Take a deep breath and let it all out. Right now, you need to focus on what’s real.

What’s real is that you are safe, and the high isn’t going to last forever. If you follow the tips in this article, you can even change your experience. Instead of being trapped, you can start enjoying the pain-relieving effects medical marijuana offers.

What should you do if you’re feeling too high? Read on to find out.

Music and Massage

Let the power of music soothe your mind and senses. If you have a favorite song that puts you in a great mood, now would be a great time to play it.

If you don’t have a go-to musician, no worries. You can always search for relaxing playlists on youtube.

Put on music that creates a spa-like atmosphere, and enter into a calm state. Instead of tuning into a frequency of fear, you’ll be able to feel a sense of well-being and peace. You might even start to enjoy your high.

Massage Moments

Now would be an excellent time for a loved one to gently massage your neck. After putting on the right soundtrack, find a comfortable spot you can sit for a while.

Close your eyes as you soak in the massage. Feel your muscles loosen, and your mind slow down.

If you don’t have someone there to massage you, or you don’t want to be touched right now, try a self-massage using these tips. Gentle mindful movements will let your body know that everything is okay. When your body knows everything is okay, your mind can jump on board too.

Bathtub and Bubbles

Run a hot, steamy bubble bath and prepare to soak. Let yourself be silly as you scoop up handfuls of bubbles and blow them into the air.

Try making a bubble mustache on yourself or even a bobble hat. The idea here is to be free. As you soak in the weightless water, let your troubles melt away.

You chose to use medical cannabis for a reason. Close your eyes as you focus on your intentions.

Did you want to let go of stress? Become pain-free? It’s all possible. Sitting in the hot bath, think about how you want your body to feel.

Imagine your muscles loosening up and the inflammation going away. Picture your mind running at a perfect pace.

Envision yourself standing tall and proud without a worry in the world. Use your bubble bath as an opportunity to wash away whatever anxious feelings are holding you down.

Nest and Nap

Gather up the comfiest blankets from your home and pile them on your bed. You’re about to make a nap nest!

A nap nest is a super cozy spot where you can lie down to—you guessed it— take a nap. Using the softest blankets, biggest pillows, and whatever makes you good feel good, start building your nest. You can build your nap nest on top of your bed or put it in the center of a room.

Nap Time

Once you have a cozy pile ready to go, jump in and cover-up. Getting under the covers might be all you need to feel better. You’ll be taking your mind and body back to a safe place where you feel secure.

Your nap nest can also be a fun and playful project, similar to building a fort when you were a kid. Don’t worry about how your nap nest looks; just make sure it’s comfy.

Fatigue makes cowards of us all. Getting rest is one of the fastest ways to rebuild your strength.

As you sleep, the intense effects of the THC will begin to wear off. Your dreams might be more colorful than usual, or you might see colors you’ve never seen before. When you open your eyes, you’ll feel better and well-rested.

Air and Audiobook

Have you tried stepping outside yet? Sometimes, you need to change your surroundings to counteract an intense high. There’s scientific proof that hearing nature sounds and seeing open spaces can change your brain’s thinking.

If it’s nighttime, try looking up at the stars. They’ll probably sparkle a little bit extra right now, and you’ll get a chance to be in awe of their beauty.

If it’s daytime, pick a nice shady spot where you can stare out at the rest of your yard. Admire all of the plants and animals you never noticed before. Take your mind off of yourself as you experience being in the great outdoors.

Audiobook Distraction

If your mind is still racing, distract it with a delightful audiobook. You can find free audiobooks on YouTube or purchase one from an online platform like Audible.

Make sure you choose an audiobook that will put you in the right mood. We suggest staying away from anything violent instead of looking for an uplifting story.

Perhaps you’ll pick an audiobook set in a summer scene or on a beach. Maybe you’ll decide to go back in time with a historical fiction audiobook. Let your mind be carried away as you listen to the tale.

Stop Feeling Too High and Start Feeling Better

Not sure which tip from this article to follow? If you’re still feeling too high, make things simple for yourself.

Put on some soothing music right now. Focus on listening to the music as you let the medical marijuana do its work.

After all, THC can be a powerful instrument for healing. Here at the Herbal Clinic, we’re on a mission to help patients lead pain-free lives with the help of medical marijuana.

If you’re wondering how to get your medical cannabis card, a qualified medical marijuana doctor in Tampa like Dr. Mark Hashim can help! Contact our office today, and one of our team members will be happy to answer all of your questions.

The post How to Come Down if You’re Feeling Too High From Medical Marijuana appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

There’s nothing pleasant about chronic pain or other conditions that make life a constant struggle to be comfortable. Chronic pain can lead to nausea, which causes another level of distress.

The key to making life more bearable is to look for ways to control nausea so you can enjoy a relatively normal quality of life. Here we take a look at using marijuana for nausea, including the health benefits of medical marijuana for reducing cancer-related nausea. Keep reading to learn more.

Understanding the Basics

Let’s start by talking about the various methods of treating nausea. After all, while many people try to simply ignore the symptoms of nausea, it can quickly become too intense and uncomfortable. 

There are plenty of prescription drugs that are designed to reduce nausea. The problem with using these types of drugs is the expense, along with the fact that an increasing number of people avoid traditional prescription drugs as much as possible for various reasons.

In recent years, the laws regarding the use of medical marijuana have begun to change. This legalization of marijuana has made it possible for patients living with chronic pain and nausea to take advantage of the health benefits.

The Benefits of Using Marijuana For Nausea

What are the health benefits of medical marijuana? Well, it’s important to understand that the THC contained in the cannabis plant is incredibly effective at reducing the symptoms associated with nausea. This happens when the THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

When this happens, the THC produces a soothing effect that helps reduce the discomfort caused by nausea.

Why is this better than prescription drugs for pain relief? Keep in mind that marijuana is a natural product. It’s a plan that grows naturally and that offers many different benefits, including as a form of pain relief, whereas most prescription drugs designed for pain relief are created in a laboratory.

Marijuana has been used for centuries to relieve stress, treat chronic pain, and simply as a way to relax. It provides these benefits without the patient having to worry about addiction. Plus, it doesn’t contain any type of toxic chemicals. 

How to Use Marijuana For Treating Nausea

If you’ve never used marijuana before, you might feel a bit confused about how to get started. This is a natural reaction. Fortunately, there are several ways to use marijuana for reducing the discomfort associated with cancer-related nausea.

The most common ways to use marijuana, both recreationally and for medical purposes, is either through the use of edible or by smoking. Everyone has a different preference, so it’s best to experiment until you find the method that works best for your needs.

Ediles tend to be appealing to those who don’t like to smoke because they are easy to consume and are quite tasty. And yet smoking remains an extremely popular method for ingesting high THC quickly and easily, whether you choose to use medical marijuana or smoke the weed with a pipe or bong.

