The popularity of recreational and medical cannabis has exploded in the past several years, with medical cannabis being used to treat a variety of medical conditions instead of or alongside more traditional medicine. Here are six things you didn’t know about cannabis. 

1. Cannabis May Treat Many Conditions

Doctors can prescribe cannabis for many different conditions, some of the more common ones being:

  • Chronic pain, such as arthritis and peripheral neuropathy
  • Insomnia, which is the inability to fall asleep or get a good night’s sleep
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder, a type of anxiety disorder
  • Severe and chronic nausea

Medical cannabis is often given to patients with these conditions who did not respond well to or do not wish to undergo traditional treatments. 

2. Cannabis Is Not Lethal

Consuming too much cannabis can lead to unpleasant side effects, but is not lethal like many other medications that are given for pain. Furthermore, medical strains of cannabis tend to be low in THC, making it even more difficult to overdose when using this substance. 

3. There Are FDA-Approved Drugs Derived From Cannabis

Three of the drugs you can obtain with a prescription include:

  • Nabilone, which is used to treat nausea and vomiting related to receiving chemotherapy
  • Cannabidiol, which is used to treat seizures
  • Dronabinol, which is used to treat nausea as well as help increase appetite in people with conditions such as AIDS

A doctor will know which one of these medications is right for you.

4. There Is a Recommended Dosage

Receiving a medical cannabis prescription does not mean you should smoke or consume as much THC as you want. Edible dosage varies by state but is usually between 5 milligrams and 10 milligrams of THC per serving. For some patients, a very small dose of 2.5 milligrams of THC is recommended to start. When you eat an edible, it can take one or two hours to feel the full effects of the substance, while you feel the effects almost immediately when vaping or smoking. 

5. Cannabis Contains Two Main Components

Cannabis contains cannabidiol, which is a non-intoxicating substance, and tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound in cannabis that is responsible for the “high” feeling often felt after consumption. 

6. There Are Many Ways To Consume Cannabis

Cannabis can be ingested in edible form, inhaled through smoking or vaping, taken via a sublingual method under the tongue, and applied and absorbed through the skin.

Consider these six things if you feel medical cannabis is right for you.