There is a stubborn stigma surrounding Cannabis and it no longer is simply that Cannabis has no merit or is an entrance drug, but that the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBD, is ALL you need for health, wellness, and other ailments which is not totally true.
While CBD is a wonderful, major cannabinoid and something I take daily, other cannabinoids are also necessary when bringing the body back to “homeostasis” or balance.
If CBD is your primary go-to when using Cannabis, look for one that is Full Plant Medicine. Full Plant Medicine is exactly that, using the full plant.
When she was alive, my beautiful wife Corinne, always a teacher, would wisely use this metaphor. She’d say that single isolate use, “Is like baking a cake and leaving out some other major ingredient(s) like the flour and eggs! They all play an important role when baking a delicious dessert.” The same goes for using CBD only, we leave out other important cannabinoids. As Corinne taught us, they all play a role in healing and bringing the body back to balance.
When it comes to using CBD, Full Plant Medicine contains 0.3 % THC as well as terpenes. Terpenes are the component of the plant, which contain many wonderful properties and are best known for their smells and tastes, like smelling a rose or peeling an orange. These scents in terpenes (1), in Cannabis, many terpenes also play a role in healing. Linalool for example, is from lavender…this helps with calm and sleep. Pinene – the scent from a pine forest, is known for pain relief and relaxation. Limonene – the scent from a lemon – promotes alertness. Many of these terpenes occur naturally in nature as well as in the Cannabis plant.
Thus our latest stigma, that CBD is the “medical” part of the plant while THC is the “recreational” part, is incorrect.
Like CBD, THC helps fight off infections, manages pain, and even regulates moods and appetite. There are approximately 160 +/- cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant which ALL play a role in bringing your body back to balance. Explore other cannabinoids like CBD-A and CBG as they have been shown to help with inflammation, anxiety, and depression—so don’t forget about them!
Yes, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound in Cannabis that gets you high. However, you don’t have to be high/intoxicated to receive the benefits that this Full Plant, major cannabinoid has to offer. The precursor to THC is THCa which is non-intoxicating. THCa (2) is a viable option for the use of this compound without the intoxicating effects while still offering similar benefits in helping with inflammation, and pain, and as a neuroprotectant.
Like any medicine, more is not always better. Age, weight, type of ailment, sensitivities, along with drug to drug interactions should be addressed. When adding THC into your Cannabis routine, try 1 – 2 mg at first. Chances are you will get a bigger buzz from a cup of coffee than a dose of THC at that level.
As we are blessed and/or fortunate to finally have safe access to this plant research, ask questions and enjoy what Full Plant Medicine has to offer.
References
1. Malanca, John. “The Purpose of Terpenes: Nature’s Aromatic Wonders.” United Patients Group, 23 July. 2023, unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/the-purpose-of-terpenes-natures-aromatic-wonders/.
2. Malanca, John. “Unlocking the Healing Potential of THCA: A Glimpse into Its Therapeutic Benefits.” United Patients Group, 21 Sept. 2023, unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/unlocking-the-healing-potential-of-thca-a-glimpse-into-its-therapeutic-benefits/.
The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food. But does marijuana have a natural secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?
The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.
The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country. While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.
Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.
It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.
It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.
Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry
THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications. Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.
The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food. But does marijuana have a natural secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?
The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.
The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country. While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.
Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.
It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.
It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.
Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry
THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications. Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.
Tensions are high, but can hemp, CBD, or cannabis gummies help you relax – especially with microdosing?
The American Psychological Association recent poll should 69% of American’s are experiencing anxiety about the election. Compared with the previous two presidential elections, stress related to the 2024 election was slightly higher than in 2020 (69% vs. 68%) but significantly higher than in 2016 (52%). Stress related to the current election appeared to be driven, in part, by the potential consequences from the election results. The barrage of news, memes, friends complain is making it hard on people’s mind and body. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?
Anxiety can cause feelings of fear, dread, or uneasiness, and can make it hard to concentrate or make decisions. People with anxiety may also feel irritable, tense, or restless, and may have a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom. Not only does it leave you feeling miserable, it can interfere with your job and relationships. A short term solution may come from the cannabis plant. Can gummies bring down election anxiety?
Studies have shown the cannabis plant can help with a variety of medical ailments, including anxiety. A Johns Hopkins Medicine-led research team has added to evidence that a chemical found naturally in cannabis (also known as marijuana) can — in the right amounts — lessen the anxiety-inducing effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive sister chemical found in cannabis.
The cannabis plant produces marijuana (with THC), CBD, and hemp. Studies show all can help with anxiety at some level, but is dependent on dosage. Microdosing a new trend to provide a very low dosage to take off the edge but to stay focused. Most gummies are either 5 or 10 mg. A microcode would be between 2.5 – 5 mg. So a half or third and you can avoid the “high” while reducing the anxiety and moving into a better state of mind.
Marijuana Gummies
Marijuana gummies are a way for adults to cope with anxiety. But you should start with a low dose as you want to have a calming effect with out the extra bells and whistles. Consider 2.5 mg and see how it goes from there….and recognize it will take 45 minutes to an hour for impact.
CBD Gummies
While some CBD gummies products promise and don’t deliver, Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved prescription CBD medicine, which among many things, means that it has a safety and efficacy profile that has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical trials. CBD doesn’t have the THC high as with marijuana so this would completely avoid any high. It is also a popular aide to sleep issues.
Other ways to reduce anxiety during this time is to focus on what you can control and what positive actions you can take. it is also important to set boundaries with how much information you will consume (including social media) and the conversations you will have. Mostly, try to focus on things which help you relax.