Anxiety can be provoked by an infinite number of situations, scenarios, thoughts, and/or biochemical reactions. It’s a feeling that everybody experiences from time to time, and yet every person’s anxiety feels different.

Anxiety can be triggered in one person by a scenario that another person would find totally benign. Each person has their own unique suite of anxiety triggers. It is often not possible to really know why a person has come to feel anxiety in a certain situation. But what seems certain is that it is the meaning that a person ascribes to a situation or thought that provokes the anxiety, not the objective situation itself.

Anxiety is a word. It is a label we use that points to a feeling, an emotion, a psycho-physical state. The condition is somewhat amorphous, though it has symptoms that most people can empathize with. Each of us knows when we are experiencing that uncomfortable feeling that we have come to call anxiety.

Anxiety can be a mild irritation or it can be an all-encompassing, engulfing, paralyzing tornado. It can be felt chronically throughout the days and years (and decades), or it can come screaming into a person’s momentary experience suddenly and without any warning, leaving them unable to function.

Here’s why anxiety is an overlooked mental health disorder, and what you can do to treat it.

Anxiety Is An Overlooked Mental Health Disorder

Anxiety is one of the most overlooked mental disorders. It is often underdiagnosed, dismissed, or mistaken for something else. Because anxiety occurs quite regularly in its mild form for the vast majority of people, there is a notion that it is not such a big deal and not necessarily worth seeking treatment for.

Unfortunately, anxiety sometimes comes with a stigma attached. Some people don’t want to admit that they feel anxious because they associate anxiety with weakness. The ill-informed notion that anxiety is shameful or a sign of weakness has done a huge amount of harm in terms of mental illness diagnosis and treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Anxiety?

Anxiety often includes some or all of the following symptoms:

• Racing thoughts
• Uncomfortable physical sensations
• Headache or nausea
• Worry and negative predictions
• Irritability
• Depressed thinking
• Physical tension
• Sweating
• Shivering
• Insomnia
• Tiredness
• Difficulty focusing and concentrating

How To Treat Anxiety

The great news is that if you suffer from anxiety to the extent that it is negatively affecting your quality of life, there are several effective ways that your anxiety can be treated.

Here are five tips on how to treat anxiety.

1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, commonly known as CBT, is a form of therapy that has proven very effective at tackling anxiety disorders. CBT focuses on examining the thoughts and beliefs that a person holds that provoke anxiety and finding out if they are actually accurate. CBT also prioritizes the implementation of new, healthier behaviors that will show you that you can live fully in spite of anxiety, or even that you can get rid of anxiety altogether.

CBT is best done with the help of a qualified therapist, but you can also implement CBT strategies on your own, working from books on the topic or online resources.

2. Reading

You can treat your own anxiety by reading some of the many excellent self-help books that teach you about anxiety and how to combat it. Reading and learning about anxiety will provide you with the knowledge and understanding that will allow you to handle your own anxiety if and when it arises throughout life. Three books that we recommend are: Feeling Good, Feel The Fear… And Do It Anyway, and A Guide To Rational Living.

3. Medical Marijuana

Some people use medical marijuana for anxiety and report that it is very effective at dulling the anxiety response. MMJ for anxiety can calm a person down and settle the mind. Marijuana also often instigates a feeling of positivity and enables sleep. A word of warning: some patients report the opposite and say they find that MMJ can increase feelings of anxiety in certain circumstances, so be cautious in determining whether it works for you.

4. Physical Exercise

Physical exercise is a brilliant way to alleviate anxiety. The endorphins released during exercise have a very calming effect and make people feel happy and positive. Exercise is also great for physical health and improves sleep quality. When we are well-slept and healthy, we are less prone to anxiety.

5. Meditation

Meditation seems like hell to a lot of people! This is because they believe that in meditation you are supposed to stop yourself from thinking. But nothing could be further from the truth! In fact, it is the opposite.

Meditation is when you watch thinking happening. It is meant to demonstrate that your thoughts are not your doing, that they are being generated by the brain. It is meant to show you that you do not have to be held hostage by the output of your brain.

When you meditate, you can begin to detach from thought and to see thoughts as objects that arise and then disappear inside your awareness. This can result in not taking your anxious thoughts as seriously as you used to.

How To Get A Medical Marijuana Card

The best way to get a medical marijuana card for anxiety is to go to the MMJRecs online clinic and set up a consultation with an MMJ doctor in your state. The MMJ doctor will examine you and verify if your anxiety is treatable with medical marijuana. Once your suitability is confirmed the doctor will email you a legal medical marijuana physician certification form instantly.

