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Medical Marijuana for Dementia-Suffering Parents?

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Marijuana’s medical uses were long questioned, and the drug was illegalized despite its proven efficacy. After states like Colorado legalised marijuana for recreational use, researchers began looking into its potential health benefits. The federal government continues to see marijuana as as dangerous to users as heroin and as having no therapeutic value. The light of day has finally shown us that this is a terrible plan. Legislators in states where marijuana (cannabis) use is now legal were curious about the advantages of making this change. If medical marijuana’s potential benefits could be shown, the state’s economy and the health of its residents may both benefit. To know how to get medical marijuana cards follow the link.

Since it hasn’t financed studies, the federal government has done nothing to prove cannabis’s usefulness. If it’s already assumed that it has no advantage, then gathering scientific data to the contrary is pointless. However, there is now substantial evidence showing its efficacy for treating epilepsy, and some data even suggests positive effects when used by veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. There is a lack of studies examining its possible advantages for the elderly, particularly those with dementia (the most common type of which is Alzheimer’s disease). Recent in-depth studies, however, indicate much more positive results.

Related: IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA EFFECTIVE FOR GLAUCOMA?

Many of the most devastating stories we hear are from the adult children of old persons whose behaviour is out of control due to dementia. They describe how their once lovable relative has evolved into an irrational, violent burden. The danger posed by these behaviours is such that even professional carers are at risk. It’s not the parents’ fault; the illness is to blame. The federal government’s misclassification of cannabis has also restricted the capacity of doctors to prescribe the drug. Medicare and Medicaid are two government programmes that help pay for medical treatment, and as a result, many hospitals and other care institutions have banned cannabis use on their premises. Instead, they “dope ’em up” with the same psychiatric medications used for those with mental illness. We must make constant efforts to become better.

Recent research on cannabis’s therapeutic potential has yielded encouraging findings:

How We Know What We Know About the Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids Right Now and Where We Need More Evidence and Research

Official publication year: 2017; institution: Academia Nacional de Ciencias, Ingeniera, y Medicina. American Academy of Arts and Sciences Publishing. U.S. capital city of Washington, DC. Experts here methodically review medical publications, finding further evidence that cannabis is a suitable therapeutic option for many ailments.

Georgia Watt and Tim Karl suggest that CBD has therapeutic potential for Alzheimer’s disease based on in vivo research.

The State of the Art in Drug Research

For accuracy, it occurred in February of 2017. These studies show that CBD and maybe CBD-THC combinations are effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is abbreviated as AD.

Related: CANNABINOID THERAPY FOR CANCER: DOES IT WORK?

One of the most promising results I’ve seen so far came from a little pilot project in Geneva. In a carefully monitored research, cannabis was administered to 10 women with significant behavioural impairments associated to dementia. Both CBD oil (which does not cause intoxication) and THC oil (which does cause intoxication) were available. Higher dosages of THC and CBD identified in cannabis extract taken orally by people with severe dementia resulted in considerable improvements in behaviour, stiffness, and daily care, according to a recent study. The women’s overall care requirements decreased by 40%, their behaviour improved by 20%, and 50% of them went off their mental medication.

To be clear, no one is claiming cannabis use may reverse memory loss associated with dementia. Behavior problems, however, may become a nightmare for families caring for a loved one with dementia as the disease progresses. If there’s a gentler (or “less-doped”) substitute, we should use it instead of psychoactive medicines. In the Geneva study, no harm or damage was recorded to patients, and staff members said they felt much less stressed out about taking care of such severely sick women.

Related: INTRACTABLE PAIN FROM RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS? TRY MEDICAL MARIJUANA

In light of recent calls from the World Health Organization for a change in cannabis’ classification under international treaties, it would be officially acknowledged that global governing authorities have been wrong about the lack of medicinal benefits and purported hazards associated with cannabis.

The Essence:

If you reside in a place where medical marijuana is legal and your elderly parent is displaying troublesome behaviour due to dementia, you may want to look into this and similar research. Talk to your primary care physician about being sent to a specialist who can coordinate your loved one’s medical treatment if they get ill. If you decide to try cannabis for your loved one, opt for a CBD/THC oral drop combination like that utilised in the Geneva study. Since there is no universally accepted dosage for any medical condition, you may need to experiment to find what helps you the most. It’s possible that everyone will be relieved by the end result.

medical marijuana, medical marijuana card, medical marijuana doctors

How you can Get a Medical Marijuana Card – Few Easy Steps

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We list the few easy steps to guarantee that you get a medical marijuana card on the same day as you apply. You can use the card today.

Many people, including myself, have sought at-home treatments for stress and other health issues after being compelled to spend more time at home owing to increased anxiety. I finally got the confidence to apply for a medical marijuana licence last year after using cannabis for anxiety and migraines for a number of years. I was eager in knowing what choices were available at local dispensaries and hoped to find a more dependable and consistent way to take this medicine. While I was pleasantly pleased by how easy the process was, I wish I had been better prepared for a few bureaucratic obstacles. I suspect that I am not alone in this. To visit site to get a medical marijuana card in a few easy steps go to HappyMD now.

States have varying processes for acquiring a medical marijuana card, but they all adhere to a similar structure. If you’re interested in applying for a local ID card, learn the basics of the application procedure below. First you must connect with medical marijuana doctors.

Initial consultation should be with one’s primary care provider.
In order to qualify for a medical cannabis card, you must have been diagnosed with one of the specific qualifying conditions that your state authorises to be treated with medical marijuana. According to medical marijuana doctors interview with HappyMD, the first step in contemplating medicinal cannabis to treat a medical condition is to check the state’s list of qualifying disorders (often located on the website of the state health department) to discover whether you have one of these diseases. (mmj doctors, a specialist in pain and medicine, approves patients for the use of medical cannabis through the online portal HappyMD.)

It may seem superfluous to contact your primary care mmj doctor before registering for a medical card, considering that the majority of us do not have them on fast dial. The 420 doctors, president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists, tells HappyMD. They will be aware of the efficacy (or lack thereof) of different treatments for you in the past and may alert you to potential medication interactions.

And if you want to use cannabis to treat something totally new, such as back pain, “such things need an assessment and a workup,” according to the medical marijuana doctor.

Additionally, you may need a letter from your primary care physician in order to be permitted to use cannabis for certain medical conditions. Dr. cites MRI or X-ray results or a letter from a physician as examples of such proof. He recommends utilising “anything with the diagnosis printed on it.” Therefore, beginning with this first conversation is an excellent way to get the ball rolling with a physician you already trust and to get any documentation you may need in the future.

Make an appointment with a doctor on the list of those authorised to issue a medical certification for a online medical card.

Medical marijuana patients must be certified by a physician authorised by state law to do so. If your primary care physician is also certified to issue medical cannabis patient certificates, obtaining one from them should be rather straightforward. Not everyone has access to a primary care physician who is also a specialist in cannabis therapy, so it may be important to locate one.

The medical marijuana doctor that the endocannabinoid system is not taught in medical school. Regardless of the state in which you reside, you will need to find a physician who is either a cannabis specialist or has cannabis-related training.

Your state’s health agency may provide a list of licenced physicians and other medical professionals in your region. You may also locate cannabis doctors using internet sites such as HappyMD.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, a virtual consultation through a service like as HappyMD, which links patients with licenced cannabis doctors in their location via video chat, may become increasingly attractive.

