Changing Public Opinion | Going Green
The rare cannabinoid THCV, according to scientists, could provide treatments for diabetes, lower cholesterol, and other health benefits.
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A scientific study conducted earlier this year in Israel shows that cannabis is a very safe option for aging patients, especially to treat chronic pain.
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Not only is there medical evidence surrounding cannabinoids’ ability to help treat these conditions and their symptoms, but there’s also a significant amount of anecdotal success stories too.
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Lyme disease is a priority for the Centers for Disease Control because annual cases can exceed 27,000, up almost three-fold since the mid 1990s.
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Anxiety, like marijuana, comes with stigma but the increasing impact of anxiety disorders on family life and the economy, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be looking for a salve.
The relationship between cannabis and anxiety disorders exists, but remains wholly misunderstood. Anxiety presents differently in every patient, and there is no definitive cure with conventional drugs, so just imagine something as variant as the cannabis plant.
Evidence suggests that cannabis has powerful anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties, and when administered on an as-needed basis, can provide relief from some anxiety disorders, including generalized and social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder, and depression. It might even help with a fear of public speaking.
One thing that holds people back from treating anxiety with cannabis was the myth that it made anxiety worse through the manifestation of paranoia. The truth is, while some cannabis users feel a sense of heightened fear and worsened anxiety from marijuana; it is a side-effect that can be controlled with smaller doses as well as a cannabinoid profile that does not produce the effect. It is likely that paranoia is a reaction to strains with higher THC content.
Washington State researchers recently assessed how varying levels of cannabinoids (chemicals found in marijuana) affected people’s moods and feelings of well-being. The team found that a single puff of cannabis high in cannabidiol (CBD) and low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), was enough to reduce depression symptoms. After two puffs, patients felt less anxious, and after ten they were less stressed.
Although the body manufactures its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, we are susceptible to shortages of them; excessive exposure to trauma might contribute to a disordered endocannabinoid system (ECS). Experts believe cannabis can help replenish and condition the ECS, resulting in a balancing effect that quells anxiety, physically, psychologically and emotionally. What we don’t yet have is data on the most therapeutic dosages and strains for anxiety.
While this study suggests that one puff of marijuana can help ease the symptoms of depression and anxiety, experts insist that prolonged use over time had the opposite effect.
Cannabis consumers have a few tools at their disposal when choosing a strain, but ultimately, beyond the recommendations of a budtender, the patient must find their own perfect balance of cannabinoids and terpenes. No varietal works quite the same for two people.
What makes someone with anxiety a unique cannabis consumer is that they’re probably not looking for something high in THC because just about every current study points to CBD as the critical ingredient for calming anxiety. The interest in cannabidiol’s anxiolytic effects means that there are more high-CBD marijuana strains and products out there than ever and CBD oil can be ordered online without a prescription from just about anywhere on the continent.
The Washington State study is one of the first to provide guidance on various strains and dosages for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression To track their data, the researchers used a new app called Strainprint that helps medical marijuana users record how different doses affects their wellbeing. The free cannabis journaling app is now widely used among patients who want to track just about any diagnosable condition and the medical marijuana they are using.
A new report from Strainprint tells us that anxiety is now one of the top symptoms, along with pain and arthritis, attracting cannabis use among citizens 50 and over. That, complemented by the thousands of studies being conducted on cannabis, and the flow of legalization means that more definitive answers on marijuana for anxiety are on the way.
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Contact sports, falls, head injuries, trauma, and motor vehicle accidents all have one thing in common: traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and/or concussions. Something that many of you may not know is how concussions occur and the negative impact they have on the brain.
A concussion can be defined as a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), which can be caused by a blow to the head, a strong yet direct jolt, or a powerful bump to the head or body. This results in the brain shaking and moving quickly within the skull. Generally, concussions result in changes regarding how the brain typically functions as well as various potentially life-altering health issues. Not everyone who experiences concussions develop a traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, roughly 40-80 percent of people who endure a concussion develop post-concussion syndrome.
