{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/pain/8","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2034-markdown","title":"Death Score: Opioids 16235. Cannabis 0.","slug":"death-score-opioids-16235-cannabis-0","content":"Living with chronic pain and trying to treat it can be difficult and frustrating. Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals ignore or are unaware of the benefits of medical marijuana for pain management, choosing to prescribe opioid-type drugs to mask symptoms. \n\n[Marijuana has been used to effectively battle chronic pain for centuries](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55dfb34e3763370006c70000/the-history-of-medical-marijuana-usage). But despite the success patients have achieved through the use of medical cannabis, its usage still lags far behind opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 10% of prescribing medical professionals account for 50% of opioid prescriptions, illustrating a pattern of over-usage in chronic pain situations. While surveys show that [76% of doctors approve of medical marijuana](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/survey-76-percent-of-doctors-approve-of-medical-marijuana-use/), statistics indicate that [only 1.1 million patients have current prescriptions](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=005889),\na number that falls far short of opioid usage. However, [92% of users say medical\ncannabis absolutely works](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/10/01/92-of-patients-say-medical-marijuana-works/) to treat their conditions.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Medical Marijuana Could Save Lives\n\nThe _Washington Post_ reports that [changing from a regimen of addiction-inducing opioids to non-addictive medical cannabis could literally save lives](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/07/14/how-medical marijuana-could-literally-save-lives/). Everyone agrees with their claim of saved lives, considering the tens of millions of patients currently addicted to opioids and a frightening CDC-compiled statistic that [more than 1,000 people a day are treated in emergency rooms for opioid misuse](http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html).\n\nTo put this into perspective, [43,982 people died of drug overdoses in 2013](http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html), and more than 50% of those deaths were from prescription drugs. Of the prescription drug overdoses, more than 70% were due to opioid-based medications, totaling 16,235 people. \n\nThat’s an astronomical number of lost lives stemming from doctors prescribing opioid pain medication. During the same year, [exactly zero people died from marijuana use](http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death). There could truly be no deeper disparity than losing tens of thousands of lives per year to opioids, which are addictive and may or may not work, versus medical cannabis usage that doesn’t lead to addiction and has a far higher number of patients reporting positive results.\n\n### Cannabis Helps With Chronic Pain \n\nIn addition to treatment for non-specific chronic pain, medical cannabis is also a successful treatment option for painful disorders like arthritis. Where pharmaceutical painkillers may fall short and opioids over-treat and overwhelm, [medical marijuana with high concentrations of cannabinoids can lead to decreased inflammation](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a720780f24d1300077ccb25/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-arthritis-answered) and increased pain relief. While other pain medications simply mask pain or decrease pain sensitivity for shorter periods of time, medical marijuana can actually get to the root of the problem and provide longer-lasting relief with fewer side effects or long-term implications.\n\nMedical marijuana can improve the quality of life for chronic pain patients; it can also save lives. Meanwhile, opioids don't treat chronic pain as effectively and claim more lives per year than suicide, car accident fatalities and gun-related deaths combined. A National Bureau of Economic Research study shows that [increased medical marijuana use is directly proportional to decreased opioid abuse](http://www.nber.org/papers/w21345). The positives of saved lives and reduced levels of addiction could not possibly be overstated, and those positives tie back to responsible medical cannabis usage.\n\n### An Argument for Medicinal Marijuana Legalization\n\nA _Washington Post_ article shows a [direct correlation between states that have legalized medical marijuana dispensaries and the subsequent reduction of opioid-linked deaths](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/08/25/is-medical-marijuana-the-answer-to-americas-prescription-painkiller-epidemic/). \n\nAdd to that a study published in the [_Journal of American Medical Association Internal Medicine_](http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1898878) that found \"states with medical cannabis laws had a 24.8 percent lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate\" than states that hadn't yet legalized medical marijuana.\n\nNeedless to say, the argument is very strong to push for cannabis legalization across the rest of the U.S. Millions of patients suffering from a variety of disorders could find much-needed relief with medical cannabis. In addition, the lives of countless chronic pain patients could be preserved and bettered through medical cannabis instead of dangerously addictive opioid drugs.\n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/26553756@N06/2653991611)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/14b42/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/f836f/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 200w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/2244e/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 400w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/14b42/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 800w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/47498/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/58556/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/61e93/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 200w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/1f5c5/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 400w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/58556/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 800w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/99238/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1956-markdown","title":"Organic or Synthetic CBD - Which is Best? ","slug":"organic-or-synthetic-cbd-which-is-best","content":"Why Whole Plant Cannabidiol is Superior for Medical Treatments\n--------------------------------------------------------------\n\nEarlier this year, an Israeli study entitled \"[Overcoming the Bell-Shaped\nDose-Response of Cannabidiol by Using Cannabis Extract Enriched in\nCannabidiol](http://scholar.google.com/scholar_url?url=http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperDownload.aspx%3FpaperID%3D53912&hl=en&sa=X&scisig=AAGBfm1y6XXRXwo9CW0MRmgYs79NkUitlg&nossl=1&oi=scholaralrt)\"\nwas published in the journal *Pharmacology & Pharmacy.* This study\nproved that for clinical use, whole plant CBD-rich cannabis extracts and\nproducts are significantly more effective and therapeutic than synthetic\nsingle-molecule CBD. As a result of its findings, this study put to bed\nthe stereotyped notion that \"crude\" CBD compounds are low-quality and\nless effective than their pure, synthetic counterparts.\n\nThe findings of this study have major implications for\nphytopharmaceutical and medical marijuana industries and may produce\ntreatments that can help patients cope with painful and difficult\ninflammatory diseases.\n\nWhat is CBD?\n------------\n\nCBD, both whole plant and synthetic varieties, is a compound derived\nfrom cannabis that offers considerable medical\nbenefit\nwithout making patients feel \"high.\" This is because CBD-rich cannabis\nstrains are not psychoactive or are *less* psychoactive than their\nTHC-dominant counterparts. This makes them effective and appealing\ntreatment options for patients suffering from inflammatory\ndiseases.\npain,\nseizures,\nor\nanxiety.\n\nMany studies have been conducted on the clinical uses of CBD, and\ncurrently, the compound is being evaluated as a treatment option for\neverything from\narthritis,\nmigraines\nand\ndiabetes\nto\nPTSD,\ndepression\nepilepsy\nand chronic\npain.\nAdditionally, CBD has been shown to have considerable\nanti-cancer\nproperties as well as significant neuroprotective and neurogenic\ncapabilities, which may expand its therapeutic uses in the future.\n\nThe Israeli Study and the Bell-Shaped Curve\n-------------------------------------------\n\nThe Israeli study set out to compare the therapeutic benefits of\nCBD-rich cannabis extracts and single-molecule CBD. To begin this\nprocess, the researchers consulted preclinical studies from the last 15\nyears. The team quickly discovered that when single-molecule synthetic\nCBD was administered orally or in injection form to a patient suffering\nfrom a condition like inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), multiple\nsclerosis (MS), diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, the treatment produced\na bell-shaped curve between dose and response. This means that, after a\ncertain dosage amount, the impact of CBD ceased to be therapeutic. The\ntherapeutic dosage window for synthetic CBD was very limited and there\nwere no positive effects noted in patients when single-molecule CBD was\ngiven in higher or lower doses. This trait of single-molecule CBD limits\nits usefulness and makes it difficult to utilize effectively in a\nclinical setting.\n\nThe Clinical Difference Between Whole Plant and Synthetic CBD\n-------------------------------------------------------------\n\nAfter discovering the bell-shaped pattern created by single-molecule\nCBD, the Israeli team set out to learn more about the treatment\ndifferences between single-molecule CBD and whole plant extract rich in\nCBD. To do this, they located a CBD-rich cannabis strain that had very\nlittle THC (this strain was similar to California's ACDC strain, which\nhas long been favored by\ngrowers\nfor its high CBD content) and administered both the whole plant and\nsynthetic varieties to mice. Upon doing this, the researchers confirmed\nthat when single-molecule CBD was administered, it produced a\nbell-shaped curve with a very narrow zone for therapeutic\nadministration. The whole plant CBD extract, however, had a much\ndifferent effect.\n\nUnlike the single-molecule CBD, the whole plant CBD-rich extract\nproduced a direct and immediate reduction in pain, inflammation and\n[TNFa production](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15761843), which is\na protein that plays a significant role in inflammation. These results\nproved that CBD-rich cannabis extract is actually more effective at\nreducing inflammation than commercial painkillers. In fact, when the\nresearchers tested whole plant CBD and aspirin side-by-side, they found\nthat the whole plant CBD-rich extract produced a much more pronounced\nanti-inflammatory effect than aspirin.\n\nAdditionally, unlike purified CBD, CBD-rich extract displayed a direct\ncorrelation between dose and effectiveness. Whole plant CBD extract\nexhibited increased therapeutic responses in accordance with increasing\ndoses, which makes this treatment option attractive and applicable to\npatients in a clinical setting. Finally, the researchers discovered that\nthe amount of CBD-rich extract required to produce a therapeutic effect\nin patients was much smaller than the amount of pure CBD required to\nproduce the same therapeutic effect. These finding indicate how CBD-rich\nextract can be used more sparingly in patients suffering from\nuncomfortable conditions.\n\nThe Future of Whole Plant CBD\n-----------------------------\n\nCBD-rich extract has a direct dose-response reaction, low administration\nrequirements and profound anti-inflammatory properties. Using these\nresults, the Israeli researchers determined that CBD-rich extract is\nsuperior to single-molecule CBD for treatment of conditions that involve\ninflammation and pain. Although the exact reason for this increased\neffectiveness requires further study, researchers currently believe it\nmay be due to an interaction between the CBD itself and\nphytocannabinioids and non-cannabinoid compounds. Although further\nclinical trials are required to better understand the treatment\napplications of CBD-rich extract, it is clear that whole plant CBD has\nthe potential to change or compliment the treatment options for many\ncommon conditions that were previously treated by synthetic drugs alone.\nBecause of this, CBD-rich extract gives patients a powerful tool to\nreclaim their well being. In addition to offering a lower dose of\ntreatment than single-molecule CBD, CBD-rich extract also produces fewer\nadverse effects and has the potential to leave patients feeling better,\ndespite their health difficulties and painful conditions.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/14b42/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.jpg","srcSet":"/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/f836f/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.jpg 200w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/2244e/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.jpg 400w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/14b42/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.jpg 800w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/47498/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/58556/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/61e93/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.webp 200w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/1f5c5/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.webp 400w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/58556/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.webp 800w,\n/static/0590c50cbc4f0fdbfca5623ec1079ac4/99238/3f9b9dab7bcd94fe30d3d1177b026d24.