Thirdly, talk with your physician to design a treatment plan that meets your specific requirements to get a medical marijuana card.

The purpose of your meeting with a cannabis specialist is to establish that you suffer from a qualifying medical condition for marijuana. The next step is to discuss your medical history and concerns with your physician at HappyMD; together, you may choose the most effective way to manage your symptoms with cannabis.

Prior to obtaining a medical marijuana card, a patient must be diagnosed with one of the state-approved conditions. Some illnesses, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain, appear on many lists. Nonetheless, there are some fascinating paradoxes. Migraines and menstrual cramps (also known as dysmenorrhea) are not classified as qualifying conditions in New York, although they are in New Jersey.

You may be surprised, though, by how much flexibility for interpretation these phrases provide. In New York, qualifying ailments include chronic pain and “pain that impairs health and functional capacities as an alternative to opioid addiction or drug use disorder,” but not migraines. According to a certifying physician, the medical marijuana doctor, there is a whole class of ailments that people may not realise qualify as chronic pain and similar conditions. He stresses that prolonged headaches, gastrointestinal difficulties, and TMJ pain may be classified as different conditions.

Expect to address your medical history, current medications, and any concerns you have about using cannabis in this manner with your doctor; the nature of this conversation will differ depending on who you visit.

The medical marijuana doctor emphasises the importance of understanding the patient’s symptoms and recommended dose plan. Timing is key when it comes to a physician’s recommendations on the cannabinoids and cannabinoid ratios to look for in products. Some may provide an energising, daytime mood, while others may produce a soothing, nighttime mood.

During this evaluation, your physician should also advise you of any possible adverse outcomes. An increased heart rate, nausea, and vertigo are all potential adverse effects.

After reading this, you should have a decent idea of what to look for at a dispensary, but keep in mind that no doctor in the United States may legally prescribe cannabis. As the medical marijuana doctor noted, this means that, unlike in a pharmacy, where you may have an antibiotic prescription filled, you will not be able to get a specific prescription that a dispensary is required to fill. However, you should request as much assistance as possible from your physician in accessing the necessary materials.

Depending on your location, you may be required to submit a report with the health division.

Regarding the use of cannabis for therapeutic reasons, state rules and processes differ. Some states require patients to register with the state health department before to getting their ID card; in places such as Connecticut and New York, this is a needless bureaucratic bother, but it is normally not a significant impediment for patients.

The particular state rules that apply to you will eventually be established by your state of residence. The medical marijuana doctor says that you should not worry about anything in California. If the physician approves, they may just click a button to email you a recommendation, and you will also get a hard copy in the mail. If you have any questions regarding the next actions to take after earning your certification, you should consult your doctor or your state’s health department website.

The medical marijuana doctor reassures his patients that, for the most majority of them, “obtaining the card is not a significant obstacle.” If they are unable to figure it out on their own, though, we will gladly provide a help. If we are unable to help you, we may refer you to the state’s cannabis commission for intervention.

After obtaining your card, you may visit a dispensary.

Plan on waiting several weeks to get your physical card by mail from your state’s health agency. If your doctor approves it, you may be eligible for a temporary medical cannabis card that will enable you to visit a dispensary and purchase cannabis for therapeutic reasons.

Ask the budtenders at the dispensary for guidance if you have questions about the marijuana they offer. It’s a good idea to have your doctor’s recommendations on hand, but bear in mind that each dispensary has a slightly different range of goods (which is why the medical marijuana doctor sometimes recommends specific dispensaries).

The image shows a woman on a medical marijuana card

When you next visit a dispensary, don’t forget to carry your card with you. Because dispensaries are not allowed to take credit cards, you may need to bring another form of identification and cash.

If there is a pharmacist on duty at your dispensary, you may choose to check with them before making any purchases.

Dispensaries are increasingly employing cannabis pharmacists with specialised training on the physiological effects and pharmacological interactions of cannabis. Several jurisdictions, like New York, require licenced cannabis pharmacists at all establishments inside their boundaries.

Before acquiring cannabis, the medical marijuana doctor advise checking with a dispensary’s cannabis pharmacist. the medical marijuana doctor adds that each dispensary will have a distinct assortment of products, and the pharmacists will be in the best position to advise you on your decisions.

The medical marijuana doctor warns, however, that specialised dispensary pharmacists may not be the most impartial providers. He reveals that despite possessing a pharmacy degree, they work for a dispensary. Accordingly, “a conflict of interest exists there.”

Contact your care team if you have any questions or concerns.
Even licenced medical experts and pharmacists may be unable to anticipate the effects of cannabis on a particular patient. Keep in mind that it may take some time to develop an appropriate medical cannabis treatment plan.

Contact your cannabis doctor if you’ve tried anything and didn’t like how it made you feel, if you didn’t believe it achieved its intended purpose, or if you’re having trouble acquiring your card. Dr. says, “I tell them constantly, ‘I’m going to give you my email address,’ because he really cares about their health. This covers the situation in which you are having trouble registering.

Legally, naturalised citizens are not required to purchase medical marijuana in the United States. In order to get a medical marijuana card in a state that allows it, applicants must often produce proof of residency.

However, since marijuana is illegal under federal law, being a medical marijuana patient may make it more difficult for you to enter or stay in the United States. If you are a visitor or lawfully present in the nation, you may be interested in knowing about residence requirements and the availability of medical marijuana.

Certain persons may receive a legal medicinal marijuana card in the United States.

In view of the Food and Drug Administration’s categorization of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, there are no limits on who may apply for a medical marijuana card. This is due to the fact that no such programme exists under federal law. Numerous states in the United States administer their own medical marijuana programmes, each with its own legislation and procedures.

In a few states, evidence of residency is occasionally necessary to get a medical marijuana card. If you have a permanent residency in a state that has authorised the substance, you may see a licenced physician, get a recommendation, and submit an application for a medical marijuana card.

In the absence of a local address in the legalised state, however, the situation becomes more problematic. In California, non-residents may apply for and get a medical marijuana card, although in other states, proof of residency is required.

A copy of your state-issued identification card is also necessary when applying for a medical card. A valid driver’s licence or state identification card will suffice.

Can Non-Legal U.S. Residents Acquire Health Insurance Cards?
You may apply for a medical marijuana card if you have a permanent residency in a state that has legalised medicinal marijuana and you are not a U.S. citizen. Some states, such as Texas, need confirmation of residency, but others, such as California, just require proof of identification.

However, if you have ever used cannabis and are applying for a green card or citizenship, you may be refused entrance into the United States. A medical marijuana card provides publicly accessible evidence of cannabis use, which may or may not be worth the possible penalties in terms of future citizenship.

How to Obtain Medical Marijuana While in the United States

Plan a Trip to a State Where Cannabis Is Legal for Recreational Use
If you want to visit or currently reside in a state that permits adult-use cannabis, you do not need a medical marijuana card. Medical marijuana programmes have stricter financing and application restrictions than recreational marijuana programmes. If you go through them, you won’t have to worry about finding a place to reside in a legalised state. You just need to provide identification proving you are at least 21 years old.

Since marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, anybody transferring it from one state to another loses the safeguards provided by the previous state’s legalisation programme. If you want to stay on the right side of the law, you should not carry cannabis over state lines. To avoid problems at the border, you should dispose of your cannabis before leaving the state.

Ultimately

You cannot get a medical marijuana card or purchase cannabis from a medical dispensary if you do not legally reside in a state that permits it. A vacation to a state where recreational marijuana usage is legal would be great for avoiding this issue completely.