Years ago, it was found that cognitive dysfunction, losing consciousness, and certain mental conditions were linked to strong blows to one’s head. From here, the aftermath could be chronic, severe, or acute. Aside from just the direct head impact, the shaking motion that occurs from concussions could damage the brain inside the skull.
Several decades back, medical imaging was very different than what it is today, and it used to be difficult to distinguish the parts of the brain were the most affected by concussions. Nowadays though, CT scans and MRI scans of the brain can be done to properly diagnose concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Regarding the diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome, it typically depends on variables such as if the individual has a history of concussions and/or if they experienced specific behavioral changes that were associated with and/or occurred after enduring a concussion. Once a head injury occurs, developing post-concussion syndrome is likely. Also, many of its symptoms can stick around for days, weeks, or months. One silver lining is that there are symptoms that help distinguish whether someone has post-concussion syndrome or not. Several of these symptoms include the following:
If one endures a head injury including a concussion, they normally experience at least three of the symptoms listed above. If so, this indicates a post-concussion syndrome diagnosis.
Overall, post-concussion syndrome occurs after sustained brain damage thus causing internal bleeding and swelling. Then, inflammation adds pressure to the brain, which can result in headaches and other painful symptoms. However, the shaking motion a concussion causes can change one’s brain chemistry. Currently, it’s evident that once a concussion occurs, the body’s neurotransmitters are substantially impacted. This then leads to experiencing various post-concussion syndrome symptoms. Unfortunately, though, once brain tissue is injured, it cannot be fully repaired.
Moreover, regarding the treatment of this syndrome, the main intention is alleviating its symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms last a few weeks or months. During this time, cannabis and cannabinoids like Cannabidiol (CBD) can be very useful. Fortunately, cannabis contains numerous medicinal properties as well as therapeutic benefits thus lessening physical, mental, and psychological issues.
Besides cannabis and CBD being used as a form of treatment for post-concussion syndrome symptoms, there are other conventional treatment methods available. For example, cognitive impairments are common with post-concussion syndrome, but they can get resolved on their own with time. To help treat cognitive impairments though, one option is to undergo cognitive therapy. Certain strategies can be utilized such as taking notes, using electronic reminders/alerts, and practicing memory exercises.
Furthermore, the most common emotional and mental post-concussion syndrome symptoms are anxiety and depression. To help treat anxiety and depression, many doctors recommend drug therapies, psychotherapy, and behavioral therapies. However, numerous doctors prescribe pharmaceutical medications and physical forms of therapy to help alleviate several painful symptoms. Sadly, there’s no guarantee that these treatment methods will deliver zero side effects, nor will they be completely effective. For these reasons, more people are transitioning into alternative forms of medicine like cannabis.
As mentioned above, cannabis and CBD possess numerous medically and therapeutically beneficial properties. Generally, most people with post-concussion syndrome experience headaches and pain, which cannabis can relieve because of its analgesic properties. Although some pharmaceutical medications can help relieve pain, others can make headaches worse, and several can be addictive, non-effective, and deliver side effects. Whereas, cannabis and CBD are safe, non-toxic, medically beneficial, deliver little to no side effects, and you cannot overdose from it.
Additionally, regarding post-concussion syndrome, it’s essential to be aware of the chemical damage that’s done to the brain. Fortunately, cannabis can deliver relief while lessening brain swelling, pain, and inflammation. Also, when a significant brain injury occurs, toxic chemicals are released. However, cannabis can work to clear out those toxic chemicals while protecting the brain by utilizing its neuroprotective properties.
Next, cannabis can increase the amount of blood that travels to the brain. This is especially useful since the blood brings both nutrients and oxygen to the brain thus speeding up the healing process. Cannabis can even transport toxins and other harmful byproducts away from the brain.
Then, cannabis can deliver anti-anxiety and anti-depressant properties to individuals. Although cannabis isn’t a cure for post-concussion syndrome, it can significantly alleviate several unwanted symptoms while delivering very few side effects.
