What is THC? What Does THC Do?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. Therefore, this compound is responsible for the “high” individuals experience. Two prominent manufactured pharma drugs approved by the FDA to prevent nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients are Dronabinol (Marinol and Nabilone (Cesamet) are synthetic forms of THC. Marijuana benefits
What is CBD? (Cannabidiol)
CBD, or Cannabidiol, is another compound found in marijuana. CBD is said to be responsible for the majority of the medical benefits. Furthermore, the CBD compound is not psychoactive; therefore, individuals who want all the benefits of medical marijuana produced without the “high” receive the benefits.
Medical Cannabis Uses/ Marijuana Benefits
- Pain, inflammation, and neuropathy
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease
- Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and neurodegenerative disease
- Brain inflammation and brain cancer/Cancer
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Addictions
- Sleep disorders
- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting
- Muscle spasticity, as related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and spinal cord injury
- Infections
- Diabetes and obesity
- Seizure disorders
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Depression
- Schizophrenia and other psychosis
- Anorexia and weight loss (such as with HIV/AIDS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Glaucoma
- Fatigue
- Spinal cord injury spasticity
- Huntington’s disease
- Anxiety disorders, including PTSD and OCD
- Tourette’s syndrome
Why Do We Have Cannabinoid Receptors in the Brain and Throughout The Body?
Many cannabinoid receptors occupy positions on cell members throughout our bodies from head to toe. Therefore, our bodies are hardwired for cannabis to have far-reaching effects on the human body. Our bodies have a biological system built to respond to about 60 different chemical compounds in cannabis. The body’s (ES.) With the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids being part of our physiology, medicinal claims wouldn’t be making such consequential claims. Our endocannabinoid system consists of endogenous cannabinoid compounds that our bodies make themselves.
The Role ES System Plays in Our Physiological Function
- Heart
- Lungs
- Digestive
- Endocrine
- Immune
- Reproductive physiology
- Minds and emotions.
- We also know cannabinoid receptors play a role in metabolism, mood, pain, immunity, cravings, etc.
There is No Evidence that Cannabis Causes Overdose or Death: Side Effects
A significant advantage of marijuana is that there are no reported deaths related to cannabis use. In our body’s natural response to overdoing THC, our brain will release a 3,000 percent boost of pregnenolone. Therefore, this hormone prevents it with its built-in protection and the endocannabinoid system. If someone does overdo it, they may feel shitty for a while, but it’s not going to shut down your heart or respiration, and it won’t damage your liver or kidneys. THC can trigger anxiety and, in rare cases, psychosis, but those effects are temporary and self-limiting. There are diverse types of cannabis to consider; there are different strains to consider for your personal use. Some strains have calming effects, and others have excellent daily stimuli. When studies compare alcohol and cigarettes, which cause tens of thousands of cardiac deaths yearly, cannabis poses minimal medical risk.
Types of Cannabinoids Strains, Medical Use, and Potential Side Effects
INDICA AFFECTS STRAINS OF CANNABIS ON DISEASE
Multiple Sclerosis
An estimated 750,000 or 21% of US adults have Multiple Sclerosis (or MS), and cannabis for potential treatment. MS is one of the main conditions treated with medical cannabis.
I have to say that cannabis has helped my MS symptoms, from pain relief to relieving muscle spasms that were crippling me. Multiple Sclerosis is a debilitating condition for most, with symptoms that vary in severity from each person’s experience. However, those with MS can expect symptoms such as depression, muscle weakness, and debilitating pain. Relaxing and calming; more potent varieties may induce sleep and promote social interaction.
SATIVA AFFECTS The CANNABIS STRAIN
Stimulating and energizing: uplifting; helpful with pain relief; best for
daytime use; can produce paranoia or edginess.
- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the Strongest psychoactive; most modern strains are bred for high THC; therapeutic value for pain, nausea, sleep, stress, and anorexia; it can cause anxiety and paranoia.
- THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is more psychoactive than THC, but its duration is half as long; it typically presents only in trace amounts. Energetic effects; therapeutic value for anxiety, stress, and panic, tremors from neurological disorders; curbs appetite; and stimulates bone growth.
