CANNABIS FOR WELLNESS
DISCLAIMER: This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition.
The cannabis community is making progress in its efforts to get out of the murky shadows and dark alleys of pubic hysteria. I think most people have figured out by now that someone isn’t likely to go insane or ruin the country simply because they smoke weed. It’s well known now that Reefer Madness and other anti-cannabis propaganda weren’t based in reality. Shocker, I know. People around the world have been using cannabis, either out in the open or in secrecy, for millennia, with the only real side effects being giggles, speaking gibberish, having the munchies, and taking mid-day naps. Only in recent years, with the relaxing of federal and state cannabis classification, can this remarkable plant be studied, used, and appreciated to its fullest extent. That is to say, the cannabis plant has more functional potential than merely making that 5-hour Phish concert extra-awesome. We’re not knocking the entertainment of THC by any means, and it absolutely has its value. We’re suggesting that cannabis offers so much more if you care to look and know what to look for.
PERSONAL SUCCESS STORY
I’ll begin with a testimonial from my friend R.C. who is a registered nurse in Connecticut. Her cousin recently began taking Rick Simpson Oil (#RSO) infused honey https://www.iheartjane.com/embed/stores/4943/menu/products/2353681/mass-alternative-care-mac-smacs-full-spectrum-rso-honey-10pk-50mg from MAC to help manage his cancer symptoms. RSO is a whole plant extract that keeps the majority of the plant’s organic compounds intact. It is less finely filtered and less processed than most smokable concentrates, but this complete, holistic oil has more potential health benefits. She isn’t making medical claims, either, but simply passing on her own informed experience to you, the reader, “My cousin is newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Because his tumor is located on the plexus nerve he’s having constant discomfort or pain, which is usually worse at night. The RSO honey syringes allow him to titrate doses (nudge potency up or down) easily and provide 4-6 hours of pain relief. It has also allowed him to eat more comfortably.” We also have RSO in gummy form for easier and more discreet consumption. https://www.iheartjane.com/embed/stores/4943/products/2404602/mass-alternative-care-mac-sour-cherry-20pk-100mg?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=organic_social&utm_campaign=product_share&utm_content=4943
COMPLIMENTARY CANNABINOIDS and CBD
So… there is much more to the cannabis plant other than everybody’s favorite three psychoactive letters…. THC. There are a handful of complimentary cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, CBT, THCv, and CBN that have always been there, but are gaining new exposure and respect as having potential therapeutic benefits. Growing numbers of folks have heard of CBD, as it is legal in MOST states as of right now. Anecdotally – which is the best “proof” I’m legally allowed to mention – this compound, which is found in highest concentrations in hemp strains, has shown to have relaxing, pain-relieving, and mentally calming effects. There’s no obviously cerebral effect from CBD except for possible clarity of thought, calmness, and focus. My friend Justin described “awareness and tranquility” when he used it before baseball games a couple of summers back. As a veteran of a half-dozen invasive orthopedic surgeries myself, I can say with certainty that topical and consumable CBD products (and THC products) have greatly aided my quality of life by reducing my pain levels and limiting overall inflammation. My primary care physician has recently recommended I increase my use of cannabis and try to resist using NSAIDs or prescription drugs as much as possible on my tougher days. We have a few CBD products from our friends at #SweetHeal on hand that MAY help with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic pain. Our hot/cold pain gel and unscented body lotion have both gotten rave reviews from our customers over the years. There’s 1000mg of beneficial full spectrum CBD in each unit.
SLEEP HELP AND CBN
The other lesser-known cannabinoid that has come to prominence lately is the humble CBN. The effects of this compound, cannabinerol, are often first experienced (unintentionally) by users when they smoke old weed. That 2-year old bag of dry weed you found in the couch cushion that puts you to sleep almost immediately? That’s the CBN effect. CBN is usually a byproduct of the natural breakdown of THC in plants, but has been more purposefully identified and isolated by biochemists in the last couple of years. We describe the feeling as sort of like a cannabis based melatonin without the brain fog. We have dozens of regular customers who swear by our Sleep formulated gummies and tinctures, which contain that CB-Night-Night molecule. Most of them tell us that they fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply when they consume some CBN about 20-30 minutes before bed than on night’s they don’t. And unlike the glass of wine or nightcap cocktail, there’s no alcohol to encourage you to get up and use the facilities during the night.
TERPENES AND THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT
The last piece we’ll get into here relates to the non-cannabinoid compounds in the cannabis plant that help differentiate how various strains make you feel. This is commonly known as the entourage effect. Because cannabis is so much more than just the infamous THC, all the other natural chemicals and compounds will direct how your body and mind processes the experience. Seasoned pot smokers can often tell a favorite strain from a quick whiff of the aromas coming from the flower. Purple Haze, Sour Diesel, White Widow, Acapulco Gold, Wedding Cake, etc…. Open a bag of these strains around experienced smokers and they’ll turn their heads like Toucan Sam following the smell of Fruit Loops, and for the same reason. Terpenes. The reason these different strains smell the way they do, and make you feel the way they do, is because of the terpenes they contain. If you’ve ever worked with essential oils to make scented balms or candles, this is the same concept. These aromatic compounds, like limonene, citrine, myrcene, lycopene, linalool, and pinene are found in all sorts of plants, herbs and flowers. The reason most bath bombs contain lavender is because lavender flowers contains the relaxing terpene linalool, as do many indica cannabis strains. The reason you feel uplifted and less anxious when walking through a pine forest is because of the terpene pinene, found in evergreen trees and lots of sativa strains. Aromatherapy and the use of specific herbs and incense has been in practical use for over 3500 years.
CONCLUDING STATEMENTS
There are so many different varieties of cannabis, and so many different combinations of terpenes, that each unique cocktail of compounds brings about unique effects. For determined consumers, a little reading and research can really pay off. Consider what you’re trying to get out of your cannabis experience: a better work out, a more thoughtful walk, pain relief, anxiety relief, better sleep…. And match the terpene and cannabinoid effects to your needs. Maybe a myrcene heavy sativa flower with mid-level THC is the most invigorating way to start your day, while a peaceful CBN gummy with Linalool is the ideal nightcap. We still have customers who come in and just want to get high. But we are getting more and more customers who walk in with a purpose, armed with scientific information, and know exactly what they want to do and how they want to feel. We’ll happily help both groups on their cannabis journey without judgement.
This blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition.
For ACTUAL health information backed by real science, please feel free to peruse the following links. These folks ARE authorized to make medical claims.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8864433/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7736188/
https://www.cannamd.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-rick-simpson-oil-rso/
https://www.webmd.com/cancer/rick-simpson-oil-for-cancer-overview
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325612
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/OP.22.00080
https://www.rupahealth.com/post/rick-simpson-oil-benefits-risks-and-uses
https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-019-0014-9
https://news.cancerresearchuk.org/2022/05/13/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/909178
https://derma.jmir.org/2021/1/e26564
https://hopepainrelief.org/medical-marijuana-in-tampa-cancer-pain-and-symptom-management/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/medical-marijuana/art-20137855
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425767/
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/medical-marijuana
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224395/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/medical-marijuana-2018011513085