Featured image by talipozer on Pixabay

Cannabinoids are a group of chemical substances that exist both within the human body and in nature. Cannabinoids make up the endocannabinoid system in the body, a system that plays a role in communication between the brain and the body. It has a vital role in many functions within the body, including the immune response, mood, metabolism, and memory.

In medical marijuana, cannabinoids are found in the cannabis sativa plant. There are over 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) being the two more notable ones. While THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant, CBD is thought the moderate or lessen the psychoactive effects of THC. It can also produce an anti-psychoactive effect.

What are the health benefits of cannabinoids?

Focusing on two specific cannabinoids, THC and CBD, reveals a myriad of different health benefits. THC and CBD have different benefits when ingested medicinally. THC can offer medical relief from the symptoms of several ailments and conditions, including:

• Chronic pain
• Insomnia
• Glaucoma
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Anxiety
• Autism

Since CBD offers some health benefits without the psychoactive component of THC, it is an ideal choice for medical marijuana users who don’t wish to experience those particular sensations. CBD has been used for relief of conditions such as:

• Seizures disorders and epilepsy
• Chronic inflammation
• Chronic pain
• Psychosis or mental health disorders including anxiety and depression
• Nausea
• Migraine headaches
• Gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease

What medical conditions can be treated with CBD oil?

The aforementioned medical conditions such as migraines, seizure disorders, and chronic pain and inflammation are all classified as approved conditions for the use of CBD as medicine.

Other health conditions that can benefit from regular use of CBD oil include cancer, neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, and heart disease. Recent studies have found that the use of CBD oil in cancer helped to reduce nausea, vomiting, and pain in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

In the case of neurodegenerative disease, one particular study found that the use of an oral spray known as Sativex was able to reduce spasms in 75% of tested patients. Other studies have found that those with Parkinson’s disease saw an improvement in both sleep quality and overall quality of life following treatment with CBD oil. A study done on mice also found that rodents genetically predisposed to developing Alzheimer’s saw a reduction in cognitive decline with CBD treatment.

The medical use of cannabinoids such as CBD oil for heart disease has shown that those with high blood pressure may experience a reduction in resting blood pressure. One particular study also gave participants stress tests. The patients with a single dose of CBD experienced a lower rise in blood pressure than those who received the placebo.

New research continues to come to light on the use of CBD oil for a plethora of different health conditions, with many studies showing promise in the area of medicinal use of cannabinoids.

What are the side effects of cannabinoids?

Although cannabinoids have been proven to have positive effects on many health conditions, they may also come with a host of different side effects. In the case of THC, side effects can be experienced both in short-term and long-term use.

Short-term THC side effects are temporary and can include:  

• Increased heart rate
• Dry mouth
• Red eyes
• Memory loss
• Increased anxiety
• Slower reaction times
• Lessened coordination abilities
• Altered judgment
• Paranoia and psychosis when ingested in large amounts

The long-term side effects of THC typically only occur when it is taken in heavy doses for a long period of time. Those side effects can include:

• Altered brain development if used during early adolescence
• Chronic bronchitis (typical when ingestion method is smoking)
• An increased risk for developing psychosis disorders such as schizophrenia (in those with a predisposition to develop these disorders)

When it comes to the medical use of CBD, side effects may differ from those of THC. Short-term side effects of CBD include:

• Changes in appetite
• Weight loss
• Dizziness
• Gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea
• Fatigue

Since CBD is largely well tolerated by most people, the side effects are generally mild or non-existent. It can interact with certain medications such as blood thinners, though, so it’s important to take personal health history into account prior to starting a course of CBD treatment.

Methods of ingestion

For those who want to reap the benefits of using medicinal cannabinoids while mitigating risk of developing certain lung issues because of smoking, there are various ways to ingest cannabinoids. Many popular methods include topical creams; edibles such as candy, chocolate, beverages and powders; and oils.

Choosing the right cannabinoid and dosing method for you is important on your journey to wellness. The research for medical marijuana continues to grow, and at present, the benefits of cannabinoids far outweigh the risks for many people suffering from a chronic health condition.

Featured image by herbadea Berlin on Unsplash

Medical marijuana has been approved in many states due to the growing amount of research on its effectiveness in the management of many chronic diseases. MMJ has been used successfully in the treatment of neurological disorders, chronic pain relief, gastrointestinal distress, and some mental health disorders.