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2022-markdown","title":"Medical Cannabis Counseling: Helping Dementia and Cancer Patients Find Relief","slug":"medical-cannabis-counseling-helping-dementia-and-cancer-patients-find-relief","content":"If you are in the cannabis industry in Northern California, it does not take long before you hear the name Eloise Theisen (MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC), the founder of [Green Health Consultants](http://www.greenhealthconsultants.com/). Eloise spent 15 years as a patient-focused nurse specializing in cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, ALS, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, PTSD, fibromyalgia, and various autoimmune and neurological diseases. She founded Green Health Consultants because she saw a gap in the market for services that catered to patients needing individualized cannabis counseling. \n\nGreen Health Consultants is unique in that it is one of the first such services being provided within the state of California. Eloise has an extensive medical background as well as in-depth experience with cannabis treatments. This experience provides credibility as she helps develop individualized treatment plans for her patients in collaboration with dietitians and/or a patient's doctor. Unlike your local dispensary’s ‘bud tender’ (people who help you select cannabis at a dispensary), Eloise is able to thoroughly evaluate a patient’s medical history and current diagnosis. Through this analysis she is better able to guide her patients towards the best application of medical cannabis. \n\nEloise counsels patients [in person, over Skype or by telephone](https://www.vcita.com/v/ghc.eloisetheisen) and will often stay with patients throughout a treatment plan giving additional counsel when needed to ensure the right treatment plan is found. Since opening her service in Northern California last year, Eloise has seen a full roster of patients on a weekly basis. She has been covered by [CBS](http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/09/12/senior-citizens-bay-area-medical-marijuana-club/), [Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/09/04/how-weed-is-being-embraced-by-wellness-movement.html), [Newsweek](http://thenationalmarijuananews.com/2015/09/could-legal-marijuana-be-the-first-billion-dollar-industry-not-dominated-by-men/) and [SF Gate](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Rossmoor-seniors-fired-up-about-curative-powers-6210220.php) among others.\n\n**What led you to start Green Health Consultants?**\n\nI was an Oncology nurse for thirteen years and in addition I did palliative care as well as hospice care. During this time I went into management at John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek, where I managed the oncology, geriatric and endocrine units. Around this time, I unfortunately got in a terrible car accident. I was injured badly and essentially became disabled. Unable to work, I lost my job and I ended up trying to manage my pain with standard pharmaceuticals with little to no success. A close friend pushed me to try cannabis, and after a certain point I decided I had nothing left to lose, so I tried it. It was the first time I felt my pain was well managed. I started with [edibles](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a7ce0f6f24d1300077ccb3d/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-edibles-answered), then I did a lot of high CBD, [full extract cannabis oil](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/562fc90bb8c41f000c000000/cancer-cannabis-oil-and-the-united-kingdom) and I smoked periodically. Eventually, I decided to wean myself off of all pharmaceuticals and I used cannabis to go through the withdrawals.\n\nDuring this time, while I was going through my journey to better health, I realized none of the medical professionals knew how to help me with cannabis. In fact, when I told them of my success with cannabis, they did not even have much curiosity to find out more. I had worked with many of them and I knew them well, so I was surprised. As a result of my experience, I decided to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner, initially thinking I might go back to oncology. I was doing my nursing hours at a local clinic and about 50% of my patients started asking me about incorporating cannabis into their treatment plan. With my own success with cannabis, I realized the need for someone to guide patients in how to properly incorporate cannabis into their treatment regimen.\n\nThere is such a gap from when the doctor gives a person their recommendation to when they take their medicine. So many physicians I knew did not want to deal with it, as they did not want their patients to get hurt or to fall into a hole. So essentially, they turn their back on it. My point has always been that patients are already using it, and it is in the physician’s best interest to help their patients find the right solution. Patients need to learn and become educated so that they can take the medicine safely and effectively.\n\nWhen I was injured, I met an experienced cannabis oil maker. She knew I was a nurse practitioner and she was looking for a case manager, for someone to follow her patients throughout their treatment. Working with her I researched applications of cannabis, learned best practices, monitored drug interactions and potential side effects. This experience really helped influence and shape my knowledge base, giving me the more in depth experience for when I opened my business just over a year ago.\n\n**What are the most common conditions you treat within your practice?**\n\nPain, sleep and dementia are some of the most common ailments people would like to treat when they see me. Based on my oncology background, I see a lot of cancer patients. Many people with cancer find me online and are seeking symptom management and may or may not be dealing with chronic pain. Probably 50% of my patients are oncology patients and around 50% are [senior citizens](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b929f53632330006140000/retirees-flock-to-states-with-medical-marijuana).\n \nA lot of seniors that come to see me are from Rossmoor, a local retirement community here in the East Bay of San Francisco, but I also see seniors from all over California. In most cases, senior citizens need a lot of reinforcement and ongoing education. They are used to being told to take a certain dosage at certain times of day, but cannabis does not typically work this way, so they need a lot of extra support. I typically spend at least an hour with a senior patient and often my consultations continue so that I may help them with the appropriate type of medication and ongoing dosage recommendations. Many times it takes time to find the right combination.\n\nThe [‘Truth About Cancer’](https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/global-quest/episode-1/) is a video series that was recently released and based on that, I have gotten a lot of people seeking my services. I also do a lot of patient outreach and education, so that people start to understand better the options that are available to them.\n\n**You are also active with the American Cannabis Nurses Association?**\n\nYes, I am a board member on the [American Cannabis Nurses](http://americancannabisnursesassociation.org/), a national organization dedicated to expanding the knowledge base of endo-cannabinoid therapeutics among nurses. We are developing a curriculum so that people who would like to advise others can become competent in cannabinoid therapies. ACNA currently offers a course for nurses that demonstrates competency after 6 hours of instruction. At the beginning of the year we hope to launch a new online program. There is a great need for education and standards among nurses and nurse practitioners.\n\n**People often ask “Can CBD oil cure cancer?”  What is your answer to this question?**\n\nThis is a big topic and I try to be as straightforward as possible when people come to me asking this question. People with cancer are desperate for an answer and most people hope for a miracle cure. From my experience in treating hundreds of patients, I can count on my two hands the number of people I have known that have gone from stage 4 and have 'cured themselves' of cancer. Many within that handful, the cancer did come back and some have since passed away. \n\nI am not sure that we fully understand how [CBD oil can cure cancer](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55f4574a3366380006540000/government-cancer-study-shows-cannabis-kills-cancer-cells). Everyone’s response is unique and often THC is needed. CBD only has been, in my experience, less effective than a combination of THC and CBD. That said, it does reduce tumors and stabilize their tumors and most importantly there is a quality of life that comes along with its use. Often people will use it in conjunction with their chemotherapy, and I believe there is only positive value in using CBD oil in addition to traditional therapies. I believe there are a lot of misconceptions about CBD oil and people read various things online that may not be true.\n\n**What guidance do you give to senior citizens who are new to cannabis?**\n\n85% of my elderly patients have never tried cannabis and the average age of an elderly patient who sees me is about 76. These people typically missed the time period in the sixties where everyone was smoking weed at the Grateful Dead. My number one concern for them is their safety, so I always start them “low and slow”. It is important for them to know that typically there is no magic bullet and that this process may take time in order to find the right dosage and ratio. \n\nMost often, an elderly person will not understand self-titration, so I spend a lot of time with them to empower them with going up and down on their dosages. I try to tell them what they should expect based on what is the most common outcome, but I also prepare them for the fact they might be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Sometimes, I get really complicated cases, mainly women who have mystery illnesses where their doctors have been unable to help them. Although I would like to work with their doctors, many people do not want me to tell their doctor and frankly many doctors are still not open to an elderly patient seeking out cannabis as a treatment. This is very unfortunate.\n\n**How do you help people actually get the right medicine for their condition?**\n\nIt depends on where the patient is located. If they are local to me it is easier as I work with a local dispensary, which carries the medicine I prefer to use. If someone is not local, sometimes I will call the local dispensary for them to find out if they are willing to carry products I would like to recommend. It can be challenging, because even dispensaries that carry the products I recommend, may run low or be out of stock. It’s important people go to the right dispensary and get the right medication for their condition.\n\n**There have been new studies on how cannabis may affect dementia, what are your thoughts on this?** \n\nThis is a hot topic. Dementia is a big issue and I work with a facility that is an assisted care facility where many of the dementia patients are in a locked unit. Often they will have very aggressive behavior which pharmaceuticals are unable to manage. Cannabis has been shown to help with aggressive behavior. Most of the dementia patients I see, we use cannabis to manage their behavior not to actually slow down the onset of dementia. These patients often become so aggressive that they need one on one care, which many families are unable to afford. An aggressive dementia patient will often disrupt other residents and often they may even be on the verge of being kicked out of the facility. This is a really, really big problem. Right now, I have a patient who had to be removed from his living situation within his facility. We are in the midst of finding the right dosage of medication for him, so he can better manage his behavior and frankly, have a better quality of life.\n\nCannabis for a dementia patient can bring relaxation, happiness and joy back into a patient’s life. Dementia can cause aggression, anger and total loss of control. The introduction of cannabis can bring back a sense of calm and peace for these patients. A positive outcome with cannabis can be very powerful for both the patient and the family. Family members can be so stressed about taking care of a family member with dementia. It negatively impacts everyone involved.\n\n**Can cannabis help people get off of and stop chronic over use of pharmaceutical drugs?**\n\nIn my experience it certainly seems to help. Recently I treated a patient that was about to be moved to a care facility for the onset of dementia. I learned she had been on narcotics for over 40 years and so we decided to slowly wean her off the narcotics and have her use cannabis as the replacement. Very quickly she became a different person, for the better, and she became as sharp as a tack. People were amazed because what they believed was dementia was actually the side effects of so many years of narcotic use. The cannabis was able to help her manage chronic pain and allowed her to sleep well. She is a new woman! She is now able to stay in her independent living facility where she lives today. This patient is the walking poster child of how cannabis can turn someone’s life around for the better. Yes, cannabis can help people get off of pharmaceuticals.\n\n**What else would you like to communicate to people who are new to cannabis?**\n\nI think people need to manage expectations as to what cannabis can do for them and in what time frame. At the moment, cannabis is on a pedestal as almost a ‘cure all’. It is often superior in terms of effectiveness in lieu of other medications, but at the same time many people need to realize that some things may not work for them and it will often take time to explore what does actually work. Often people will try cannabis, it does not work well for whatever reason, and then they want to give up trying. Sometimes it takes a lot of back and forth to find the right medication and the right dosage. \n\nI also think it is important for a medical professional to follow someone who is new to cannabis, throughout the initial stages of their treatment. Too often people get their recommendation and that’s it. They go to the dispensary ‘bud tenders’, they get the wrong medication and then receive free samples on top of that, and often things will go terribly wrong for the patient. What I really hope for is better education, outreach and for medical professionals to step up and help patients out when they need it most.