Medical marijuana is nature’s medicine! It is holistic, natural and has been used for centuries by many different people around the world.
Medical marijuana can help aid many medical conditions; it is no wonder so many swear by it!
Although medical marijuana is not fully legal in Tennessee yet, legalization could be right around the corner. Once there is a program up and running, there will be a list of medical conditions that one needs to be diagnosed with in order to obtain a medical marijuana card. In many states, Huntington’s disease is on that list.
May is Huntington’s disease awareness month! So in today’s article, we will be looking a little deeper into the basics of the condition, what the symptoms are and how marijuana can help those diagnosed with this condition live better quality lives!
The Basics of Huntington’s Disease:
Huntington’s disease is a brain disorder that is highly hereditary. Those who develop Huntington’s have a small error in one gene called huntingtin which causes damage to the brain that gets worse over time.
Huntington’s is a brutal disease that causes a person’s mental, physical and emotional capabilities to deteriorate. Most people start to see the early signs and symptoms of this condition around 30-50 years of age. It can even occur in children or young adults which is called Juvenile Huntington’s disease.
Like we said, this disease is highly hereditary. Each child of a person with Huntington’s has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene meaning that for every person who is diagnosed with Huntington’s, there are even more at risk of inheriting the condition.
Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease:
Huntington’s is a complex disease and, as with many conditions, the symptoms can vary from person to person. But here is a list of common symptoms that many with Huntington’s experience:
Mental:
Forgetfulness
Impaired judgement
Emotional:
Personality changes
Anxiety
Depression
Physical:
Unsteady gait (or walking pattern)
Involuntary movements
Slurred speech
Issues swallowing
Weight loss
This disease affects people mentally, physically and emotionally. When symptoms start to reveal themselves one can simply seem forgetful, have trouble planning or staying on task. While these examples seem small at first, over the course of 10-25 years these symptoms persist to the point where those diagnosed have trouble reasoning, walking or talking.
Those with Huntington’s also can develop mood changes such as irritability and anger as well as mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
Those with Huntington’s often develop chorea which is an involuntary movement disorder. Because of these movements a person with Huntington’s can have trouble keeping on weight and also have difficulties with walking and balancing.
Because Huntington’s affects so many different aspects of a person’s life, it has often been described as having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s at the same time. Unfortunately, those diagnosed with Huntington’s will eventually need full-time care and assistance with everyday activities.
Medical Marijuana Can Help!
Even though there is no cure for Huntington’s, there is no reason why Huntington's patients can’t live a happy and present life with their family and friends.
This is where medical marijuana steps in! If you or a loved one has Huntington’s disease, getting a medical marijuana card with us once the program opens its doors can help treat some of the specific symptoms that come along with the condition.
Marijuana can help treat many of the symptoms that a Huntington’s disease patient may be fighting but first let's explain a little bit about how this works first!
How Medical Marijuana Works in the Body:
The endocannabinoid system, also known as the ECS, is a system of cannabinoid receptors that are found throughout the body. A body naturally produces endocannabinoids which are similar to cannabis compounds. They interact with the ECS and are key in maintaining homeostasis, or balance. Sometimes the ECS can be knocked off balance due to a medical condition and the production of natural endocannabinoids can weaken.
This is where medical marijuana comes into play! Marijuana produces endocannabinoids that can bring balance back to the ECS and also triggers the production of natural endocannabinoids!
The Effectiveness of Medical Marijuana for Huntington’s Disease:
A Huntington’s diagnosis is difficult to hear so a lot of people also end up struggling with anxiety and depression. We will have to see if these two conditions will be on the qualifying conditions list for Tennessee in the future. It would be great if they were because medical marijuana has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. It acts as a natural mood enhancer, and has anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties!
Those with Huntington’s are often on a lot of medications such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anti-seizure drugs to deal with all the symptoms of this condition. But many of these medications come with nasty side effects!
Medical marijuana can help with this since it doesn’t have any side effects at all. It also can help soothe the side effects that come with other medications like nausea, insomnia, appetite loss and GI problems.
Chronic pain is also a symptom of Huntington’s. Medical marijuana can help because it is a natural pain reliever! Chronic pain is actually the number one condition that people use medical marijuana for. This is not only due to the enormous amount of people who have chronic pain but due to the fact that it actually works!
CBD is a chemical compound in marijuana that those with Huntington’s should look for when using medical marijuana products. Because Huntington’s is a neurodegenerative disease, it responds well to neuroprotective compounds which CBD is! CBD also works wonders because it has similar effects to antioxidants which show signs of helping neurons.
You Can Spread Awareness About Huntington’s Disease!
There are many ways to spread awareness about Huntington’s this month and every month! One simple way is by sharing this blog with your family and friends. Knowing the early signs and symptoms of Huntington’s can lead to early intervention!
There also is a Tennessee chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. You can get more detail here about joining!
Another great way to help is by donating! You can make a one time donation or sign up to make monthly contributions.
If giving your time is more of your thing, you can volunteer, advocate for those with Huntington’s, attend events or even donate your vehicle!
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
At Tennessee Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-5611, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Tennessee Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information.
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