Medical marijuana has been legalized in 30 states in the US. There are enough studies that prove that benefits of cannabis plant for varied health conditions, and doctors and researchers believe that the scope is huge. If you are interested in medical use of cannabis, it is important to talk to your primary healthcare provider, because you cannot buy marijuana legally from a dispensary without a prescription. It is also important to understand how the important compounds found in cannabis work on the body.
In this post, we will find more on what is CBD and take a look at THC – the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
Understanding cannabinoids better
The marijuana plant contains over a hundred different chemical compounds, of which two are of most importance. The first one is THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the only compound that produces the high effect that we associate with the herb. Researchers are also interested in CBD, which is short for cannabinol. These two compounds work or effect the central nervous system. Cannabinoids are known to interact with the cell receptors in the body. Both CBD and THC have medical benefits, and in recent years, FDA has approved a drug that contains THC for treatment of patients who are suffering from loss of appetite, due to conditions such as AIDS. CBD is considered to be the medical component of the plant. CBD also comes from the hemp plant, which is also a variety of the herb. Hemp oil and seeds contain a good amount of CBD but not THC, so patients don’t get the high effect.
The effect of THC and CBD
Both CBD and THC interact with what’s known as the “endocannabinoid system (ECS)”. In case you didn’t know, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is responsible for controlling varied regular functions of the body, and in many cases, CBD is recommended as a supplement to help damaged ECS. There are studies that prove that cannabinoids can work on the damaged cells without affecting the normal cells. CBD in particular is known to balance energy, while THC can affect the metabolism differently. CBD also contains palmitoylethanolamide, which helps in reducing pain and has been used for selected treatments. Also, CBD has some positive effects on memory, and some studies indicate that it can be useful for selected neurodegenerative ailments. Coming to THC, many experts have been against recommending it for varied reasons, including abuse among youth.
Varied therapeutic benefits of CBD
CBD is known for its therapeutic benefits, as well. It is particularly great for treating disorders that relate to the mind. The use of medical marijuana is rather rampant for treatment of psychological disorders. This includes depression, anxiety, and aggressiveness. CBD is also used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting, especially in patients who have not been experiencing relief with regular drugs. Some studies also indicate that CBD might have some effect for treatment of certain conditions like Dravet syndrome, especially when it comes to management of symptoms. Studies have also shown promise that CBD may help in preventing cancer cells from spreading, while researchers also believe that it might be useful for treatment of Parkinson disease and other motor disorders.
Understanding strains
When it comes to marijuana, there are a wide number of strains, some of which are considered to be pure strains, while others are hybrids. Examples of pure strains include Indica and Sativa, which are preferred by many. Sativa, in general, contains more of THC and less CBD compared to Indica. This is also the reason why it is called a more daytime drug that offers a more ‘head high’ rather than a body high. Indica is just the opposite. It is often recommended for people who want to relax or must feel better by the end of the day owing to a health condition. Indica is considered to be a nighttime drug that helps a person sleep better. Hybrids, on the other hand, have different traits and effects depending on the kind of parent strains used. Hybrids, generally speaking, contain more of both, and some are more desirable for selected conditions. We will discuss more on how you can choose a strain based on your requirements.
How to order strains for specific benefits?
As a patient who wants to harness the benefits of medical marijuana, you need to know the chemical profile of a strain, instead of worry about the bud or where the product is sourced from. To buy medical marijuana, you need to visit a store called dispensary. Dispensaries are basically selling shops that are regularized for selling marijuana and related products, and some of these stores also offer weed delivery SF. Always start with a low dose if you are using marijuana for the first time, and your doctor is likely to offer suggestions in this regard. If that doesn’t work, always visit a dispensary, where you are likely to get more assistance for your queries. Dispensaries have professionals, who are called budtenders, who help clients in selecting between strains based on CBD and THC profile. You can also choose to go for a THC/CBD variety, which is a hybrid and contains an equal strength of both.
How to consume medical marijuana?
Depending on what kind of product you are using, you can choose to either orally consume or smoke weed. CBD oil, for instance, is rather popular, and you can simply use a few drops under your tongue to get the benefits immediately. Smoking marijuana is what most people commonly prefer, and it is a good choice if you are fond of it. Edibles are basically food products that have been mixed or baked or with marijuana. For people who are not fond of smoking or want to steer clear of it owing to other health concerns, edibles are the best choice.
What’s better in terms of CBD and THC– edibles or smoking?
You can find weed and marijuana products that don’t contain THC, at all. For instance, a number of healthcare products come from the hemp plant, which is a variety of cannabis and contains only CBD and less than 1% THC. Coming to edibles, the effects of CBD and THC are only experienced when the food enters the stomach and is absorbed, and this can take a considerable period of time. For the effects of marijuana to kick in with consumption of edibles, the time required is usually between 30 to 90 minutes. On the other hand, smoking offers an instant high, but on the downside, the effects wear off within a couple of hours. Therefore, for medical needs, one might need to smoke again. It should be noted that the effects of edibles can last for as long as four hours.
Understand the high effect caused by THC
THC is the only compound in the marijuana plant that causes the high, and the kind of experience you will have can different from others. Yes, you read that right. This psychoactive compound offers a personal experience for every person, and that depends on a number of factors. Firstly, the strain has a huge role to play, so if you are just seeking the benefits of CBD and don’t want the high, make sure to discuss the same with the budtender who can help in choosing the right strain. Secondly, it also depends on how your body reacts to THC. For example, if you are used to marijuana, it may take more of weed before you can experience that high. There are also two kinds of highs. Strains that are high on CBD and low on THC are likely to cause a body high, which is something you would experience with that of Indica. The ‘head high’ is triggered by strains that are high on THC and low on CBD. A good example of that would be sativa and hybrids.
Some people just feel better with any strain, especially when their body is not used to the chemical compounds. Coming to use of marijuana strictly for medical needs, your doctor should be able to guide better, and you can always choose to check online to find more on some of the common strains that are sold at dispensaries.
Final word
No matter the purpose and medical condition, always get your marijuana from a known and reliable dispensary, where you are allowed to ask questions and find more on strains. Also, don’t ever shop from shady sources, because you would want to harness the benefits of CBD and THC at the same time, depending on your health condition. It is a good idea to always take a lower dose of your marijuana, especially in case of edibles, because with food, people generally tend to go overboard. It may take some time before you figure out what works best for you, so order in small quantities and try strains to find a favorite. Every strain offers a different high, so you have to do the homework right. Check online now to find a dispensary near you!
