Cachexia, also known as wasting syndrome, is a condition that results in severe weight loss and muscle wasting.
Cachexia is far more complex than a loss of appetite- even patients who eat normally will still be unable to gain weight and will lose muscle at an alarming pace. It’s usually associated with Cancer and HIV/AIDS, but it can also occur in patients with various other chronic diseases.
It can be hard to manage as it’s a result of various complex changes in the body. However, medical marijuana is considered a safe and effective treatment for cachexia due to its ability to help with many of its associated symptoms, as well as helping with many of the diseases it’s often caused by.
What is Cachexia & How is it Treated?
Cachexia or wasting syndrome is a condition characterized by extreme weight loss and muscle wasting. It’s usually caused by a series of imbalances of certain substances and hormones in the body, and it’s often associated with chronic diseases such as cancer and AIDs. Patients who suffer from cachexia become weak, frail, and unable to fight off illnesses, even if they get enough nutrients and calories.
While cachexia is most commonly associated with severe forms of Cancer and HIV/AIDS, it can also be caused by other chronic conditions, including Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Kidney Disease, Tuberculosis, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Congestive Heart Failure, and sepsis. Since it’s due to imbalances in the body, it’s hard to reverse and can cause various complications.
As well as causing emaciation and weakness, cachexia can also cause chronic fatigue, stress, decreased appetite, inflammation, and mood problems. There’s no way to reverse cachexia, but treatments such as appetite stimulants, medications, and steroids are often used to help with the symptoms.
Medical marijuana has also emerged as a popular way to help reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of cachexia patients.
Medical Marijuana & Cachexia
Medical marijuana is one of the most effective treatments for cachexia. Not only can it help with many of the symptoms caused by cachexia, but it can also help treat many of the conditions that cause cachexia in the first place.
Research suggests that medical cannabinoids can help with cancer-related cachexia in various ways. Medical marijuana has become a popular treatment for cancer due to its antitumor effects. What’s more, it can also help stimulate appetite, improve the mood of patients, and prevent nausea and vomiting.
Similarly, another study found that medical marijuana and Dronabinol (a cannabis-based drug) helped increase the caloric intake and body weight of HIV-positive marijuana smokers with no harmful side effects. It also had various other benefits, such as decreasing nausea as well as improving the mood and sleep quality of patients.
Medical marijuana doesn’t just help in cases of HIV and cancer-related cachexia. It can help with all forms of cachexia due to its ability to stimulate appetite and relieve many of the symptoms of cachexia with limited side effects.
How Medical Marijuana Helps with Cachexia Symptoms
In addition to fighting off cancer and other illnesses that may lead to cachexia, medical marijuana is helpful for many of the symptoms that are associated with cachexia. Patients often suffer from severe fatigue, lack of appetite, stress, mood changes, and inflammation, all of which marijuana can help with.
Marijuana is known as a powerful appetite stimulant. A study found that marijuana helped cancer patients regain their appetite as well as making food smell and taste better. This can help ensure cachexia patients still eat enough despite their wasting syndrome, and may help them regain weight healthily in conjunction with other treatments.
It can also help with anxiety, stress, and depression. Cachexia patients often suffer from poor moods due to hormonal changes and lack of vitality. The uplifting effects of marijuana can help counteract mood problems and help improve their quality of life. It can also help improve their sleep and ward off chronic fatigue.
Cachexia patients often suffer from nausea and vomiting, especially those who are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. Marijuana has antiemetic effects, making it particularly helpful for nausea and vomiting relief.
How to Use Medical Marijuana for Cachexia
There are many methods of application for medical marijuana. For patients with cachexia, oral and sublingual methods of consumption are particularly effective. As such, you may wish to use Cannabis Edibles or Tinctures, which give you a fixed dose of THC in each serving. Alternatively, you may want to use Cannabis Tinctures. These can be applied directly under the tongue or added to food or drinks.
Inhaling cannabis is another helpful option, especially as it gives you fast-acting effects. High-THC strains can help cachexia patients by boosting their appetite while also reducing stress and anxiety and improving sleep. You can inhale cannabis by smoking Cannabis Flower or using a vaporizer.
Patients who would rather avoid the psychoactive effects of THC can also use CBD products. These come in many forms, including CBD Tinctures, Edibles, Capsules, and more.
How to Get Medical Marijuana for Cachexia
Medical marijuana is now available in many states for patients suffering from chronic and severe conditions, including cachexia. You can find medical marijuana in state-licensed dispensaries, although you’ll need to get a medical card first.
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Getting a medical card in Florida requires a few simple steps. First, you must visit a certified marijuana doctor to confirm that you have a qualifying condition. You can then apply online for your medical card. Once you receive your medical card, you can buy marijuana and CBD products from dispensaries across the state.
The Takeaway
Medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for cachexia. It can help patients increase their appetite, improve their mood, and ward off symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and insomnia. It can also help treat many of the conditions associated with cachexia, including cancer and HIV/AIDs.
Treat Cachexia naturally by getting your medical marijuana card. The first step is to schedule an appointment with a medical marijuana doctor. We make it fast and easy!