Now that medical marijuana is allowed in the majority of states in the United States, obtaining a medical marijuana card is easier than ever. Moreover, 64% of Americans feel recreational marijuana usage should be legalised universally.

With a valid medical marijuana card, patients may legally use the substance to treat a variety of medical illnesses. The federal government does not recognise any medical purpose for marijuana, and the substance remains federally illegal. However, depending on where they live, medical marijuana cardholders are protected from criminal and civil penalties at the state level. Medical marijuana patients and their caregivers may lawfully obtain cannabis from state-run clinics, wellness centres, and dispensaries with a valid identification card.

Prior to being legally permitted to consume marijuana, anyone seeking a medical marijuana card are need to visit with a physician holding a valid medical cannabis licence. Applicants may lawfully obtain marijuana from state-approved providers in order to relieve the pain and suffering connected with their illness, disability, mental health condition, or accident after gaining approval from a specialist or physician.

Expect a fee (for example, the Pennsylvania medical marijuana card costs $50).

Here Are the Six Straightforward Steps to Obtaining Your Medical Marijuana Card There are a number of steps that must be performed before a medical marijuana card can be given.

First, familiarise yourself with your state’s medical marijuana rules and restrictions.

As of the end of 2018, around 30 states and the District of Columbia have legalised medical marijuana consumption with medical marijuana cards, subject to a variety of laws. The different nations are listed below:

This includes Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.

Before applying for a medical marijuana card, you should get familiar with your state’s rules. Varied states have different rules surrounding the approval process for medical marijuana, thus it is essential to investigate these prerequisites beforehand.

Before applying, you should determine if your state grants medical marijuana cards for your particular condition. Cancer, glaucoma, and Crohn’s disease are among the list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana in Arizona. However, Connecticut’s list is lengthier and includes sickle cell disease and ulcerative colitis, neither of which are on Arizona’s list. Anxiety may qualify you for a medical marijuana card in New Jersey. It is impossible in New York. To determine if your state offers coverage for your disease, contact your insurance provider.

Collect your health records When applying for a medical marijuana card in the majority of states, you will be required to provide evidence of medical treatment and list any ailments for which you feel marijuana may be beneficial. This involves obtaining a written declaration from your physician authorising the use of medical marijuana to treat your specific medical condition. Frequently, your physician will need to collaborate with the state’s health and/or human services department in order to submit the proper paperwork.

Present your proof of residency documents

Most states have residency requirements for medical marijuana cards; thus, you should be prepared to produce proof of lawful residence. Without valid identity, you will not be able to advance.

Fourth, learn about the approved uses of medical marijuana.
You should be aware with the sorts of qualifying medical conditions for a medical marijuana card. Your state’s health and human services agency likely provides a list of conditions that qualify for a medical marijuana certificate. On such a list would include glaucoma, cancer, MS, ALS, diabetes, PTSD, and epilepsy.

Have a doctor recommend you

To lawfully use medical marijuana, your physician must first agree that doing so would help you feel better while coping with your illness’s symptoms. However, not all medical specialists are convinced that marijuana offers the same amount of pain relief as its advocates say. Obtaining your doctor’s consent to use medical marijuana may first seem insurmountable; thus, it is essential to equip yourself with as much evidence as possible to convince him or her that this medication is required for you.

After a specific period of time, medical marijuana should be replaced.

In various places, the validity of a medicinal marijuana card is often restricted to one year. After a card’s expiration date, you must renew for it. Contact your state’s health office to learn more about the length of time your medical marijuana card will be valid.

For What Reason Do You Need a Medical Marijuana Card?

In places where marijuana use is prohibited, acquiring a medical marijuana card is mandatory. Depending on whether it is deemed a misdemeanour or a civil offence, possession and use of marijuana are penalised by fines and possibly jail time in certain jurisdictions.

Therefore, a medical marijuana card permits you to legally use marijuana for medicinal reasons in your state. If you have a valid marijuana identification card issued by the state, you may use marijuana without fear of arrest or punishment in that state.

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Is Medical Marijuana Effective for Glaucoma?

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Cannabinoids are a class of chemical substances that are uniquely produced by the cannabis plant. There are around 60 distinct cannabinoids found in nature, but only a few have been studied extensively. The major psychoactive component is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (often known as “THC”).

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabinol are two more well-known cannabinoids (CBN). Cannabinoid profiles change depending on cannabis species, cultivation methods, and harvest locations.

Cannabis sativa, which has high levels of THC, and Cannabis indica, which contains high levels of cannabinol (CBN), are the two most common types of cannabis. The human body also makes its own cannabinoids (called “endocannabinoids”). Throughout the neurological system, cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) to regulate neurotransmitter release.

Intraocular pressure was shown to be reduced due to cannabis use in the year 1971. Eleven healthy volunteers were examined by optometrists both before and after they smoked 2 grams of cannabis to see how much of an impact the drug had on the human visual system.

Intraocular pressure changes in the participants ranged from +4% to -45%, which was a surprising finding. Later research has shown that around 65% of glaucomatous eyes would have a 30% pressure decrease after inhaling cannabis. Dosage-dependent blood pressure reduction lasts for three to four hours.

Intraocular pressure may be lowered by many cannabinoids, however THC is most notable among them. It is believed that it decreases tear production and increases tear drainage via binding to cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the eye.

THC’s blood pressure-lowering impact is not centrally mediated but rather a direct action on the eyes. Given this, it’s reasonable to assume that eyedrops would be an effective delivery method. The optic nerve is also said to benefit from THC’s neuroprotective properties. However, there is little support for this function.

There is evidence that CBD mitigates some of THC’s blood-pressure lowering effects. Both THC and CBD are found in varying concentrations in cannabis plants, so this is crucial information to have.

The use of cannabis to treat glaucoma has a number of drawbacks. First, the blood pressure-lowering action only lasts for a short time (three to four hours), thus regular dosage is required. For an illness that must be managed constantly throughout one’s life, this is obviously not feasible.

According to estimates, eight to ten smokes of marijuana would be enough to manage IOP for a whole day. This dosage would be more costly than standard glaucoma treatments and would have serious adverse effects on mental and physical health.

Another constraining element is tachyphylaxis. Nine individuals with advanced glaucoma were given inhaled THC pills every four hours in one trial. Even while everyone saw an improvement in their intraocular pressure (IOP), seven out of nine individuals eventually stopped responding to the treatment. All of the patients decided to stop therapy between one and nine months in because of a lack of efficacy or systemic adverse effects.

Producing synthetic cannabinoids devoid of psychotropic qualities or giving cannabinoids through eye drop might lessen the drug’s systemic effects.

There are two avenues being explored. In order to reduce intraocular pressure, HU211, a synthetic counterpart of THC, has been developed. The hydrophobic nature of cannabinoids has hindered their intraocular penetration thus far, but this may be solved by employing a microemulsion or cyclodextrin to assist the drops pass through the tear film.

Cannabinoids show promise as a potential novel glaucoma medication. Since they target a separate class of receptors, they may complement preexisting glaucoma therapies rather than competing with them. Unfortunately, the systemic effects, short duration of action, and probability of tachyphylaxis associated with cannabis use make it a poor choice as a therapy for glaucoma, especially when inhaled or ingested.

Research in the future should zero down on specific compounds rather than using variable plant samples. If cannabinoids are to have a role in the treatment of glaucoma, I believe it will be via the topical use of a synthetic equivalent of THC.

medical marijuana

Cannabinoid Therapy for Cancer: Does it Work?