\n\nGreen Health Consultants operates within the San Francisco Bay Area and welcomes new patients both nationally and internationally. You may book an [appointment online](https://www.vcita.com/v/ghc.eloisetheisen). Eloise conducts her consultations in person, over the phone or on Skype.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/14b42/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/f836f/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/2244e/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 400w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/14b42/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 800w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/47498/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 1200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/54ac5/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/58556/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/61e93/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/1f5c5/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 400w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/58556/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 800w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/99238/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 1200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/5e0b8/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2001-markdown","title":"Introducing Sava: a Premier Online Marketplace for Artisanal Cannabis Goods","slug":"introducing-sava-a-premier-online-marketplace-for-artisanal-cannabis-goods","content":"I met Andrea Brooks, Founder of the newly launched [Sava](http://getsava.com/), at Chow a popular eatery in San Francisco’s Castro District. She was busy towards the back of the restaurant on her Apple Workbook, tapping away, adding some finishing touches to her newly released online retail site. Sava is a new player in the world of cannabis and is a breath of fresh air in a marketplace awash in bud, oh and more bud.\r\n\r\nIn Andrea’s words [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is “like Etsy, only more curatorial in its approach. We find best of breed in smaller, artisanal brands and help bring them to the fore.  Our brands highlight the best and the brightest in lesser-known harder to find cannabis brands. When we select products, we choose them based on what  we would  use ourselves, products we could really get behind and are excited about. Like Etsy, we allow our producers to set up a shop and highlight their products in a way that best suits their style.”\r\n\r\nI was happy to spend time with Andrea to better understand [Sava](http://getsava.com/) and her business model as I am often stumped as to what to purchase in a traditional dispensary. After looking at the initial line up of shops within Sava, I became even more excited by her concept. Storefront dispensaries often carry the same brands and products and most, across the board, are very high in THC. Also, many will only exclusively carry flowers (bud, weed, the green stuff) and not even venture into other product types, such as tinctures and topicals. Andrea’s curatorial approach has the potential for a home run. It certainly hit the sweet spot for me; an active Mom who is not looking to smoke a big joint, but would rather soak in some CBD Epsom salts or take it down a notch with some flavorful THC laced jam on toast. Oh, yum!\r\n\r\n**You compare [Sava](http://getsava.com/) to Etsy, how is Sava like Etsy and how does it differ?**\r\n\r\nOne of the aspects I love about Etsy is that you can learn about who is making your product - it’s a lovely personal touch.  Even more so than something like jewelry or a furnishing, I want to know where my medicine comes from.  Why has the provider chosen to pursue this path?  What inspired them?  What is their method of making their product?  [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is like Etsy in that we showcase our providers and make them accessible to patients. It helps to de-stigmatize the products and cannabis in general.  When I was injured and turned to medical cannabis for help, I was lucky enough to have someone  guide me.  I would now like to guide others in a transparent and informative way. \r\n\r\nHowever, we do differ from Etsy. At [Sava](http://getsava.com/), we carefully curate  providers we showcase and allow on the site.  We do significant research to learn about their sourcing and process.  We want high quality products, produced by people that are passionate about building their brands and helping others.  In addition, we are also launching new producers and providing them access into the industry.\r\n\r\n**What are the types of products and brands you highlight within your Sava shops and how do you curate the selection?**\r\n\r\nI’m a fan of the whole plant and all its uses, but I’m a particularly fond of topicals, tinctures and edibles. It’s important to us to highlight the ways these types of products can have medicinal benefit.  When I reach out to new folks to discuss [Sava](http://getsava.com/), and I show them the types of products that I am offering, more often than not I hear “I’ve never seen that before!” or “ I didn’t know that existed!”   This feedback comes from people  who regularly shop at  dispensaries and they haven’t been exposed to artisanal 'cannabis makers' and this needs to change.  There are so many amazing medicinal uses to discover, from medicated epsom salts to expertly crafted high CBD tinctures to THC-rich shea butter creams to small-batch infused jam.   I use topicals, tinctures and edibles to help with my own pain and inflammation.  A significant group of our sellers provide products that address common ailments, as well as a beautiful end product. \r\n\r\n**What challenges do artisanal product manufacturers face in the cannabis world today?**\r\n\r\nArtisanal producers in this industry face many of the same challenges they do in other industries - it can be very expensive and time-consuming to produce a high-quality product.   Assuming one can manage the ups and downs of product development, the next step is getting the product to market.  It can be a long journey. If you don’t have the right connections, especially in the cannabis industry, the journey gets longer. I’ve spoken with many women within the industry about the challenges of getting into a dispensary; it was one of the inspirations for Sava.  The whims of a dispensary owner can keep an amazing product off a shelf.  As such, new channels need to be created.\r\n\r\nHowever, it’s all about finding the right partnerships.  I’m active in the [Bay Area Women Grow](http://womengrow.com/) chapter and have met so many incredible women through that group, many of whom I developed a working relationship with.  I feel very lucky to have these resources available to help create a primary goal of Sava: to  create a space that is dedicated to providing  products  to women. \r\n \r\n**I imagine that smaller product manufacturers are excited to gain exposure on your site. What has the response been like?**\r\n\r\nYes!  I find that as excited I am to have them, they are equally excited to be showcased in a new environment.   I want to support them as much as possible, from periodically highlighting different shops to helping owners write blog pieces on their areas of expertise.   I’ve found that  everyone has a special story that lead them to enter this industry.  For example, team Strictly Topical , which makes Sweet Releaf - a trichome infused body butter.  The daughter in the mother-and-daughter team suffered a car accident which left her with severe chronic pain.  It’s a moving story  - and Sweet Releaf is amazing! Additionally, some of the smaller producers will be able to scale over time.  We are happy to help them along the way and provide necessary support as they expand.\r\n\r\n**What products are you most excited to use yourself?**\r\n\r\nOh wow - that is hard to choose!  So many exciting options!   I am also a fan of both THC and CBD, so I’m making sure I have products that are rich in both.  \r\nI’ve had a few friends recently that have pulled me aside and said “What’s this new CBD strain I keep hearing about?”  Well, as we know,  it’s not new and it’s not a strain. But with the creative products Sava is offering, there will be many new experiences to be had.\r\n\r\nAlong the lines of CBD, I can’t wait to try the CBD Raw Sipping Cacao from Om Edibles.  Not only does it have all the antioxidants of this superfood, all the benefits of CBD as well.  I’m anticipating this beverage being my constant companion as we move into the winter.  And Flour Child, which makes amazing THC-rich edibles, has a Lavender-Mint scented CBD-rich relief balm. I’ll probably be using that on my hands when I’m done sipping the cacao!\r\n\r\n**Today's cannabis user is no longer seen as the stoner who cannot get off the couch. Who do you see as your target market and what demographic do you most hope to reach?** \r\n\r\nThat is so true re: the stereotypical stoner!  There is still a stigma to overcome - and I’m happy to be part of dismantling it.  De-stigmatization is incredibly important as it helps connect patients with medicine that can help them.  Doing this work, I meet so many people.  The more I get out and talk with people, the more I’m amazed at how many people are turning to cannabis as a new, viable remedy for what ails them.  The same way I did.  \r\n\r\nI see my target market as women over 30 who have already explored alternative health and wellness options. They have likely tried medical cannabis - or maybe they’ve been thinking about it and they are ready to take the plunge.  These are women that want to continue to explore new alternatives to pain management, auto-immune challenges and dealing with PMS.  This is who we are here to help. In my previous life I worked in animal welfare and senior care - so those two populations are incredibly important to me as well.\r\n\r\n**What inspired you to start [Sava](http://getsava.com/)?**\r\n\r\nMy inspiration to start [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is very personal.  A few years ago, I suffered a disabling injury that left me with systemic nerve damage.  I went from serving on a SF city commission, the board of a local animal rescue group and working as a program director & case manager in the field of fair housing to becoming completely disabled within a very short period of time.  The pain was unbearable and I lost my independence, becoming bed-bound for nearly a year.  My doctors gave me drugs and more drugs - some of which helped with the pain, but none of which had a healing effect.  And then came the side-effects.  It felt as if I was watching my life take a long, slow spiral downward, punctuated by doctors telling me different things I would never be able to do or regain, such as the full usage of my right side. One day, a friend brought me a strain he thought would help and also made me a tincture.   It was a dramatic turning point in my recovery.    I was able to manage my pain without the side effects and my mood improved dramatically.  I was able to wean off all the prescription drugs, move and stretch, do the physical exercise I needed to help heal myself. \r\n\r\nAs I continued in my healing journey, I tried more uses of medical cannabis.  But I couldn’t find everything that I wanted in one place, and I often needed to have my medicine delivered as it was hard for me to get around.  I also couldn’t find out the level of information I desired.  So, with Sava I’m creating what I wished existed for me:  a comfortable, safe shopping experience with the female customer in mind.\r\n\r\n**Can anyone order from your site? How do people receive their orders?**\r\n\r\nYes, you need to have a California medical card, and you need to be the legal age to purchase  - just like purchasing any other medical cannabis products.  For many that shop at [Sava](http://getsava.com/), this will likely be the first time that they want to get a card.  As such, we’ve kept it as smooth and simple as a shopping experience as possible.  There are shop information pages where you can read about the collective, their methods and background - or you can also go straight to where all the products are listed and search by what you are looking for or what condition you want help with.   Every product states the full ingredients and guidance on use.  Once you select what you want and proceed through checkout, your items will arrive safely the next day!\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/ee604/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png","srcSet":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/69585/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/497c6/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 400w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/ee604/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 800w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/f3583/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 1200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/f90fa/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/58556/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/61e93/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/1f5c5/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 400w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/58556/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 800w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/99238/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 1200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/5e0b8/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2031-markdown","title":"9 Foolproof Rules for Consuming Cannabis Edibles","slug":"9-foolproof-rules-for-consuming-cannabis-edibles","content":"Last night, a cannabis-savvy friend of mine came over and said, “Something has got to be done about the marijuana edibles on the market. They’re way too strong!” Then she recounted a tale involving Las Vegas, poolside alcohol and some repeated consumption of a cannabis edible chocolate bar. What followed was some identity confusion (she felt she was channeling Liza Minelli), her face stuck to a plate glass window for a period of time and an evening that essentially ended before it even started.\n\nWorking in the cannabis industry you hear a lot of stories about marijuana edibles. Many stories are positive, such as the elderly lady I spoke with who successfully consumes a tiny sliver of cannabis chocolate each night to help combat insomnia. Equally though, I am hearing more and more edible disasters, which I hereby coin “edi-sasters.” Personally, I think until people are adequately educated and informed, there will be more many more edi-sasters, not fewer. