Let’s talk cannabis with AMA Hosts: The Whats, the Whys, and the Hows
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is solely based on the medical benefits of marijuana.
It comes as no shock to anyone who knows cannabis that it’s something of a miracle herb. A naturally grown plant, that has been used for thousands of years, contain powerful medical properties and a health benefit, which explains why more people are willing to give cannabis a chance in hopes it’ll relieve a medical disease or condition they’ve been living with. Specifically, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) aka the psychoactive compound in cannabis contains miraculous healing properties and benefits, which will be further explained in today’s blog post. This week, our AMA hosts will talk about this powerful medicine because we still know very little about what conditions it works for and why. We’ve rounded up the most important answers they gave us in their AMA Events as well as some educational part that should help you to understand better all the WHATS, the WHYS, and the HOWS about cannabis. So, let’s start!
Cannabis is a plant genus with three different species: indica, sativa, and ruderalis, and it’s been used for health and medicinal purposes for around 3,000 years. Although they come from the same species, cannabis oil and hemp oil benefits are quite different. Hemp seed is illegal to grow in the U.S. because it contains very small amounts of THC. Hemp seed is a popular superfood, and it’s also used for topical ointments, and as a fiber for construction paper and clothing.
Cannabis essential oil: Uses and benefits
Cannabis essential oil is a green liquid that is considered highly volatile, and its component parts are very powerful, including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and other highly active organic compounds. Cannabis sativa essential oil is extracted by steam distillation from the flowers and leaves of the Cannabis sativa plant. Although THC is a primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, there are other bioactive compounds within it. One of the compounds, cannabidiol, is thought to have significant anti-inflammatory effects without THC.
Barbara Harris Whitfield — the author of “The Secrets of Medicinal Marijuana”
What does Cannabis oil do?
The natural components of cannabis oil help to stimulate the pleasure hormones in your body, inducing calm relaxation allowing relief from stress and anxiety. Cannabis oil has even been connected to reducing the risk of certain cancers, as well as reducing pain, improving the conditions of the heart, and helping people get a good night’s sleep. It inhibits neural transmissions in the body’s pain pathways, providing relief from chronic pain and inflammation, without the side effects of opioid pain relievers.
THC vs. CBD: What’s The Difference?
Until recently, the most well-known compound in cannabis was delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This is the most active ingredient in marijuana. Marijuana contains both THC and CBD, but the compounds have different effects.
- THC is well-known for the mind-altering “high” it produces when broken down by heat and introduced into the body, such as when smoking the plant or cooking it into foods.
- Unlike THC, CBD is not psychoactive. This means that it does not change the state of mind of the person who uses it. However, it does appear to produce significant changes in the body and has been found to have medical benefits.
Most of the CBD used medicinally is found in the least processed form of the cannabis plant, known as hemp.
Is Hemp Oil the same as Cannabis Oil?
No, hemp oil is not the same as cannabis oil. Hemp oil is obtained by cold pressing of hemp seeds whereas cannabis oil is obtained by separating the resins from cannabis flowers. Their uses and chemical composition are quite different. Cannabis oil is much higher in THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content, which has certain effects, whereas hemp oil tends to be higher in CBD (cannabidiol) levels.
Jennifer Clark Rychlick — Integrative Wellness & Life Coach Specializing in healthy cannabis use
There are numerous studies that link cannabis oils and other cannabinoid compounds in the treatment of various diseases and conditions.
Effects of CBD and THC
The two main components of marijuana, THC, and CBD can have very different effects. Many people find that CBD reduces anxiety, whereas THC is more likely to increase their anxiety.
- THC produces psychoactive effects that some may find helpful for anxiety, but for others, it can exacerbate existing worries.
- CBD is known to act on serotonin receptors and may help regenerate brain cells that are lost or damaged as a result of chronic anxiety and depression.
The interaction of CBD and THC is complex
The ratio of these two compounds within a specific strain may, in fact, be more predictive of whether it increases or decreases anxiety. For example, strains with higher CBD levels are less likely to cause anxiety than high-THC strains. For new users strictly seeking anxiety relief, trying CBD oil before experimenting with dried or whole-leaf cannabis may be a wise choice.
Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana
Decreases Stress and
Relief from anxiety is one of the most commonly cited reasons for using marijuana.What’s more, scientists are starting to uncover evidence that marijuana may be a highly effective treatment for anxiety disorders. A study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology in 2013 found that cannabinoid treatment after traumatic experiences may help prevent stress-induced impairment and regulate the emotional response to trauma. Cannabinoids minimized stress receptors in the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala parts of the brain.
Scientists still aren’t sure how marijuana can both cause and treat anxiety, but there are many factors that can contribute.
Reduces Pain
Cannabis relieves pain by making it more bearable, rather than actually reducing it.Over the years researchers have found that people benefit more from using cannabis as a pain reliever because of small changes cannabis creates within their brain. Humans are all born with an Endocannabinoid system and their receptors are found throughout the body. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks, but the goal is a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment. The compounds in cannabis mimic the natural chemicals that the body produces.