Overall, there are various cannabis strains that can help alleviate post-concussion syndrome symptoms. High CBD and low THC strains are recommended for strictly medical and therapeutic properties minus a euphoric high. However, if someone struggles with depression and/or appetite issues, higher THC strains may work better. Generally, these strains can help lessen many post-concussion syndrome symptoms: Blue Dream, Sour Diesel, Girl Scout Cookies, Lemon Skunk, and White Widow. Then, dominantly high CBD strains include Harlequin, ACDC, and Charlotte’s Web.
In general, cannabis can help treat pain, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nausea, and appetite issues, and some sources mention that it can help treat vertigo and dizziness. There are different consumption methods available besides smoking such as the following: oral consumption through edibles, sublingual consumption through tinctures applied under the tongue, transdermal application via patches, topical usage via infused lotions, creams, and oils, and vaping or vaporizing. Based on one’s reasons for cannabis usage, it’s suggested to choose a method that’ll fit their needs and wants best.
After learning more about post-concussion syndrome, its symptoms, current treatment options, and the positive impact cannabis can have, it’s time to learn about the prevalence of this syndrome. According to CDC estimates, annually, in the U.S., roughly 1.6-3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur. Out of all contact sports, football causes more than 60 percent of concussions in athletes. In football, brain injuries account for 65-95 percent of all deaths. Whereas, regarding boxing, roughly 87 percent of boxers have experienced concussions or brain injuries during their boxing career.
Overall, though, brain injuries result in more deaths as compared to all other sports injuries. Then, as much as 86 percent of athletes who experience concussions will likely endure post-traumatic migraines or headache pain in general. Ultimately, it’s essential to know about the risks of concussions and brain injuries to prevent post-concussion syndrome from occurring. If you’ve had a concussion before, consider consuming cannabis or CBD to help lessen your symptoms, and live the healthiest and most pain-free life you can!
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Sativa versus indica is a conversation that’s been going on for a long time. And it’s certainly risen up to the realm of cannabis common knowledge that if you want to experience the munchies, a mellow night in, and a good night’s sleep you pick an indica. If you need to get things done and be creative, you go with the sativa. And if you’re looking for the middle ground, hundreds upon hundreds of hybrids await.
But not everyone falls into the same category when it comes to the effects of cannabis. No one is a cookie cutter person and neither are our pallets when it comes to pot. Different terpenes attract us for different reasons and one person’s bedtime medication is another person’s panic attack.
The biggest reason that people find indicas disconcerting rather than calming is that a heavy hitter can have someone deep inside their head with no way out imaginable. When we get too far inside our heads, it can bring about a host of emotions, some of which we may not be ready to deal with. This can cause anxiety and the addition of not feeling in control of one’s thoughts just adds to the state of panic.
Pure indicas are truly medicine and should not be discredited in any way, shape or form, but they’re not for everybody. Many people find that the cerebral, yet clear headed feeling of a high flying sativa gives them a mental boost, calms anxiety revolving around immediate circumstances and gets them in the mood to be more social, get some cleaning done or simply be.
The solution for most will be somewhere in the middle, though. Breeders around the world have gone to painstaking lengths to create cultivars that take the best attributes from indicas, sativas and mother and father plants to quell anxiety for the masses, much in the vein of benzo-based pharmaceuticals working for most people experiencing panic or the feeling of being anxious.
When it’s that intricate, often you’ll wind up with a hybrid that either leans toward sativa or indica. Experiment with different strains that have different attributes until you find a few that work well for you. And even if the budtenders at your local dispensaries aren’t mind and soul readers, they can point you in directions you may otherwise not have taken, like a sativa heavy hybrid for anxiety that might just do the trick.
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There is plenty of anecdotal evidence showing that medical marijuana could be a reliable treatment for chronic pain conditions. But a lack of ironclad science and legal issues in most parts of the world has prevented the herb from being embraced wholeheartedly by the healthcare community.