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### The Pros of Cannabis Edibles\n\nThere are many positives when it comes to edibles. They can be an excellent way to treat a variety of medical conditions like insomnia and chronic pain, and many people are more comfortable eating their cannabis rather than smoking it. Edibles also happen to be incredibly potent, which is great for many medicinal consumers. \n\nHere, when I refer to edibles, I’m talking about products that are processed in our body through intestinal uptake, like a cannabis brownie or a gummy—basically anything that gets digested in your stomach. If you follow my simple guidelines below, you may be able to have a positive experience with edibles and avoid an edi-saster.\n\n### My 9 Rules for Consuming Marijuana Edibles\n\n#### 1. Choose a Cannabis Edible With a Label\n \nDon’t eat a marijuana brownie a friend gives you; you will have no idea how much cannabis you’re consuming. I recently heard a story about a friend’s mom who was at the end of her rope with prescription medications, which weren’t helping with her chronic pain. She ate a marijuana brownie which was given to her, and well, it was an edi-saster. When you eat homemade cannabis treats, they may be yummy, but you’re playing Russian-psychotropic-roulette.\n\nDosing is always important, but even more so with cannabis edibles. If you’re eating an edible with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), then you should expect a psychotropic experience. Edibles are typically measured in milligrams, so it is important to [understand dosing](http://boingboing.net/2014/11/18/everything-you-need-to-know-ab.html). But remember, this is just a guide, everyone is different. For some people, 2 mg of THC gives them an intense psychoactive experience but for others, they don’t feel a thing. \n\n* 2 mg: This amount of THC has shown little to no impairment on most consumers.\n\n* 2.5 mg: Most consumers have reported some psychoactivity, which may be equal to a glass of wine or a beer. Doses of THC in this range are popular for social anxiety, appetite stimulation and focus. \n\n* 5 mg: Almost all consumers note significant psychoactivity at this THC dosage. \n\n* 10 mg: For most consumers, there will be significant psychoactivity at this dosage of THC. This also provides significant distraction from pain and is a common dose for chemotherapy patients to reduce nausea.\n\n* 15 mg: This dosage of THC can most times cause uncomfortable levels of psychoactivity, even for regular cannabis consumers.\n\n#### 2. Microdose Your Cannabis Edibles \n\nIf you’re new to edibles and cannabis, I would suggest not exceeding 2.5mg of THC the first time you eat a marijuana edible and know it may take up to an hour to feel the effects. Seek out manufacturers that ensure the consistency and quality of their products. \n\n#### 3. Buy Your Marijuana Edibles From a Reputable Dispensary/Collective/Delivery Service\n\nIt’s important to buy your cannabis edibles from a [trustworthy dispensary](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5627dae93339390006600000/get-started-with-cannabis-a-comprehensive-overview-of-medical-marijuana). It’s important that the products you ingest are safe and that your dispensary only sells products that meet safety standards. A reputable dispensary should carry products that are lab tested by the manufacturer. Some dispensaries go a step further and test the manufactured products themselves. Lab testing will check for pesticides, molds, fungus and E.coli, among other substances that may negatively impact your health. If you’re a medicinal user with a compromised immune system, this is especially important.\n\n#### 4. Don’t Drink Alcohol & Consume Marijuana Edibles at the Same Time\n\nAlcohol has the ability to magnify an edibles experience and the combination of the two can make you extremely dizzy. Additionally, alcohol can impair your judgment and lead to over consumption. Over consumption is very, very bad because you will feel terrible for a very long time.\n\n#### 5. Wait—it can Take up to an Hour to Feel the Effects of Cannabis Edibles\n\nOften, people assume that the edible is not working, and then eat more. How much an edible may affect you and when is also due to your age, gender, body type and metabolism. It’s equally important to eat a marijuana edible either after or while eating non-medicated food. \n\n#### 6. Lock Marijuana Edibles Away From Children & Pets\n\nNever, ever leave an edible in the refrigerator or lying around the house. Most edibles look enticing to children. Pets are also likely to eat your edibles. Yes, dogs will feel the effects too, and not in a good way. Always place your edibles out of reach and ideally in a locked box.\n\n#### 7. Keep a High-CBD Cannabis Product Nearby\n\nAre you nervous about trying edibles? Are you afraid the high may be too intense or the duration may be too long? Well, there’s an answer, and ’'s relatively simple: Keep a product high in cannabidiol (CBD) nearby in case you need help. CBD is an important cannabinoid that, like THC, has special healing properties. It also happens to be an antidote to the paranoia and stoned feeling THC can induce. If you feel too high after eating a cannabis edible, CBD will lessen the effects. \n\nRecently, a close friend of mine ate half of a gummy for his insomnia, not knowing the dosage was too much for him (I did suggest a lower dosage, if you want to know). He was lying on the couch, incapacitated and was telling me the rabbit hole he was going down was too much for him. So I sprayed an 18:1 CBD:THC sublingual spray into his mouth. Within 10 minutes he was up walking around, feeling much better. It really does work! [\n\n#### 8. Don’t Freak Out if You Eat Too Much Cannabis, You’ll Be OK\n\nIf you happen to over consume an edible, know that you will be OK. Hydrate with water, lie down and stay calm. In most cases you’ll fall asleep and wake up groggy, but you will be alive and hopefully be a little wiser. Unlike prescription medicines, alcohol or illegal drugs like cocaine and heroin, you will not kill yourself by overdosing on THC—it’s physically impossible to do so and there are no recorded deaths by marijuana overdose. You may feel terrible and possibly paranoid, but you won’t die.\n\nRELATED: [THE SCIENCE BEHIND WHY MARIJUANA IS SAFER THAN OPIOIDS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a453281100a820006562f3f/the-science-behind-why-marijuana-is-safer-than-opioids)\n\n#### 9. Find Marijuana Edibles Low in THC\n\nYes, they do exist. With the new wave of high-CBD products, there’s a movement in the marketplace for high-CBD edibles. This is great news to people who enjoy edibles but would like a less intense sensation, or to drop THC altogether. CBD is a great anti-inflammatory and analgesic that helps people with back pain, arthritis and conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. \n\nCannabis edibles can be so helpful to many people. But keep my tips in mind so you don’t have a marijuana-fueled Liza Minelli impersonation story of your own. Remember, take a small piece of a cannabis edible and wait at least an hour before deciding whether you need to up your dose. As we say in the cannabis industry when it comes to edibles: start low and go slow. \n\nPhoto credit: [Kat Bruni](https://unsplash.com/@katbruni)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/14b42/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/f836f/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 200w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/2244e/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 400w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/14b42/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 800w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/47498/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 1200w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/0e329/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 1600w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/87226/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.jpg 2281w","srcWebp":"/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/58556/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/61e93/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 200w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/1f5c5/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 400w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/58556/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 800w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/99238/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 1200w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/7c22d/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 1600w,\n/static/7770725fd48dd2f606db237437951e99/94f44/ebbb4a67823fce061bf69fad3fa4bbb6.webp 2281w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1955-markdown","title":"Cannabis Transdermal Patches: Easy to Use & Effective for Pain","slug":"cannabis-transdermal-patches-easy-to-use-and-effective-for-pain","content":"Since 2013, [Mary’s Medicinals](http://www.marysmedicinals.com/products-properties/) focused on the medicinal cannabis consumer, establishing itself as an innovative and trusted brand within the industry. Available in Colorado, Washington, Arizona, Oregon and California, Mary’s was the first to offer medical marijuana consumers transdermal patches. Mary’s transdermals, discreet patches that are worn on the skin, won numerous awards including Most Innovative Product at the CannAwards in 2015. Mary’s is re-thinking how cannabis is used, taking cues from consumption methods for pharmaceutical treatments, with great success.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \r\n\r\n### What Are Marijuana Transdermal Patches?\r\n\r\nTransdermal patches are medicated adhesive patches placed on a venous area of the skin. They release small amounts of medication into the bloodstream over a long period of time. To explain how the patches are different from topical creams, Graham Sorkin of Mary’s Medicinals says, “Topical creams can typically be absorbed by the top one to three layers of skin and may offer pain relief locally, to say a shoulder or knee. Transdermal patches differ from topical creams in that the medicine goes through all seven layers of skin and enters directly into the bloodstream. Transdermal patches deliver systematic rather than localized relief.”\r\n\r\n### Pros of Using Cannabis Patches\r\n\r\nPatches allow for absorption at a steady rate over a longer period of time. They don’t require a person to remember to dose at regular intervals, and they can even be used with an upset stomach. Nitroglycerin and nicotine patches are two of the more well-known medicated patches associated with traditional western medicine.\r\n“Transdermal patches are not new,” Graham contends. “However, using them as a delivery method for cannabis is. We find that our consumers already feel comfortable with a transdermal patch. Many of our consumers are elderly, and patches are not only familiar but also a benign way to consume cannabis for pain relief.”\r\n\r\nAn added benefit to transdermal patches is the accuracy in dosing. Unlike edibles, which are first absorbed in the stomach, a patch delivers the medicine directly into the bloodstream. Interestingly, Graham notes, “A 10 mg dose from a transdermal patch is roughly equivalent to what you might feel from an 80 mg serving from an edible. This is due to the high bio-availability with the patch; it enters into the blood which results in 100% cannabinoid uptake.”\r\n\r\nAs absorption happens steadily over a longer period of time Graham says, “We often hear from people that they don’t even notice the patch or a different feeling except when they realize there is an absence of pain. That’s an incredible relief for people who’ve lived with chronic pain.”\r\n\r\nRELATED: [DO CANNABIS TOPICALS PASS THE DRUG TEST?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/574b679b982db9000a000055/do-cannabis-topicals-pass-the-drug-test)\r\n\r\n### Marijuana Transdermal Gel Pens Accompany the Patches\r\n\r\nAlthough dosing is accurate with the patches, Mary’s believes some people may wish to augment the patch with a personalized, blended cannabinoid ratio. For this reason, Mary’s developed a line of [transdermal gel pens](http://www.marysmedicinals.com/products-properties/), which are meant to be an accompaniment to the transdermal patch.\r\n\r\nThe gel pen microdoses different cannabinoids and can be rubbed directly into the skin for additional relief. “People with migraines indicate that using a transdermal gel rubbed directly into their temples provides pain relief,” says Graham.\r\n\r\n### Cannabis Transdermal Patches Are Unlikely to Get You High\r\n\r\nThe majority of Mary’s transdermal patches are non-psychotropic. Non-psychotropic patches include cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN), tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and their cannabidiol: tetrahydrocannabinol (CBD:THC) 1:1 offering. “To date we haven’t heard from anyone that they have gotten too high or that the patch has even made them uncomfortable,” says Graham. “If you don’t like the feeling you have from a patch, then you can take it off and the feeling will go away very quickly. When you smoke too much cannabis, you may be stuck with an uncomfortable feeling. If you take a patch off, within 10 minutes the amount of cannabinoids in your system will go down.”\r\n\r\nLooking at Mary’s testimonials, you’ll see a variety of patients with different medical conditions finding relief with the transdermal patches. Although Mary’s developed products for the medicinal market, the company is cautious about advising patients medically.\r\n\r\n“When people reach out to us with specific medical conditions and concerns, we want to offer them the best possible advice. For this reason, we partnered with [Realm of Caring](https://www.theroc.us/), a Colorado-based nonprofit that provides support for people using cannabis as therapy.”\r\n\r\nMary’s Medicinals can be found in [several locations nationwide](http://www.marysmedicinals.com/find-marys-products/). Additionally, the company has launched Mary’s Nutritionals, which offers CBD-only products derived from hemp for both human and pet consumption.