Cannabis for Hepatitis C

Cannabis for Hepatitis C

Does Cannabis Help with Hepatitis C? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Hepatitis C is a serious and potentially fatal condition caused by the virus which affects the liver. If left untreated, hepatitis C can worsen over time and cause liver failure, liver cancer, and cirrhosis. Most people with hepatitis C aren’t aware that they have it until they experience some kind of liver damage.

The condition is caused by exposure to the hepatitis C virus, which occurs when you get in contact with an infected person’s blood. It’s estimated that over 3 million adults in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus. While there are treatments available, many medications cause side effects including nausea, fatigue, muscle aches, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, and headaches.

How Cannabis Can Help

While cannabis can’t treat hepatitis c, it can be used complimentarily with medications to help manage symptoms and reduce side effects. Many patients report feeling unpleasant side effects from hepatitis c medications, but by taking cannabis they are more likely to finish the course of medications and thus have a better outlook. A study from the University of California at San Francisco confirms this.

Research also shows that the cannabinoids in cannabis can help reduce certain aspects of chronic liver disease. Another study indicates that because of the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids are beneficial in reducing the inflammation that occurs in damaged livers. Additionally, preclinical data also tells us that the endocannabinoid system may play an important role in reducing the impact of chronic liver disease, and that the very cannabinoids contained in cannabis can lessen inflammation.

Cannabis can also help stimulate appetite, treat nausea, and reducing joint pain, all of which are common symptoms of hepatitis c. Cannabis is also safe and nontoxic especially considering the impact of oral medications on an already damaged liver. People who are diagnosed with hepatitis are also more prone to depression, another aspect that cannabis can help with.

Many also swear by the benefits of juicing cannabis particularly for liver health. Raw cannabis is more potent because it contains more CBD, the cannabinoid that is valued for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. Because of these characteristics, juicing raw cannabis is most beneficial for reducing the risk or even reversing many chronic and serious conditions including liver disease and hepatitis c.

Cannabis is all natural and completely non-toxic, there’s no harm in using it especially for patients who are already in progressive stages of hepatitis c and who are more likely to die from the condition. Whole cannabis is much safer to use than synthetic marijuana, although it is up to the patient and his physician to determine which dosage works best for them. However do keep in mind that the medicinal benefits of cannabis for hepatitis c are best achieved through a steady supply of the cannabinoids in the blood stream; many tend to take only as much as they feel is needed to mitigate side effects or symptoms.

Do you use cannabis for hepatitis c management or know someone who does? Share your experience with us in the comments below.

Medical Marijuana for Hepatitis C