The key to having the best experience with medical marijuana is to find a strain that you enjoy. There are plenty of strains to choose from, thus you can explore the various flavors and decide whether you prefer Indica or Sativa for controlling the effects of nausea on your body.

How to Get Marijuana For Treating Nausea

Now let’s look at the process for getting the marijuana you need for treating nausea. For starters, it really depends on where you live. After all, the marijuana laws are different in every state. This means you’ll need to find out exactly what’s legal where you live.

If you live in an area where recreational and medicinal marijuana is legal, you are free to purchase the weed and use it in the comfort of your home as needed. For best results, be sure to consult with your doctor beforehand.

If you live in a state where medical marijuana has been legalized but recreational marijuana is still illegal, you’ll need a prescription from your doctor.

Once you have the prescription, you can visit a local dispensary to get recommendations for the type of weed that will most effectively treat your symptoms.

Keep in mind that it’s best to start slow and experiment, especially if you’re new to the world of marijuana and other types of cannabis products.

THC vs CBD

Speaking of other cannabis products, it’s important to understand the difference THC and CBD for treating chronic pain and nausea.

When it comes to compounds found in the cannabis plant, CBD is the mildest compound used for treating medical conditions such as anxiety, nausea, and mild chronic pain. The main thing to understand about CBD is it doesn’t contain the same psychoactive properties found in THC.

In other words, CBD won’t make you high. It simply provides a mild soothing effect that can help reduce the most common symptoms of various medical conditions and can also improve your quality of sleep. The main benefit of CBD over THC is the fact that it’s legal in most parts of the country. 

Talking to Your Doctor About Marijuana

For most people, using marijuana is still a novel concept. Thus you might have reservations about smoking it to reduce nausea. 

The best strategy is to talk to your doctor about whether marijuana might be beneficial for reducing your symptoms. She will be able to make suggestions on how to treat your nausea, including the best marijuana products for your needs.

A Guide to Using Marijuana For Nausea

It’s never easy to live with a serious disease or chronic pain, especially when these conditions cause nausea. Fortunately, using marijuana for nausea can help by providing THC to reduce the common symptoms that make your health issues challenging to cope with on a daily basis.

Please contact us today to learn how we can help provide the help you need to control the pain or nausea caused by your illness.

The post Your Guide to Using Medical Marijuana for Nausea appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

While CBD is perfectly legal countrywide, the same may not hold for its chemical counterpart, THC. Wait! But if THC and CBD are almost the same things, then why is one legal and the other illegal?

It’s still a surprise that in 2022, most cannabis enthusiasts still don’t know the difference between THC and CBD. If you just winced while reading that, worry not; we’re here to help you change that.

In today’s post, we’ll be highlighting the main differences between THC and CBD. That way, you can make sure you’re getting the right stuff the next time you hit the marijuana dispensary.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the major compounds found in the cannabis plant. It belongs to a group of chemicals known as cannabinoids that are also found in the cannabis plant.

In recent years, CBD has surged in popularity because of its numerous purported health benefits. In fact, these days, CBD shops are popping up everywhere and selling all kinds of CBD products. Some of these products include CBD oils, tinctures, confectionaries, and even gummies.

Although CBD seems to have tons of benefits, a little more research is necessary to ensure whether the benefits are true. That’s why the FDA strictly warns CBD companies against making unfounded health claims.

What Is THC?

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is also a compound in the cannabis plant. However, unlike CBD, THC has more psychoactive effects than its counterpart. THC is the compound responsible for getting you high when you light up a spliff.

Although CBD is legal in all states, the same doesn’t go for THC. Different states have different laws regarding the use and distribution of THC. This makes it all the more important to learn the difference between these two compounds before you end up behind bars.

What’s the Difference Between THC and CBD?

Now that you know everything you need to know about these compounds, let’s look at what makes them different. Here are a couple of differences between THC and CBD that you should be aware of:

The Chemical Structure

At a glance, both THC and CBD have the same chemical structure. That’s right, both compounds have 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. If they all have the same kind and number of atoms, then how can they be different?

Well, much of the difference between these compounds comes from how the atoms are arranged. Even though they are made of the same materials, the different atomic arrangements have different effects on the body.

It’s worth noting that both THC and CBD interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The interaction of these chemicals with the endocannabinoid system is what elicits their various effects. The endocannabinoid system will make neurotransmitters in your brain work in a different way to make your body do different things.

The Medical Benefits

Until recently, all we heard about marijuana was that it was a hippie drug and a menace to society. But now, you can’t go anywhere without hearing about the medical benefits of CBD and THC. So what are these medical benefits and do they apply to both THC and CBD?

Although most of the medicinal compounds in THC and CBD are similar, CBD works better for certain conditions than THC. Here are a few conditions that CBD can help treat:

• Inflammation and pain
• Seizures
• Mental disorders
• Depression and anxiety

On the other hand, THC helps treat conditions like:

• Insomnia
• Muscle spasms
• Nausea 
• Glaucoma
• Lack of appetite

As mentioned earlier, CBD and THC distributors must be extra careful when advertising the health benefits of these compounds. That’s because research on these benefits isn’t too conclusive. The FDA might flag the companies for false advertising.

Interested buyers should also be careful to buy the right products for their needs. Don’t get CBD tinctures when what you really need is a little THC in your system.

That’s why we advise visiting a reputable marijuana dispensary for your CBD or THC needs. At least, you can get a proper prescription for what you need, depending on your condition. Don’t take THC when what you need is CBD.

Psychoactive Components

The major difference between CBD and THC is the psychoactive effects of the latter. Although CBD is psychoactive, it’s nowhere close to how psychoactive THC is. A slight buzz that’s almost unnoticeable, but THC will give you a full-blown high.

THC combines with CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system. This results in a feeling of euphoria and mild light-headedness.

CBD also binds to CB1 receptors, but only very lightly. This means that it has very little, if any, psychoactive effect on the brain.

The Legality

The legality of CBD and THC is a murky and complicated subject. However, we’ll try to give you a brief overview of the entire situation.

The 2018 Farm Bill made CBD legal across all 50 states, provided it was derived from hemp. Keep in mind that hemp is marijuana that contains less than 0.3% THC. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the controlled substances act.

However, the DEA and FDA continue to categorize CBD as a schedule 1 drug; talk about the confusion! That said, 33 states allow CBD products with high levels of THC. However, you’ll probably need a prescription from a licensed physician.

States like Montana, Arizona, and New Jersey have legalized recreational marijuana for adults over the age of 21. There’s a lot of murkiness regarding CBD and THC jurisdiction. To be on the safe side, check your state-specific laws before making any purchase.

