Cannabis and It's Medicinal uses
Cannabis is and can be an extremely useful tool for many people. For a lot of people, cannabis can be a very strong support in a journey to recovery. Used in many different forms, such as oils, tinctures, bud and even edibles, there are a variety of methods that cannabis can be ingested.
Whether you are struggling with insomnia, anxiety, pain, or even focus, cannabis can be very helpful in many circumstances. Recent studies show that 25-40% of cancer patients use some form of cannabis to help manage symptoms.
From complex problems to every day pain, cannabis can help make things a little more manageable.
What is the Difference between Indica and Sativa?
Indica and Sativa are the two main varieties of cannabis that can be found on the market. The major way to tell them apart is by their scent profile and terpenes. Both varieties offer very different benefits, depending on what you are looking for.
Sativa strains typically have a very citrusy, zesty sometimes almost floral nose to them. These strains are generally used for providing focus, energy, pain relief, appetite control, creativity and has even been known to help depression. Sativa is great for getting out and doing things, or getting chores done around the house. Some good strains to keep a look for are: Sour Diesel, Durban Poison and Pineapple Express.
Indica is the polar opposite of a Sativa. Indica strains tend to have earthy, natural scents to them. For example, one strain may smell like fresh cut grass, while another smells like diesel or gasoline. These strains offer a more mellow experience, providing pain relief, sleep, relaxation, anxiety and stress reduction, as well as inflammation reduction. Indica is really good for providing comfort and relaxation. Some good strains to look for are: Death Bubba, Ice Cream, and Blueberry Kush.
If you are looking for a happy medium, a middle ground between Sativa and Indica, Hybrid strains may be something you are looking for. Hybrids typically have properties of both Indica and Sativa strains, that have been bred together to form a hybrid plant. Keep your eye on the percentages, as some can lean more one way than the other. If you want to try a Hybrid strain, some good ones to look for are: Gelato, Wedding Cake and Super Buff Cherry.
What is THC and CBD?
These cannabinoids are the very reason why cannabis can be considered such a helpful tool. Known as phytocannabinoids, THC and CBD are naturally produced by the cannabis plant and the two major cannabinoids found within the plant.
CBD is a very helpful cannabinoid, used for a lot of things. Known as Cannabidiol, it is the second most abundant cannabinoid found within cannabis. Found in the leaves and resinous flower of the plant alongside it’s other major counterpart, THC, CBD has many benefits that can be utilized when taking it on its own. Unlike THC, Cannabidiol does not have any psychoactive effects and does not get you “high”. CBD works by indirectly interacting with and modulating the Endocannabinoid System and signals molecules in the body that help maintain homeostasis (or balance). Instead of interacting with receptors within the Endocannabinoid System, it interacts with other non-cannabinoid receptors such as Serotonin receptors and Vanilloid receptors like TRPV1. CBD is a magical compound that can help with a lot of things. It’s best known for it’s ability to help you relax, act as an anti-anxiety support and help support insomnia or sleep struggles. CBD can be taken in a variety of ways as well, whether it be a tincture, capsule, edible, vape or bud, there is an option of everyone to try.
THC is the other major cannabinoid found within cannabis. This cannabinoid, also known as Tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound that provides the "high" when ingesting cannabis. Mostly used for it's analgesic or pain relieving properties, it interacts with the Endocannabinoid System to change how your brain receives pain signals. Not only can it help with pain but also nausea, appetite stimulation and most of all sleep. THC works by mimicking molecules like Anandamide. Also known as the bliss molecule, THC changes itself and acts like a dimmer switch for your nervous system, making sure your neurons don't fire too little or too much. It then rushes through the body to find CB1 and CB2 receptors within the Endocannabinoid System and because THC is so chemically similar to Anandamide, it fits into these receptors like a lock and key. These now endocannabinoids now travel between neurons, telling other neurons to slow down or to stop producing neurotransmitters. Now that the neurotransmitters have stopped flowing, the THC allows the wild release of dopamine causing your "high" when you smoke your weed!
Depending on your needs and what you are looking for, different amounts of THC and CBD can have varying benefits.
The Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid System or ECS is the very thing that allows us to feel the effects of cannabis. If we didn’t have the Endocannabinoid System, cannabis would likely have no effect on our bodies. This system is the Master Regulator of the body. It is a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed all around our bodies and brains. It is responsible for maintaining internal balance. If something is out of balance, the Endocannabinoid System will kick in to fix it. This system helps to regulate: Sleep, Appetite and Digestion, Mood and Stress Responses, Pain Perception, Immune Responses, Memory and Learning as well as Reproduction. The Endocannabinoid System is a very important part of our bodies, and plays a major role in life, not just when you smoke a joint or eat an edible.
How does the Endocannabinoid System Work?
The Endocannabinoid System or ECS is the very thing that allows us to feel the effects of cannabis. If we didn’t have the Endocannabinoid System, cannabis would likely have no effect on our bodies.
This system is the Master Regulator of the body. It is a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors that are densely packed all around our bodies and brains. It is responsible for maintaining internal balance. If something is out of balance, the Endocannabinoid System will kick in to fix it. This system helps to regulate: Sleep, Appetite and Digestion, Mood and Stress Responses, Pain Perception, Immune Responses, Memory and Learning as well as Reproduction. The Endocannabinoid System is a very important part of our bodies, and plays a major role in life, not just when you smoke a joint or eat an edible.
The Main Components of the Endocannabinoid System
The Endocannabinoid:
- These act as chemical messengers that are naturally produced by our body. Anandamide or “The Bliss Molecule” is chemically similar to THC and regulates mood, happiness and fear. 2-Arachidonoylglycerol or 2-AG is a major endocannabinoid that is responsible for managing appetite, the immune system function and pain management.
The Receptors:
- These receptors sit on the surface of the cell and wait for specific neurotransmitters or cannabinoids to attach to them. CB1 lies in the Central Nervous System and is a favorite receptor of THC. CB2 can be found within the Peripheral Nervous System and on immune cells.
The Enzymes:
- Once the endocannabinoids have delivered their messages, the clean up crew shows up to break down the cannabinoids. The enzymes help to stop the signals being sent by the endocannabinoids and break them down into cellular waste. FAAH is an enzyme that is strictly responsible for breaking down Anandamide and MAGL helps to break down the 2-AG endocannabinoids.
Other Cannabinoids to Watch For
Not only are THC and CBD helpful, but there are other cannabinoids within cannabis that can be just as helpful, if not more helpful than the more common cannabinoids. CBG and CBN are some other cannabinoids that have major benefits that can be sometimes target more specific problems.
What is CBG?
CBG is a minor cannabinoid found within immature marijuana plants. It is a precursor molecule, which eventually forms either THC or CBD. Making up 1% of the cannabinoid content, it tends to be a bit more expensive, but just as sought after as CBD.
Like it’s friend CBD, CBG is non-intoxicating and does not get you high, but rather has a rather big list of things it can help with. Unlike CBD, CBG interacts with multiple receptors within the Endocannabinoid System. Interacting and binding with receptors like CB1, CB2 and serotonin 5-HT1A, there are plenty of benefits that come from taking CBG. It can help with things such as focus, concentration and even appetite stimulation.
Some other uses for CBG are:
- Chronic Pain and Inflammation
- Neuropathic Pain
- Relaxation
- Anxiety and Stress Relief
- Appetite Stimulation
What is CBN?
CBN is another cannabinoid that has some very helpful components. Known as Cannabinol, it works a bit differently than its friends CBG and CBD. Cannabinol is not a direct product of the marijuana plant but rather a product of when THC breaks down due to exposure to heat, light and oxidization. Because it derives from THC, CBN is considered very mildly psychoactive in high doses.
Like CBD and CBG, CBN is a really good aid for sleep support, pain reduction and can even act as an anti-inflammatory agent. By working directly with the Endocannabinoid system, CBN activates CB1 and CB2 receptors as well as other nerve pathways to help bring pain relief and aid to sleep.
Some other uses for CBN are:
- Sleep Support
- Pain relief
- Inflammation
- Appetite Stimulation
- Anxiety and Stress Relief