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  • "Medical marijuana gave me my life back. I can make plans again, work again, enjoy life again, all because of medical marijuana. It saved my life." by HCB, Former Client
  • "Medical marijuana has given me some mental peace that I have not experienced in 50 years. It doesn’t take it away but it does soften the past experiences of combat." by Richard B., Former Client
  • "I applied for medical marijuana and pain reduced big time. Now I can relax and sleep, now I can volunteer and do all the activities I love." by Mary, Former Client
  • "After dealing with some of these for 20+ years it is AWESOME to have these conditions finally under some control that seems reasonable. Frankly, I haven’t had a quality of life this good in a very long time." by Tom, Former Client
  • "Overall I am extremely happy and would recommend this to anyone who could benefit. It is truly an amazing medicine and I just hope enough people can open their eyes wide enough to see that." by Jill, Former Client

Treating Cachexia with Medical Marijuana in Mississippi

What is Cachexia?

Cachexia involves muscle wasting and is linked to significant weight loss, including body fat loss. It is a symptom of chronic illness and includes the following manifestations:

Cachexia causes weight loss regardless of dietary intake, affecting both muscle and fat. Unlike voluntary weight loss, cachexia occurs involuntarily due to factors outside of one’s control, including altered metabolism and inflammation-induced appetite changes. Cachexia is considered a protective response of the body against disease, although it leaves individuals vulnerable to infections due to weakened immune function. Increasing calorie intake is unlikely to reverse the condition. Fortunately, cachexia is recognized as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana in Mississippi, and individuals can contact a qualified Mississippi medical marijuana doctor at TruReleaf MD for help.

What Causes Cachexia?

Cachexia can stem from various factors, including an imbalance of specific compounds in the body. The interaction and effects of these substances, as well as the underlying reasons for their presence, are important considerations. Such interactions can worsen cachexia, leading to weight loss and muscle wasting, as well as:

  • Inflammation
  • Prevention of Muscle Growth
  • Muscle Deterioration
  • Increased Metabolism

When the liver fails to respond to insulin, it leads to the development of insulin resistance. This means that the body’s ability to use blood glucose for energy has decreased.

Symptoms of Cachexia

According to WebMD, common symptoms of cachexia include:

  • Fatigue
  • Reduced Strength
  • Muscle Deterioration
  • Appetite Loss
  • Low levels of protein
  • Anemia
  • Inflammation
  • Low fat-free mass index

Cachexia and Medical Marijuana in Mississippi

Mississippi has identified cachexia, among many other conditions, as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana. To obtain a Mississippi medical marijuana card, individuals can contact an experienced and licensed Mississippi medical marijuana doctor to schedule an initial appointment and take the first step.

Medical marijuana has shown great promise in recent studies for treating cachexia. Patients with cachexia need to increase their food intake by managing vomiting and nausea, and both anecdotal and empirical evidence indicates that medical cannabis is a safe and effective method to achieve this.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is researching THC for cancer-related anorexia and treatment-related cachexia, with high-THC cannabis strains appearing to be the most effective for managing cachexia. Sublingual and oral dosing are also found to be effective. Medical cannabis is associated with minimal and low-risk side effects, with euphoric mood changes being the most commonly reported.

Dronabinol, a synthetic THC derivative, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1985 for managing wasting in HIV/AIDS patients. Studies have proven its effectiveness. Chemotherapy patients are also prescribed the medication to manage nausea and vomiting, but the high cost has been a significant barrier.

Treating Cachexia Symptoms with Medical Marijuana

Marijuana’s ability to stimulate appetite and cause “munchies” is a commonly known effect. Additionally, it can alleviate nausea, vomiting, depression, and other symptoms of malaise that accompany cachexia.

Appetite

The primary symptom to address when dealing with cachexia is a lack of appetite. By eating healthy, you may observe that nausea and vomiting decrease. The increased appetite resulting from this may allow you to return to your usual diet, preventing weight loss, muscle dystrophy, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

Nausea/Vomiting

Cannabis has the potential to increase your food intake, promote satiety, and prevent weight loss and muscle wasting.

Depression

Cannabis can also have positive effects on mental health. For centuries, people have self-medicated with marijuana. When you’re ill, your physical health can impact your mental well-being, leading to depression, feelings of isolation, dejection, and difficulty getting out of bed.

Energy

Chronic illness can drain your energy and leave you fatigued, leading to feelings of boredom and frustration. The resulting lack of vitality can lead to depression, causing you to lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, and negatively impacting your social life.

Possible Side-Effects of Medical Marijuana

Side effects of marijuana can include impacts in:

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep
  • Appetite
  • Reaction Time
  • Memory
  • Mood
  • Paranoia

Medical Marijuana Clinic near me in Mississippi

In Mississippi, any patient with a qualifying condition can get an Mississippi medical marijuana card from a licensed physician. TruReleaf MD can determine if you are eligible to utilize medical marijuana in your treatment plan if you have cachexia. Contact TruReleaf MD today to discover if you are eligible for a medicinal marijuana registration card. Take our online eligibility survey as a starting step.