What You Need to Understand About Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana is a worthy therapy when living with chronic pain and other common bed conditions like fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, or depression. You can consider medical marijuana to manage chronic pain, as it straddles medical or pharmaceutical therapies and alternative treatments. With the different state laws, the legality of using marijuana will depend on your locality. Despite the slight regulations, the natural properties of this plant have significantly increased its popularity, as many individuals are using its proven benefits to treat various complex medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.
Therefore, if you're planning or using medical marijuana for the first time, it'll be vital to consider a safe strategy for getting the products and how to use them appropriately. Furthermore, it'll be imperative to understand the possible side effects to expect. This article outlines everything you need to understand before you start or consider medical marijuana.
So, how does cannabis fall or get into the medical category?
Many individuals have been wondering why experts put medical cannabis in the same category as LSD. Besides marijuana, most people still wonder why experts classify heroin in the medical category. The federal laws classify heroin and marijuana as medical therapies. The United States Controlled Substance Act in 1980 classified cannabis as one of the Schedule I drugs due to the drug's prosperity for abuse and addictiveness.
Nevertheless, several states like the District of Columbia and 33 other US states have legalized the use of medical cannabis. Reports reveal that California was among the first states in the US to permit legal access and use of botanical marijuana for medicinal purposes. Remember, the use of medical cannabis should be under the guidance or supervision of a physician and enact the state's Compassionate Use Act.
Despite the numerous benefits, this schism makes it confusing to navigate through the program, as the federal state classification comes with numerous obstacles or drawbacks limiting the scientific study of medical cannabis.
Fortunately, researchers have discovered alternative ways to have the studies. From the study, the data shows that many states support the medical use of marijuana, as it's effective in managing symptoms resulting from:
● Chronic pain
● Anxiety
● Crohn's disease
● Cancer
● Glaucoma
● Fibromyalgia
● Irritable bowel syndrome
● Multiple sclerosis
● Neuropathic pain
● Seizures
● Lupus
● Neuropathic pain
● Osteoarthritis
● Rheumatoid arthritis
● Pains that physician recommends opioids treatment
● Post-traumatic stress disorders
● Sleeping disorders
● Severe nausea
Besides the ability to alleviate these symptoms and conditions, understanding how marijuana works and how to use it properly to get maximum health benefits requires more details and some trial and error practicals. Despite the numerous things we need to understand about this therapy, marijuana is a beneficial option for many individuals.
Where Does Medical Cannabis Get Complicated?
Most medical cannabis researches are preliminary to the current ones, but marijuana's medical’s effects have created a predominant pathway. Evidence shows that medical marijuana interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system to enhance the beneficial medicinal effects. The plant’s naturally occurring cannabinoids (tetrahydrocannabinol or cannabidiols) make it easy for the drug to interact with the system.
Furthermore, the endocannabinoid system helps modulate the body’s desire to stay stable and balanced through homeostasis. This process is integral to immune and neuronal cell function and essential for pain perception. The endocannabinoid system consists of three main parts, namely:
● Endogenous cannabinoids (cannabinoids from your body)
● Cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2)
● Enzymes facilitating cannabinoids breakdown and use
You can get cannabinoid receptors throughout the body and are responsible for determining the effects of cannabinoids.
CB1 receptors are predominantly in the body's Central Nervous System, including the spinal cord nerves and brain, responsible for your pain experience. Furthermore, these receptors help to signal pain feeling to the brain through the spinal cord. Regarding the physiological level, these receptors also affect memory, emotions, rewards, and executive functioning. Experts reveal that CB1 is a predominantly receptor responsible for cannabis psychotropic effects.
Besides CB1, the CB2 receptors are vital in pain control through the body's immune response. Besides the anti-inflammatory effect, these receptors have pain-relieving and analgesic properties. The body expresses these receptors in the immune cells, CNS, and outer (peripheral) tissues, but at a lower level than in the CB1 receptors.
Cannabis contains external and exogenous cannabinoids, like CBD and THC. THC works directly on CB1 and CB2 receptors, despite not being of the same precision as the internal endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol, and anandamide.
The Process of Getting and Using Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain and Related Symptoms
Step 1. Seek a physician order or recommendation
A recommendation from your physician is the first step in taking or consuming medical cannabis. With the federal laws still regarding marijuana illegal, physicians provide orders or recommendations, but the law doesn’t legally permit them to provide these prescriptions. However, when considering this therapy, it’ll be vital to get state-by-state details on the conditions that make you eligible.
