and sores in horses as well as nosebleed in humans.
Jean Ruel, a French physician & botanist, in his 1536 treatise De Natura Stirpium said that marijuana extract can help in treating wounds & ulcers. After a few decades, Tabernaemontanus, a renowned botanist & herbalist, recommended that applying a mix of marijuana leaves and butter to burns is helpful. Later, two British herbalists—Nicholas Culpeper and Thomas Short also made the same statements.
In the past decade, more researches have been made to investigate the cannabinoids’ potential in healing wounds and providing other health benefits. Researchers focused on learning about marijuana’s ability in reducing pain, swelling, and bleeding related to burns and cuts.
There’s scientific evidence that marijuana has amazing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic properties. Researchers found that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a vital role in the healing process and formation of scar tissues.
The endocannabinoid system is a biological system, which is responsible for regulating various bodily functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, and memory. It also works throughout the wound healing process. After an injury occurs, anandamide levels in the affected area increase, thus providing an analgesic effect acting on the CB1-receptors.
In a 2010 study conducted at the University of California, researchers found that the existence of URB937, a synthetic compound, in rats with peripheral injuries, anandamide levels increased and analgesic effect become powerful. URB937 inhibits the FAAH (fatty acid amide hydrolase), thus exerting this effect.
A study by the China Medical University found that in mice with skin incisions, the number of cells that express CB1-receptors increased in the affected area. This increase started six hours after the occurrence of the injury, peaked after five days, and reduced to original levels after fourteen days.
Initially, in the CB1-expressing cells, the majority of them were mononuclear cells, which works for mediating inflammation and the immune response. Then, fibroblastic cells started dominating. However, there’s confusion over the mechanism that works, it’s clear that CB1-receptors and anandamide are involved in the healing process.
Researchers have found that inflammation and chronic tissue damage in the liver help in promoting the wound-healing process. This causes the migration of fibroblast cells to the affected area, thus starting the process of scar formation i.e. fibrosis. However, excess production of fibrous connective tissues results in cirrhosis, thus making the liver to function normally.
The presence of anandamide accelerates the rate of fibrosis, thus cirrhosis. But, this may not happen. Anandamide is an agonist of the CB-receptors, and antagonist such as cannabidiol could slow down the rate of fibrosis.
According to a mice study published in Nature Medicine in 2006, SR141716A, a synthetic CB1-receptor antagonist, inhibited the healing process to acute hepatic injury, thus slowing down the cirrhosis. This shows that CBD and other antagonists can be beneficial in treating cirrhosis.
Despite the federal ban on marijuana in any form, 33 states in the United States allow medical use of cannabis. Each state has its own MMJ qualifying conditions list, and allow patients to access marijuana products only with doctors’ recommendations. In most marijuana legalized states, the MMJ cards are valid for one year, and after that patients should renew them to continue accessing cannabis products legally.
With telemedicine services, it’s easier to get your medical marijuana card in California. All you need is to sign up an account and talk to a licensed doctor over a HIPAA-compliant platform. After you are approved, your PDF MMJ letter is delivered to your email instantly and card sent to you over the mail.
To sum up, marijuana is popular for providing ultimate medicinal benefits, helping patients with various psychological conditions to promote wellness. Modern researchers say that cannabis has amazing anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antiseptic properties, thus can accelerate the process of wound healing. Marijuana use has also become popular among athletes for relieving pain and promoting relaxation as it doesn’t cause any unpleasant side-effects like painkillers do. CBD-infused creams and oils are proven helpful for muscle spasticity and healing broken bones.
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