Michele Ross, PhD Neuroscientist & Founder of IMPACT Network
Many fibromyalgia (a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure) and cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy often use cannabis oil to help cope.
Cannabis lowers the intraocular pressure of people with glaucoma
Cannabis and cannabis oil has also been linked to the prevention of macular degeneration and the treatment of glaucoma. Glaucoma is vision loss due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Research supported by the National Eye Institute shows that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, can lower a patient’s IOP for three to four hours, bringing temporary relief when administered orally, sublingually, or ocularly.
May Help Prevent and Treat Cancer
Although research is still ongoing, cannabis oil is considered an option in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Using cannabis oil in cancer prevention or treatment may help reduce tumor size and alleviate weakness, pain, nausea, and a lack of appetite. There are dozens of studies that link cannabis against different cancer types including pituitary, colon, lung, thyroid, prostate, breast, and brain, plus leukemia and melanoma. In a study published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics in 2006 (3), researchers determined that THC and cannabidiol significantly reduced the growth of breast cancer cells. Cannabis oil may benefit cancer patients by inducing cancer cell death and cutting off the blood supply to the tumor. Other case reports have found that cannabis oil is a non-toxic chemotherapy alternative that increases vitality in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
“When people get too high, they generally get paranoid and anxious, which makes things even worse. Just take a few deep breaths, drink some water, and remember that it’s basically impossible to OD on cannabinoids. Going to sleep helps too, if you’re able to without being super paranoid, which even happens to me sometimes to be honest.”
Benefits Heart Health
Animal studies have suggested that cannabis may prevent heart conditions such as heart attacks, atherosclerosis, stroke, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. A 2014 study published in the journal Pharmacological Research suggests that cannabinoids cause blood vessels to relax and widen, which improves circulation and reduces blood pressure.
More research is necessary to prove the safety of cannabis for heart health since this study is the first human trial examining cannabis for heart conditions.
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that results from life-threatening experiences such as military combat, serious accidents, or natural disasters. In a study published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacyin 2015 (4), researchers found that cannabis is effective for military veterans with PTSD. The cannabinoids in cannabis regulate neurotransmitter release and help increase pleasure.
Military veterans with PTSD have reported improvements in coping abilities and a reduction in insomnia and anxiety.
Cannabis oil breakthrough to treat acne
Acne treatment is another promising use for CBD. The condition is caused, in part, by inflammation and overworked sebaceous glands in the body. A recent study posted to the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that CBD helps to lower the production of sebum that leads to acne, partly because of its anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
CBD could be a future treatment for acne vulgaris, the most common form of acne.
Marijuana As a Treatment for Asthma
Cannabis has been used as a means of treating the symptoms of asthma for millennia, in various medicinal traditions including those of ancient India and China. Smoking marijuana can also help calm asthma attacks, according to a study published in the American Review of Respiratory Disease in 1975 (5). The THC in cannabis is thought to improve breathing in asthmatic patients. Cannabis oil, on the other hand, may improve asthma symptoms without the potential side effects of smoking. Other studies from 1976 and 1978 provide further support for these findings.
The studies found that very small doses of THC, when applied through an inhaled aerosol, worked as a bronchodilator in patients with asthma.
Cannabis and Sleep
The calming effects of cannabis oil can help reduce restlessness and anxiety in people who are trying to sleep. The THC in cannabis is responsible for helping insomniacs and others fall asleep faster. In a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry Sleep Disorders in 2013 (6), THC was deemed safe and well-tolerated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. THC reduced sleep interruptions and improved nighttime breathing problems.
Other Health Benefits
THC has been used to treat vomiting and nausea in cancer patients since the 1980s.Cannabis oil is also thought to treat Dravet syndrome and relieve headaches and migraines. Other conditions that may be treated with cannabis oil include multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and osteoporosis.
Possible Interactions and Side Effects
Cannabis oil uses may have various side effects or interactions. For instance, cannabis oil may interfere with learning and thinking, and reduce concentration and memory. It’s not considered safe to mix cannabis oil with medications that may cause fatigue and drowsiness, including muscle relaxants, pain relievers, seizure drugs, anxiety medications, and antidepressants. Cannabis oil is also not recommended for breastfeeding women, pregnant women, or women who are trying to get pregnant.
It’s also important to note that not all cannabis or cannabis oils are the same, and there are various strains of cannabis. When buying cannabis oil through a company, make sure the oil is pure and lab-tested to help ensure its effectiveness.
Kurt Akers — Co-Founder & CEO of Kannatopia (21+ Cannabis Social Network & Community)
Legality
Cannabis is legal for either medicinal or recreational use in some but not all states.Other states approve CBD oil as a hemp product without approving the general use of medical marijuana. Laws may differ between federal and state level, and current marijuana and CBD legislation in the United States can be confusing, even in states where marijuana is legal. If you are considering CBD oil as a treatment for a suitable condition, talk to your local healthcare provider. They will have an understanding ofsafe CBD sources and local laws surrounding usage. Research the laws of your own state. In most cases, a prescription will be required.
Written by our genius blogger Tina based on advice from our great Hosts in www.CannabisAMA.com and originally published on www.AMAfeed.com