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Cannabinoids found in cannabis, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have shown anticancer effects in cell culture and animal models (but paradoxically also accelerate the growth of others). However, none of these research prove that cannabis may prevent or treat cancer (many drugs look great in cell cultures and animal models but fail in definitive clinical trials). Two preliminary clinical studies using cannabis for the treatment of brain cancer have been reported, and one of them shows promise for treating a particularly deadly form of the disease with little toxicity. Saying that cannabis can heal all forms of cancer is irresponsible and perhaps hazardous. Also, there’s evidence to suggest that delaying conventional therapy in favor of alternative methods might have a negative impact on cancer results. It is reasonable to use as an integrative treatment for those indications given its demonstrated benefits in helping treat cancer side effects like loss of appetite, neuropathic pain, and nausea; however, it should not be used in place of conventional therapy, especially in situations where curative intent is desired.

Wish cannabis could eliminate cancer altogether. I really hope this is just me wishing it into being. As oncology caregivers, our hearts are filled with delight when our patients achieve remission and with pain when they experience relapse. All of us in the medical community would be thrilled if our patients could have higher success rates and fewer negative reactions to treatment.

I have been treating patients with AIDS-related cachexia, chronic pain, nausea, and loss of appetite due to cancer or chemotherapy for the past 18 years, and I have found that all of these conditions respond very favorably to cannabis or its psychoactive ingredient delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When the results of these cases showed the possibility for a hitherto underestimated intervention, I published case reports of their amazing outcomes (for example, a case of Xeloda and graviola tea associated with a 5-year remission in a patient with metastatic breast cancer). I’ve promised publication of their case to many patients who’ve used cannabis or its isolates in the hopes that it will cure their metastatic sickness. However, I have not seen a single patient whose metastatic cancer miraculously went into remission after being treated with cannabis or cannabis products alone.

As a general oncologist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Donald Abrams has firsthand experience with medicinal cannabis in the state that first authorized it in 1996.

I have worked as an oncologist in San Francisco for 33 years, and I can state with confidence that the vast majority of the patients I have treated have taken cannabis in conjunction with their conventional medical therapy. That’s why I’d have a lot more survivors if cannabis worked to treat cancer. Although oncologists insist that the plural of anecdote is not evidence, most of my patients have probably used inhaled cannabis in the past, and so their plasma concentration probably does not approach that which can be achieved with the highly concentrated oil preparations (no data on this is currently available). The thing that makes me sad and upset the most is when a patient comes in for a consultation with a possibly curable malignancy but instead chooses to treat themselves with cannabis oil instead of traditional cancer treatments. However, there is currently no evidence to warrant making such a determination.

In spite of the uncertainty, Dr. Abrams writes, “What we do know is that cannabis is genuinely a great therapy for many cancer and treatment-related side effects—nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, pain, melancholy, anxiety, sleeplessness.”

Since Dr. Abrams has been at the forefront of cannabis research in both HIV and cancer treatment, he will be able to summarize the scientific evidence on the advantages of cannabis and its isolates in a manner that no one else can during a SIO webinar on September 13, 2018. You’ll get an education in cannabis science, but you’ll also get insight into the political and social obstacles he faced in his pursuit of cannabis’s medical potential. I strongly advise you to register for this lecture (link below), which is free for SIO members and just $20 for non-members.

Though it’s true that cannabis isn’t a cure-all for cancer, there is preliminary evidence from cell lines and animal models that it may have an anti-cancer impact in people. While promising, it is important to keep in mind that the vast majority of medications that show promise in preclinical models fail to show any benefit in final human trials, including the reduction of cancer or the extension of life expectancy.

Please allow me to go over a brief refresher of cannabis 101 so that the language used in this blog is clear. Over 400 compounds have been isolated from the cannabis plant, the majority of which come from the two main species, C. sativa and C. indica. To keep things clear and straightforward, we may break down its parts into the following categories:

  • Cannabinoids Non-Cannabinoids
  • THC Terpenoids
  • Cannabinoid (CBD) Flavonoids
  • And more than a hundred others

In humans, there are two types of cannabinoid receptors: CB1, which is mostly expressed on neurons in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2, which is primarily expressed on non-neuronal tissues including immune cells. These receptors can also be expressed by cancer cells; however, there is conflicting evidence on whether this bodes favorably or poorly for prognosis. However, other studies have reported effects that are not prevented by inhibiting these receptors, suggesting that cannabis’ effects on cancer are not confined to contact with these receptors. Among cannabinoids, THC is the most well known for producing psychotropic and appetite-stimulating effects. Also known as CBD, cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid that has shown promise in cancer research.

Some synthetic (cannabinoid-based) medications like dronabinol (Marinol and Syndros, delta-9-THC), and nabilone have been authorized by the FDA (Cesamet, THC-similar). The FDA approved Epidiolex (cannabidiol naturally produced from cannabis) on June 25, 2018, making it the first non-synthetic cannabinoid to be authorized in the United States. It is used to treat two uncommon and severe types of epilepsy. Health Canada approved nabiximols (Sativex) in 2005 for the symptomatic treatment of neuropathic pain and in 2010 for the symptomatic reduction of muscular spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis; this was the first cannabis medicine to get regulatory clearance in North America. Nabiximols is a cannabinoid and non-cannabidiol rich extract of Cannabis sativa with a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio.

Both terpenoids and flavonoids, which give plants their color and scent, perform important biological roles. For the sake of brevity, we will not be discussing these two classes of chemicals in relation to cancer in this blog post, with the exception of the entourage effect, which will be discussed at the very end of this blog.

The example of Rick Simpson is the one that my patients bring up most frequently when we talk about anecdotal evidence (and yes, I regard anecdotal evidence as proof, but not of very high quality if it is not consistently duplicated in others) for the anti-cancer properties of cannabis. According to online sources, Rick was diagnosed with several basal cell carcinomas of the skin (not metastatic) and, after reading about the promising results of cannabis oil in preclinical studies, decided to apply the oil topically to his lesions and leave the bandage on for several days to treat his skin cancer. They (the lesions) went away. Even if the oil really was the cause of the remission, we still don’t know if it was a placebo effect (remember that it is also well known that duct tape can cure warts, but no more so than placebo), correlation not causation (did he or those who have followed suit receive any other intervention? ), or if it was worth researching in the treatment of basal cell carcinomas.

At best, extrapolating from this case (and the preclinical evidence) that cannabis oil is a suppressed cure for all types and stages of cancer is an educated guess; at worst, it’s a delusion that’s gone viral on the internet and is endangering the lives of patients with curable cancer who might choose to take cannabis oil instead of conventional therapy without any scientific follow-up with imaging or surgery. While the cell line and animal model studies imply that skin malignancies may have decreased angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) mediated by CB1 and CB2 receptors, Rick Simpson’s case report does deserve additional inquiry (Casanova et al).

As of this writing, only two prospective clinical studies have been conducted to examine the potential anti-cancer effects of cannabis or its derivatives. Antiproliferative effects were shown in some of the 9 patients who underwent intracranial injection of THC into an aggressive brain tumour termed glioblastoma multiforme, according to a phase I (preliminary trial to determine safety of the novel intervention) study done by Guzman et al (though not due to the THC).