- CBD (Cannabidiol) is Non-psychoactive; counters the psychoactivity of THC; has a calming effect; therapeutic for anxiety and insomnia; lowers blood sugar; therapeutic value for pain, inflammation, MS, stress, and seizures
- CBDV (Cannabidivarin) Non-psychoactive; therapeutic value for seizures.
- CBG (Cannabigerol) is Non-psychoactive, in trace amounts; stimulates brain cell and bone growth; helpful for insomnia.
- CBC (Cannabichromene). Non-psychoactive; trace amounts; 10 times more effective than CBD for anxiety or stress; antiviral; anti-inflammatory; stimulates bone growth.
- CBN (Cannabinol). Mildly to non-psychoactive (non-euphoric); trace amounts; most sedating; therapeutic value for insomnia, glaucoma, and pain.
TERPENES
- Floral aroma; therapeutic value for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and pain.
- Limonene; Bitter citrus aroma; therapeutic value for heartburn and GERD, depression, and anxiety; antifungal; antibacterial; possible anti-cancer properties.
- Caryophyllene; Spicy aroma; antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal; anti-inflammatory; therapeutic value for nerve pain and depression
- Myrcene; Sedating effects; enhances the psychoactive effects of other compounds; facilitates the crossing of the blood-brain barrier; and has therapeutic value for spasms, pain, inflammation, insomnia, and hypertension.
- Pinene, Pine aroma; counters cognitive effects of THC; bronchodilator; anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; enhances cognition.
- Humulene, Hops-like aroma; antibacterial and anti-inflammatory; diminishes appetite.
- Terpinolene, Woody or smokey aroma; antifungal, antibacterial; helps with insomnia.
- Nerolidol, Woody scent; unique ability to penetrate the skin; inhibitor of Leishmania protozoa.
- Phytol, Minimal aroma; the result of chlorophyll breakdown; helps with insomnia.
- Eucalyptol, Eucalyptus aroma; antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Extensive Research Studies Findings and Conclusions, and Therefore, Myth Busters
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Based on the analysis of more than 10,000 cannabis studies. As a result, studies have found substantial benefits for many medical conditions, busting several long-believed marijuana myths.
Substantial evidence exists in conclusion with (the highest levels of confidence) that cannabis and cannabinoids are an effective treatment in three major areas: chronic pain; muscle spasms from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS); and nausea and vomiting
related to chemotherapy.
- Early-onset marijuana use is not associated with poor health outcomes as an adult. The idea that pot is a “gateway drug” to opioids or other drugs is entirely disproven.
- Limited evidence suggests smoking marijuana provides some anti-inflammatory benefits.
- There is insufficient evidence to support or refute a link between cannabis use and the increased risk of a heart attack.
- Pregnant women should abstain from marijuana due to increased pregnancy complications and low birth weight babies.
- Researchers found substantial evidence indicating that cannabis may increase the risk for schizophrenia, although some postulate it may only exacerbate or trigger an illness that would have appeared regardless. Nevertheless, research facts show interesting results; among individuals with existing psychosis, cannabis improves performance on learning and memory tasks.
- Research finds positive effects for mood disorders, including anxiety and PTSD, and sleep disorders.
Marijuana Benefits: Effective Pain Reliever that is Safe
Most people have heard how pain relief is probably the most widely known (and widely accepted) of marijuana’s medicinal use. Whether the pain is related to arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer, MS, or another acute or
chronic condition, cannabis has a long track record of providing relief. For example, recently, cannabis has decreased the frequency of migraine headaches.
Therapeutic Properties Help with Alzheimer’s Symptoms and Memory/Marijuana Benefits
In 2006 a study published in the journal Molecular Pharmacology found marijuana continues a compound iht two therapeutic properties, which addresses the symptom of memory issues. In addition, research also addresses the root cause, which is brain plaque of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, the research study blows the stereotype of marijuana of the past out the window, which states, “marijuana fries the brain and leads to memory loss.”
