Cannabis (THC)

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

• Nausea & upset stomach. THC taken by mouth (dronabinol, nabilone) eases nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. The US National Academies called this evidence conclusive, and both medicines are approved for it.See the research: 87 studies in people
  Strong proof
• Pain & headaches. Many trials show cannabis and cannabis medicines bring a modest drop in long-term pain in adults, especially nerve pain. The National Academies rated this evidence substantial.See the research: 797 studies in people
  Good proof
• Muscles & exercise. A THC and CBD mouth spray (nabiximols) and nabilone ease muscle stiffness and spasms that people with multiple sclerosis report. The spray is approved in many countries.See the research: 40 studies in people
  Good proof
• Weight. Dronabinol is approved to improve appetite and slow weight loss in people with AIDS. Studies are few and small.See the research: 145 studies in people
  Promising proof
• Sleep. Some people sleep better in the short term, mostly when pain, apnea or fibromyalgia disturb sleep. Daily use can make sleep worse over time, and sleep is often poor for a while after stopping.See the research: 165 studies in people
  Promising proof

Parts of the body

Stomach, Nerves & pain, Muscles, Energy & metabolism, Brain & mind

Traditional use

Ayurveda treats cannabis (vijaya) as a strong plant used purified and in small amounts, for digestion, pain and sleep. Its seed has been a Chinese remedy for constipation for about two thousand years, and in Jamaica and across the Caribbean ganja tea and tonics are long-standing folk medicine; Rastafari also hold it sacred.

How it is classified

Herbal actions

Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Sedative, Anti-inflammatory, Nervine. Energy: warming.

Ayurveda

Calms Vata and Kapha. Can raise Pitta. Taste (rasa): bitter, astringent. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): pungent. Deepana (kindles digestion), Pachana (digests toxins/ama), Madakari (intoxicant), Upavisha (strong plant, used only purified).

Mixing with other things

• Use caution
  Sleep or anxiety medicine (Ambien, Xanax, Ativan)

  Adds to drowsiness and slowed breathing with sleep medicines, opioids, benzodiazepines and other sedatives.

• Use caution
  Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)

  Together they impair balance, driving and judgment far more than either alone.

• Use caution
  Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)

  Cannabis can raise warfarin levels, which can increase bleeding.

• Use caution
  Antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and others)

  May worsen anxiety or mood swings, and some antidepressants change how THC is broken down.

• Use caution
  Heart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)

  THC raises heart rate and can lower blood pressure on standing, so take care with heart disease and heart medicines.

• Worth knowing
  CBD (hemp)

  CBD may soften some of THC's anxious edge, and many medical products combine the two.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: American ginseng, Saw palmetto, Red clover, Chamomile, Yarrow, St. John's wort, Feverfew, White willow bark, Meadowsweet, Angelica, Evening primrose oil, Pygeum, Shepherd's purse, Bilberry and 46 more.

Adds up with others that can make you drowsy: Chamomile, Lemon balm, Valerian, Passionflower, Skullcap, Hops, Lavender, Blue vervain, California poppy, Kola nut, Griffonia (5-HTP), Guayusa, Yerba mate, Guarana and 19 more.