Step 2. Pick the best alternative
After getting the recommendation, you must choose the appropriate form of MMJ to suit your needs. The different types dictate the experience you’ll receive after using it. Furthermore, the consumption methods can also change the percentage or content of active compounds the body absorbs, the duration the effects take, and the time the body takes to feel the cannabis effects. Experts reveal that there are three primary ways of consuming marijuana. These ways include:
● Inhalation - involves vaping using a smoking joint or vaporizer.
● Edibles - including brownies, gummies, or snacks, such as oils and tinctures that dissolve sublingually, also fall in this category.
● Topicals - including ointments, salves, and creams you apply to the skin.
Read through the below section to get an overview of the above ways of consuming cannabis:
Inhaling
Inhaling cannabis allows the drug’s active components to cross your blood-brain and offers a proper way to reduce CNS response to severe pain sensations. Reducing the CNS responses is vital in treating centralized or neuropathic pain, such as fibromyalgia. Remember that when smoking marijuana, you may start feeling these effects within two minutes, and the feeling reaches its peak after 30 minutes. Studies reveal that most individuals feel marijuana’s influence for two to four hours, while the body absorbs 25% of these active compounds.
Experts reveal that when inhaling marijuana via vaporization, the body absorbs more active compounds than smoking. Vaporization leads to more than 33% cannabinoid absorption, allowing you to choose to vape over smoking when you want to consume less marijuana.
Consuming edibles
Like inhalation, taking medical cannabis through the mouth comes with numerous effects. Despite the numerous effects, edibles have a less predictable and slower uptake. When ingesting cannabis-containing foods, the components must travel via the alimentary canal like the other beverage or food. Traveling takes time, making you feel the effects after several minutes or hours. Experts warn against over-consuming these edibles to get instant effects. Some research suggests that cannabis digestion is responsible for the vast digestive system benefits, as it directly interacts with the alimentary microbiota.
Studies reveal that most dispensaries consider between one and two THC milligrams as a micro-dose and an appropriate starting place. Remember, ingesting marijuana edibles has longer-lasting and stronger effects than inhaling.
Marijuana Options
Experts reveal that there are three primary ways of consuming marijuana.
Walking through an MMJ dispensary, you’ll likely see various marijuana edibles. These edibles include:
● Brownies
● Butters
● Gummies
● Cookies
● Beverages
● Granolas
Oils and Tinctures
Many individuals classify tinctures and oils as edibles, as you usually take them by mouth. Besides taking them by mouth, the body readily absorbs these cannabis components. You use oil and tinctures by placing them under the tongue, where the bloodstream absorbs them before crossing to the blood-brain barrier. Experts recommend them as the best alternatives for individuals seeking greater dose control, as you can measure them easily.
Applying topicals
Applying topicals is the appropriate marijuana consumption method to decrease localized inflammation and pain. This method doesn’t result in systemic absorption, reducing the ‘high’ feeling that may come with inhaling or smoking cannabis. You can apply an appropriate topical lotion to the site where you have the pain, like joint pain, to get the pain-relieving effect. Below are the common types of marijuana-infused topicals:
● Creams
● Salves
● Oils
● Lotions
Like other medications, the cannabis dose you choose remains a top decisive factor for the frequency and intensity of body effects. Many individuals find it daunting to predict and control the dosage as the body effects vary based on the method of consumption, strain, history with cannabis, and the unique body chemistry.
Things to understand and keep in mind when using cannabis:
● Edibles don’t provide instant effects; thus, start small and consume slowly.
● When vaping, the body absorbs more cannabinoids than when smoking.
● Some retail products’ dosage listing, especially edibles, may be inaccurate, making even a small percentage of the cannabis product produce the effects.
● Tinctures, which usually come as liquid edibles below your tongue, provide the best alternative for the most measurable and accurate dosage.
● Brands and doses usually vary, making the different strains and quantities provide different experiences or effects.
Step 3. Consider the Science to Keep Safe
Like body cannabinoids interacting with different components, marijuana cannabinoids interact with different elements.
The specific type of pain and routine habits, like your sleeping duration, what you eat, and the amount of stress you have, will impact the effects of marijuana on your bodies. For cannabis plants, the soil, sun, and humidity usually impact the plant’s growth.
Besides selecting the basic and appropriate marijuana form, it’ll be wise to research the product to make the right choice. Below is an appropriate guideline:
Examine the THC: CBD ratio
Checking the THC to CBD ratio is the most appropriate and measurable way to predict the effects of a particular marijuana strain. However, without testing the cannabis finished product, you can’t be sure of its content.