The use of medical marijuana for sleep disorders has also been gaining attention. Recent studies have shown that it can improve a person’s sleep quality and duration, as well as restless leg syndrome. This is attributed to the effects that MMJ has on sleep cycles.

Read on for all you need to know about how MMJ can help treat sleep disorders.

What is a sleep disorder?

A sleep disorder is any health issue that causes problems with how long it takes someone to fall asleep, how well they stay asleep through the night, or the quality of sleep they get. Also referred to as sleep-wake disorders, these health issues can negatively affect day-to-day life for the many people who experience them. This is because without adequate sleep, the body does not rest, recharge, and rejuvenate as it should.

Sleep disorders often go hand in hand with other medical conditions such as depression, anxiety, or cognitive disorders. There are a few different types of sleep disorders, all of which present with different symptoms and generally require different treatment routes.

Some of the most common sleep disorders include:

Insomnia

Insomnia causes a person to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, and can lead to chronic tiredness due to the inability to get adequate rest. People with insomnia may also experience irritability, depression, or anxiety, as well as difficulty with attention span, concentration, and memory.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea can be serious as it causes a person to stop and start breathing repeatedly throughout the night. Some common symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking that wakes a person up, morning headaches, and mood changes. 

Parasomnia

Parasomnia is characterized as abnormal or unusual behavior while sleeping, which may include talking, moving around, or sleepwalking. Other types of parasomnias include night terrors or nightmares, bedwetting, and sleep-eating. People with parasomnias tend to wake up confused, not remember any incidents, and feel tired or fatigued throughout the day.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy occurs when a person experiences excessive sleepiness, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, or a partial or total loss of muscle control. In some cases, people will also experience sleep attacks, or involuntary sleep.

Although there are over 80 different sleep disorders, the above four are the most common.

MMJ and sleep disorders

The use of medical marijuana for sleep disorders is becoming increasingly popular in areas where medicinal use of MMJ is now legal. Medical marijuana has been shown to have a positive effect on sleep cycles; it also offers less side effects than other sleep aids, so has become a promising treatment option for many patients.

There is also evidence to suggest that the amount of marijuana used to help with a sleep disorder plays a vital role in how well it helps with the sleep disturbance, and that heavy use of cannabis can exacerbate or worsen an already existing sleep disorder, or bring about new sleep disturbances.

Can you use CBD for sleep?

The type of MMJ a person uses for a sleep disorder will determine how effective it is for their particular sleep issue. For those who don’t wish to experience the psychoactive effects of marijuana, a CBD product could be helpful. However, the best type of medical marijuana to use for sleep does contain THC. This is because THC is the potent ingredient responsible for inducing sleep.

In patients who suffer from nightmares or post-traumatic stress disorder, for example, higher THC strains can lessen the amount of REM sleep they achieve throughout the night. This could possibly give them more time in the deep-sleep state of the sleep cycle. It can also lessen the time spent dreaming, which leads to less middle-of-the-night wake-ups for people who experience frightening dreams that take them out of sleep.

What is the best indica strain for sleep?

Indica is a strain of medical marijuana that provides a person with a calming, relaxing, and soothing effect. Because of this, the strain is considered the most beneficial when it comes to treating sleep disorders. Sativa strains, on the other hand, generally encourage feelings of excitement or lead to more energy, which is the opposite of the desired effect when using MMJ for a sleep aid.

There are a few different strains of indica that are thought to help people with sleep disorders. They include:

Purple Kush

This strain has a high THC potency. It is among the most popular to be used for insomnia.

G-13

G-13 also has a high amount of THC, making it a good choice for those suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders. Its strong sedative properties can benefit those trying to get restful sleep.

God’s Gift

This particular strain was created by combining two other strong strains of cannabis. Its THC levels can reach levels as high as 25%.

Although medical marijuana may not work as a sleep aid for everyone, it’s a worthy option for those looking to address their sleep disorder issues with natural medication.

Featured image by Megan te Boekhorst on Unsplash

The coronavirus pandemic has hit populations hard all over the world. An alarmingly high number of deaths in many countries has led to researchers scrambling to find an effective treatment or cure for the disease.

One recent study conducted in Canada looked at whether marijuana might be an option for coronavirus treatment. So, could cannabis help treat coronavirus (COVID-19)? Read on for more information about this important study.

What’s the connection between cannabis and coronavirus?