\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/ee604/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png","srcSet":"/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/69585/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png 200w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/497c6/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png 400w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/ee604/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png 800w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/f3583/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png 1200w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/f90fa/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/58556/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/61e93/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp 200w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/1f5c5/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp 400w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/58556/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp 800w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/99238/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp 1200w,\n/static/f1363402101174ca3f42f36a8219449e/5e0b8/bb6c425a344775e52d72d9072aa83d62.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2056-markdown","title":"Cannabis Improves Your Sex Life – The Top 5 Reasons You Should Give Cannabis A Try","slug":"cannabis-improves-your-sex-life-the-top-5-reasons-you-should-give-cannabis-a-try","content":"Some years ago I was decidedly anti-cannabis. It was for stoners, it sucked you into the couch like fly paper for humans, and it was not good for society. It certainly did not help that my then-boyfriend played Formula 1 video games for most of the day while stoned.  Reading about the so-called ‘medicinal’ benefits, I might have even rolled my eyes.\r\n\r\nToday, I am an impassioned pro-cannabis advocate. It has changed my life for the better using it as a medicine to better manage debilitating migraines as well as to increase my overall sense of health and wellness. The reasons that lead someone to consider using cannabis are varied and may even be complex. Below are five reasons  I believe you should consider giving cannabis a first or second chance.\r\n\r\n**1. Cannabis alleviates pain quickly.**\r\n\r\nAs humans, we experience a lot of physical pain. I often look at my dog Juno and wonder why we feel so much more physical pain than say, my dog. It is a fact, we experience it and it tends to get worse as we get older. [Nearly 100 million Americans](http://www.nap.edu/read/13172/chapter/2# 3) suffer from chronic pain.\r\n\r\nI like many others suffer from pain including migraines, fibromyalgia, bursitis in my hips and tendonitis that can flare up in my wrist/arm.  My diet is healthy and I exercise regularly, but I am still troubled with physical pain. In my experience, marijuana helps calm inflammation in my body and nips my migraines in the bud before they blossom. In addition, it helps quell the rising tide of PMS and feeling of unrest that comes with my fluctuating hormones. \r\n\r\nCannabis, and particularly, Cannibidiol (CBD), is a known anti-inflammatory and an analgesic. [A new study](http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338266) shows that cannabis is effective in pain management for chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain as well as pain associated with multiple sclerosis. The [Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America recently stated](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.source.php?sourceID=000412): \r\n\r\n>\"Experimental evidence suggests that endocannabanoids, molecules found in the body that closely resemble compounds found in the cannabis (marijuana) plant, may play a role in limiting intestinal inflammation.”\r\n\r\nMainstream medicine also acknowledges that marijuana, and in particular THC, seems to help cancer patients manage pain. I am cherry picking only some medical conditions cannabis helps. \r\n\r\n**2. Cannabis does not have the same negative side effects as prescription drugs or alcohol.**\r\n\r\nIf you don’t like to get ‘high’, the psychoactive feeling you receive after ingesting  THC, then that is about the only negative side effect that cannabis will give you. It can also make some people feel a little groggy after use, but that’s about it in terms of side effects. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, and even alcohol, the negative impact of ingesting moderate amounts of cannabis is extremely low.  Cannabis can act a relaxant, anti depressant and treat the symptoms of innumerable medical conditions. Conversely, the pros of using cannabis far outweigh the cons. You would be hard pressed to find a single death from someone ‘overdosing’ on marijuana, it just does not happen.\r\n\r\nOn the flip side to cannabis, there is a death associated with prescription drugs every 19 minutes in the United States. More people in the US die from prescription drugs than from illegal drugs. I’ve heard some people say it is like [‘Pharmageddon’](http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/10/26/prescription-drugs-number-one-cause-preventable-death-in-us.aspx). \r\n\r\nThe list of negative side effects from a pharmaceutical drug can read like an Egyptian papyrus scroll and some can even be laughable. ‘May cause transient third nipple in laboratory rats.’, read one label I glanced at recently. Prescription drugs can also be highly addictive. Many people take not one but multiple pharmaceuticals in conjunction with one another, leading to a potentially dangerous situation, especially in the elderly population.\r\n\r\nAlcohol, although widely accepted culturally, has innumerable [negative side effects](http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body). It damages the heart, liver, pancreas, weakens the immune system and the link between alcohol and cancer is well established. Our bodies also become less efficient at processing  alcohol as we get older and we are more likely to feel drunk more quickly. Our bodies break alcohol down into acetaldehyde, which is a [‘highly toxic substance and known carcinogen’](http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm). Many proponents are quick to point out that it prevents heart disease or cultivates a ‘healthy heart’, but the reality is our body processes it as a toxin. Additionally, the [CDC released that 88,000 people in the US die every year from alcohol use]( http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm).\r\n\r\nAs with anything, moderation is key. Someone who abuses cannabis may end up feeling ‘burnt out’ or be a 'burn out'. But overall, if used in moderation with an understanding of how your system works with cannabis, you may reap many rewards.\r\n\r\n\r\n**3. You don’t need to get ‘high’ to experience the positive benefits from cannabis.**\r\n\r\nYou can get high if you want to, but you don’t have to. This is where cannabis starts to get interesting to me. I always assumed you needed to get stoned in order to use cannabis. I also assumed you needed to smoke it. Both of these assumptions are incorrect. You don’t need to get stoned and there are [many ways you can now ingest cannabis](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/methods-of-administering-medical-marijuana).\r\n\r\nPersonally, I am not able to ingest larger quantities of THC. The psychoactive component tends to make me feel very uncomfortable (like a head with no body), which is also why I was anti-cannabis for so long. That all changed when I discovered CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is an anti-inflammatory and when combined with THC, can remediate the effects of THC. In short, CBD is the antidote to THC’s psychoactivity. When used in the right quantities, or ratio, together, I am able to experience the medicinal benefits as well as an overall sense of calm and relaxation. Everyone is different in this respect, but you absolutely do not need to get high.\r\n\r\n**4. Cannabis relaxes you and can potentially ease anxiety.**\r\n\r\nCannabis can induce a feeling of well-being and relaxation. To me, I find that using a cannabis tincture at night, helps take the edge off similar to the way a glass of wine might. The tinctures I choose tend to be high CBD and low THC and are not psychoactive. It works like a charm and I am mentally present and alert. Other people may find that a vape pen with higher concentrations of THC help to relax them, it depends on the person as we all have slightly different reactions to cannabis.\r\n\r\nAnxiety affects nearly 40 million Americans according to the [Anxiety & Depression Association of America](http://www.adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics). Most of the top selling pharmaceutical drugs in the US treat anxiety & depression. It’s a big problem, and although cannabis does not address the root of this nationwide epidemic, it can certainly help alleviate anxiety in some people. A new study has even the [National Institute of Health suggesting it may relieve anxiety]( http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-nih-says-yes-weed-eases-anxiety).  That said, studies can diverge on this subject and I believe the way cannabis affects people is highly individual and also directly correlates to the amount of THC to CBD that is ingested. You basically need to try it to see if it works for you.\r\n\r\n**5. Cannabis improves your sex life.**\r\n\r\nOK, so maybe this should be in the number one spot. It’s true, cannabis can improve your sexual experience and may even make you want to have more of it. Meow. This is good news for the institution of marriage, which should give those pro family politicians in Washington a good reason to support cannabis legalization.\r\n\r\nCannabis can enhance the body’s ability to experience orgasms and there is scientific evidence to support this. [Dr. Mitch Earlywine, a psychology professor at SUNY Albany states](http://elitedaily.com/dating/your-sex-life-on-weed/1026506/):\r\n\r\n>“That CB1 receptor seems to be involved in improved tactile sensations and general euphoria,” he says, referring to cannabinoid receptors in our nervous system activated by THC. Naturally, no pun intended, THC is the active drug found in cannabis.”\r\n\r\nMany people claim cannabis is an aphrodisiac and some even claim it to be a [‘natural Viagra’](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/23/medical-marijuana-stiff-competition-for-viagra_n_839678.html). This is not news as marijuana has been cited as an aphrodisiac for centuries, if not thousands of years. Most of this is anecdotal evidence however as the medical studies on sex and cannabis are rare. As with anxiety, experiences can differ. Some people claim that it inhibits their sexual response. It is important to note your overall experience is also  highly dependent on what cannabis you ingest.\r\n\r\nLucky for us ladies, there are many new cannabis products on the market that address an enhanced sexual experience. It may come as a surprise that many are topical oils designed to be used as a sexual lubricant. Two brands you may want to try out are [Herba Buena’s Quiver](http://herbabuena.com/product/quiver-sensual-cannabis-lubricant/) and [Foria's personal lubricants](http://foriapleasure.com/pages/about-us).\r\n\r\nWell, that's it in a nutshell as to why I think you should give cannabis a try. If you are new to cannabis and  want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation, it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/ee604/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png","srcSet":"/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/69585/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png 200w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/497c6/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png 400w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/ee604/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png 800w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/f3583/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png 1200w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/f90fa/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/58556/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/61e93/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp 200w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/1f5c5/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp 400w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/58556/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp 800w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/99238/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp 1200w,\n/static/b0e2c31a3ae560d34d845112e6e1e0c2/5e0b8/b9152e889cebab51ce638d155fe1621d.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2042-markdown","title":"Cannabis as a Sleep Aid for Insomnia: An Interview with Pianta Tinta","slug":"cannabis-as-a-sleep-aid-for-insomnia-an-interview-with-pianta-tinta","content":"Due its lack of psychoactivity and for its ability to effectively treat a variety of medical conditions, CBD (Cannabidiol) is the rising star among the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids. [Pianta Tinta Collective](http://www.piantacbd.com/), a new manufacturer within the cannabis marketplace, focuses on high CBD tinctures, oils and rubs ‘to enable others to live a higher quality of life.’ Their tinctures target [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better) and chronic pain as well as other common conditions people often face. Co-founders Elizabeth Knight and Dr. Kathy Acquistapace feel they have found their niche with a more medically oriented customer base and pride themselves on ongoing customer consultations with Dr. Acquistapace, the in-house Naturopath. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_/?hl=en) \n\nPianta Tinta is also representative of the booming artisanal marketplace within California. Smaller product manufacturers often focus on sourcing the highest quality outdoor grown cannabis for unique offerings, such as CBD tinctures, that may or may not be found in your local dispensary. Elizabeth Knight took time to speak to us about Pianta Tinta and the growth of their business over the past year.\n\n**What was the inspiration for starting Pianta Tinta?