Instead, doctors have been on a pill kick for the past couple of decades, doling out thousands of prescriptions for dangerous opioid painkillers. Not only has this trend caused problems with addiction, it has also contributed tragic numbers of overdose deaths. Many have asked: Is it necessary to treat pain with hard drugs that come with such savage repercussions? Well, one Canadian pharmaceutical company intends to find out, according to a report from the Cowichan Valley Citizen.
Ontario-based Tetra Bio-Pharma intends to roll up their sleeves in the coming months to learn more about cannabis versus pain. Specifically, the company will open up a clinical trial that will dig deeper into whether marijuana or fentanyl is more effective at combating the pain often experienced by patients with cancer and other debilitating conditions.
Researchers believe their findings will show that cannabis can hold its own when compared with one of the world’s most potent opioids. The hope is that with the right kind of data, more members of the medical community will start to recognize medical marijuana as an effective pain reliever.
“Medical cannabis may help reduce the use of drugs like fentanyl for treating breakthrough and chronic pain,” CEO Dr. Guy Chamberland said in a news release. “However, unrefuted scientific data on its safety and effectiveness that will satisfy regulators, professional groups and insurers is what’s missing.”
Canada recently legalized marijuana for recreational use. There is some belief that the country could become of the leading medical marijuana research hubs in the world. And those with the power to make it happen aren’t wasting any time. The Canadian government has already put its seal of approval on the company’s clinical trial and it is being overseen by the research firm Sante Cannabis, according to the Citizen.
This is predicted to be the first of many Canadian studies looking into the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant.
Perhaps the United States government should take note. Over half the nation has some kind of medical marijuana law on the books, yet the big dogs in Washington continue to hinder research opportunities. Even after some of the leading scientific minds in the land have admitted that pot is an effective treatment for pain. Meanwhile, around 60,000 people drop dead each year from an opioid overdose. The Feds still don’t seem to have any idea how to manage the opioid problem.
Canada has taken a proactive approach to this scourge.
Over the summer, Health Canada imposed restrictions on the marketing tactics used by opioid manufacturers, and some provincial governments have even filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical firms to help offset the costs for dealing with it. Tetra Bio-Pharma hopes to inspire doctors, insurance companies and others in the healthcare field to see how cannabis might be a viable solution.
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Anger. Sometimes it’s self righteous, sometimes it’s about love, sometimes it’s fueled by fear, but it often comes in pairs, especially when a couple or a couple of friends get heated. Being passionate is a good thing, but so is maintaining relationships and even your cool. Cannabis is the great moderator for more reasons than one, but sometimes being angry takes hold.
When we feel justified in our outrage, especially with someone we care about, it can be hard to see past our own side of the argument. Things get said that should have stayed under wraps. One of the best ways to slow down the racing thoughts fueling your rage is to pick up the pipe, vaporizer or rig and have a few tokes.
If there’s only one takeaway from this story, it’s that rising above fear, hate, outrage and an abundance of self righteousness takes willpower. It takes the willpower to stop mid-rant and consider your headspace. It takes guts to stop an argument in its tracks, and having the reward of a calming hit or three of cannabis or concentrates also helps reset the mind.
With two hardcore marijuana imbibers at each other’s throats about anything from politics to child rearing to whose fault whatever it is, is, the ultimate best thing to do is to stop, lock eyes with all of your might and pull out the bong. There’s a reason toking is often referred to as passing the peace pipe.
Adversaries can more easily see that their stances aren’t the only ones and cannabis helps people to put themselves in others’ shoes. There’s even the chance that after passing the pot back and forth a few times that laughter ensues. Sometimes it’s easy to hold fast to ideas that turn out to be either ridiculous, overstated or deeply personal. When it’s the latter, being able to recognize issues for what they are – and aren’t – is crucial.
Marijuana opens the mind in many ways. Creatives use it during their processes, patients use it to combat their symptoms and ailments, everyday people use it to relax and pretty much everyone who uses it does so for a pleasant experience. It’s no wonder that cannabis is truly the wonder drug for anger. In all truth, it is sometimes going to be the common ground that elevates an argument to a conversation and anger to understanding.
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