Choose the Compound That Works for You

Now that you know the difference between THC and CBD, we hope you’ll be more comfortable picking between CBD and THC products. Remember, THC is psychoactive, so you might want to tread softly with your THC consumption. Both compounds are immensely beneficial, so choose the one that works for your situation.

Contact us today and we’ll help you find the best CBD and THC products for your needs.

The post What’s the Main Difference Between THC and CBD? appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

In the next few moments, we’re going to uncover just that. We’ll provide insights into medical marijuana, and we’re also going to share how and where you can get it.

Read on to discover where you can get medical marijuana in Florida.

Who Medical Marijuana Is For 

For thousands of years, medical marijuana has been used as a plant-based herbal remedy for various treatments. History even dates its origins as far back as roughly 2700 BC. 

Fast forward to today, and things have somewhat advanced. After passing Florida’s legal bill to make medical marijuana treatment legitimate in 2014, things have somewhat changed.

Its rules, regulations, and uses have become more refined. 

For example, not everyone can walk down to their local treatment center tell their Doctor they feel unwell and walk out with a bag of medical cannabis. 

The medical system is clear about who should be using it. They say it’s only for certain people. These people have conditions that could use marijuana as a treatment.

Some of the conditions include Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Epilepsy, Glaucoma, Eating Disorders, Cancer, and other conditions.  

For people living with these conditions, marijuana can be highly beneficial.

How to Get Medical Marijuana

In order to get medical marijuana, there are a few things you have to do. One of them is to book an appointment and pay a visit to a doctor who is licensed to recommend medical cannabis in the state of Florida (a doctor like Dr. Mark Hashim of The Herbal Clinic, MD!).

During this appointment, the Doctor will assess if you could utilize marijuana as a form of treatment.  

Providing that everything checks out and you get the green light from your Doctor, you need to register for your medical marijuana card.

While some people find it surprising that they need a card for medical marijuana, it is important. The reason why is because it helps verify that you need medical marijuana and that your physician recommended it for you.

In Florida, you have to pay for your medical marijuana card. This can cost anywhere in the region of $75 which covers you for a year. There is also an annual renewal fee for your card. When booking an appointment with The Herbal Clinic, MD, we take the time to explain all of these details for our patients, complete with video instructions and guides.

Once you get your medical cannabis card you can start looking for recommended dispensaries. With so many options, it’s easy to get a little confused, so this is something we can help you with.

Where To Get Medical Marijuana

As far as Florida’s authorities state, there is only one legal way to get marijuana. The only way to get your marijuana is to use a licensed marijuana dispensary, this may be from a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC). 

You can find licensed dispensaries all across Florida, but they must be approved. Only legal dispensaries are permitted to sell medical marijuana. 

You can actually find a list of approved medical marijuana centers online. If you live locally in the Florida area it is recommended that you use these centers.  

In terms of reliable dispensaries, so long as they are approved most of the time they are fairly reliable.

There are roughly 330 medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida. There are also 2,500 licensed cannabis Doctors so treatment options are readily available.

Medical dispensaries can be found all over Florida including Orlando, Miami, Key West, Tampa, and more. There is also a tool you can use to search for your most convenient medical dispensary. 

Options for the delivery of medical marijuana are available. Some people are not fit, able, or willing to travel for their legal weed so instead, they have a dispensary deliver it. While not every dispensary will deliver, some will.

However, to qualify for delivery, there may be a high minimum spend fee and you must be within a certain mile radius.

Things to Know Before Getting Treatment 

While most marijuana treatments centers are pretty reliable, it never hurts to do a little research to find the best one for you. After all, some medical marijuana treatment centers will be better suited to you.

So before grabbing your medical marijuana card and going down to your nearest dispensary, keep that in mind. If you are stuck trying to find your ideal medical marijuana treatment center, let us know and we can help. 

Of course, Florida marijuana laws are strict. Yet some people choose to ignore professional medical advice, and instead, they get their marijuana illegally.

We would never recommend this, and encourage you to get legal marijuana from a state-licensed dispensaries (there are a number of health-related reasons to choose this direction in addition to the legality concerns).

Non-medical marijuana can be of bad quality and potentially harmful due to its unregulated nature.

Also, if you can’t provide evidence that you legally need medical marijuana, there’s a high likelihood that you could get in trouble with the legal system. 

Get Your Marijuana Treatment Today

Now that you have read about where to get medical marijuana in Florida, you have a better idea of what your options are. Medical marijuana offers many benefits, which is why it continues to gain popularity as a treatment option. 

Within the state of Florida, there are medical dispensaries that are readily available, it’s just a matter of choosing the one that’s right for you. 

The post Where to Get Medical Marijuana in Florida appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

The cannabis plant does not only have one purpose. Its many by-products fulfill many different functions for the modern human. Knowing the difference between hemp vs marijuana is the key to unlocking the potential of both.

Hemp is a versatile tool that has aided our species’ utilitarian development. Marijuana is a different by-product of the cannabis plant. It inspires artists, musicians, and enthusiasts across the globe. Read on to learn the difference. 

What Is Hemp?

Thomas Jefferson and most of America’s founding fathers grew hemp. But why would such high-prestige men grow this crop? The answer lies in the cannabis plants’ versatility.

Hemp, the raw fibers of the cannabis plant, was a crucial material for early colonists. Colonists crafted many different tools from it. Here are a few examples, many of which are still relevant to modern times.

Rope

Hemp rope is one of the toughest and cheapest types of rope, particularly in the maritime world. Considering most of the pre-industrial world was traveled via sailboat, hemp ropes did indeed make the world go round.

Even today, hemp rope plays an important part in our daily lives. Most modern ropes are made of hemp or other synthetic material. Hemp rope is in the organic wick you used to light your joint and on the Navy’s most recent ship.

Clothing

Hemp clothing goes back to ancient times as hemp was one of the earliest crops cultivated by humans. Hemp clothing is fibrous and tough. One of the most common types of hemp clothing nowadays is the classic Baja hoodie.

Due to its fibrous nature, hemp clothing can be a bit itchy. That’s why many clothing manufactures line the inside of hemp clothing with cotton, wool, or other less abrasive materials for a more comfortable fit.

Cloth

In addition to clothing, the fibers from hemp can be woven to create hemp cloth. In a historical context, hemp cloth was often used to make sails. Sometimes it was woven with other materials to increase its functionality.

Today hemp cloth makes all sorts of different blankets, tapestries, and other cloth items. Even shoes can be made of hemp cloth. It is a durable shoemaking material similar to canvas.

What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana is the bi-product of the cannabis plant that has medicinal, relaxing, or psychoactive effects on those who consume it. Marijuana’s chemical composition contains hundreds of cannabinoids.

Some of these produce a mind-altering high, while others provide health benefits and relaxing effects. Scientists are just now beginning to understand the true extent of marijuana’s effects. Here are some different types of it.