Medical marijuana sellers and physicians usually recommend a 1:1 ratio for your first dose, as the strain will have equal THC and CBD.
It’s essential to understand that cannabis is a plant having compounds working cooperatively, enhancing the entourage effect. The entourage effect allows CBD to balance the drug’s psychotropic effects, while THC will be vital in enhancing CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Like the other medicines or supplements, marijuana composition, your body metabolism, and weight are essential to help you get a personalized dosage.
Alternatively, you can clarify the personalized dosage by confirming with the weight chart in the dispensaries. Besides the weight charts, consult a physician to help you choose an appropriate option suiting your needs.
You can also consider using a less balanced approach by experimenting with the different CBD or THC dominant strains. Below is a comprehensive guide to help choose the appropriate option among the distinct products from the different manufacturers or dispensaries:
Many individuals select THC-dominant strains for the euphoric experience and treating depression, anxiety, insomnia, pain, etc. Studies show that some users feel anxious after using THC-dominant strains but dislike their side effects. Let’s look at the common or best THC-dominant strains:
● Death Star
● Do-Si-Dos
● Mimosa
● Original Glue
● Wedding Cake
CBD-dominant strains usually contain small THC amounts and best suit individuals highly sensitive to THC or who need a clear-headed relief. Below are the common CBD-dominant strains:
● Harle-Tsu
● Charlotte’s Web
● Remedy
● ACDC
● Sour Tsunami
Furthermore, you can consider the balanced CBD/THC strains having the same CBD and THC levels to offer mild euphoria and symptom relief. Let’s look at the common CBD/THC balanced strains you can consider:
● Pennywise
● Harlequin
● Sweet and Sour Widow
● Canna-Tsu
● Cannatonic
Understand the significance of the different cannabis species
If you want to try or start using medical marijuana, it’ll be essential to understand the different species. Experts classify marijuana products in the dispensaries into three species or categories, namely:
Sativa
Marijuana originated traditionally in Eurasia and Western Europe, where farmers were cultivating for its seeds and fiber. Experts reveal that this tall and thin-leaved cannabis is more energizing.
Indica
It’s a common marijuana species due to its relaxing effects. The species traditionally originated from India, where farmers were harvesting its seeds fiber for hashish production. The plants have broad leaves and are stout.
Hybrid
This cannabis category is more balanced. Individuals breed the plant from Indica and Sativa combinations.
However, remember neither will all Sativas provide energizing effects nor all Indica enhance relaxation.
Experts categorize this species based on the relative THC: CBD ratio. Nevertheless, the scientific community is developing the ability to have chemical make-up tests on different plants. With the long cultivation periods, it’s rare to find pure cannabis strains.
Consider the compounds
Despite not being crucial, it’ll be wise to concentrate on your selected cannabis product’s compounds. The compounds allow you to understand the additional cannabinoids and terpenes amounts. Terpenes form the most aromatic compounds from the fruits and plants, like hop, lavender flowers, and orange peels. Myrcene, limonene, terpinolene, and caryophyllene are the common cannabis terpenes.
Terpenes usually work with your unique tolerance and biology based on your consumption and dose.
Remember that cannabis’s exogenous cannabinoids usually bind to the natural or endogenous body receptors. These main marijuana cannabinoids include:
CBD
These cannabinoids are essential for alleviating inflammation, pain, anxiety, and other ailments. CBD does have any intoxication effects.
THC
Experts credits THC for nausea, pain relief, and enhancing the ‘high’ feeling
Experts recommend you focus on the THC: CBD ratio when choosing the right marijuana strain.
Additional things to expect when considering medical marijuana
The numerous taboo and stigma around cannabis make it challenging for most individuals to receive the best outcomes from medical alternatives. Many individuals find it embarrassing to ask questions or speak about using medical cannabis openly. Experts reveal that the change of public opinion toward an extreme ‘pro-marijuana stance makes individuals forget that marijuana is just a plant; it must have precautions and side effects you need to consider.
Like other medications, it’s essential to understand why you’re using them before you try medical cannabis. These issues help you in determining when and how to take this drug. You can also consider lifestyle factors, like if you’re getting enough exercise, consuming excess caffeine, etc. With medical marijuana becoming more standardized, it’s vital not to consider it a catch-all. Medical marijuana should complement other care, like psychotherapy, physical therapy, and interventional procedures.
