Cannabis - Cure vs. Treatment?

Distinguish between "cure" and "treatment" for a better understanding of how cannabis benefits you.

Specialists in cannabis medicine carefully use the term "treatment" instead of "cure" - to give a more accurate understanding of the confirmed benefits of cannabis, and to accurately manage expectations of cannabis medicine for symptom management of patients who are often accessing cannabis for chronic and acute condition treatment with cannabinoids in the absence of other effective treatment options. 

Differentiating Between “Cure” & “Treatment”

When discussing natural medicines or making casual statements regarding medical care, it is very common for people to use the term ‘cure’. We often think of this word as a catch all term for effective medicines or as being interchangeable with words like remedy or treatment, although the difference between treatment and cure is stark. It is important to note that cure is not a term one will often hear used by healthcare professionals when discussing medical care and medications, as they must always be mindful of the important distinction between a cure and a treatment. Let’s look at the difference between treatment and cure.

Defining “Cure” & “Treatment”

Cure:

When a patient no longer suffers from a medical condition following a procedure/treatment.

Treatment:

The successful management of a patients’ symptoms resulting from an ongoing medical condition.


Medical professionals who specialise in effective cannabis treatments are especially weary of using the term cure rather than treatment, as in the past the term has often been inappropriately and enthusiastically used by both cannabis advocates using cannabis medicine for symptom management and outlaws alike.

Cannabis Misattributed as a “Cure” for Cancer 

On the subject of the difference between treatment and cure, a notable tale in the larger international story of cannabis medicine for chronic and acute condition treatment with cannabinoids is that of Canada’s Rick Simpson. Prior to the introduction of a robust regulatory framework for access to effective cannabis treatments, a gentleman by the name of Rick Simpson gained fame and infamy through his passion for the use of cannabis medicine for symptom management as what he would describe as a ‘cure’ for cancer. Having cultivated and processed cannabis extract to be used in the alleged treatment of his own skin cancer, Mr. Simpson soon became an outspoken advocate for the use of cannabis as a cancer ‘cure’ as well as chronic and acute condition treatment with cannabinoids. Despite federal law prohibiting him from doing so, this led to him cultivating and processing considerable amounts of cannabis extract which he then freely distributed to other cancer patients looking to follow in his footsteps. To this day, many still refer to ethanol extracted full spectrum cannabis crude oil as RSO (Rick Simpson Oil). While Mr. Simpsons efforts did earn him a place in the cannabis history books, those advocating for cannabis to become a fixture of modern medicine have made efforts to distance themselves from him and other prophets claiming chronic and acute condition treatments with cannabinoids as a miracle cure.

Infographic explaining the differences between 'cure' and 'treatment' with relevant illustrations and text

Cannabis as a “Treatment”

Today’s cannabis medicine professionals choose instead to highlight ongoing efforts in clinical research on treatment efficacy to support the inclusion of cannabis in everyday modern medicine and explore more effective cannabis treatments. The current body of research regarding the possible treatment applications of cannabis medicine has expanded to include a long list of conditions/symptoms.

COMMON SYMPTOMS & CONDITIONS FOR CANNABIS MEDICINE THERAPY

Acute Pain

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Anxiety

Arthritis

ADHD

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autoimmune Disorder

Bipolar Disorder

Cachexia / Poor Appetite

Cancer Related Pain

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Pain

Crohn's Disease

Depression

Endometriosis

Epilepsy

Fibromyalgia

Headache / Migraines

HIV / AIDS

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Inflammation

Insomnia / Sleep Disorders

Menstrual Pain / Cramping

Mood Disorders

Multiple Sclerosis

Muscle Spasticity

Nausea and Vomiting

Neuropathic Pain / Nerve Damage

Palliative Care

Parkinson’s Disease

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Seizure Disorders

Spinal Injuries

Stress

 

Infographic depicting common medical conditions treatable with cannabis therapy, with icons for various symptoms

To begin your cannabis medicine journey today, book an appointment now with the Savikalpa Virtual Clinic for an online doctor consultation, or request more information from a member of our highly trained clinic staff (eclinic@savikalpa.com).

We pride ourselves on being one of India’s most qualified sources of fast, friendly, and professional access to cannabinoid medicine online!


Interested in learning more? Send us your questions (eclinic@savikalpa.com). It is our mission to educate patients in any way we can, and we would be delighted to hear from you.


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