THC Marijuana

THC is the active cannabinoid in marijuana that produces a “high” in the user. THC marijuana products are smoked, vaped, or eaten. THC enters the lungs or stomach and travels into the bloodstream. 

From there it interacts with the brain’s endocannabinoid system and produces a high. Three categories of marijuana are Sativas, Hybrids, and Indicas. Sativas produce an uplifting high, Indicas a relaxing one, and Hybrids a balanced one.

CBD Marijuana

CBD (cannabidiol) is another cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant. It does not get you high in the same way as THC but it does relax the user and provide some positive health effects. There is much debate about what these are.

Things such as reducing inflammation, cancer treatment, and pain alleviation have all been attributed to CBD. CBD marijuana is consumed in the same ways marijuana is through smoking, ingestion, or vaping.

Marijuana Concentrates

Marijuana comes in a raw plant form that can be processed into a variety of stronger concentrates. These products often have higher concentrations of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids hence their name.

Tinctures, vape cartridges, hash, hash oil, and dabs are all examples of concentrates made from marijuana. You can use tincture concentrates in the kitchen to produce a ton of different marijuana edibles as well.

Growing Hemp vs Marijuana

Both hemp and marijuana are products of the cannabis plant but growing each is a very different process. First of all, the seeds of marijuana plants have been selectively chosen by growers for their high THC/CBD contents and yields.

Seeds for hemp are selected for different properties. Growers choose them based on high yield properties and climatic resiliency. When growing marijuana male plants must be isolated from the females. This is not necessary for hemp.

Finding Hemp Guidelines

You can find raw hemp growing at many farms across the United States since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. This piece of legislation legalized hemp cultivation at the federal level and also legalized many CBD products.

You can find hemp products in stores across the nation. From clothing to blankets and shoes some of your local retailers are sure to have them. Find CBD products at specialty stores, supermarkets, or dispensaries.

Finding Marijuana Guidelines

Until the past decade or so your only option to find marijuana was to look on the black market and contact a drug dealer. Today there are a ton of medical and recreational dispensaries and even online stores where you can buy it.

Depending on what state you live in marijuana may still be illegal in the recreational or even medical context. Most states have medical marijuana however so setting up an appointment with a doctor is your best option.

Marijuana vs Hemp Know the Difference

Knowing the difference between hemp vs marijuana is very important. One is a substance that will alter your mind, the other is a versatile tool. If you smoke hemp all you will get is a sore throat unless it contains CBD.

The same can not be said for marijuana which will provide your brain and body with a ton of effects. If you are looking for a reputable source of marijuana or CBD marijuana, contact us today for your medical marijuana license.

The post Hemp vs Marijuana: What Are the Differences? appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

Keep reading to learn more about the therapeutic qualities of medical marijuana!

Chronic Pain

First and foremost, medical marijuana is a great way to relieve chronic pain. In fact, medical marijuana can literally alter the pain perception pathways in your brain. This means that you will feel less pain, even if you have chronic conditions. 

Many conditions cannot be treated. So, without things like medical marijuana, people who suffer from these live in constant pain. Some of these conditions include arthritis, endometriosis, and even migraines. 

Mental Health

Medical marijuana can also be used to treat mental health disorders. This is especially great to help people who suffer from anxiety. Using marijuana for your anxiety can help people calm down by affecting the limbic system. 

Medical marijuana is also a natural treatment for people who have other mental health disorders. This includes depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD. People with PTSD have even found that the use of medical marijuana has helped reduce nightmares and other types of flashbacks. 

For most types of mental health conditions, medical marijuana can help reduce clinical symptoms. It can even reduce the need for prescription medication. 

Inflammation

The CBD, also known as Cannabidiol, that is found in medical marijuana has great anti-inflammatory properties. Many diseases have inflammation as a symptom, so finding ways to reduce this inflammation can significantly lessen your pain and improve your symptoms. 

For example, rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that can affect your joints and many other parts of your body. This inflammation can lead to joint stiffness, swollen joints, and more. By using medical marijuana, it can reduce this inflammation and make daily tasks much more achievable. 

Regardless of the type of inflammation you experience, medical marijuana may be able to help you!

Difficulty Sleeping

Many people experience difficulty sleeping. This can be due to insomnia, sleep disorders, and more. If you have one of these conditions, over-the-counter sleep aids may not be able to help. 

Marijuana is a natural alternative to other sleep aids and can help you restore your body’s natural sleep cycle. It can also help keep you asleep if you frequently wake up in the night. 

Many people with chronic pain also have difficulty staying asleep. By using medical marijuana, you can find relief for your chronic pain and find ways to improve your sleep. 

Neurological Conditions

Medical marijuana can also help you if you suffer from neurological conditions. While there are some types of conditions that medical marijuana may not be able to treat, it is quite effective with others. 

For example, people who suffer from epilepsy or seizures find that using medical marijuana helps them manage their condition. This is also a great treatment for those who have Multiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, or other forms of muscular dystrophy. 

Nausea

Many people who suffer from constant nausea have seen improvement after using cannabinoids that are found in medical marijuana. This is especially true for those who have nausea as a symptom of chemotherapy. 

This medication can also help those who experience terminal cancer. It helps them feel better through their treatment and can help them manage their pain without the fear of getting addicted to opioid medication. 

While this medical marijuana may lead to other symptoms, like dizziness, it can significantly improve the quality of life for those that suffer from chronic nausea or nausea that is induced by treatment or another factor. 

Low Appetite 

Many people that experience some type of medical condition may experience low appetite as a symptom of their illness or the medications they take. In fact, loss of appetite is a common side effect for those receiving chemotherapy treatment.

Loss of appetite can be dangerous for many people, especially if it leads to malnutrition or deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. 

Low appetites can even lead to other life-threatening issues and may put you in the hospital. Medical marijuana is an effective treatment that may be able to help you get your appetite back after illness or if you have a disease. 

When you use marijuana, it contains a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC. This compound can increase the hormone ghrelin. This hormone is what makes you feel hungry, even if you have eaten recently.  

This can be a huge blessing for patients and others who still need to eat, even if they aren’t developing an appetite. In fact, using medical marijuana may even prevent the need for feeding tubes in some patients who will not eat on their own. 

Find a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Near Me

If you are approved and have a medical marijuana card, it can treat nearly any symptom, from chronic pain and inflammation to mental health disorders and neurological conditions. By finding a reputable medical marijuana doctor, you can get help managing your daily symptoms of qualifying conditions.

Do you want to learn more about medical marijuana states and to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana card? The Herbal Clinic, MD can help! Contact our team today to learn more about our holistic health services or to set a medical marijuana appointment with our doctor today!