The Canadian study examined the connection between hemp extracts high in CBD and whether they could help block proteins that allow COVID-19 to enter host cells. Their findings indicated that cannabis has the potential to reduce the virus’ entry points by up to 70%.

The researchers suggested looking at it this way: if a cell is like a building with many doors, the virus (untreated) is able to enter through so many of those doors. However, if some of those doors are blocked, the virus is less likely to be able to get through and attack the cell. This means cannabis just might offer some insight into how researchers can develop strategies for decreasing a person’s susceptibility to the disease.

There’s even the possibility that individuals who have already been diagnosed with COVID-19 might be able to use marijuana as an adjunct therapy to help them fight the virus. Thinking broadly, the study even offered that cannabis, in the future, could be used in some types of preventative treatments (such as in the form of mouthwash or throat gargle products so that the virus is even less likely to enter through the mouth).

Should you be rushing out to buy more cannabis?

It’s not a great idea to rely on marijuana for the purpose of coronavirus treatment just yet. A lot more research needs to be done on this therapy, including peer reviews and larger clinical trials, in order to get a full picture.

The Canadian study also indicates that not just any cannabis would help with COVID-19. Researchers determined that with more than 800 varieties of sativa on the market, only a few were actually useful in treating coronavirus. Additionally, the forms they studied were high in anti-inflammatory CBD but low in THC (which is what provides the patient with the cannabis high).

Basically, it won’t really do you any good to implement your own marijuana regimen as a means of preventing or treating COVID-19 at this time.

Image by Julian Wan on Unsplash: You don’t need to rush to buy more marijuana – more studies need to be done about cannabis and coronavirus before anything is set in stone.

What about medical marijuana and coronavirus?

If you’re someone who already uses medical marijuana (MMJ) to treat a physical or emotional medical condition, you’re probably wondering, “Could MMJ help treat coronavirus?” The same information listed above applies – it’s just too soon to tell exactly how ingesting MMJ products could work to fight off the virus.

So, does cannabis help treat coronavirus symptoms? The study strongly suggests it might, but there’s not enough information to know exactly how you should take your MMJ products in order to avoid or treat the virus.

Should you keep using your MMJ products?

At this point, it should be fine for you to continue to use MMJ products to help with whatever symptoms you’re experiencing from other conditions. However, it’s crucial to note that some medical professionals think it could be dangerous to smoke or vape marijuana at this point.

Ingesting the product this way means your lungs could get irritated – which makes you much more susceptible to catching COVID-19 (and more likely to suffer from severe and/or dangerous symptoms). Consider using other forms such as tinctures, edibles, etc. that won’t cause any damage to your lungs, but will still allow you to get the benefits of cannabis that you need.

Image by Esteban Lopez on Unsplash: You can keep using your MMJ products during the coronavirus.

How can you get an MMJ card?

If you don’t currently have an MMJ card, you can still apply for one during the coronavirus lockdown. That way you can treat whatever medical condition you already have while still getting any possible benefits that might help fight off COVID-19 (even if it’s a long shot).

If your state permits MMJ cards, you can apply for one by going through the government agency that handles the state’s MMJ program. The agency can also help guide you through the application process, which typically consists of a consultation with a physician who can verify that your symptoms would be alleviated through the use of medical marijuana.

At this point, researchers are working around the clock to find a treatment, vaccine, or cure for COVID-19 in an effort to slow or stop the spread of the disease. Because of this urgency, it’s likely that a lot more studies will be done to see how helpful cannabis might be in the coronavirus pandemic.

It doesn’t hurt you to continue to use your MMJ products as directed by your doctor. And in the meantime, it’s best to wait until more definitive research has been done on cannabis and coronavirus before you take it for any other treatment purposes.

Featured image by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash

There are many health crises currently affecting the United States. But one of the deadliest is the opioid epidemic, which has wreaked havoc across the country. In 2019, more than 130 people died every single day from opioid-related drug overdoses. That amounts to a shocking 47,600 deaths every year.

While the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared opioid abuse a public health crisis in 2017, great strides have not been taken to appropriately tackle the issue.

However, in an effort to decrease opioid usage (mostly through legal prescriptions from physicians), some medical professionals are recommending their patients use medical marijuana (MMJ) products in place of opioid prescriptions to manage pain symptoms. A recent study indicates that US states with access to MMJ have seen up to a 20% drop in certain opioid use.

What is the MMJ effect on opioid use?

