Cannabis

Hospice and Medical Marijuana, Helping At The End

Published

1 year ago

June 20, 2023

admin

When the time of passing is close, emotions run high. When hospice if involved, it helps, but the pain of upcoming loss and all the unresolved issues are still left. In the US, people are taught to believe in happy endings. Generations have watched television shows and movies where in 30, 60 or 120 minutes all the issues are resolved and there is a last minute confession and a rebounding moment. Real life is neither as clean or as happy.

Does marijuana help in those final hours? In the moments with palliative or hospice care, anything that can help makes a difference.

a building with two windows and a sign that says hospital hospital

Palliative care is medical care for people living with a serious illness, such as cancer or heart failure. Patients in palliative care may receive medical care for their symptoms, or palliative care, along with treatment intended to cure their serious illness.

Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life of a person with a serious illness who is approaching the end of life. Hospice is prescribed when a path to cure has come to an end and the focus changes to focus making the patient comfortable until the end.

Two evidence-based guidelines address the use of medical marijuana in a palliative care setting. The first evidence-based guideline explicitly recommends against the use of medical cannabis as a first or second line option for palliative cancer pain. The guideline suggests that it could be considered in the case of refractory symptoms and with careful consideration of potential risks. The second evidence-based guideline similarly recommends that medical cannabis only be used in the palliative care setting when other treatments have failed, and after consideration of the potential for adverse events and drug interactions.

In study after study, medical marijuana can helps increase appetite, relieve painful constipation, and diminish pain. Hospice focuses on the focus well being, knowing there isn’t a long-term cure. Currently, most science shows medical marijuana manages systems but not resolve an serious ailment or injury.

shallow focus photography of bubble on leaves

Perhaps equally importantly, marijuana is used in the hospice care setting to ease spiritual and existential suffering. Some studies showing an important therapeutic role for patients faced with the despair of a terminal illness, loss of functions, and a lifetime of reflections. A mild euphoria or sense of well-being can ease a patient’s mind, body and spirit as they come to terms with their fate.

In 2019, a study was conducted among hospice professionals. About half of the respondents were nurses followed by administrators and physicians. Regardless of legal status, hospice staff members were overwhelmingly in agreement that medical marijuana is an important tool in supporting their patients.

Though medical marijuana is legal in 40 states, plus the District of Columbia, conflicting federal laws present a challenge for hospice and palliative care programs whose patients are interested in medical cannabis or already using it to manage pain and other symptoms.

The situation is particularly challenging for hospices, which are primarily funded by Medicare. Many hospices say they cannot legally prescribe medical marijuana because it remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance under federal law.

Source link

anti-inflammatory

How Marijuana Can Help Your Golf Game

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2024

admin

Fall is the perfect time to play golf…not to warm and a great exercise…and marijuana can help you up your game.

The weather is getting pleasant in the Southern part of the US. From Florida to South California, courses are packed with players, golf carts and clubs swinging in the air. But how can marijuana help your golf game? In 2023, more than 26.6 million people participated on the golf course. This is a record number of participants playing 531 rounds of the game. Last year, there was a record number of beginners playing golf. And the younger set is embracing with 6 million playing. Last year, there was a record number of beginners playing golf. But it seems they are indulging in midweek golf as many work for home.

RELATED: Beer Sales Flatten Thanks To Marijuana

One of the key ways marijuana can potentially benefit your golf game is by reducing stress and anxiety. Golf is a mentally demanding sport with some players struggle with nerves. It can be especially high-pressure with all eyes on your performance for every swing. Cannabis, particularly strains high in CBD, has been shown to have calming effects that can help golfers relax and maintain focus.

Dosage is key, you want to be focused and relaxed, not on a full on trip. In moderate doses, some golfers report marijuana can enhance focus and sensory perception on the course. This heightened awareness can lead to improved reading of greens, better judgment of distances, and a keener sense of wind conditions.

closeup photo of white golf ball

By alleviating pre-game jitters and on-course anxiety, players may find themselves better able to execute shots and maintain composure throughout their round. This increased mental clarity can lead to more consistent performance and potentially lower scores.

After a few holes, the muscle-relaxing effects of certain cannabis strains can help golfers maintain a fluid, tension-free swing. This relaxation can contribute to improved technique and potentially greater distance off the tee.

Golf’s repetitive motions can often lead to muscle soreness and joint pain, particularly for frequent players or those with pre-existing conditions. Marijuana’s anti-inflammatory properties may help alleviate these issues, allowing golfers to play with less discomfort

RELATED: Rainy Weather Cocktails

For the more competitive players, quality sleep is crucial for athletic performance, including golf. Some players use cannabis products to improve their sleep quality, potentially leading to better recovery between rounds and improved overall performance.

Used correctly with the right strain and dosage, your game could be on parr with seasoned players.

Source link

AARP

How Cannabis Can Help With Dysmenorrhea

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

admin

Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.

The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:

A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.

There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:

A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.

With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded. Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.

Source link

Cannabinoids

Staying Trim During The Holidays With Marijuana THCV

Published

1 week ago

November 9, 2024

admin

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.

Source link