The post Which Symptoms Can Medical Marijuana Help to Treat? appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

Medical marijuana has the ability to treat a variety of illnesses and mental and physical conditions. As the stigma against medical marijuana starts to deteriorate, more and more people are able to reap the benefits that come from this powerful and helpful substance. In fact, it is estimated that there are more than four million medical marijuana patients throughout the country.

You might not be sure if marijuana is an appropriate treatment for you. This is why it is so important to speak with a medical marijuana doctor. 

While it might be intimidating at first, you can learn a lot by asking a doctor the right questions. But what are those questions?

Keep on reading and we’ll take you through everything you’ll want to know.

1. I’m Thinking of Trying Medical Marijuana. What Do You Think?

There are a few reasons why you should ask this question early on in the conversation. First, you’ll be creating an environment of collaboration. It’s best to not start out of the gate demanding a prescription for medical marijuana – or demanding any kind of prescription, for that matter.

Instead, you want to show that you are there to listen to your doctor and hear their advice. Remember, your doctor is a medical expert and they might have some ideas that you haven’t thought about yet. 

Another reason why you want to ask this question is a litmus test. You want to make sure that your doctor is going to consider your wellbeing before making a decision. A doctor who simply writes you a prescription at the drop of a hat or one who is opposed to medical cannabis no matter what is probably not going to be very helpful.

2. How Can Marijuana Products Help to Manage/Treat My Health Issue?

It’s definitely a good idea to do your own research before your doctor’s appointment. Of course, you also want to hear what your doctor’s thoughts on the matter are.

If you’re worried about potential side effects, or the efficacy of marijuana for your condition, then you should make sure to ask this question to your doctor. 

3. Which Medical Marijuana Product Is Right for Me?

There are many different types of medical marijuana items available to patients. Your doctor might suggest that you take an Indica or a Sativa, an edible or tincture instead of a smoking apparatus, or a product with a high concentration of CBD.

Because of how varied medical marijuana products can be, you want to hear your medical marijuana doctor’s suggestions about which product is going to be best for you. 

4. What Are the Side Effects and Risks of Medical Marijuana?

While medical marijuana tends to have less intense side effects and risks than other prescription medications, it is not without its drawbacks. There might be certain issues around using medical marijuana for your particular health issue that you need to be aware of. 

Depending on the strain you get, you also might end up feeling sleepy, energetic, hungry, nauseous, or paranoid. 

5. Will Marijuana Interfere With Other Medications That I’m Taking?

Your medical marijuana doctor is going to go through your medical history and other medications that you’re taking. This will allow them to advise you about possible interactions that they might have with marijuana. 

Even the caffeine that you get from your morning cup of coffee could interact with several kinds of prescription medications. So it is worth checking with your doctor that marijuana is safe to use with whatever else you are taking. 

Maybe you want to substitute your current prescription medication with medical marijuana. If that’s the case, then make sure to speak to your doctor about it.

6. How Will Marijuana Affect My Ability to Perform Everyday Tasks?

While the cannabinoid CBD is non-intoxicating, THC can definitely intoxicate a patient. If you’re taking care of children, working, or driving, then you need to check with your doctor about what kinds of dosages and products are going to affect your ability to perform everyday tasks. 

You also need to ask your doctor if the products they prescribe are going to get you high. Being high isn’t a bad thing, and many people take medical marijuana for that purpose. But if you want to reap the benefits of marijuana without getting high, then you’ll need to let your medical marijuana doctor know. 

If you do get high, then you will likely have impaired motor skills and your ability to think critically will be affected. 

7. What Are the Legalities Surrounding Medical Marijuana?

While your medical marijuana doctor is not a lawyer, they should be able to give you a general understanding of the legalities and rules surrounding the possession and use of medical marijuana. Make sure to do plenty of research on your own too if this is something that you’re concerned about.

The Importance of Asking Your Medical Marijuana Doctor These Questions

Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of what questions you should be asking your medical marijuana doctor. As we can see, your doctor will have the knowledge and expertise to answer your health-related questions and will be able to advise you on products and doses. 

Are you looking for a reputable and reliable medical marijuana doctor in the South Tampa area? If so, then contact us today and see what we can do for you!

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Glaucoma is a disorder of the inner eye. It’s characterized by the destruction of retinal cells and the optic nerve. These factors lead to progressive loss of vision and eventual blindness. 

But there is good news. Glaucoma and THC are connected. And this connection could mean big things for decreasing the risk factors for developing glaucoma.

So, how exactly can THC help with glaucoma? Keep reading because we’re about to tell you everything you need to know.

Three Risk Factors for Glaucoma

To understand the health benefits of THC for glaucoma patients, you first need to know a few things about this condition. Particularly, it’s important to understand glaucoma’s biggest risk factors.

We’re talking about three of them next, so keep reading. 

1. Age

Consider this: only 1% of people under the age of 80 have glaucoma. But the percentage of people with glaucoma rises to more than 9% when you look at the over 80 demographic. 

Why is this? Researchers aren’t exactly sure why, but they speculate that the aging process increases the risk for glaucoma. 

2. Race

Certain racial identities also increase the risk for glaucoma. For example, black Americans over the age of 80 are 1% more likely to develop glaucoma than older adults of different racial identities.

Caribbean individuals of African descent have an even greater risk. Within this racial group, 25% of people aged 80 or over suffer from glaucoma. 

3. Intraocular Pressure

Intraocular pressure is what gives our eyeballs their ship. Pressure gets maintained by the flow of fluids from the front of the eyeball to the cornea. 

When there’s a blockage in the eye, these fluids can build up in the cornea. This fluid buildup leads to increased pressure behind the eye. 

At the same time, this blockage restricts fluid from flowing into the optic nerve. The optic nerve is part of the brain. It plays an essential role in relaying visual cues from the eye to part of the brain that processes sight. 

But when blockage reduces flow to the optic nerve, scientists suspect that a second problem occurs. The optic nerve no longer receives a steady supply of nutrients. Without these nutrients, the optic nerve begins to decay.

Since the optic nerve is critical for vision, its breakdown leads to glaucoma and eventual blindness. 

The Connection Between Glaucoma and THC

Unfortunately, cannabis can’t turn back time. It also has no effect on the race component that increases the risk for developing glaucoma. So how exactly can THC help with glaucoma?

Researchers have discovered that medical marijuana affects intraocular pressure. As we’ve mentioned, this is one of the most significant risk factors for developing glaucoma. It’s also the only risk factor we can control.

How Medical Cannabis Lowers Intraocular Pressure

Since the 1970s, researchers have known that people who smoke marijuana have lower intraocular pressure. In fact, some studies have shown that THC can alleviate eye pressure as well as traditional glaucoma medications.