Medical cannabis is one of the safest alternatives, making it hard to find an overdosing record or case. However, the MMJ physicians in New York provide a marijuana prescription for cases or conditions where an individual had used opioids. Nonetheless, this information doesn’t mean that cannabis doesn’t have negative effects.
Let’s look at the possible adverse effects of cannabis:
● Drowsiness
● Anxiety
● Paranoia feelings
● Low motivation
● Dry mouth
● Increased heart rate
● Poor motor skills
● Poor concentration
● Poor short-term memory
● Poor sexual performance
The side effects vary depending on the dosage, strain, individual, and method of consumption. Studies link long-term adverse effects to consistent heavy usage at a tender age. With the above side effects, driving won’t be safe after consuming cannabis. Some states or cities have under-the-influence laws, as studies have shown a possibility of cannabis-related impairment.
Remember that the drug can also negatively interact with other medications, like blood thinners. Thus, reviewing your medical regimen by opting for marijuana will be essential. Some studies also show that cannabis increases the alcohol’s depressant effects.
Most states don't regulate marijuana due to the drug’s quasi-legal status. Despite its cliche, it’s good to understand that what you see isn’t what you get. For instance, dispensaries may appear like standardized pharmacies, but in reality, they aren’t standardized. However, you can improve this experience by requesting products with a chemical breakdown test, like THC: CBD.
Research reveals that marijuana use causes the users to feel more like an art. However, the response and feeling are individualized, increasing the need for trial and error.
When Using Medical Cannabis, Why Does Your Mental Health Matter
Medical cannabis is a remedy to most psychological ailments, like anxiety, PTSD, etc. Despite the ability to ease these symptoms, some users report additional paranoia and anxiety, making it vital to track the response. You can reach for medical help if you feel like spiraling out and avoid the specific strain.
Furthermore, experts advise individuals with psychoses against medical marijuana, as the drug increases the symptoms or risks.
Some studies have associated heavy cannabis consumption during puberty with increased cognitive impairment and mental illnesses. However, the mental health concerns don’t exclude minors from medical cannabis use, but young adults require optimal considerations when using them.
Furthermore, whether medicinal or not, consuming marijuana enhances a ‘high’ feeling. Experts warn that marijuana may not be your choice if you find it hard to control your feelings.
What is the appropriate thing you can do?
The right thing you can do is to educate yourself on your state’s marijuana laws. NORML is a vital Non-governmental organization focusing on legalizing cannabis use for adults and advocating for easy access to safe and high-quality cannabis. Besides the state laws, you check at HappyMD to find a physician to help you get familiar with medical cannabis.
More so, learn about the other complementary therapies like osteopathic manipulation, alternative treatments, CBD, etc.
Having hard conversation
Remember that rolling your joint is unacceptable at work. Furthermore, most individuals find it hard to explain their medical cannabis use to family members, especially kids. Surveys show that historical stigma and propaganda on marijuana may complicate the life of a medical cannabis user. Even with less research, there are zero cases of a marijuana overdose. Nevertheless, there still exists a jury of developing an addiction or physical dependence.
At last, choosing the best way to manage your pain remains a personal decision. While pain relieving sciencing of marijuana is getting new and growing, its historical use is still traditional. Thus, whatever you choose should enhance a healthy, happy, pain-free life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does cannabis help with severe pain?
Marijuana contains THC, which temporarily helps to relieve pain through the interaction with the natural cannabinoid receptors. The interactions reduce pain perception and signaling. You get relief from severe pain resulting from systemic inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis, thanks to marijuana’s anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, CBD helps to stimulate and attenuate pro-inflammatory cytokines and the immune response responsible for signaling pain.
How can you use cannabis to relieve your pain?
We’ve got numerous ways to relieve pain using marijuana. You can vape, use topicals on the skins, smoke, or consume edibles. The appropriate way to take cannabis is a personal decision and may also depend on the type of pain or conditions.
Can smoking weed deal with pain?
Studies show that smoking cannabis usually alleviates your pain. However, the amount will depend on the marijuana strain, type of pain and your body tolerance, and chemistry.
Which is the best cannabis for muscle spasms and back pains?
No cannabis strain or brand is best for back pain. The appropriate strain to alleviate your pain will depend on the root cause, type of cannabis product, and additional preferences, like the desired degree of psychoactive effect. Choosing a balanced strain with equal THC and CBD composition offers the best alternative to relieve your pains.
With the numerous health benefits of medical marijuana, it’ll be wise to get a medical marijuana card to enjoy easy and legal access to these products. Visit HappyMD for a straightforward process and guidance on getting the MMJ card.
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