Doctors are increasingly suggesting their patients switch from highly addictive prescription opioids to MMJ products because they are much safer, and they are not addictive. The above-mentioned study specifically focused on orthopedic surgeons (who are the third-highest prescribers of opioids); it noted that, in states where MMJ products are legal and available, up to 20% fewer opioids were prescribed.

The fact that MMJ products are accessible makes a huge difference. In states with more restrictive MMJ laws and access to low-THC products only, there wasn’t much of a decrease in opioid prescriptions. So, when MMJ laws are less restrictive and dispensaries are easily accessible, patients have a much easier time using MMJ products to treat their symptoms versus relying on the riskier option of opioids.

Image by Christina Winter on Unsplash: States with access to MMJ have seen decreases in their opioid usage.

Does MMJ decrease opioid use?

If doctors are willing to suggest MMJ products to their patients in lieu of prescribing opioids, MMJ usage can end up decreasing overall opioid usage in the health care industry. Several studies have shown that MMJ products could affect the opioid epidemic; when switching to a cannabis regimen, many patients are able to reduce or completely stop taking their opioid prescriptions.

This means that the cannabis effect on opioid reliance could start to turn the tide of the epidemic – the more people who aren’t introduced to taking opioids in the first place, the fewer incidences of opioid addictions and overdoses will take place. Additionally, opioid users who become addicted often end up turning to even more dangerous drugs (such as heroin) in order to get their fix. This leads to even more deaths – which could be prevented at the outset if a patient were presented with an MMJ option instead of an opioid prescription.

Could MMJ replace prescribed opioid use?

Although there will always be some physicians who prefer prescribing opioids to their patients, it’s possible that MMJ products could replace these more dangerous medications for a lot of people in the future.

Let’s take a look at three main reasons why MMJ products can be a much better alternative to opioids.

MMJ products are much safer

Opioids are highly addictive and frequently result in fatal overdoses. Marijuana isn’t physically addictive, so patients don’t need to ingest more and more to feel the effects. Additionally, individuals don’t have to taper off when stopping MMJ usage; there’s no danger in stopping cold turkey.

Aside from not being addictive, there’s another main physical benefit of MMJ products – there are no side effects! Aside from feelings of euphoria and relaxation, and sometimes an increased appetite, MMJ products don’t have any of the nasty side effects that opioids do (anything from nausea and dizziness to constipation and loss of appetite). Overall, using MMJ products is a much safer, more natural treatment option for pain management.

Image by Margo Amala on Unsplash: Different forms of MMJ (like edibles) make it easier for patients to treat their symptoms without side effects.

MMJ products are easy to use

There is a lot of versatility when it comes to using MMJ products versus opioids. MMJ products can range in their potency and in how they’re ingested (smoked, vaped, in edibles, tinctures, etc.) so that they can be used in a more personalized way for each individual patient.

Each person can work with their physician or with an expert at their local dispensary to come up with an MMJ regimen that works for their particular symptoms and needs.

MMJ products are cheaper

Even though opioids are sometimes covered by health insurance, a month’s supply of pills (such as Oxycontin or Vicodin) can cost anywhere between $40 and $550! People addicted to opioids can go through a month’s supply much more quickly, leading to an incredibly costly habit.

MMJ products can be much cheaper, especially depending on the form that’s most helpful to the patient. Some states also offer discounts for people who own MMJ cards. For example, in California, MMJ cardholders don’t pay sales tax on any of their MMJ purchases, making MMJ a much more cost-effective option than opioid drugs.

As more studies are conducted in the future, it will likely become even more evident that relying more on a cannabis-based treatment regimen can lead to a decrease in opioid usage (and in overall addictions and deaths in the US). Therefore, states that are more supportive of MMJ usage will see opioid cases continue to decrease. Turning to MMJ products could be the catalyst needed to finally end the fight against the opioid epidemic in this country.

Featured image by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash

Can medical marijuana treat epilepsy? This is an important question that needs to be thoroughly explored by any patient or carer of a person with epilepsy. Epilepsy is a serious medical condition that can be dangerous if not properly treated. Treatment of epilepsy is complex, but there are some signs that medical marijuana may offer benefits to some epileptic patients.

It’s important for those with epilepsy to remember that proper treatment and symptom management are paramount. No treatment should ever be tried without detailed consultation with a medical professional who has expertise in epilepsy.

