Marijuana In Our Store?
If you went to our patient store, you’d see a small section where we sell products containing both CBD and THC.
Some people mistakenly believe that means we’re selling marijuana, as both of these compounds are found in “weed.” These people make assumptions that there is no distinct way to separate the medicinal forms of these cannabinoids and the leaf that so many people smoke.
Now, here’s the thing.
While we do have products in our store that would have been illegal to sell even a few years ago…That doesn’t mean we’re offering products that could compromise your health.
While marijuana, like any drug, can be abused (and often is), recent advancements in pharmaceutical procurement have made it so suppliers can take the best out of the hemp/marijuana plants, and we can offer high-quality supplements to our patients.
I’m thrilled that we can harness the power of a plant I believe God made for good and give information to patients and newsletter subscribers alike to positively improve their health.
In this article, I don’t plan to do anything other than show you some of the benefits provided by low-dose THC and CBD consumption and make a case for why if you’re not going to a head shop and high-fiving Bob Marley’s ghost every day while smoking a joint, you’ve got nothing to worry about when it comes to “doing marijuana.”
Why Marijuana/Hemp Aren’t for Hippies Anymore
Generally, I write to a more aged audience when I write these articles.
Plenty of you remember when all things pot, marijuana, grass, weed, reefer, etc., were thought of as being overwhelmingly “bad.”
Part of that perception comes from the way certain industries were threatened by the versatility of various types of hemp plants and waged war against them to keep the plant from overtaking their product lines.
But I won’t get into that topic.
The point is that so many of us have negative connotations around hemp/marijuana.
And, there is truth to it having potentially harmful effects on people.
Addiction to marijuana is possible, and dependency on something that alters your physical state of consciousness is not ideal.
However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in the use of cannabis-related products for health and wellness.
The reason CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) have gained considerable attention for their remarkable therapeutic properties is because they work.
Anyone who has ever smoked weed feels the effect almost immediately.
As an integrative physician, I want to explain the safety and efficacy of these substances and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their use.
You should know that CBD is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant.
Unlike THC, CBD does not have psychoactive effects, meaning it won’t make you feel “high.”
THC, on the other hand, is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis, responsible for the euphoric sensations. The good news is you can safely use low dosages and activate the medicinal properties without getting high.
If people thought our supplement offerings could potentially get you high, that’s because some of them have THC.
So, if THC in low amounts won’t get you high…what can it do for you?
Three Benefits of THC
1 – Pain Relief:
THC is known for its potent analgesic properties. For patients suffering from chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, or neuropathy, THC can offer significant relief. It works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a crucial role in pain regulation.
There have been numerous studies showing that THC provides meaningful pain reduction.
Research published in the Journal of Pain indicates that THC can substantially reduce chronic pain in conditions such as neuropathy and multiple sclerosis, owing to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a key role in pain modulation (Nurmikko et al., 2007).
Another comprehensive review in The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found conclusive evidence that cannabis and cannabinoids, including THC, are effective for the treatment of chronic pain in adults.
These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of THC as a natural alternative to traditional pain medications, offering not just relief but also improving the quality of life for many patients. With the right dosage and professional guidance, THC can be a safe and effective option for those struggling with debilitating pain.
2 – Improved Sleep:
Many of my patients struggle with insomnia or other sleep disorders.
THC has been shown to improve sleep quality by reducing the time it takes to fall asleep and increasing the duration of deep, restorative sleep. This can be particularly beneficial for those with chronic pain or anxiety, conditions that often interfere with sleep.
One of the chief complaints about “potheads” is that all they do is sleep.
The use of THC for improving sleep has gained traction in the medical community, bolstered by compelling research evidence.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that THC significantly reduced the time it took for participants to fall asleep and increased the duration of deep, restorative sleep.
Another study supporting these findings, a review article in Current Psychiatry, reported that THC can help manage sleep apnea and improve sleep quality by inducing a state of relaxation and reducing sleep interruptions.
These studies underscore the potential of THC to act as an effective sleep aid, particularly for individuals struggling with insomnia or sleep disorders. THC offers a natural alternative for enhancing sleep quality and overall well-being when used responsibly and under medical supervision.
3 – Appetite Stimulation:
A classic symptom of marijuana use is “the munchies.”
This refers to the increased desire to eat well beyond what is normal.
Low-dose THC use can be an effective treatment for patients dealing with appetite loss due to conditions like cancer, HIV/AIDS, or severe chronic illness. This effect can help prevent malnutrition and support overall health.
The truth is quite a few people simply don’t get enough to eat. No, it’s not nearly as common as overindulgence with food. However, when people struggle to get the recommended number of calories, having a therapy such as this is beneficial.
And what of the benefits of CBD?
CBD is more well-studied than THC, mainly because it’s not psychoactive, and there are fewer restrictions around testing CBD.
I’ve written about CBD before, so I don’t need to rehash it here, but CBD can be helpful for the following:
- Anxiety and Stress Reduction
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- Pain Relief
- Neuroprotective Properties
How To Know If There’s Too Much THC In A Supplement?
Now that THC is legally allowed to be sold in stores, it’s important to know what the right dosage would be.
Before you take a product with THC, I’d suggest you talk to a physician.
The truth is, depending on where you live, the strength of THC can be so low it feels like it does nothing or so strong that it makes you hallucinate. This is especially true if you’re getting your THC products from a head shop.
These are the dosages to look at:
1 – Low-Dose (Microdosing):
1 mg to 5 mg THC: Suitable for beginners and those looking to manage symptoms like mild pain, stress, or anxiety without experiencing significant psychoactive effects.
2 – Moderate-Dose:
5 mg to 20 mg THC: Often used for more significant pain relief, sleep improvement, or moderate anxiety. This range may start to produce noticeable psychoactive effects, including euphoria or mild alteration of perception.
3 – High-Dose:
20 mg to 50 mg THC: Typically reserved for patients with high tolerance, severe symptoms, or specific medical conditions like severe chronic pain or intractable nausea due to chemotherapy.
4 – Very High-Dose:
50 mg THC and above: Usually only recommended for patients who have developed a significant tolerance and require high doses for therapeutic effects, such as in certain cases of severe chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, or cancer-related symptoms.
Nothing that we carry in the store will take you past a low dose (as long as you take it as directed), so rest assured you’ll be able to take it without issues that could make you feel high.