The second research (Twelves et al.) has only been presented as an abstract so far; the entire manuscript has not yet been published. Patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were randomly assigned to receive either temozolomide (Temodar) chemotherapy and placebo or temozolomide with a 1:1 THC:CBD oro-mucosal spray, nabiximols (Sativex). The original plan called for just 20 participants to participate in the study’s randomization phase. Since the major goal was safety and not tumor response, it is not possible to draw any firm inferences from these findings. An other red flag is that there was no justification for why 12 people were assigned to THC:CBD and only 9 to placebo in this trial. One patient can make a huge difference in a research of this size. One-year survival (i.e., the probabilities of being alive 1 year after starting the trial) was 56% in the placebo group and 83% in the THC:CBD group. Median survival was 369 days in the placebo group and >550 days in the THC:CBD group. There is preliminary evidence of safety when using nabiximols in conjunction with temozolomide, however more investigation is needed by conducting a bigger phase II trial.

Another popular theory is that cannabis’ anti-cancer effects are amplified by a synergistic “entourage effect,” in which the sum of the plant’s parts is larger than the sum of its parts alone. In a research published in 2018, Blasco-Benito et al. compared the anticancer effects of THC alone to those of a whole plant extract and found that the extract was more powerful than THC in cell culture and animal models of ER+, HER+, and triple negative breast cancer. Similarly, the extract was complementary to the chemotherapeutic drugs tamoxifen, lapatinib, and cisplatin in the treatment of breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers, respectively. The authors also found that the extract’s heightened potency did not seem to be related to the 5 most prevalent terpenes, which is in line with the idea that the potency was due to the cannabinoid concentration. Should all breast cancer patients start using cannabis extracts after reading this study? Hardly. Keep in mind that only 10% of medications with promising results in cell cultures and animal models make it through human clinical trials, and over 50% of these failures are attributable to lack of effectiveness (Hay et al). However, these and other studies provide hope to cancer patients who opt to combine cannabis with conventional therapy in the hopes of minimizing treatment-related negative effects. Numerous preclinical investigations, for instance, have looked into the question of whether cannabis and chemotherapeutic drugs might have an antagonistic or synergistic effect. Briefly, synergy is the common thread in investigations with gemcitabine, temozolomide, paclitaxel, and 5 fluorouracil in cell cultures of pancreatic, glioma, gastric, lung, and colon malignancies (reviewed by Maida et al).

It’s important to keep in mind that not all cannabis studies show that they’re completely safe, since certain cancer cells grow more quickly in response to exposure and there may be immunosuppressive effects to consider as well. The immune system is thought to be less conducive to an effective anti-cancer immune response when cannabinoids interact with the CB2 receptor, which is mainly expressed on immune cells. This results in a decrease in interferon gamma production, a decrease in T-cell proliferation, and a shift from a Th1 to a Th2 profile. Other writers have done excellent work reviewing the pertinent papers (Sledzinski et al).

Use caution while using cannabis until it is known how these results will interact with immunotherapy (i.e. PD1/PDL1 inhibitors like nivolumab). In reality, Taha et al. evaluated the medical records of 140 patients who were treated with nivolumab for advanced melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, or renal cell carcinoma in a retrospective observational research. Eighty-nine individuals were given nivolumab, while 51 were were given cannabis in combination with the drug. Cannabis use was the sole significant predictor of poor immunotherapy response, with rates of 37.5% for nivolumab and 15.9% for those who got both (odds ratio 3.13; 95% CI 1.24-8.13, p=0.02). However, cannabis had no influence on either progression-free survival or total survival. Considering the study’s retrospective nature and the various confounding variables, it should be seen primarily as a preventative study, and more investigation is necessary before any firm conclusions can be drawn.

In conclusion, scientific studies have revealed more about cannabis and its cannabinoid chemicals than ever before, and further study may lead to the establishment of medicinal indications for cannabinoids in the treatment of certain forms of cancer. To learn more about the clinical research that has helped de-stigmatize cannabis by showing its advantages in enhancing the quality of life of people coping with cancer and the symptoms associated with cancer treatment, please join the forthcoming webinar by Dr. Donald Abrams. At the very least, you will have gained a deeper understanding of how important research is in empowering people to make better choices about their health. If you happen to come across this post too late to attend or are unable to do so for any other reason, Dr. Abrams has written a number of highly recommended pieces, all of which are referenced at the bottom of this post. More studies will show how we can best use cannabis or its isolates/derivatives for medicinal reasons as legalization of medical marijuana spreads throughout North America, guaranteeing a future with fewer treatment side effects, a higher quality of life, and a greater chance of a cure.

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Intractable Pain From Rheumatoid Arthritis? Try Medical Marijuana

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Do you and your doctor smoke pot together? Drug and Alcohol Dependence conducted a study in September 2017 that concluded that although the use of medicinal marijuana has been decriminalized in 29 states and the District of Columbia, the vast majority of physicians are not adequately trained to prescribe it to their patients. Despite its legality in certain places, “most physicians don’t know much about marijuana,” says Rav Ivker, DO, a holistic family doctor in Boulder, Colorado, and author of Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Proven Prescription for Using Marijuana to Relieve Your Pain and Heal Your Life.

Lack of an Alternative Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Experts in the field of rheumatoid arthritis agree that the disease is best treated with a combination of aggressiveness and traditionalism if it is caught early (RA). Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic medications (DMARDs) have been shown to effectively change the course of RA, hence their usage should never be substituted by CAM treatments. As far as we know, DMARDs are the only medication that can decrease inflammation, halt joint deterioration, and lessen the likelihood of long-term problems in RA patients.

Learn about other people’s tried-and-true methods for dealing with RA by reading about them online. Let’s get them on Tippi!

What Effect Does Marijuana Have on Relieving Arthritis Pain?

But what about incorporating marijuana and other forms of alternative medicine into your conventional treatment plan? Despite the apparent effectiveness of cannabis in relieving the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, the medical community has been hesitant to embrace this treatment option. However, physicians who recommend medical marijuana to their patients disagree and argue that the drug has enormous therapeutic potential. At least 80 distinct cannabinoids have been discovered, each with the ability to modify the brain’s neurotransmitter release in its own unique way. When it comes to medical applications, “the most successful ones are THC [tetrahydrocannabinol], which is the most psychoactive, and CBD [cannabidiol], which is likely the most highly therapeutic,” explains Ivker.

Potential Marijuana Effect Mechanisms

Proponents of the medicine point to hypotheses about the herb’s potential benefits in order to argue that it is an effective treatment for persistent joint pain. Dr. Matthew Roman, head of the alternative medicine clinic Nature’s Way Medicine in Wilmington, Delaware, claims that medical marijuana may treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis in two different ways. It’s possible that cannabis users would have a calming, anti-inflammatory effect “similar to ibuprofen or an ice pack,” he adds. Furthermore, marijuana may have an effect on immune cell activity. The investigation continues.

Cannabidiol and Long-Term Ache

Almost all of the 7,000 medicinal marijuana patients Dr. Ivker has treated have been dealing with chronic pain. Rheumatoid arthritis patients often use THCA (9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), another nonpsychoactive cannabinoid. Transdermal patches that deliver the drug straight to the bloodstream are another delivery method. CBD is also available in topical forms, such as lotions and balms, which may be applied directly to the affected areas.

