Hepatitis C is a viral infection (HCV) that affects the liver. It’s often transmitted when you share needles with an infected person or during a blood transfusion. If you’re suffering from HCV, you might not experience any symptoms for months, years, or decades. It will be diagnosed when your liver develops complications leading to testing.

If not treated, hepatitis C can lead to severe liver damage resulting in hepatocellular carcinoma and other chronic illnesses. While so many barriers have been defeated to develop HCV treatment, the antiviral drugs come with significant side effects that are challenging to the patients.

Though the research on marijuana as an HCV treatment is still ongoing, the primary thoughts are positive. HCV patients are using marijuana to ease the virus’s general symptoms, reduce nausea, and HCV treatments’ side effects. This helps them complete their prescribed dosage leading to a positive outcome.

How and Why Medical Marijuana Is Effective in Treating Hepatitis C?

Cannabis alone is not useful for hepatitis C treatment, but you can complement it with your doctor’s prescriptions. It elevates your mood, reduces pain, and offers relief in your healing journey.

According to research, marijuana is a safe and effective treatment if you’re suffering from HCV. It helps you cope with your medications’ side effects, allowing you to complete the entire treatment process. It alleviates pains and aches, nausea, lack of appetite, and also has therapeutic benefits.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol, both found in marijuana, get absorbed by your body’s cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). Once CB2 is triggered, it develops a positive antidote effect in your liver, decreasing HCV severity.

While there are claims that the pot’s daily intake could lead to liver fibrosis, a study done by the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology indicates that HCV patients who use marijuana adhere more to their treatment plan. They conclude that the various benefits of marijuana in the treatment process outweigh all associated risks.

Best Marijuana Strains to Use

Several marijuana strains elevate your mood and help you control nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms associated with hepatitis C treatment. If you want strains to relieve pain and inflammation, the Indica Strain would be the best choice. The Strains are high in THC and serves as sedatives that assure you of all the rest you need.

They come in different types, including:

  • Indica-dominant strains
  • Misty
  • Dynamite
  • Northern lights, and
  • Northern lights bubblegum

Indica-dominant strains are the most commonly used. They have a strong, sweet, and sour odor that gives you a relaxed feeling that treats physical pain, anxiety, and sleeping disorders.

If Indica strains are too sedating for you, you can try Indica-dominant or hybrid strain with 30% Sativa and 70% Indica. Some examples include:

  • Grape Fruit
  • Medicine Woman
  • Cripple creek
  • White widow x big bud

Sativa strains have a natural smell and are grassy. They make you feel more energized and free-spirited, thus, more suitable for use during the day. Besides, they lift your spirit if you’ve been suffering from low moods. They include:

  • Purple Haze
  • Sour Diesel
  • Jack Herer

Before settling for any marijuana, please seek the advice of a marijuana doctor.

Best Method to treat yourself using marijuana

While the combination approach of treating hepatitis C is considered the most effective way to manage your condition, strains work differently when used for medical reasons making it hard to settle for one marijuana treatment. Besides, HCV manifests itself in various ways; therefore, you need to pinpoint the exact strain to use for each symptom. You can use these strains to your advantage by trying out a strain that addresses specific symptoms until you get one that works best to solve the symptoms you’re encountering.

 You can use hemp oil to stimulate your immune system. In case of sudden pain, vaporizing marijuana will be more effective. If discomfort persists, edibles such as brownies and weed cookies might help. Luckily, you can eat cookies anywhere without worrying about attracting unwanted attention.

Finding the right medical marijuana dosage for hepatitis C is a trial and error, and it takes time. But with a marijuana doctor’s help, you will quickly find a dosage that works well for you. It would be best to start the prescription in small amounts to avoid feeling groggy and sick until the drugs’ effect wears off.

Conclusion

Studies about marijuana as an HCV treatment for medication side effects and symptoms are few. Still, the current information suggests that using marijuana is effective. If you feel cannabis might be a useful addition to your treatment plan, seek the advice of a professional.

Additionally, you need to ensure the use of medical marijuana is legal in your state. Your medical marijuana doctor will then be able to prescribe you some strains to help with the side effects you’re experiencing.