Cannabidiol for Sleep Apnea

Disturbances to one’s sleep are more than simply an annoyance. The negative effects of poor sleep on your health are far reaching and extend well beyond a lack of energy and focus throughout the day. You probably know that there are treatments available for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, including CPAP therapy, tongue-retaining devices, mouth guards, and other dental equipment.

Did you know that in certain places like Minnesota, medicinal marijuana is being utilized as an alternative therapy for obstructive sleep apnea?

Can sleep apnea sufferers get relief from marijuana use? In the following, ApneaMed discusses the specifics of using medical marijuana to treat sleep apnea and addresses any questions or concerns you may have.

Exactly what is this apnea thing all about, anyway?

When the soft tissues in the back of your throat relax and block your airway while you sleep, you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When the soft tissues of the throat collapse, it blocks the airway and makes it hard to breathe. Because of this, you may experience gasping or choking as you try to free your airway. As a result of the brain not getting enough rest, you won’t be able to get into a restful slumber and will feel exhausted throughout the day.

Most people with sleep apnea are blissfully unaware that they have the disease until a bed partner or friend alerts them to the fact that they snored, grunted, gasped, or choked repeatedly during the night. Those with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea may find relief from their symptoms with alternate treatment approaches, such as medicinal marijuana, even if continuous positive airway pressure therapy is the standard of care.

Sleep Apnea and Marijuana for Medical Purposes

Many serious health issues, including as stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, obesity, migraines, and more, may be caused by untreated sleep apnea. Though CPAP machines and other breathing aids may help, patients with mild to moderate symptoms of sleep apnea are increasingly looking for alternatives to these devices. To this end, studies examining the efficacy of medicinal marijuana in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea have increased.

Medical marijuana was shown to enhance the breathing patterns of rats with sleep apnea in a 2002 study done by researchers at the University of Illinois. A human trial of medicinal marijuana for sleep apnea was conducted in 2013 after this research and showed that the decrease of sleep apnea symptoms was enhanced. Researchers are optimistic that medicinal marijuana may help patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea, despite the fact that these trials are still in the first phases.

In 2017, the Minnesota Department of Health legalized medicinal cannabis for the treatment of sleep apnea, in light of these encouraging trial findings showing a reduction in nighttime bouts of shallow breathing and apneas.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Recommends Medical Cannabis for Sleep Apnea Patients
The effectiveness of medicinal cannabis in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is still being investigated, although more recent trials have shown promising results. This abstract was published by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and discusses the effects of cannabis on breathing patterns. Since cannabis is not yet subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States, it is difficult to evaluate the long-term influence it has on sleep apnea and quality of sleep (FDA). The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) does not yet endorse the use of medical cannabis for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea because to the lack of regulation and the vast variation in synthetic cannabis.

Sleep apnea evaluation and therapy

Sleep apnea sufferers should talk to their doctors about the best course of therapy, including any drugs being used or planned for the future. In spite of the widespread acceptance of the medicinal benefits of cannabis, studies on its effectiveness in treating sleep apnea are still in their infancy.

Cannabinoids in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Ulcerative Colitis

More than three million Americans are living with the chronic illness known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). USA Reliable Source. The conditions known as Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) fall under the umbrella term inflammatory bowel disease (I (UC).

Unfortunately, there is now no treatment that will alleviate the symptoms of IBD, and sometimes medicine is ineffective. Researchers have been looking at cannabis’ potential for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for a while now. Uncertainty still surrounds the final conclusion.

The number of diseases for which medical marijuana is being prescribed is growing. These include epilepsy, chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and inflammatory disorders. Because of this, cannabis is gaining popularity.

Here, we’ll examine the studies that have investigated the effects of cannabis on IBD in further detail.

Language is important
The three varieties of cannabis (Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis) all belong to the same type of plant. Cannabinoids are a group of chemical compounds found in cannabis that have a wide range of effects. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most researched cannabinoids (CBD). The results of each are different.

Marijuana may refer to any part of these plants that has been dried and smoked or eaten.

The term “cannabis” has largely supplanted the older term “marijuana” to refer to this family of plants. There are a number of factors at play here, one of which is the ever-changing legal status of cannabis in the USA. This is done in order to distance ourselves from the term’s racist past.

Cannabidiol (CBD) for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, IBD is a chronic (long-term) disorder that may have a significant effect on your quality of life. Although researchers have not pinpointed a specific cause for IBD, they suspect that a combination of genetics, nutrition, and environmental factors have a role.