Is epilepsy a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card? Is medical marijuana safe for epileptic patients? Can MMJ benefit people with epilepsy? These are all complex questions with nuanced answers. In this article, we will detail some important things you need to understand about medical marijuana and epilepsy.

Image by geralt on Pixabay: Epilepsy originates in the brain.

What Is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder in the U.S. It is a chronic condition that affects the nervous system and can affect people of all ages. The condition is characterized by recurrent, often unprovoked, and unpredictable seizures that can vary in intensity and duration and are caused by disturbances in the electrical activity of the brain.

The History Of Epilepsy

The word ‘epilepsy’ comes from the Greek word “epilepsia”, which means “to seize”. The first mention of epilepsy from antiquity is in a Babylonian textbook from at least 2000 BC. This ancient text records several types of epileptic seizures and suggests that the cause of seizures is evil spirits.

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 BC) was one of the first people to realize that epilepsy was a brain disorder, but his accurate view of the condition was not generally accepted until the 19th century. Throughout the intervening 2000 years, people with epilepsy were generally viewed with fear and superstition.

In the 19th century, neurology became a serious medical discipline, and as epilepsy began to be better understood as a brain condition, drugs began to be used to treat it successfully.

The Symptoms Of Epilepsy

The main symptom of epilepsy is seizures. Epileptic patients can experience a number of different types of seizures, classified as focal onset, generalized onset, or unknown onset seizures. These different types originate in different parts of the brain, have different symptoms and effects on the body, and require different types of treatment.

While seizures can affect any part of the body, they always originate in the brain. The cause of epilepsy can be a brain injury, genetic factors, family history, metabolic causes, brain structure, or, often, causes unknown.

Image by dgoapb16 on Pixabay: There are several epilepsy medications available.

Usual Epilepsy Treatment Plans

There are several types of medicine available to treat epilepsy. For most people, one of these medicines will be effective at preventing seizures. It is crucial that an epileptic patient gets the right medicine for their version of the condition.

For around 60% of patients, the first one or two medicines they try will work. For some other patients, a third or fourth medicine, or a mixture of medicines, may do the trick. But for approximately 36% of patients, none of the medicines they try will work to fully prevent seizures.

For people who do not respond to early medicines, a process of trial and error is required, under close supervision from their doctor, neurologist, or epilepsy specialist. For these people, a combination of medicines or alternative treatments will often be the best course of treatment.

Is Epilepsy A Qualifying Condition For A Medical Marijuana Card?

The qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card vary state by state. But in most legal MMJ states, seizures brought on by epilepsy are a qualifying condition for an MMJ card.

Can Medical Marijuana Be Effective At Treating Epilepsy?

Is medical marijuana effective for epilepsy? While it is legal to prescribe MMJ for epilepsy in most legal-MMJ states, the jury is still out on the extent to which medical marijuana can help epilepsy patients. Epilepsy is complex, and each person’s version of the condition is somewhat unique. Some treatments can do some patients more harm than good.

Medical marijuana may help some epilepsy patients. MMJ should be tried as a treatment under strict supervision and direction from a patient’s doctor. Epidiolex is a CBD-derived drug that is FDA-approved and can be an effective treatment for epilepsy. CBD and MMJ can have significant interactions with other drugs used to treat epilepsy, so caution is essential.

Some patients have been able to ween off other epilepsy medications because Epidiolex or MMJ has proven so successful a treatment for them. But this does not happen for everybody.

Treatment of epilepsy is complex and different people respond differently to various treatments, so while MMJ can be effective, it is essential that it is tried tentatively and under the strict supervision of a doctor, neurologist, or epilepsy specialist.

How To Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card

The best way to apply for a medical marijuana card is to have an online consultation with a local MMJ physician through MMJRecs. This way you can talk with a professional from the comfort of your own home and get an MMJ card recommendation quickly and easily.

The Benefits Of An MMJ Card Over Recreational Marijuana Access

Many U.S. states now allow recreational marijuana use. In these states, it is still beneficial to have a medical marijuana card, because it enables you to choose from the widest range of MMJ products possible and in many cases to purchase, possess, and cultivate larger amounts of cannabis than would be allowed for recreational use.

Featured image by CBD-Infos-com on Pixabay

Glaucoma is a painful medical condition that affects the optic nerve. Glaucoma occurs when intraocular pressure – increased pressure in the eye caused by a buildup of fluid – irritates and damages to the optic nerve. This buildup of fluid is usually caused by a blockage in the mesh-like channel that the naturally occurring fluid, known as aqueous humor, flows out through.