**\n\nPianta Tinta means ‘plant tincture’ in Italian. We chose that name because we focus on the cannabis plant as well as more natural modalities of healing. We founded our business based on Dr. Kathy Acquistapace’s research on CBD and the newly found applications for it as a medicine. \n\nAs a naturopath, Dr. Acquistapace was looking for more alternative natural medicines for her patient base. As she learned more and more about CBD, we became excited about the possibilities but also became aware of the lack of CBD alternatives in the market, especially within dispensaries. \n\nAs a business, we were most interested in entering the cannabis marketplace with products that were high CBD and very low THC. When you visit a dispensary as a first time medicinal marijuana patient, it is not that easy to find high CBD products. When a senior citizen enters a dispensary today they will most likely be presented with products that are very high in THC. Even a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC may be too much THC for a first time cannabis patient. Ultimately, we decided to make tinctures as this is a very easy way to ingest cannabis. \n\n**What high CBD cannabis strain do you favor for your product lines?**\n\nWe work with ACDC as our favored strain. It is a hybrid strain that is bred to have very high CBD content and very low THC content. It is not the easiest strain to grow but we think it works very well for the high CBD products that we produce. Our grower grows the ACDC strain outdoors, in organic soil; he uses grow pots without the use of pesticides/fungicides which we feel is very important. \n\nWe also test our products at [Steep Hill Halent](http://steephill.com/) and [CW Analytical labs](http://www.cwanalytical.com/). We first test the ACDC flower to know the cannabinoid ratios, the terpene profiles and to make sure it is free of any microbes, fungus or molds. After we go through making the tinctures we test again to get the final cannabinoid content, which is what we print on our labels. We strive to represent our product as accurately as possible.\n\n**Other than the ACDC flower, what other ingredients do you put within your cannabis tinctures?**\n\nOur tinctures are very straightforward. All of our labels list the ingredients, which include the ACDC flower/leaves and ethyl alcohol. We do not flavor or put any additional chemicals in our products. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with very ‘clean’ products.\n\n**Are you targeting a particular segment of the population with your product line?**\n\nThe people we want to reach represent a wide range of ages and demographics. We believe that we are able to reach these people because our products positively address a wide variety of symptoms that affect almost all age groups. We often find that senior citizens are looking for alternatives from a regime that is far too heavy with opioids, so they are open to trying cannabis as an alternative. We see that younger people are far too stressed out and can use some anxiety relief, which CBD is also good for. Our products are for anyone who is seeking to use marijuana medicinally, and to receive the benefit from CBD.\n\n**Do your products target specific medical conditions?** \n\nWe are not able to make claims as we do not have any clinical studies to back these up. However, anecdotally we have seen great success across a variety of conditions including adults with seizure disorders. For instance, we had a patient, a man in his fifties, who was having 4-6 seizures a month, and since taking our Super High CBD tincture he has had a total of 5 seizures since January. That is a huge reduction of seizures and in addition he was able to drop many of his pharmaceutical medications. \n\nWe have also seen a lot of people who have [chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/562150d03232620006450000/top-14-marijuana-strains-for-different-kinds-of-pain), whether that be arthritis, pain from previous injuries, general inflammation, etc. This topic of pain covers a wide swath of medical conditions and can encompass so much, but we have found that many people have found relief with our Super High CBD product. We also have members of our collective with cancer who have added our Super High CBD as well as our High THC tincture and oil to their treatment regime.\n\nSince virtually all pharmaceutical products carry unwanted side effects, CBD offers the alternative of providing the positive benefits without the negative side effects.\n\n**On your website, I see that you are promoting a new high THC tincture for sleep. Is this tincture good for treating [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better)?**\n\nWe recently produced a high THC tincture that we feel is particularly good at relieving insomnia. As we all know, insomnia can be difficult to overcome. Not everyone has insomnia for the same reasons. For instance, one person may not be sleeping because they have pain related to inflammation. If you bring the inflammation down with a high CBD product, they may be able to get a good night’s sleep every night. In other instances, a high THC tincture will help relax a person who struggles to get to sleep and also help them to stay asleep longer. \n\nOur newest tincture contains a high percentage of THC and almost no CBD. THC tends to relax people, however everyone is different. Some people find that CBD may relax them and others may find that a combination of THC and CBD may be best for them. As we are all unique, we recommend that people try our new high THC tincture for their sleep issues and see if their sleep improves. Some people may find that it works well and others may find that adding CBD to the THC may work best for them. We suggest that a person starts with a small amount before bedtime and keep a sleep log. This way, they can find what works best for them based on their own body.\n\n**You offer members of your collective consultations with your in-house Naturopath. What should a patient expect to gain from a consultation?**\n\nDr. Acquistapace is our Naturopath. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience and her focus is on alternative and natural healing. She works with people who are wanting to reach their highest level of heath and explains to them how Pianta Tinta tinctures can be a part of their health plan.  At Pianta Tinta, she often works with people, many first timers to marijuana, to better understand cannabis and how to integrate it into their lives. She is also available to answer more general health questions as well.\n\nPeople are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they are given, especially those new to cannabis, so Dr. Acquistapace is there to help guide and consult with people along the way. Our customer base is often looking for answers and wondering how medical marijuana interacts with their body and possibly with their existing medications. [Dr. Acquistapace consults in 15-minute increments](http://www.piantacbd.com/consultations/) over the phone, over Skype and in-person. We want to be flexible based on the patients needs.\n\n**What general advice would you give to people that are new to cannabis?**\n\nRead your labels!  A lot of products are mislabeled or misrepresent the medicine. This is especially true for many of the high CBD hemp-based products that are sold over the internet. Hemp is different from cannabis and the products made from it is sourced differently as well. Make sure that the products are lab tested and make sure you know how much of the medicinal cannabinoids CBD and THC is in the products. Ratios are popular but it does not tell you specifically how much cannabinoids are actually in the product. It is important to educate yourself or consult with someone who can give quality advice before ingesting your medicine. Also read the label for any additional harmful or unnecessary ingredients such as residual solvents like, butane, naphtha, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dyes, artificial flavoring and fragrances.\n\n**How do you people find Pianta Tinta Tinctures?**\n\nWe do not currently sell through storefront dispensaries. We have chosen to be a collective and produce and manufacture our own cannabis tinctures for our members. We are located in Vallejo and people pick up their products from us directly by [appointment only](http://www.piantacbd.com/contact/). Before seeing us you will need to obtain your medical marijuana recommendation, which you can do through [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/). To obtain our products you must first go online to the [Pianta Tinta](http://www.piantacbd.com/membership/) website and fill out our short membership form, which requires a valid medical marijuana recommendation and photo ID. You can contact us to schedule an appointment or we are also able to deliver for a small additional fee. \n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png","srcSet":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/69585/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/497c6/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f3583/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f90fa/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/61e93/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/1f5c5/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/99238/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/5e0b8/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2052-markdown","title":"The Science of \"Getting the Munchies\" & Why it Helps the Critically Ill.","slug":"the-science-of-getting-the-munchies-and-why-it-helps-the-critically-ill","content":"Cannabis has always been associated with appetite stimulation - that sensation you feel soon after consuming marijuana - some folks call it \"the munchies\". Well, now science is beginning to back up that association. Research has shown\nthat cannabis does have a positive effect on appetite. For people whose\nappetite has been affected by chronic illness, this is encouraging news.\nCannabis may help restore their appetite, allowing them to eat and\nback on the path to good health.\n\nCritical Illness and Appetite\n-----------------------------\n\nPeople who are sick often do not eat or take in sufficient quantities of\nfood, and malnourishment is common among the critically ill. A\n[study](http://www.bmj.com/content/308/6934/945) of patients in a\nhospital found that 40 percent of critically ill patients were\nmalnourished upon admission and that their status often deteriorated\nacross the hospital stay. Furthermore, malnourishment often lingers for\na period of time [after\ndischarge](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1550795/), which\ndelays the healing process.\n\nWhile symptoms of a patient's chronic illness, including nausea,\nvomiting, and chronic pain, may contribute to the inability or lack of\ndesire to eat, there are actual biological changes that impair appetite.\nFor example, critically ill patients have significantly lower levels of\nghrelin, a hormone produced by the gastrointestinal tract. This hormone\nis associated with appetite stimulation and is at its highest levels\nafter fasting and prior to eating. In critically ill patients, ghrelin\n[is significantly lower](http://www.ccforum.com/content/10/1/R10# B2)\nthan in healthy individuals. Levels of the peptide hormone leptin are\nsimilarly affected. This hormone is associated with energy balance,\nincreasing appetite when the body's energy is low.\n\nStudies of those who suffer from anorexia\nnervosa,\na mental illness in which patients have a distorted body image and avoid\nfood, may provide insight into the effects of illness-induced anorexia.\nThese studies have found that among anorexia patients:\n\n-   The site in the brain that associates [taste with\n    pleasure](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3971875/pdf/nihms490209.pdf)\n    is underactive\n-   [Levels of\n    neurotransmitters](http://eatingdisorders.ucsd.edu/research/pdf_papers/2003/barbarich2003neurotansmitter.pdf),\n    brain chemicals that transmit messages between nerve cells, are\n    altered\n-   [Structural](http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=5049364&fileId=S0033291700033687)\n    brain changes, including reduced gray matter, occur\n-   Depression and anxiety are high\n\nThe Endocannabinoid System and Appetite\n---------------------------------------\n\nIn addition to ghrelin and leptin, the\nendocannabinoid\nsystem in the body can affect appetite. This complex system includes\ncannabinoid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system, as\nwell as in the immune system, and is associated with balance or\nhomeostasis. Some of these receptors, particularly CB1 receptors, are\nconcentrated in portions of the brain that affect memory, movement,\nemotions, higher cognition, and\n[appetite](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16148436). Naturally\noccurring cannabinoids produced by the human body bind with these\nreceptors to create balance. Disrupting this binding can either reduce\nor increase the effects on memory, emotions, and appetite. Disruptions\ncan be caused by medication, illness, and cannabinoids from cannabis.\n\nTHC and Appetite\n----------------\n\n[Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol\n(THC),](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163725802002577)\nis the most common cannabinoid in cannabis and is responsible for the\nhigh associated with the plant. THC is also responsible for stimulating\nappetite.\n\nTHC binds with CB1 receptors, including those associated with taste and\npleasure, food intake, and energy balance. When THC is taken in, it is\nrapidly taken up by the CB1 receptors and appetite is enhanced, eating\nis more pleasurable, and the feeling of satiety (fullness) is reduced.\n\nIn addition to enhancing CB1 receptors in the brain, THC also:\n\n-   Improves sense of smell. A recent\n    [study](http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v17/n3/full/nn.3647.html)\n    of mice found that THC enhanced their ability to smell food, thus\n    increasing the amount of food they eat.\\\n-   [Improves\n    taste](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705914/). THC\n    increases the ability to taste food, making it more pleasurable to\n    eat and increasing the rewards associated with eating.\\\n-   [Increases levels of ghrelin and\n    leptin](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17212793)[,](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17212793)\\\n\nTaking Cannabis\n---------------\n\nMedical cannabis comes in a variety of forms and can be taken a variety\nof ways. Smoking, which introduces the cannabinoids to the system\nquickly, may be difficult for people who are feeling nauseous. For those\nsuffering from vomiting, an edible form of cannabis may not be\neffective. Luckily there are a number of alternatives, including:\n\n-   Cannabis oil - a concentrated form of cannabinoids that can be\n    placed under the tongue (sublingual) or added to food, drink\n    or tablets.