5 Conditions You Didn’t Know Could Be Treated with Pot

As the research continues, the list of conditions that can be treated with cannabis continues to grow.

1. Autism

As profiled by Philly.com in April, former teen mall stoner turned “canna-mom” Erica Daniels righteously defends administering a cannabinoid spray to her 12-year-old son Leo, who is severely autistic and unable to communicate significantly. Cannabis has dramatically improved Leo’s life and well-being, with no negative side effects. Erica has since established a nonprofit called Hope4Leo.org.

2. Fibromyalgia

This disorder is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, with symptoms like fatigue, numbness and tingling. Recently, OWC Pharmaceutical Research delivered a promising presentation at a forum held in the European city-state of Monaco on the human endocannabinoid system and cannabis, highlighting the potential benefits to fibromyalgia patients using compounds like CBD in pain management.

3. Eczema

A meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado and published in the American Academy of Dermatology determined that pharmaceuticals containing cannabinoids could prove effective against eczema (also called dermatitis), an inflammation of the skin. In one of the studies cited, cannabinoid-based creams completely eliminated severe itching in over a third of the patients who applied it twice a day for just three weeks.

4. Lupus

The use of cannabis to treat this autoimmune disease, which spreads inflammation throughout the body, even into the brain, has been recognized by the Hawaii State Legislature. Lawmakers included it as one of the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use in Senate Bill 174, which passed in April 2017. Cannabinoids reduce the inflammation caused by lupus along with its associated pain.

5. Parkinson’s Disease

The Institute of Cannabis Research at Colorado State University, Pueblo, hosted a conference that included the latest developments in the cannabidiol (CBD) treatment of Parkinson’s, the neuro-degenerative disorder. A study published in the October 2016 journal Parkinson’s Disease concluded that medical cannabis was effective in treating both the motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease as well as slowing its progress.