Glaucoma is a painful condition and can sometimes lead to sight loss and even blindness. So can MMJ treat glaucoma? And if so, exactly how does medical marijuana help glaucoma? Put simply, glaucoma patients can use medical cannabis to lower intraocular pressure. This reduction in IOP greatly reduces the painful symptoms of glaucoma.

If you’ve been wondering “Can a medical marijuana recommendation help glaucoma?”, read on for all you need to know.

Image by analogicus on Pixabay: Many older glaucoma patients use medical cannabis.

Does Glaucoma Count As A Qualifying Condition For A Medical Marijuana Recommendation?

In the vast majority of legal MMJ states, glaucoma counts as a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana recommendation. Glaucoma was one of the first medical conditions that health care professionals realized could benefit a lot from treatment with MMJ.

What Are The Symptoms of Glaucoma?

The symptoms of glaucoma include eye pain, nausea, headache, blurred vision, sight loss, visual disturbance, and reddening of the eye. Glaucoma patients and medical cannabis can go hand in hand, with MMJ helping to alleviate the painful symptoms of the condition when used correctly.

Who Usually Suffers From Glaucoma?

Before we answer the question “Can MMJ treat glaucoma?”, here is a list of people who are most likely to suffer from the condition:

• People over 40
• People with a family history of glaucoma
• People of African, Irish, Japanese, Russian, Hispanic, Innuit, or Scandinavian heritage
• People with diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure
• People with high eye pressure, or who have suffered an injury to the eye

How Does Medical Marijuana Help Glaucoma?

A medical marijuana recommendation can help treat glaucoma because MMJ lowers intraocular pressure. Cannabinoid receptors are myriad in ocular tissue and they play a large role in pressure reduction. Because intraocular pressure causes the painful symptoms as well as long-term eye damage associated with glaucoma, lowering IOP by ingesting medical marijuana helps glaucoma patients to feel more comfortable and to stave off long-term sight loss.

What Are The Limitations Of Medical Marijuana As A Treatment For Glaucoma?

MMJ cannot cure glaucoma; it can only alleviate the symptoms of the condition. Some doctors are reluctant to prescribe MMJ for glaucoma because they believe the health risks involved in smoking outweigh the benefits of symptom reduction for glaucoma sufferers. This can be mitigated by ingesting medical marijuana in other ways, such as through vaping or edibles.

Another limitation when treating glaucoma with medical marijuana is that the intraocular pressure-lowering effect of MMJ only lasts for about four hours, so MMJ needs to be ingested regularly throughout the day and night to maintain the positive IOP-reducing effects.

Which Medical Marijuana Strains Are Best For Treating Glaucoma?

Glaucoma patients consistently rate certain medical cannabis strains as being most effective for treating their condition. These strains are:

• Sour Diesel
• Tesla Tower
• Sour Grape
• Bubba Kush
• Girl Scout Cookies
• Blue Dream

All of these strains have robust pain-killing properties and are also effective at reducing intraocular pressure.

Image by 7raysmarketing on Pixabay: Can MMJ treat glaucoma? Research indicates that it can definitely help!

How Can I Get Medical Marijuana For Glaucoma?

You can get MMJ to treat your glaucoma by first getting a medical marijuana card. Once you have an MMJ card for glaucoma, you can then purchase MMJ products from your local dispensaries, or depending on what state you live in, you can cultivate your MMJ for glaucoma at home.

Where Can You Get Further Information About Medical Marijuana And Glaucoma?

If you want to learn more about how a medical marijuana recommendation helps glaucoma, it is best to go to your local dispensary and ask the staff. In 2020, MMJ dispensaries not only dispense MMJ products, but also knowledge and education. The MMJ market is now super-competitive and dispensaries try to set themselves apart by offering the best service possible. A big part of this is providing cutting-edge information and education to their customers, so take advantage of this!

What Medical Marijuana Dosage Is Best For Treating Glaucoma?

There are many ways to ingest medical marijuana for glaucoma. As mentioned earlier, the intraocular pressure-reducing effect of MMJ only lasts for about four hours, so it is necessary to ingest MMJ regularly to get a constant effect. Glaucoma patients often choose to use medical cannabis by vaping or in the form of edibles, to avoid the health risks associated with smoking.

How Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card For Glaucoma?