Ingesting, inhaling, and administering marijuana by IV all have the same benefits for intraocular pressure. However, studies in which researchers applied topical THC eye drops showed no effect on internal eye pressure.

How does THC do it? Researchers aren’t actually sure. We need more research to learn about medical marijuana’s mechanism of action for relieving intraocular pressure. 

The Downside of Medical Marijuana Benefits for Glaucoma

Medical marijuana is an excellent solution for patients who can’t tolerate traditional glaucoma medications. However, medical marijuana may not be right for everyone with glaucoma.

One of the biggest drawbacks to using THC for glaucoma prevention is its short window of effect. Smoking, eating, or injecting THC can reduce intraocular pressure for 3–4 hours. Then, you have to use medical marijuana again.

Another factor to consider is the side effects of using THC. Some people can’t tolerate marijuana’s characteristic euphoria or “high.” And this same high means cannabis products present the risk of dependence and addiction.

Plus, if you choose to inhale your medical cannabis, you still have to worry about the negative effects of smoking. Smoking exposes your lungs to toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide, which can cause adverse health effects. 

Is Medical Marijuana for Glaucoma Legal?

There’s one drawback to using THC for glaucoma that we haven’t mentioned: its legality.

To use cannabis for glaucoma, you have to live in a state where weed is legal or where glaucoma is an approved condition for a medical marijuana card.

At least 25 US states have approved medical marijuana for glaucoma. Lucky for you, Florida is one of them. 

Florida Medical Marijuana Laws

Recreational cannabis is illegal in Florida. However, some people can get a medical marijuana card for qualifying conditions, including:

• Cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• HIV/AIDS
• Parkinson’s disease
• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Glaucoma

To get a medical marijuana card for glaucoma, you first have to see a state-certified medical marijuana physician like the Herbal Clinic MD. Our doctors will review your symptoms and medical history to determine your needs.

Once your physician approves you, all you have to do is register for a card online. Your medical marijuana card will allow you to purchase medical marijuana for glaucoma from a qualifying dispensary. 

Get Medical Marijuana in Tampa

So, what’s the deal with glaucoma and THC? Medical marijuana can help reduce intraocular pressure, which is a top risk factor for glaucoma. If you live in Florida and have glaucoma, you can get a medical marijuana card. 

Are you looking for a reputable medical marijuana doctor in the Tampa area? Contact us to schedule your visit with our qualified medical marijuana prescribing physicians. 

The post Glaucoma and THC: What You Need to Know appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

There is good news, though. You can qualify for a legal medical marijuana prescription in Florida if you have diabetes.

How is that possible? Scientists are starting to uncover an interesting relationship between marijuana and diabetes. And this relationship could eventually change the way we treat this condition. 

Want to learn more about why so many diabetics are using marijuana? Then you better keep reading for the answer to that question and more.  

But First: Is Medical Marijuana for Diabetes Even Legal?

Medical marijuana has been legal in Florida since 2016. If you have one of the conditions listed in Amendment 2 of Senate Bill 8A (SB8A), a qualified physician can write you a prescription for cannabis. These conditions include:

• Cancer 
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• PTSD
• ALS
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• MS
• Terminal illnesses
• Some chronic pain conditions

Even if Amendment 2 doesn’t list your illness as a qualifying condition, you may still be eligible for a medical marijuana prescription.

How is that possible? SB8A also allows doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for “medical conditions of the same kind of class as comparable to those listed.” 

What does that mean? As long as your condition interferes with or limits your daily activities, a physician can legally prescribe cannabis. So, if diabetes interferes with or limits your daily activities, you can get a legal medical cannabis prescription.

What the Research Says About Marijuana and Diabetes

You can get a medical marijuana prescription for diabetes, but what’s the benefit? Why use cannabis for diabetes in the first place?

Here’s what the research says.

Cannabis May Decrease the Risk of Obesity

Obesity is arguably the most significant risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. The good news? There’s evidence that medical marijuana may decrease the risk of becoming obese and, therefore, of developing Type 2 diabetes.  

Yet, the exact relationship between cannabis and weight is complicated. 

Some studies show that marijuana use causes weight gain. However, the participants in these studies have been exclusively cancer and HIV patients.

Other studies show the opposite — cannabis use is more common in people with lower body mass indexes (BMIs) than higher BMIs. The interesting thing is that the participants in these studies are people in the general population.

What could this mean? Theoretically, these results suggest that cannabis helps keep waistlines thin in healthy people. Meanwhile, it might boost the appetites of people with certain illnesses.

Still, we clearly need more research to determine the exact relationship between weed and BMI. 

Cannabis Use Is Correlated With Blood Sugar Regulation

Two studies — one in 2013 and another in 2014 — looked into the impact of marijuana use on markers of diabetes. 

The 2013 study published in the American Journal of Medicine recruited more than 4,600 male and female participants. 48% of these volunteers reported using weed at least once in their lifetime, and 12% were current users. 

After controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and alcohol and tobacco use, the researchers discovered something surprising. Current cannabis users had 16% lower fasting insulin levels and 17% lower insulin resistance. 

What does that mean? High levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance are usually correlated with Type 2 diabetes. Since current cannabis users had lower levels of these markers, it could mean that marijuana has positive effects on blood sugar regulation.

The 2014 study published in the Natural Medicine Journal looked at epidemiological evidence from nearly 5,000 patients, 578 of which were current marijuana users. 1,975 patients admitted to prior use of cannabis.

After a 9-hour fast, the participants’ fasting insulin and insulin resistance levels were taken. The researchers learned that patients who used cannabis either formerly or currently presented with lower levels of fasting insulin and insulin resistance. 

This study validated the results from the 2013 study. However, the correlation between marijuana use and blood sugar regulation doesn’t equal causation. We need more research to know for sure. 

CBD Could Be an Effective Diabetes Treatment

The following year in 2015, a team of researchers in Israel further investigated the relationship between cannabidiol (CBD) and diabetes. 

The team started their research with one fact in mind: chronic inflammation plays a key role in Type 2 diabetes. Since CBD is also through to influence inflammation, the researchers hypothesized that it might affect diabetes, too. 

What did they find? The researchers suggested that CBD could be an effective diabetes treatment. Some scientists even believe that CBD could eventually be a better treatment than insulin. 

We need more research to confirm whether this statement has merit. 

Anecdotal Evidence for the Benefits of Marijuana on Diabetes 

The American Alliance for Medical Cannabis collected first-person anecdotal evidence from people who’ve tried marijuana for diabetes. People with diabetes report that they use cannabis to:

• Stabilize blood sugar
• Decrease arterial and neuro-inflammation
• Reduce muscle cramps
• Improve blood circulation
• Lower blood pressure
• Treat neuropathic pain
• Calm diabetic restless leg syndrome

Of course, research has yet to support these anecdotal reports fully. So, always speak to your doctor before incorporating cannabis in your diabetes treatment regimen. 