How Marijuana Dispensaries Work, Depending on Where You Live and Who You See

Dr. Ivker recommends that patients in states where medicinal marijuana is permitted get a referral from their physician before purchasing any marijuana. After it is processed, you will be issued a paper valid for use in a medical dispensary. But “you first have to go via a physician, and there are many who are still hesitant to offer the advice,” he adds.

Dr. Roman agrees and suggests being forthright with your doctor about this treatment choice. “Tell them you want to try it and ask them where they stand on the issue.” After all, you should see your doctor before trying any new supplement or cure, as she can assess the risks involved, including any interactions with the drugs you are currently on. In other words, if you want to responsibly experiment with pain therapies, you can’t escape this discussion. If your primary care physician is unable to suggest medical marijuana, you may want to visit a website like Happy MD, which lists physicians in your region who are comfortable treating patients who use cannabis.

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Procedures for Obtaining a State-issued Medical Marijuana License

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People who suffer from chronic pain or other medical conditions often seek relief from medicinal marijuana. Despite federal prohibition, medicinal marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia for those suffering from certain medical illnesses. ‌

“Medical cannabis” refers to products derived from the cannabis sativa plant. Two of its active components are cannabidiol (CBD) and 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (THC). CBD will not make you high, but it will provide you with several benefits. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana. ‌

Here’s what you need to know if you want to get a medical marijuana card in a state where it’s legal for certain medical conditions.

Marijuana for Medical Purposes

Marijuana usage for medicinal reasons is not new; research into its therapeutic potential has been ongoing for decades. THC, in particular, has shown encouraging effectiveness in reducing nausea and appetite loss in cancer patients. ‌

Several nations, including the United States, Europe, and Canada, have authorized cannabis-based medications. THC medication in all forms is covered here, from pills to sprays to oils. In terms of medicinal effectiveness, experts largely agree that these drugs outperform using the whole marijuana plant. This is owing to the fact that marijuana must be purified before it can be used in medicinal products. ‌

Medical marijuana is often provided to patients in need of pain relief. Although medical marijuana is not as effective as the opioid medications often prescribed after surgery, it has been demonstrated to be beneficial in the treatment of chronic pain, especially that linked with aging. Medical cannabis, unlike opioids, is not physiologically addictive, and it may be taken in lieu of over-the-counter pain medicines such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.

Patients with cancer who experience nausea and vomiting often seek relief from marijuana. People with AIDS and anorexia, as well as others who have difficulty eating, may benefit from this therapy.

The Required Prerequisites

Each state has its own set of rules surrounding the therapeutic use of marijuana, and those rules might vary greatly. In most circumstances, medicinal marijuana is authorized in places where the drug has been approved for this purpose for the treatment of:

  • Cancer
  • AIDS and SARS
  • Glaucoma
  • Crohn’s disease condition
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), sometimes known as Lou Gehrig’s illness, is a devastating neurological ailment.

  1. Epilepsy and convulsions
  2. Intractable pain
  3. Understandable nausea
  4. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder.
  5. Anorexia
  6. Migraines
  7. Fibromyalgia

If you have a chronic ailment that is affecting your quality of life, your primary care physician may recommend that you try medical marijuana. This includes symptoms that make it difficult to operate normally or that endanger your physical or mental health.

Obtaining a Medical Cannabis Card

The first step in the process of acquiring a medical marijuana card is to consult with one’s primary care physician. Your doctor will assess your health and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of medicinal marijuana use with you. After receiving your doctor’s clearance, you may proceed with the treatment. ‌

However, in most states, you must register with the state’s medical marijuana registry, which you can most likely do online. Before you can finish the registration process, you must present evidence proving your doctor has approved the use of medical cannabis to treat your symptoms. ‌

In order to submit your registration application and medical clearance, your state may need you to create an online account. If you need to renew your medical marijuana card in the future, having an account will save you time. Both parties must complete out their individual application forms when applying for a card with a caregiver. ‌

Getting a medicinal marijuana card will cost you money. Payment may be done online, with charges varying by state. You will be allowed to make purchases after you have obtained your medical marijuana card.

Where Can I Get Marijuana for Medical Use?

If you have a medical marijuana card, you may buy the substance from licensed dispensaries in your state. Depending on your state’s legislation, having a valid medical marijuana card may permit you to buy higher THC products or more cannabis in general. Depending on the state and your individual medical requirements, growing marijuana at home for recreational use may even be permitted. ‌

You may buy marijuana in the following formats if you have a medicinal marijuana card:

  • Consumption helps
  • Creams and other topically applied substances
  • Pills
  • Vaporizer oils Massage oils
  • Tobacco leaves from cigarettes
  • Sprays

After you’ve gotten your medical marijuana products, you and/or your authorized caregiver may begin delivering the medication. Marijuana’s effects last varying amounts of time, depending on the dosage and the severity of the patient’s disease.

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Effects of Marijuana on Eating Disorders

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Get the munchies by smoking some weed. Although this stoner stereotype is often used in comedic contexts, it does a disservice to the potential efficacy of medicinal marijuana in the treatment of anorexia and bulimia. It’s well knowledge that marijuana may stimulate appetite, making it a useful treatment for preventing the malnutrition that often accompany diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer.

However, there is more to the story for the estimated 30 million Americans who may struggle with an eating problem at some point in their lives and might benefit from cannabis therapy.

The term “eating disorders” doesn’t seem to accurately describe the problem.
When it comes to eating, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) says that those who suffer from an eating disorder “suffer from diseases characterized by pervasive abnormalities in eating habits and associated thoughts and feelings.” These diseases include, but are not limited to:

The most prevalent kind of eating disorder in the USA is binge eating. It’s when you keep eating even after you’re full, despite the fact that it’s making you uncomfortable. Guilt and embarrassment often accompany binge eating episodes. It’s possible that this illness might bring on obesity.

Binge eating and then purging via methods like self-induced vomiting, laxatives, or compensatory behaviors like fasting or over-exercising characterize the disorder known as bulimia nervosa. People with this condition might range in weight from slightly underweight to normal or even overweight.

Though less frequent than the other two main diseases, anorexia nervosa has the greatest mortality rate of any mental illness. Affected individuals believe they are overweight while being dangerously underweight. Because of this, many starve themselves and lose a lot of weight.

Other, less prevalent eating disorders include rumination disorder, in which food is regurgitated without any compensatory actions, pica, in which non-nutritious or no-food items are consumed, and restricted food intake, in which under-eating occurs without the body image difficulties of anoxia.

DISEASES OF THE MIND AND BODY RELATED TO OVEREATING
The belief that poor choices and/or a lack of willpower are to blame for eating disorders is widespread yet incorrect. In actuality, however, these diseases are seen by the medical and mental health sectors as being caused by a number of variables, including genetics, environment, and upbringing. Eating problems have been linked to genes, according to studies. The realization that many eating disorders have both psychological and biological elements allows for the exploration of cannabis-based treatments that aim to treat both of these dimensions.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating problems have been shown to go hand in hand by experts in the field of mental health. Anxiety disorders and OCD both occur in over 40% of people with eating problems, according to the International OCD Foundation. It follows that treatments for anxiety and OCD may also help with eating problems.

Earlier this year, researchers published a paper with the intriguing title, “The Endocannabinoid System: A New Treatment Target for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?”

Anxiety, dread, and compulsive behaviors have been linked to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), according to a growing amount of academic and clinical studies. While some case studies show individuals whose OCD symptoms improved after being treated with cannabinoids, anecdotal evidence suggests that cannabis smoking may provide some relief for people with OCD who are experiencing symptoms and anxiety.