\n-   Vaporization -\n    this process involves heating the cannabis to a point below\n    combustion (burning) and inhaling the vapor created. Benefits\n    include fast delivery of cannabinoids and reduced effects on\n    the lung.\n\nAnother option is [Marinol](http://www.drugs.com/marinol.html)®. This\nsynthetic form of THC has been approved by the FDA for use in patients\nwith acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and anorexia to\nstimulate appetite. It has also been approved for treating the side\neffects of chemotherapy in cancer patients who suffer from vomiting and\nnausea and who do not respond to traditional medications. However,\ncompared to cannabis-based THC, marinol can increase nausea and vomiting\nin some patients and is more expensive. Plus naturally occurring THC is\noften balanced with cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid that can counteract\nthe \"high\" of THC without decreasing the appetite-stimulating property.\n\nImproved Quality of Life\n------------------------\n\nGood nutrition is always important. But the effects of poor nutrition\ncan be measured in the critically ill.\n[Malnourishment](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002822300003734)\nis associated with increased complications, longer hospital stays, and\npoorer recovery for critically ill patients.\n\nIn addition, patients who have a critical illness often suffer from\n[depression and\nanxiety](http://www.researchgate.net/publication/269705162_Depression_following_critical_illness_Analysis_of_incidence_and_risk_factors).\nThese conditions are worsened by malnourishment and by the inability to\neat or enjoy food. By stimulating the appetite, cannabis can help\npatients feel better and recover sooner. Cannabis is also associated\nwith improving\ndepression\nand\nanxiety.\nPatients who feel better, have an improved quality of life and can cope\nbetter with their critical illness.\n\nPatients should talk with their medical marijuana provider to see if\nthey could benefit from the appetite-stimulating properties of cannabis\nand to identify the best delivery option for their condition and\nsymptoms.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/14b42/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/f836f/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.jpg 200w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/2244e/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.jpg 400w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/14b42/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.jpg 800w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/47498/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/58556/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/61e93/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.webp 200w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/1f5c5/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.webp 400w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/58556/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.webp 800w,\n/static/e7240ee4d8051626eaaed3fd7cb9a1e4/99238/f4015d1fcb571240495a451d19a20eb7.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1959-markdown","title":"Cancer, Cannabis Oil, and the United Kingdom","slug":"cancer-cannabis-oil-and-the-united-kingdom","content":"There is a growing body of evidence that cannabis can help alleviate the\npain of cancer, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and even reduce\ncertain cancerous tumors. Despite this and other evidence that medical\nmarijuana is beneficial for a number of other diseases, the United\nKingdom continues to ban medical marijuana and criminalize the\npossession, use, and growth of cannabis.\n\nCancer in the United Kingdom\n----------------------------\n\nAs it is in many nations of the world, cancer is the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom, accounting\nfor 29 percent of all deaths in 2012. According to [Cancer Research\nUK](http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics),\nmore than 330,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year, and about\n162,000 people die from it. The 10-year survival rate is 50 percent, and\ncancers of the breast, lung, prostate, and bowels account for more than\nhalf of yearly cancer diagnoses.\n\nTreatment traditionally consists of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation\ntherapy, or a combination of all three. Other types of treatment include\nimmunotherapy and hormone therapy. But traditional treatments don't\nalways work, and the side effects can be debilitating. Some of these\nside effects include:\n\n-   Nausea\n-   Vomiting\n-   Fatigue\n-   Loss of appetite\n-   Loss of hair\n\nIn addition, a cancer diagnosis and the accompanying treatment have been\nassociated with mental health disorders, such as [depression and\nanxiety](http://jco.ascopubs.org/content/early/2014/10/03/JCO.2014.56.0086.abstract).\n\nCannabis and Cancer\n-------------------\n\nCannabis has been used to treat many illnesses and conditions for\nthousands of years, despite the lack of scientific evidence for its use.\n[England](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)\nhas a rich history of medicinal cannabis use. In 1621, Robert Burton\npublished *The Anatomy of Melancholy*, in which he supported the use of\ncannabis for treating depression. Thirty years later, Nicholas Culpeper\nrecommended hemp extract for treating headache, gout, and arthritis. In\nthe 1800s, Dr. William O'Shaughnessy promoted the use of cannabis for\nmuscle spasms, menstrual cramps, rheumatism, and seizures. Queen\nVictoria herself is anecdotally reported to have used cannabis to\nrelieve menstrual cramps. Despite cannabis's extensive history, the\nscientific basis was lacking.\n\nResearch into the effects of cannabis on cancer began in earnest about\n100 years later. In 1974, researchers at the [Medical College of\nVirginia](http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/55/3/597) found that\ncannabis slowed the growth of cancerous tumors in mice.\n\nIn the past 20 years other research has found that cannabis can:\n\n-   Reduce [nausea and\n    vomiting](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/)\n    associated with chemotherapy\n-   Reduce pain and inflammation of\n    [chemotherapy](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Reduce [cancer\n    pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Improve\n    [appetite](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5596a4413264380006220000/kicking-cancer-and-chemotherapy-symptoms-with-cannabis)\n-   Shrink\n    [brain](http://www.nature.com/bjc/journal/v95/n2/abs/6603236a.html)\n    and [breast](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22776349) cancer\n    tumors\n\nEven the [National Institute on Drug\nAbuse](https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana-medicine)\nin the United States has revised its publication on marijuana by\nrecognizing the positive effects of cannabis for some cancer patients.\n\nWhere the UK Stands on Cannabis\n-------------------------------\n\nIn 1928, the use, growth, and possession of marijuana became illegal in\nthe UK under the [Dangerous Drugs\nAct](http://moj.gov.jm/sites/default/files/laws/The%20Dangerous%20Drugs%20Act.pdf).\nThis occurred despite lack of evidence that cannabis was, in fact,\ndangerous. Cannabis is currently listed as a [class B\nsubstance](https://www.gov.uk/penalties-drug-possession-dealing),\nmeaning that its possession can result in a fine and/or five years in\nprison, and its cultivation can results in a fine and/or 14 years in\nprison.\n\nIn 2010, the oromucosal spray\n[Sativex](http://www.nhs.uk/ipgmedia/national/multiple%20sclerosis%20trust/assets/sativex.pdf)\nwas licensed in the UK for treating multiple sclerosis spasticity. This\nmedication is derived from two strains of cannabis and contains both\ndelta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinoids\nthat have been associated with many of the medical effects currently\nbeing studied. The use of Sativex is restricted only to multiple\nsclerosis patients who are not responding to traditional treatments or\nwho cannot tolerate the side effects of traditional treatment, and the\ncost of Sativex in the UK remains high and out of reach for many\npatients. Despite this relaxing of the cannabis ban, the use of cannabis\nfor treating cancer still remains illegal.\n\nBud Buddies\n-----------\n\nFrom 2002 to 2005, a grassroots organization, [Bud\nBuddies](http://www.cannabiscure.info/files/bud_buddies.htm), supplied\nill patients with medical marijuana for free. This organization had\nresearched the benefits of medical marijuana from around the globe and\nfelt it was their mission to help those in need. Although they were\nforced to close in 2007, they continue their work on developing a\nhigh-quality cannabis oil, albeit in Spain, and to promote legislative\nchange in the UK through *Project Storm*. This\n[documentary](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58X5KhW80pw) features\nadvanced cancer patients in the UK who have come to rely on cannabis for\ntreatment and symptom relief.\n\nCannabis Oil in the UK\n----------------------\n\nIt is currently illegal for anyone in the UK to possess cannabis\nproducts, including cannabis oil. [Cannabis\noil](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b7e6426264330006310000/methods-of-administering-medical-marijuana)\nis concentrated oil extracted from the cannabis plant. Depending on the\nratio of THC to CBD, the oil can cause the high feeling of marijuana.\nWhile some continue to advocate smoking cannabis for the faster onset of\neffects, smoking is not always beneficial to those with cancer or those\nundergoing chemotherapy. Cannabis oil provides a healthier method of\ndelivery. It can be taken via an oral syringe, in a pill capsule form,\nor dropped under the tongue. For some, it can be added to food or drink.\n\nAccording to *Project Storm*, cancer patients continue to seek cannabis\nfor their illness, even with the knowledge that they could be arrested.\nSome have learned how to extract the oil themselves and grow their own\ncannabis plants. Some seek relief from black market suppliers, and some\nrely on overseas shipping from countries where medical marijuana is\nlegal.\n\n\"Reefer Madness\" seems to be alive and well in the UK. Despite the\ngrowing body of evidence that cannabis and medical marijuana can provide relief to those\nsuffering from cancer, numerous countries legalizing medical marijuana,\nand the pleas of many in the UK's medical community, the UK continues to\ntreat cannabis as a dangerous drug.\n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/canonsnapper/302415829/in/photolist-sHXG2-9hBNtE-qGLLPP-qMpv14-5i77ha-qMpA4R-q83hG2-q7PGW1-qMpvr4-q83fsc-dYJSqj-5ibr59-qMnFD4-AnCnk-q7PNHS-qMpykR-r2wZqm-r4Fpsg-ceuMxE-r2x2cC-qMfgyU-qMnFjr-r2uwLE-4Uuen3-r2x3Rj-qLnNnG-r2wZ4E-q7PKqE-q7PHio-qMgLf1-qMnDP2-q7PMZC-q7PEeh-r4QoYM-qMfpRL-r4KwUd-qMgK9o-q7PJwW-q7PK9s-qMgMmQ-qMgDc3-eeq4Kq-eeq4F7-r1WbKK-5kBtyt-6nXDCP-bjdiYt-5KTb1K-92Kj1t-6FUAXd)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/14b42/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg","srcSet":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/f836f/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 200w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/2244e/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 400w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/14b42/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 800w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/47498/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/58556/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/61e93/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 200w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/1f5c5/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 400w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/58556/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 800w,\n/static/52ccbeb0fd97c9805d6ed5b66951acb1/99238/b16f3720d4dad9a8523afa99b4cd6759.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2014-markdown","title":"Rubbing It In (and 6 Other Ways to Use Cannabis)","slug":"rubbing-it-in-and-6-other-ways-to-use-cannabis","content":"More and more [scientific studies and clinical\ntests](http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/study.php) are substantiating\nthe benefits of medical marijuana in alleviating the symptoms of\nnumerous medical conditions. Due to its wide range of application,\nmedical cannabis is now available in various forms, so patients can\nchoose a method of ingestion that works best with their condition. The\nmethod of consumption primarily affects the time it takes to feel its\neffect, as well as the duration of its efficacy. Here's a guide that\ndiscusses the different methods of consuming this wonder plant.\n\n\nBreathe it in [vape it]\n-----------------------\n\nIf you want the benefits of marijuana without inhaling any of its toxic\ncompounds (such as you might from smoking it), using a vaporizer is the best way to go. With this method, medical cannabis is heated at just the right temperature to extract its\nuseful compounds with digital accuracy, so you get to inhale its vapor\ninstead of its smoke. In addition, vaporizers also increase the potency\nof medical cannabis. Thus, you can have twice as much effect for half\nthe amount of marijuana.\n\nEven though this method is relatively new, it is fast becoming the preferred way to use cannabis for many. Scientific studies already support its beneficial effects compared to smoking. In [2010\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20451365), Van Dam NT and\nEarleywine M. from the University of Albany recruited 20 cannabis users\nwith at least 2 respiratory symptoms to investigate the effect of\nvaporized cannabis on the pulmonary function of the participants.\nFindings of the study reveal improved respiratory function in\nparticipants after a month's use of vaporized cannabis, suggesting the\npotential of this method of delivery in reducing the harmful risk it may\nhave on the respiratory system.\n\nRub it in\n---------\n\nMedical marijuana can also be applied topically on the skin surface in\nthe form of salve, spray, cream, balm, oil, or lotion. Topical\nformulation provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic\neffects without delivering any of the psychoactive properties of\ncannabis. Topical cannabis is commonly used by patients suffering from\narthritis, sunburns, tendonitis, joint pain, muscle soreness, and skin\ndiseases.