Are You Ready to Try Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana is legal to use for diabetes. This natural compound may reduce some of the risk factors for diabetes. It could also be an effective treatment to help regulate blood sugars, but we need more research to confirm the theory.

Convinced marijuana and diabetes is a match made in heaven? So are we, which is why we want to help you get a medical marijuana prescription. Get in touch with us to make your appointment today!

The post Marijuana and Diabetes: Can Medical Marijuana Treat Diabetes? appeared first on Medical Marijuana Doctor in Tampa | The Herbal Clinic, MD.

By Martin A. Lee on March 20, 2017 (Updated on January 15, 2019)

Cannabis has been a friend to humankind since before the written word, providing fiber for cordage and cloth, seeds for nutrition, and roots, leaves and flowers for ritual and healing. During the Neolithic period, our ancestors discovered uses for every part of cannabis, which was one of the first agricultural crops, perhaps the first, ever to be grown and harvested some 12,000 years ago.

Agriculture, strictly speaking, is not a natural phenomenon. It is an expression of human ingenuity, an invention that has been described as the basis—literally the ground—of modern civilization. “The onset of agriculture was probably one of the most dramatic and important developments in human history,” writes Swiss scientist Jürg Gertsch, who explores the profound consequences of dietary changes brought on by food cultivation in a recent article in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

The interplay between diet and the endocannabinoid system is key to understanding today’s obesity and diabetes crises.

Gertsch’s provocative thesis is that chronic metabolic disorders, currently a worldwide pandemic, are rooted in “a mismatch between ancient genes and high caloric diets” that ensued with the introduction of agriculture. “The multimillion year evolutionary process during which nearly all genetic change reflected the life circumstances of our ancestors [was] suddenly disturbed” when “carbohydrate farming” supplanted the “hunter-gatherer diet rich in animal food,” says Gertsch, who maintains that “the interplay between diet and the endocannabinoid system” is key to understanding today’s obesity/diabetes crisis and its potential remediation.

The endocannabinoid system, an ancient biological signaling network, regulates numerous physiological processes, including intestinal function, glucose metabolism, and the stress response. A dysregulated endocannabinoid system is implicated in metabolic and bowel pathologies and many other diseases. Gertsch discusses the different, yet complementary, roles of the cannabinoid receptors—CB1 and CB2—pertaining to diet, digestion, and energy metabolism.RELATED STORYObesity & Weight Loss

CB₁ GIVETH

Mammalian CB₁ receptors are concentrated in the brain and the central nervous system. They are also present in taste buds and the enteric nervous system (the gut-brain axis). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), marijuana’s main psychoactive component, boosts appetite and food intake by binding to the CB₁ receptor—a phenomenon playfully known as “the munchies.” But CB₁ receptors, as Gertsch points out, “can exert paradoxical effects on food intake,” facilitating essential nourishment as well as metabolic imbalance.

CB₁ receptor signaling triggers a newborn’s suckling instinct. Mother’s milk is well endowed with arachidonic acid, a basic building block of the brain’s own marijuana-like compounds, anandamide and 2-AG. These endogenous cannabinoid compounds bind to the same cell receptors—CB₁ and CB₂—that mediate many of the effects of marijuana. Found in eggs, meat, and dairy products, arachidonic acid intake increases endocannabinoid levels in different tissues and is crucial for pre- and post-natal brain development.

Early hominids lived a precarious wilderness existence, requiring significant physical exertion (hunting and gathering) for survival. Famine, microbial infection, traumatic encounters with predators, fight or flight—all were hallmarks of a pre-agriculturist, subsistence lifestyle. Given the metabolic demands of their large brains and strenuous daily activities, our ancestors needed to consume energy-dense, nutrient-rich food.

In addition to heightening one’s sense of smell and stimulating appetite, CB₁ receptor signaling “may facilitate survival after excessive physical activity, stress and trauma by restoring homeostasis, suppressing negative memories and reducing anxiety at the level of the central nervous system,” writes Gertsch, who explains that “CB₁ receptor activation is associated with increased energy intake and decreased energy expenditure by controlling neural pathways.”RELATED STORYThe Endocannabinoid System

AND CB₁ TAKETH AWAY

Combined with rigorous, day-to-day aerobics, the hunter-gatherer diet did not engender obesity, metabolic problems or cardiovascular disease. But the high-fat hunter-gatherer diet, which served our ancestors well, changed significantly with the advent of cultivated food. “Carbohydrate farming incited the most important dietary transition, which is still ongoing to the present day,” says Gertsch. There is a continuum, he maintains, between plant carbohydrate cultivation of yore and today’s over-starched, over-sweetened and over-processed Western diet.

Grain, carbs, sugar, alcohol, high fructose corn syrup: What started as the basis of civilization has spiraled into a mass-marketed refined sugar binge. “Dietary carbohydrates once essential for the cognitive and social development of Paleolithic humans gradually turned into a metabolic stress factor as a function of their glycemic indices,” Gertsch explains. “Epidemiological evidence points toward a pandemic diet-induced glucose toxicity due to excess sugar intake.”

The endocannabinoid system is deeply implicated in this unhealthy worldwide trajectory. Linked to both motivation and reward, CB₁ receptor signaling encourages sugar consumption by enhancing neural responses to sweet flavors. It has been shown that chronic CB₁ receptor activation in mice causes obesity-related insulin resistance. Aberrant CB₁ activity reinforces a metabolically skewed feedback loop: In obese humans, high endocannabinoid levels are found in the liver, pancreas, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, where they contribute to insulin resistance, decreased glucose uptake, oxygen depletion, and cardiometabolic distress.

“The generation and excess use of sugars could be seen in analogy to the detrimental impact of the first distilled alcohol on humans. The sudden availability of excess sugars in combination with fats in diet may have led to a collision of genes that evolved to cope with high energy demands due to constant physical activity,” says Gertsch. “Excessive consumption of high-energy palatable food without physical activity contributes to obesity.” Which, in turn, leads to metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and other degenerative conditions.

CB₂ TO THE RESCUE

CB₁ and CB₂ cannabinoid receptors play different roles with respect to diet and nutrition. In animal studies, CB₂ receptor activation generally causes the opposite effects of CB₁. Whereas CB₁ receptors promote appetite and food consumption, CB₂ receptors tend to inhibit food intake.

Expressed primarily in immune cells, adipose (fatty) tissue, and the peripheral nervous system, CB₂ receptors confer broad anti-inflammatory effects in various disease models. Noting that obesity is a low-grade inflammatory condition, Gertsch discusses the “protective role of CB₂ receptors in diet-induced metabolic malignancies.” Preclinical research indicates that CB₂ receptor activity can prevent or ameliorate diabetes-associated peripheral neuropathy and pro-inflammatory obesity. CB₂ signaling is also protective against brain damage from strokes, concussions, and neurodegenerative ailments.

