For centuries, marijuana has been used by people all over the world for many purposes. Its main use has predominantly been recreational. People use it because it made them feel good and light. From the shamans to the Chinese and even gypsies used it for recreation.

However, for the last decade, marijuana has become more than just a fun outlet. Cannabis is now being used for medical purposes because of its surprisingly positive effects on human health. How it actually works and why is still under study, but its effects are hard to ignore.

If you have ever heard someone telling you that they are smoking weed because their doctor prescribed them; you better believe it because that’s what “medical marijuana” is.

Medical marijuana is an unprocessed plant and the chemicals extracted from that plant are used to treat various ailments. In some countries, marijuana has been legalized for medicinal purposes, however, many other countries are still in the process of making that change happen.

Marijuana, as a plant, has more than 100 chemicals in it called cannabinoids. These cannabinoids are known to have various effects on our body. This is because naturally, the human body has two predominant cannabinoid receptors; CB1, which is located in our nervous system and CB2, which is found in our immune system. Among these are two main cannabinoids which distinguish medical marijuana from recreational marijuana.
Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC – It is the cannabinoid which is responsible for producing the feeling of euphoria or “high” in a person. It is the psychoactive part of marijuana.
Cannabidiol (CBD) – it is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana which effects certain parts of the brain without inducing psychoactive effects which is why its most active component in medical marijuana, known to be anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.

These cannabinoids go in our body every time we use marijuana, and from there attach themselves to cannabinoid receptors and alter bodily functions. These alterations are what causes the offset of a certain side effect or relief from certain conditions.

Medical uses of marijuana have been seen throughout history:
Many people believe that marijuana was most actively used to get high during the 60’s. However, not many know that marijuana has been used for its medicinal purposes by many cultures for centuries.
Among them, China is the first one to use marijuana medically, dating all the way back to 2737 BC, where Emperor Shennong wrote a book in which he stated the medical purpose of marijuana and how it could be used to treat constipation, mind fog, absent-mindedness, and rheumatism.

Additionally, in ancient Greece, marijuana was used to dress battle wounds of animals because of their soothing and healing properties, found in its oil.

We hear a lot today about how marijuana or cannabis is likely to cure cancer and ward off the possibilities. But you’d be surprised to know that ancient Egypt was the first to use cannabis to treat tumors back in the 2nd century. The procedure and its results are recorded in Fayumm medical papyrus.

We can easily say that marijuana or cannabis has a wide range of benefits to human health, all it needs it more study devoted to its mechanism and how it actually works in our body along with our body’s internal structure, so it can be properly used in medical procedures and new drug development.