\n\nEat it\n------\n\nEdibles or foods that contain cannabis, are cooked using oils or butters derived\nfrom the plant. Most users who use this method of consumption report\nthat the cannabis takes effect gradually and wears off longer. Eating\nedibles is usually recommended for patients with chronic pain or sleep\ndisorder, as well as spasticity, because of its more pronounced effect\non the body, rather than the mind. The downside of using this type of\nmedical marijuana is that the dosage is never perfectly precise and with\ndelayed onset of effects compared to inhaled cannabis, you may\ninadvertently consume more than necessary. In addition, what you already\nhave in your digestive system (i.e medication and food you've eaten\nrecently) may interact with THC to produce unpredictable effects on your\nbody.\n\nIngestible Oils\n---------------\n\nThis kind of cannabis product is a blend of edibles and concentrates.\nIngestible oils are made by using an alcohol solvent to extract the\ntherapeutic chemicals found in marijuana. Once the solvent evaporates,\nwhat will be left are these tar-like oils, which have high amount of\ncannabidiol (CBD) and traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); thus,\nstripping the oil of the psychoactive substance of marijuana. The oil is\nplaced in a capsule for easy ingestion.\n\nTinctures\n---------\n\nIf you want a fast-acting application with dosages you can easily\ncontrol,\ntinctures are the one of the best method of using medical cannabis. Tinctures are\nconcentrated form of medical marijuana, which are formulated in an\nalcohol solution and can be applied directly on your skin, mixed with\nfood or beverages, or placed in small amounts under your tongue. Because\nof their potency, you need to be extra careful with their dosage. It's\nbest to start with smaller doses, allowing some time to feel their\neffect, before adding more.\n\nDrink it\n--------\n\nOther parts of the cannabis plant like its stem, leaves, and buds can be\nbrewed to make a medicinal beverage. The potency of the tea can vary\ndepending on the amount of cannabis used. If you have just started\nmaking your concoction, use a small amount of marijuana at first before\nadding more to achieve a suitable dosage. In addition, you also need to\nadd oil, butter, or alcohol to dissolve THC, as the compound is not\nwater soluble. Like edibles, the effects of marijuana teas are\nslow-acting because the therapeutic compounds in cannabis first must be\nabsorbed in your digestive tract. However, you can count on the effects\nlingering for up to four to eight hours after ingestion.\n\nAside from teas, many dispensaries have medicated coffee and sodas.\nThese beverages are made by adding drops of tincture to the liquid, so\nthat you can easily ingest medical cannabis while taking a sip of your\nfavorite beverage.\n\nSmoke it\n--------\n\nCall it old-school, but smoking has been the most conventional way of consuming marijuana for\nmany years. You can smoke cannabis using a pipe, rolling papers, water\npipes, and in rare instances, it can be inhaled using hookahs. The\nadvantage of smoking marijuana is that the plant's effect can be felt\nalmost immediately. However, many medical organizations, including the\n[American Lung Association](http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/marijuana-and-lung-health.html?referrer=https://www.google.com.ph/),\ndiscourage this method of consumption, as it may have adverse effect on\nyour lungs and increase your risk for respiratory disease.\n\nIf you do choose to smoke medical cannabis, it's best that you use a\nhand pipe that allows you to smoke consistent doses regularly. If you're\nusing rolling paper, make sure you use a filter. In addition, for\nmaximum efficacy with the least inhalation, it's better to use cannabis\nwith higher THC potency and to exhale the smoke right after inhaling it\ndeeply to keep its harmful compounds from coating your lungs.\n\n\n\nMedical cannabis is now available in so many forms, it shouldn't be\ndifficult for you to choose an option that suits your condition and\npreference.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/14b42/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/f836f/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 200w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/2244e/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 400w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/14b42/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 800w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/47498/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/58556/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/61e93/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 200w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/1f5c5/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 400w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/58556/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 800w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/99238/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1968-markdown","title":"Patients Rate Cannabis Highly Effective for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia","slug":"patients-rate-cannabis-highly-effective-for-the-treatment-of-fibromyalgia","content":"[Fibromyalgia](http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/) is a\nchronic disorder that causes widespread muscle and joint pain. Estimates\nsuggest that about five million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with\nthe condition each year, with women affected at least eight times more\noften than men.\n\nThe exact cause of the condition is unclear, but it seems that stressful\nor traumatic life events, such as injuries and viral infections, may\nplay a role. People with fibromyalgia experience symptoms that can range\nin duration and severity. The main symptoms are pain and fatigue, but\nother common symptoms include memory problems, sleep disturbances,\nheadaches, temperature sensitivity, and stiffness upon waking. Often,\nfibromyalgia coexists with another chronic pain condition, such as\nchronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or\ntemporomandibular joint dysfunction.\n\nConventional Treatments Cause Adverse Effects\n---------------------------------------------\n\nThere is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but a combination of treatments\ncan help patients manage the symptoms. Three medications -- duloxetine\n([Cymbalta](http://pi.lilly.com/us/cymbalta-pi.pdf)), pregabalin\n([Lyrica](http://www.lyrica.com/)), and milnacipran\n([Savella](http://www.savella.com/)) -- have been approved by the U.S.\nFood and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for fibromyalgia.\nHowever, these medications often put patients at risk for a variety of\nside effects, including serious allergic reactions, suicidal thoughts or\nbehaviors, dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, feeling \"high,\" and\nswelling of the hands, legs, and feet. Thus, there is a need for new\ntreatments that relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia with fewer side\neffects.\n\nMarijuana Offers Effective Relief from Pain\n-------------------------------------------\n\nAn online\n[survey](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nof more than 1,300 people with fibromyalgia conducted by the [National\nPain\nFoundation](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nrevealed that medical marijuana, or cannabis, is more effective than\nconventional fibromyalgia treatments. Of the patients who reported\nmarijuana use, 62 percent ranked it very effective at relieving their\nsymptoms, 33 percent said it helped a little, and five percent said it\ndid not help at all. In comparison, among those who tried Lyrica, 10\npercent ranked it very effective, 29 percent said it helped a little,\nand 61 percent said it did not help at all. Not only is marijuana more\neffective, it is also associated with fewer side effects. The only\nadverse effect shared by Lyrica and cannabis is feeling \"high.\" However,\nstrains of cannabis with lower ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the\nchemical responsible for much of cannabis's psychoactive, or\nmood-altering, effects, to cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical that modulates\nthese effects, have been shown to relieve pain without affecting\ncognition.\n\nResearchers Investigate Marijuana's Therapeutic Effects\n-------------------------------------------------------\n\nResearch has yet to reveal the exact mechanisms by which the chemicals,\nor cannabinoids, in cannabis exert their medicinal effects. But evidence\nsuggests that they work on the [endocannabinoid\nsystem](http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system),\nwhich mediates several physiological functions, including pain and\ninflammation. Studies supported by the [National Institute of Arthritis\nand Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases\n(NIAMS)](http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Fibromyalgia/# h) suggest\nthat fibromyalgia results when endocannabinoid system imbalances disrupt\nthe feedback loop that inhibits pain signals, causing altered pain\nprocessing, or more specifically, increased sensitivity to stimuli that\ndo not normally provoke pain. Perhaps the result of constant pain, these\n[imbalances](http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/brain-health-news-80/brain-scans-show-fibromyalgia-patients-process-pain-differently-681820.html)\ncould also explain why people with fibromyalgia do not respond as well\nto conventional pain medications.\n\nResearch Reveals Similarities Between Marijuana-Derived Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThe cannabinoids in cannabis are structurally similar to [endogenous\ncannabinoids](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-produce-its-effects),\nnaturally occurring chemicals that send messages between nerve cells\nthroughout the brain and spinal cord, affecting pain sensation. Because\nof this similarity, it is hypothesized that they can attach themselves\nto molecules called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and activate\nthem,\n[resetting](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/559adb8865623000060f0000/relief-from-fibromyalgia-symptoms-the-case-for-medical-marijuana)\nor blocking pain processing. Research reveals that cannabinoids may\nprovide greater therapeutic effects in combination than alone: a\nphenomenon termed the [entourage\neffect](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x/pdf).\nThus, taking the whole cannabis plant may modulate pain better than an\noral medicine derived from one or two of cannabis's chemical components.\n\nEvidence for Marijuana's Effectiveness Grows\n--------------------------------------------\n\nEvidence for cannabis's therapeutic effects may be mounting, but the\n[FDA](http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm421163.htm) has\nyet to approve cannabis as a safe and effective treatment for\nfibromyalgia. As a result, many people are being denied access to a\npotentially life-changing therapy. About 70 percent of the fibromyalgia\npatients who responded to the [National Pain\nFoundation](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nsurvey said they had not tried cannabis as a treatment for their\nsymptoms, which is not surprising, given that [federal\nlaw](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/state-laws-related-to-marijuana)\nstill classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug with no medicinal\nbenefit.\n\nProponents of Medical Marijuana Lobby for Changes to Law\n--------------------------------------------------------\n\n[Proponents of medical marijuana](http://norml.org/marijuana) are\nlobbying for a change to the law so that the millions of Americans who\nlive with fibromyalgia could legally buy marijuana for personal use from\na safe source. Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. have already\nlegalized smoked marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, a [bill\ndecriminalizing\ncannabis](https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/499)\nat the federal level has yet to be signed into law. Currently, more than\n[60 national and international health\norganizations](http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/health-organizations-endorsements),\nincluding the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American\nCollege of Preventive Medicine, support a move towards granting patients\nimmediate legal access to medical marijuana under a physician's\nsupervision. Legalization would enable people with fibromyalgia to\nmanage their symptoms more effectively without worrying about potential\nlegal repercussions.\n\n[image credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbmontana/10428460483/in/photolist-gTwzYP-cYycRh-6nAJLn-upH71f-uR7suE-b8HRNi-eW1NYW-Nr3KJ-5T1SRZ-4XR1PW-5T6eWE-cL6ZzS-bNpKLp-d6Ch8f-9vX53p-earuhL-bitb9r-9gT4if-29Nofz-Kei68-ewUJjd-ohRa5g-NryNT-buy6iM-buy6cV-buy6o4-7wY4nG-bYe9dE-buy6sc-9fDbN9-rKGFhG-dwaHRH-bWRbif-5RTu7c-bWR5DG-BNV8J-bWPsRS-bXviVu-66JmzH-acMU5H-7h6UAq-dw3ah-dw3ai-uThpC1-pHEUeh-qpDE9i-enQuQt-eTXDHt-uSWouQ-sF1Mz)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/14b42/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg","srcSet":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/f836f/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 200w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/2244e/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 400w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/14b42/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 800w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/47498/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/58556/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/61e93/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 200w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/1f5c5/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 400w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/58556/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 800w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/99238/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":84,"numPages":11,"currentPage":8,"id":5599,"name":"Pain","slug":"pain","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}