Gertsch suggests that the contemporary “mismatch between ancient genes and high caloric diets” might be reconciled in part by CB₂’s ability to mediate the effects of secondary plant metabolites (terpenes, flavonoids and other polyphenolic compounds) that are found in kitchen spices, leafy greens, and other vegetables. “Dietary secondary metabolites from vegetables and spices are able to enhance the activity of CB₂ receptors and may provide adaptive metabolic advantages and counteract inflammation,” Gertsch reports.

Beta-caryophyllene (BCP), for example, is a seemingly ubiquitous aromatic terpene present in many spices (black pepper, cloves, rosemary, etc.) and bitter greens, as well as in numerous cannabis varietals. This versatile plant compound conveys significant health benefits by directly activating the CB₂ receptor and via other molecular pathways. BCP has been shown to stimulate insulin production and inhibit tumor growth in human cell lines. Mounting evidence suggests that a steady diet of BCP-rich foods could prevent or mitigate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through CB₂-mediated channels. Eating green leafy vegetables and spices rich in essential oils “may counteract metabolic stress induced by excessive carbohydrate intake,” Gertsch advises.

HEALTHY FATS, HEALTHY PEOPLE

Several scientific studies have explored the link between the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the endocannabinoid system. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, is the principal long chain PUFA found in the human brain. Omega oils are considered “essential” fatty acids because they can’t be produced by the body in sufficient amounts and therefore must be ingested. Dietary DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another long chain PUFA, support neurological function, retinal development, and overall health by up-regulating CB1 receptor gene expression. Preclinical research has shown that administering DHA and EPA prevented glucose intolerance and low-grade inflammation of white adipose tissue in obese mice.

The manifold health benefits of omega-3 PUFAs — prominent in oily fish, walnuts, flax and hempseeds, for example — include the prevention of heart disease, dementia, cancer cell proliferation, insulin resistance, and depression.

The manifold health benefits of omega-3 PUFAs—prominent in oily fish, walnuts, flax and hempseeds, for example—include the prevention of heart disease, dementia, cancer cell proliferation, insulin resistance, and depression. Low levels of DHA and EPA can lead to premature aging, as well as mental illness. Nutritional omega-3 dietary deficiency “abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated neuronal functions” and is associated with neuropsychiatric disease, according to a 2011 report in Nature Neuroscience. Alzheimer’s sufferers and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to be deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.

A healthy balance of omega-3 fatty acids and grain-derived omega-6 fatty acids is fundamental for preventing and managing obesity and metabolic syndrome. But a well-balanced ratio of PUFAs is typically lacking in a carb-heavy Western diet that favors greater omega-6 intake at the expense of omega-3. Gertsch suggests that it is possible “to reprogram energy metabolism” by increasing omega-3 and decreasing the amount of omega-6 in one’s diet: “Generally a lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is desirable in reducing the risk of many of the chronic diseases of high prevalence in industrial society or societies with high carbohydrate intake.”

A 2014 paper by Japanese scientists reported that the ratio of dietary omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids influences how CB₁ receptors regulate fear memory. The upshot is that altering the omega-6/omega-3 ratio in one’s diet could improve treatment regimens for anxiety and PTSD, as well as for metabolic disorders. Human beings have evolved in such a way as to have “an advanced capacity to digest and metabolize higher fat diets,” says Gertsch, who concludes that a “low-carb, high fat diet should be the most effective measure against obesity”—with the caveat that a high fat diet must be combined with regular physical exercise, much like in the hunter-gatherer days before agriculture.

Given what scientists know about how the endocannabinoid system functions, there is a strong basis for adopting a high fat, low carb diet with lots of fresh vegetables and spices, both as a general health practice and a remedy for many maladies.

Martin A. Lee is the director of Project CBD and the author of Smoke Signals: A Social History of Marijuana – Medical, Recreational and Scientific.

Copyright, Project CBD. May not be reprinted without permission.

FOOTNOTES

1. THC binds directly to the CB₂ receptor and activates it, but not as potently as THC binds to CB₁, the “psychoactive” receptor.
2. When metabolized, fatty acids yield large quantities of mitochondria-mediated ATP, the main energy source for most cellular functions. Fatty acids are important components of phospholipids that form the phospholipid bilayers out of which all the membranes of cells and the membranes of organelles within cells, such as mitochondria and the nucleus, are created. In addition to modulating cannabinoid receptor activity, diet affects cell membrane fluidity and permeability, which, in turn, impacts the ability of fatty acid binding proteins to transport endogenous cannabinoids and plant cannabinoids through the cell’s membrane and into the cell’s interior, where they activate nuclear and mitochondrial receptors.

SOURCES

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• Gertsch J, Leonti M, Raduner S, Racz I, Chen JZ, et al. Beta-caryophyllene is a dietary cannabinoid. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Jul 1;105(26):9099-104. PubMed PMID: 18574142; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2449371.
• Gertsch J. Anti-inflammatory cannabinoids in diet: Towards a better understanding of CB(2) receptor action?. Commun Integr Biol. 2008;1(1):26-8. PubMed PMID: 19704783; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2633791.
• Lafourcade M, Larrieu T, Mato S, Duffaud A, Sepers M, et al. Nutritional omega-3 deficiency abolishes endocannabinoid-mediated neuronal functions. Nat Neurosci. 2011 Mar;14(3):345-50. PubMed PMID: 21278728.
• Notarnicola M, Tutino V, De Nunzio V, Dituri F, Caruso MG, et al. Dietary ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Inhibit Tumor Growth in Transgenic Apc^Min/+ Mice, Correlating with CB1 Receptor Up-Regulation. Int J Mol Sci. 2017 Feb 24;18(3)PubMed PMID: 28245562.
• Rashid MA, Katakura M, Kharebava G, Kevala K, Kim HY. N-Docosahexaenoylethanolamine is a potent neurogenic factor for neural stem cell differentiation. J Neurochem. 2013 Jun;125(6):869-84. PubMed PMID: 23570577; NIHMSID: NIHMS465637; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3775276.
• Wood JT, Williams JS, Pandarinathan L, Janero DR, Lammi-Keefe CJ, et al. Dietary docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters select physiological endocannabinoid-system metabolites in brain and plasma. J Lipid Res. 2010 Jun;51(6):1416-23. PubMed PMID: 20071693; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3035504.
• Yamada D, Takeo J, Koppensteiner P, Wada K, Sekiguchi M. Modulation of fear memory by dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids via cannabinoid receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 Jul;39(8):1852-60. PubMed PMID: 24518289; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4059893.

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