Long-term symptom management of UC and CD may be difficult with the current standard of care for IBD, especially for those with severe symptoms including bloody diarrhea and stomach discomfort. Because of this, researchers are looking into novel medicines to treat these chronic diseases and enhance patients’ quality of life in the long run.

Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, and diarrhea; studies reveal that C. sativa variants (THC and CBD) are often used to address these symptoms.

Many questions remain unanswered concerning the potential benefits of cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is due to the fact that various strains of the cannabis plant include a wide range of effects due to the presence of more than 140 chemicals. Concerns remain concerning their efficacy in treating inflammatory bowel disease.

These are some of the most crucial questions to ask:

  1. Which varieties (THC, CBD) could have positive effects?
  2. For IBD, how do they alleviate symptoms?
  3. What are the optimal preparations and doses?
  4. When used for extended periods, what precautions should be taken, if any?

Insufficient evidence exists, for instance, regarding the efficacy and safety of cannabis in controlling UC and CD symptoms, according to a 2020 review of trials using cannabis for IBD. Further study is required to determine whether or not cannabis is helpful for UC or CD symptoms and whether or not the potential risks outweigh the potential benefits.

In what ways can cannabinoids in cannabis alleviate pain and discomfort associated with inflammation and gastrointestinal distress?

Some researchers think that cannabinoids achieve their effects by emulating the body’s own endocannabinoids. Numerous physiological processes rely on endocannabinoids, which bind to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2.

There is evidence from studies that

Cannabinoids from a Trusted Source (such THC and CBD) may stimulate CB1 and CB2 receptors, resulting in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. Some of the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may be alleviated by these compounds, which may have actions comparable to endocannabinoids.

low metabolic rate, difficulty losing weight, and poor appetite are all symptoms of a metabolic disorder.

Although cannabis has been shown to alleviate certain symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), research on its efficacy in treating this condition have been mixed. Research involving humans is required to determine the efficacy of cannabis in treating the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Active studies for inflammatory bowel disease

Talk to your doctor about participating in clinical trials related to IBD research if you’re interested in taking part in research investigations.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and mental health patients might benefit from the care provided in specialized medical settings.

  • Supplemental vitamin D3 for individuals with active inflammatory bowel disease
  • Reduced risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease and stress
  • Discuss with your doctor whether or if you meet the criteria for participation in any of the other ongoing clinical trials for IBD.

Cannabis-related problems or side consequences

The effects of cannabis on the body vary widely. The effects of cannabis vary widely depending on variables such as the kind of cannabis (THC or CBD), quantity and intensity (level of THC), method of consumption (smoking vs. oral), other health problems, medicines, and the person using cannabis.

Among the possible immediate consequences are:

  • Emotional swings
  • nausea dry mouth dizziness
  • improved calmness when snacking
  • perceptual shift
  • hallucinations (with excessively intense amounts of THC) (with extremely concentrated levels of THC)

The main other THC-related negative effects are:

  • poor arterial pressure
  • elevated heart rate due to nervousness
  • sickness and retching, inability to focus, and rapid-fire thinking
  • confusion
  • lethargy
  • Sleep disturbances anxiety issues with learning and memory paranoia
  • psychosis (with excessively concentrated amounts of THC) (with extremely concentrated levels of THC)
  • a state of utter reliance on
  • Having a conversation about treatment options with your doctor
  • Please with your physician before using cannabis to treat your IBD symptoms.

In other words, they may elaborate:

Cannabinoids with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Pros and Cons Where to get it, what makes medical marijuana different from other types, how long an impact medical marijuana has, and whether or not it’s legal in your state

Your current IBD drugs may interact with cannabis as well. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before attempting any new OTC medications. Yes, it also refers to cannabis.

If you’re interested in learning more about cannabis, it’s best to have an open talk with your doctor about it. What you tell them must be kept secret under penalty of law.

Takeaway

Cannabis is a multifaceted substance with many permutations and uses. The effects of cannabis may vary depending on factors such as the strain used, the amount of THC present, and the method by which it was consumed. This is why the scientific rationale for cannabis’ therapeutic benefits is still murky.

Some studies have shown that cannabidiol (CBD) helps alleviate IBD symptoms, however these findings have been contradictory. The usefulness of cannabis for IBD, including the optimal dose, route of administration, and long-term effects, remains largely unclear. Before cannabis may be suggested for use in controlling IBD symptoms, further human research are required.

It’s also worth noting that cannabis legality varies by state. To learn more about the latest cannabis and IBD studies, see your doctor. You may ask them about potential jobs, safety, and long-term usage impacts, among other things. Inquire as to whether or not cannabis is a viable solution for you.