Together, these results point to the ECS as a possible target for future innovative treatments of obsessive compulsive disorder.

Cannabis’ Effects on Appetite and Metabolism
Marijuana and cannabis derivatives may trigger some physiological changes that may mitigate both the onset and the consequences of eating disorders, in addition to their potential role in providing relief from the anxieties and compulsions often associated with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Female patients with bulimia nervosa showed decreased endocannabinoid system activity as compared to healthy females utilizing positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

Synthetic THC was administered to young women with anorexia nervosa for a period of four weeks in a separate clinical investigation. The participants benefited from a substantial weight increase after receiving this treatment.

Researchers hypothesized that changes to the endocannabinoid system, such as imbalances of anandamide and leptin, might be implicated in eating disorders, and their findings were reported in the journal Neuropyschopharmacology. (Leptin operates to regulate food intake and manage energy expenditure, while anandamide plays a function in the regulation of eating behavior.) The findings of the trials supported the hypothesized link between these imbalances and eating disorders such anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

Leptin levels and anandamide release are two processes that cannabis has been proven to influence. According to a paper published by the UCLA School of Medicine, marijuana may have a regulatory impact in addition to stimulating hunger.

It was written that

More study into marijuana’s potential impact in the leptin pathway of hunger stimulation might lead to new approaches to treating and preventing obesity.

This similar modulatory potential may be useful in resetting hunger and fullness cues, which could serve as a physical countermeasure against eating disorders like binge eating.

A phenomenon we have previously reported on at length, namely that cannabis users typically have a lower body mass index (BMI) than the general population and maintain this lower BMI despite eating a higher daily caloric intake, may be explained by marijuana’s ability to regulate key metabolic processes.

There’s mounting evidence that medical marijuana may be a useful tool for people with eating disorders, whether it’s used to calm nerves and urges to binge, increase the appetite, reset the body’s food signals, or affect the metabolic process. CannaMD promises to keep you informed of the latest developments in this area of study.

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What Role Do THC and CBD Play in Treating PTSD with Cannabis?

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Multiple lines of evidence suggest that cannabis and CBD may help with post-traumatic stress disorder. Among them are some of the following:

Increasing rCBF in certain brain regions may be accomplished using cannabidiol (CBD). This is beneficial because it decreases stress and improves the brain’s circulation of essential chemicals and minerals.
Because of the endocannabinoid system’s role in memory retrieval, cannabis may be useful in preventing the revisiting of traumatic situations.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more frequent in people with PTSD, although terpenes like pinene may help cure them.
There is less of the feel-good chemical anandamide in the brains of those with post-traumatic stress disorder. Raising endogenous levels of anandamide may have beneficial effects on mood and anxiety.
CBD has shown promise for facilitating restful sleep with fewer interruptions.
A substitute for benzodiazepines is cannabis. Even though they shouldn’t be used, many doctors continue to prescribe benzodiazepines for PTSD long-term.
One research found that using cannabis helped lessen PTSD symptoms, at least temporarily. More than half of the PTSD symptoms were immediately alleviated by inhaling cannabis, according to the same research.
However, there are risks associated with taking cannabis and CBD to treat PTSD.

Possibile Adverse Effects and Risks
Many patients have found relief from severe disorders, including as PTSD, after using cannabis therapy. However, cannabis use is not right for everyone. The use of cannabis to treat PTSD, or any other ailment, is not without risk.

Symptoms of sickness and headache
Extreme weariness
Insomnia
Rising levels of worry
Paranoia (more probable with cannabis having high quantities of THC) (more likely with cannabis containing high levels of THC)
Hallucinations (of special concern for persons with PTSD who have nightmares and flashbacks) (of particular concern for people with PTSD who experience nightmares and flashbacks)
There was a noticeable amount of blood in her eyes.
One’s hunger and satiety shift
Emotional swings
You should always talk to your doctor before taking cannabis or any other medication, since there may be more adverse effects not mentioned here.

PTSD: An Alternative Approach to Treatment
The following treatments for PTSD may be taken alone or in combination with cannabis, depending on your doctor’s recommendations and personal preferences.

Therapy
Trauma-specific cognitive behavioral therapy is only one of several helpful therapeutic approaches (CBT). Cognitive processing therapy (CPT), extended exposure therapy (PE), stress inoculation training, and present-focused therapy are among more forms of treatment (PCT).

Individual sessions with a psychologist or social worker may be helpful for some patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. Some individuals feel more comfortable consulting members of their inner group. There is no one, universally effective kind of therapy; rather, there are numerous that are commonly used in tandem.

Medications
Antidepressants like sertraline are used by some patients with PTSD to manage their condition (Zoloft). Sertraline is also effective in treating OCD, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, all of which share symptoms with anxiety.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend a brief course of a sedative like benzodiazepines (benzos). Xanax, Klonopin, and Valium are just a few of the well-known benzos. The problem is that benzodiazepines are very addicting; one research revealed that 17% of all benzodiazepine usage was due to abuse or misuse. Further, since they may impair patients’ capacity to deal with PTSD symptoms, benzodiazepines are not advised for long-term treatment of the disorder.

Lifestyle
Medications aren’t the only option, however; healthy habits like getting enough rest, working out regularly, and eating well may help, too. PTSD treatment based on alterations to one’s way of life is very personalized. Although a quick walk in the outdoors might be therapeutic for some, others may find greater peace in a quiet evening in front of the fire.

Could a Veteran’s Benefits Be Affected If They Use Cannabis to Treat PTSD?
Veterans with PTSD who are considering looking into the efficacy of medicinal marijuana for the treatment of their condition sometimes worry about losing their VA benefits if they do so (VA). But the VA makes it clear on its website that veterans’ involvement in state marijuana programs has no bearing on their eligibility for VA treatment and services.

Anti-PTSD Seeds That Work
It’s important to find the strain that helps you the most with your PTSD symptoms. But there are those who find success with CBD-rich strains. Terpene-rich strains, such as myrcene, pinene, and limonene, may be useful, but we can’t say for sure how you’ll react to cannabis in general or to any specific strain.

PTSD and Cannabis: The Missing Link
More clinical studies are required to determine whether or not medical marijuana is an effective therapy for PTSD, although it shows promise for many soldiers and others living with the disorder. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but CBD and medical cannabis may help those who suffer from anxiety, sadness, and/or sleeplessness as a consequence of their condition.

Common Queries
Can PTSD sufferers benefit from eating edibles?
You should start gradually and low when consuming edibles, so choose products with little THC and maybe equal or larger quantities of CBD. To that end, it’s important to remember that ingesting THC via edibles has a considerably more profound effect than smoking or vaping the drug. However, the effects of edibles tend to stay for longer.

However, those who have to take cannabinoid-based drugs for PTSD may find sublingual tinctures very helpful.

Do any terpenes help with post-traumatic stress disorder?
Potentially useful terpenes include limonene, bisabolol, myrcene, pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and humulene. These terpenes have anti-inflammatory and sleep-inducing properties, making them ideal for those with PTSD.

Can PTSD be helped by using marijuana?
For many individuals, PTSD is a crippling issue. Medical cannabis has been suggested as a potential therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but there has been a dearth of randomized, placebo-controlled trials on the topic. Unfortunately, there is currently no silver bullet treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Research has shown that medicinal cannabis may be an effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Get started on your journey to getting a medical marijuana card now by applying with Leafwell.

