The Positive Effects Of Finding The Right Cannabis Treatment

Cannabis is quickly becoming a go-to treatment in the US for treating a number of ailments. For far too long, opiates have been the first choice of treatment by doctors until it became highly addictive and led to a huge number of deaths. This called for stricter measures and a higher regulation on its usage, giving rise to medical cannabis which could about solve all that opium could do and with less damaging effects.

It has been shown that cannabis can be used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, Crohn’s disease, chronic pain, depression, glaucoma, PTSD and many more. One reason for the rise of cannabis is that it can be specifically customized to meet the specific needs of individuals. It is also one of the key ingredients used in alternative treatment. It can be used in different forms and varying compositions based on the illness to be addressed. It can be blended to be taken in herbs, it can be added to meals, and a variety of ways.

Cannabis Strains

There are varying types of cannabis treatment and its efficacy as a treatment method is dependent on using the best approach most suitable for the illness. Historically, this hinged on what is known as the strain. Cannabis has two types of strains (plant variation) which are basically planted to have different effects on patients. These strains are divided among indica and sativa. Indica is believed to have a relaxing effect while the sativa is said to have an energizing effect, and the hybrid is a combination of both.

Indica has a variety of strains that can be classified under it as they give a soothing and relaxing effect, induce a state of calmness that makes the patient feel sleepy, happy and can induce hunger they include Blue Dream, Purple Kush, Bubba Kush, Afghan Kush, LA confidential among others. From their characteristics, you can tell that the indica is the most suitable for chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety and appetite issues.

Sativa which is mostly known for inducing euphoria, energizing effects, mood-lifting, they include Fruity Pebbles, Pineapple Express, Super Silver Haze among others. These characteristics make them the most suitable for treating depression The hybrid which combines the functions of the indica and sativa includes the following varieties, White Widow, Northern Lights, Acapulco Gold among others. The hybrid is used for treating illness with a variety of symptoms at different stages such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer and more.

Medical cannabis became increasingly popular in the US following the addition of chronic pain and anxiety to the list of qualifying conditions to use medical cannabis in most medical states. We’d highlight some of these illnesses and how medical cannabis suffices as a good treatment option.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, since its addition to the qualifying conditions in many states, has been responsible for about 48% of new medical cannabis usage registration. Research also shows that about 60% of people who use medical cannabis do so to treat pain. A report released recently also showed that about 50 million Americans have a form of chronic pain. Chronic pain is pain that lasts for more than a period of 12 weeks, it could be range from mild pain to acute, which could be associated with varying sensations like burning, stinging, and throbbing.

Medical cannabis can be effective in helping pain as it serves as an analgesic that blocks the pain receptors in the brain from the endocannabinoid system. Thus, making it a veritable tool for treating pain.

Depression

Depression is a medical condition that affects how people feel, act and react to situations around them. It could be caused by a combination of social, psychological, and biological factors. It can lead to a variety of physical and emotional problems that affect general productivity. For depression to be diagnosed it symptoms must have been present for two weeks. Its symptoms include loss of interest, changes in appetite, increased fatigue, insomnia among others.

Depression affects 1 in 15 people, and one in six people will experience depression at one point in their life. The two main components of cannabis are THC and CBD, these components interact with the systems in our brain that helps regulate mood. More research still needs to be carried out on the role of medical cannabis in treating depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the US affecting over 40 million people every year. Its symptoms include restlessness, increased irritability, sleep difficulties among others. We all go through some amount of anxiety as humans, however, if the listed symptoms are highly prevalent then it has become a mental disorder. Its types include generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, panic disorder, agoraphobia, selective mutism, a social and separate anxiety disorder.

The CBD component of cannabis has been seen to reduce anxiety. It can be taken as an extract for use in anxiety with the right direction from a licensed physician. It provides good short term relief and needs to be monitored during usage.

Cannabis Terpenes

Cannabis Terpenes are organic constituents that provide the aroma and flavor that cannabis emits. They could alter the effects of cannabis and are impacted by the intensity and spectrum of light. Understanding cannabis terpenes helps us know why various strains of cannabis have different flavors and effects on us individually.  Generally, these terpenes are there to protect these plants from herbivores and threats in general.  They are also responsible for plant regeneration and oxygenation.

These functions thus serve as immunity boosters in those who take cannabis as they help the cannabis molecules produce the desired effect in patients. This is known as the ensemble or entourage effect. Research also shows that the terpenes are responsible for inhibiting the supposed intoxicating effect of the THC component of cannabis. The most common include myrcene, caryophyllene, pinene among others.

Overall, we’ve seen cannabis come a very long way in recent years and how the shift from focusing on strains to focusing on terpenes is crucial for the wellbeing of patients looking to benefit from cannabis as a valid treatment option.