Research studies discovered marijuana’s psychoactive component (THC) prevents AChE-induced amyloid peptide aggregation as well as inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AchE)
THC’s ability in inhibits the AChE enzyme works as most Alzheimers drugs today. For example, the drug Donepezil (Aricept) targets and inhibits the brain enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), increasing brain levels of this neurotransmitter. Therefore, there is symptom reduction and improved memory. However, Donepezil is controversial because its association with seizures is well known. As a result, it reflects its intrinsic neurotoxicity. This drug contains a chemical in the same chemical class as insecticides, chemical war agents such as nerve gas, and venom.
Marijuana THC’s Ability to Prevent the Acetylcholinesterase/ Alzheimers Brain Plaque/Marijuana Benefits
THC’s ability to prevent the acetylcholinesterase-associated amyloid B peptide (AB) aggregation (brain plaque) can directly impact Alzheimer’s pathology. Studies found THC compared to the current market drugs prescribed for Alzheimer’s treatment today-THC, is a considerably superior inhibitor of AB aggregation.
During this study, research provides a previously unrecognized molecular mechanism that cannabinoid molecules may directly impact the progression of Alzheimer’s. As a result, research shows THC is a far more effective inhibitor of AchE-induced AB deposition than the Alzheimers-approved drugs on the market today. Donepezil and tacrine only reduce AB aggregation by 22% and 7% in this study at twice the concentration levels.
Therefore, THC and its analogs AchE-inhibitors may provide an improvement for Alzheimer’s therapeutic abilities. In addition, it prevents neurotransmitter degradation by augmenting acetylcholine levels and reducing AB aggregation. As a result, THC simultaneously threatens the symptoms and Alzheimer’s disease progression.
Survey Study with Doctors, Psychologists, and Nurses Among Other Healthcare Providers Support Legalizing Medical Marijuana in States Nation Wide.
In 2018 a survey of Doctors, Psychologists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals favored supporting the legalization of medical marijuana. Among the study, 417 physicians, 1,054 nurses, 171 people in health business or administration, 79 pharmacists, and 79 psychologists found that the minorities of each category personally engage in cannabis consumption.
- Physicians, 67% Support
- Business/administration, 88% Support
- Nurses, 82% Support
- Pharmacists, 71% Support
- Psychologists, 82% Support
THC vs. CBD Medical Marijuana Benefits
There is a wide range of TJC and CBD concentrations. For example, Nabixmnols (Sativex), this plant extract, has an equal amount of THC and CBD ratio. Therefore, when CBD and THC help reduce the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC. As a result, more suitable for individuals that do not want the euphoria or sedation effects of THC alone.
Stress and Anxiety- Marijuana Benefits
I have heard individuals state that they tried cannabis for anxiety, which worsened it. They received no relief from stress and anxiety, only added symptoms. Throughout the past 12 years of observing individuals reporting increased stress and anxiety, the individuals had chosen the wrong type (strain) of marijuana for their specific needs. Therefore, knowing which strain type of medical marijuana is best for users to relieve their stress and anxiety is essential. A stimulating strain of medical marijuana would increase some individuals’ stress responses. Therefore, the Indica strain of medical cannabis or CBD would best suit individuals to treat stress and anxiety disorders.
Association Between Medical Cannabis Laws and Opioid Overdose Mortality
The study included county-level data from licensed dispensaries and opioid-related mortality rates. Information used was achieved from state-level cannabis legislation. Research revealed counties with more active cannabis dispensaries reduced opioid-related mortality rates. For example, counties with one or two dispensaries showed a 17% reduction in all opioid-related mortality rates. Furthermore, the association held for medical and recreational dispensaries where opioids other than methadone have an estimated reduction of 21% in mortality rates associated with an increase from one to two dispensaries within a county. Other counties with two to three dispensaries are associated with a further 8.5% drop in all opioid mortality rates.
Researchers have explored the relationships between medical and recreational cannabis stores and opioid-related deaths from 2014 to 2018. Therefore, based on data from 812 counties, within 23 states in the US, which allowed legal cannabis dispensaries to operate by the end of 2017.
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Source: Health Benefits of Cannabis https://www.healtheuropa.eu/health-benefits-of-cannabis/92499/
Medical Marijuana and MS https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Complementary-Alternative-Medicines/Marijuana/Marijuana-FAQs
Medical Marijuana https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
Medical Cannabis and Nerve Pain https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29388063/
CBD vs. THC https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-vs-thc#psychoactive-components