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CBD’s Potential for Treating 8 Different Medical Conditions

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CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabis-derived chemical that has been extensively pushed as a panacea for, well, everything. At the time of writing, CBD can be found in a vast array of lifestyle-improving products, ranging from sports-recovery balms and personal lubricants to sleeping aids and energy boosters that might keep you up all night (yes, take your pick!).

What Is Cannabidiol (CBD), and Where Can I Get It?

However, let’s begin with defining CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating chemical constituent of the cannabis plant and the hemp plant (both of which belong to the same plant species). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in marijuana, is the major reason cannabis plants are produced. Nevertheless, according to a report published in Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences in November 2016, a large amount of THC has been bred out of many hemp plants. Textiles, insulation, food, paper, vitamins, and skin care products are just a few of the many use for cultivated plants.

While the media may depict CBD (which is available as oils, candies, tinctures, lotions, tablets, and more) as a panacea, a 2018 study published by the World Health Organization showed that it has only been shown beneficial in treating a limited range of conditions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sees CBD similarly to dietary supplements, which means that CBD products may be marketed without effectiveness evidence. “Buyer beware” accurately describes the present situation.

How Might CBD Help Individuals Suffering from PTSD?

Will CBD Oil Help with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

What uses does CBD have?

Current research on CBD’s medical potential is reviewed, along with the illnesses and disorders for which the Food and Drug Administration has approved CBD products.

Pain In a study published in Current Neuropharmacology, researchers discovered that inflammation and pain perception were decreased when CBD interacted with the vanilloid receptor family. A study published in the European Journal of Pain in July 2016 indicated that CBD may help arthritic patients manage pain. The CBD gel was administered transdermally (through the skin) to the research animals, and the outcomes demonstrated a decrease in inflammatory markers and pain-related behaviors.

Stress and depression Researchers have investigated the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders for decades. Current research indicates that topical CBD has “great potential as a treatment for various anxiety disorders,” according to a study published in October 2015 in Neurotherapeutics. According to a research review published in September 2015 by the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics, “preclinical data substantially supports CBD as a therapy for anxiety disorders.” This encompasses PTSD, GAD, OCD, and SAD.

Epilepsy Decades of anecdotal evidence of CBD’s efficacy in treating epilepsy and a limited number of high-quality scientific research tend to support these claims. In a research done on individuals with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and published in May 2018 in the New England Journal of Medicine, CBD was shown to be effective at reducing seizure frequency (LGS). In 2018, the FDA cleared an oral CBD formulation for the treatment of LGS and Dravet syndrome, two kinds of epilepsy.

Side effects of cancer chemotherapy Much of the research into CBD’s potential as a cancer treatment has focused on its ability to reduce chemotherapy- and radiation-induced nausea and vomiting. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) for the treatment of these symptoms (nabilone). According to the American Cancer Society, scientists have shown in recent years that CBD may decrease cancer cell development.

cutaneous problems, such as acne A July 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation suggests that topical cannabidiol (CBD) may be useful against acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. In a July 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, CBD (and THC) were shown to be beneficial in reducing the itching and inflammation associated with eczema and psoriasis.

Scientists in England discovered that CBD reduced resting blood pressure by 6 mmHg following a single dose in a group of healthy guys aged 19 to 29 who were nonsmokers and had never used cannabis. This data implies that CBD may also reduce stroke risk. The results of the study, which were published in July 2017 in JCI Insight, imply that the response may be due to CBD’s anxiolytic and analgesic characteristics.

Addiction Despite being technically classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration and therefore currently being illegal in nearly half of the United States, CBD has demonstrated a great deal of promise in combating addiction to everything from opioids and cocaine to alcohol and tobacco. In a number of preclinical investigations, including one published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in June 2017, CBD has shown potential as an alternative to opioids.

Diabetes Numerous studies, including one published in February 2012 in the American Journal of Pathology, have connected CBD to positive benefits in individuals with diabetes. Observational studies have shown that cannabis users had lower fasting insulin levels and markers of insulin resistance.

How does CBD function and what are its possible side effects?

If you suffer from any of these ailments and are contemplating trying CBD to see if it helps, you should also be aware of the possible negative effects. The most common adverse responses are nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dry mouth, and stomach discomfort. CBD may interact with a variety of medicines, including warfarin (a blood thinner) and clobazam, according to research. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the use of CBD-containing products with your physician or other healthcare expert (used to treat epilepsy).

How Can You Be Sure of CBD Product Ingredients?

Next, we must solve the challenge of identifying items with accurate labels. According to a research published in November 2017 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, many CBD products do not contain the amount of CBD stated on their labels. Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania conducted laboratory tests to establish whether or not the CBD content of 84 products matched their labels. Seventy percent of CBD products had erroneous labelling, and 26% had less CBD than advertised, which might negate any potential medicinal impact.

CBD is not suitable for everyone, just as aspirin and zinc oxide are not. Despite being “natural,” it may not be safe for everyone, especially those who are currently taking prescription medications. Educate yourself about the origins, manufacturing method, and suggested dose of CBD products before using them.

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Approaching Your Physician About Using Marijuana for Treatment

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The last ten years have been cannabis’s big moment. Now, 36 states and the District of Columbia allow people to use marijuana for medical reasons. (Now, 15 states and the District of Columbia allow people to use marijuana for fun.) About 5.5 million people in the U.S. have signed up to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Pot’s possible medical uses are a big reason why marijuana laws should be made less strict. Conditions that can be treated with medical marijuana vary from state to state, but chronic pain is almost always one of them.

But there is still a big gap between the medical community at large and the business of cannabis. Cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, and a recent survey found that many doctors don’t know enough about medicinal marijuana to recommend it to their patients. This makes people less likely to feel comfortable talking to their doctors about using cannabis to treat medical problems.

Your Claim(s)

We asked our listeners if they had talked to their doctor about medical marijuana and if they had ever used marijuana to treat their medical conditions. In what follows, you might hear a few of the things that were said.

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Transcript:

Illinoisan Dave: I was a passenger in a terrible car crash the year before last. I broke or cracked almost every bone in my arms, legs, and pelvis. Four of the bones in my spine are broken. I was lucky enough to have access to full-spectrum THC drugs, which not only helped me sleep at night but also gave me energy during the day, thanks to the kind people who were taking care of me. When I wasn’t using hard drugs, I never had to deal with the unpleasant side effect of being unable to go to the bathroom. For me, marijuana saved my life. And I’ve seen how many of my friends have been in this situation where the doctor keeps prescribing and over-prescribing any medicine that may have a much worse effect.

Wendy from Chicago, Illinois: When I told my doctor I was going to get medical marijuana, she said, “Good.” Because “you don’t know what you’re doing to your body,” I’ve been telling my patients to switch to medical marijuana instead of the other drugs they’ve been given. With that success under my belt, I felt very good about myself. But I can’t afford it because medical pot is so expensive. If the doctors want to keep their patients healthy, they should tell the insurance companies to pay for this drug.

I started taking medicine as soon as I found out I had HIV in 2003. My name is Tommy, and I’m from Oakland, California. I lost a pound every week, but it took me three months to do it. So, I stopped smoking fake weed and started growing my own. Surprisingly, though, my doctor was reluctant to sign all of the necessary paperwork because he was afraid of legal trouble. California’s law on medical marijuana didn’t come into effect until 1996. I was also shocked to find out that my doctor still wasn’t willing to follow all of its rules in 2003.