The best way to get an MMJ card for glaucoma is to have an online consultation with a medical professional through MMJRecs. This can be done quickly, from the comfort of your own home. Once the consultation is complete, the medical professional will recommend a medical marijuana card for glaucoma, and this will enable you to begin treatment with MMJ.

Featured image by Skitterphoto on Pixabay

If you or a family member suffers from seizures, you will know just how debilitating they can be. Seizures vary considerably in their severity, but nearly three million Americans experience them regularly in some form or other. One of the most challenging things to have to deal with is the suddenness with which seizures can come on. This lack of warning is not only potentially dangerous because you could be anywhere and doing anything when a seizure strikes, but it can also really affect your confidence, and might even prevent you from going to work or socializing as much as you would like.

Over the past few years, a lot of research has been conducted about seizures and medical marijuana. Many sufferers are looking for an answer to the question “Can MMJ help seizures?” Below, we’ll take a look at some of the research results and some of the popular strains and dosages, and advise you on how to get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures.

Does medical cannabis treat seizures?

Research into the beneficial effects of medical marijuana in treating seizures and many other conditions has been ongoing for a number of years. It takes time and is not easy to carry out due to a number of federal regulations and various constraints, including financial ones. According to epilepsy.com, recent studies have concluded that a certain type of CBD has proved beneficial in treating some epileptic sufferers who have not previously responded to traditional medicines.

Furthermore, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a drug called Epidiolex, which is made from a plant-based form of CBD, as a treatment for people who are dealing with severe seizures – specifically, any adult or child two years of age or older diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS). Studies show that some of the participants had a startling drop in seizures after taking Epidiolex. Clearly, there is some truth in the claim that MMJ can help treat seizures, although more research is still needed.

How does medical marijuana treat seizures?

The jury is still out on the relationship between seizures and medical marijuana, and how exactly MMJ works to eliminate or reduce the number of seizures. One theory is that CBD can play a part in affecting the hippocampus, which is a hub in our brain where information is exchanged. Seizures can occur if this exchange is messed up. Another theory is that CBD can interact positively with our NMDA receptors, which play a big part in our learning and memory capacities. That’s the science bit! But basically, a lot of anecdotal evidence – as well as more and more scientific research – supports the fact that MMJ can help in reducing the number of seizures you suffer.

Image by Julia Teichmann from Pixabay: How does medical cannabis treat seizures?

The best dosage and strains for treating seizures

If you want to know more about seizures and medical marijuana, it’s necessary to get professional advice. Your physician may recommend trying MMJ alongside your traditional medicine, or you may like to try it in place of traditional medicine to cut down on nasty side effects. Whatever you decide to try, it’s important to take the right amount and a suggested strain that is best for you. Recommended dosages for treating seizures are:

• 16mg of CBD + 2mg of THC for small children up to teenagers;
• 25mg daily for teenagers 15 years and above, or a weight of 100lbs or over;
• 25mg twice daily for adults.

We do advise you to check these amounts with your physician or local medical marijuana dispensary.

The best way of ingesting MMJ for controlling seizures is via edibles, oil, or tinctures. Two recommended strains are Charlotte’s Web and White Widow. The former is definitely the most popular. Named after a little girl who had Dravet Syndrome, Charlotte’s Web was developed by Colorado-based growers specifically for her. Once Charlotte started using the specially formulated cannabis oil, the number of seizures she suffered reduced dramatically.

The second recommendation comes from The Netherlands. A hybrid containing both Sativa and Indica, White Widow is one of the most common strains of MMJ, popular for treating a number of complaints. It contains terpenes, which are known for being effective in the treatment of seizures.

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay: You can get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures to make managing your condition a little easier.

How can I get a medical marijuana recommendation for seizures?

Seizures are one of the qualifying conditions for an MMJRecs card. Simply apply with us online for a relaxed evaluation with one of our qualified medical marijuana doctors. This consultation can take place virtually if you prefer not to travel or have a face-to-face meeting. If our expert deems that you qualify for a medical marijuana card, it will be sent to you right away so that you can start using it at your local dispensary. You will also be allowed to grow your own plants.

If you or a loved one suffers from seizures, help and relief might just be a click away. Contact us now to find out more about seizures and medical marijuana and discover if we can help make a difference in your life.

Featured image by Add Weed on Unsplash

It’s a sad fact that one in three people will get cancer at some stage in their lives. That’s a scary thought to face – it means that if it’s not you, it’s likely to be a person close to you. Everybody knows someone who has been, or is currently, affected by cancer. For some people, the treatment for cancer can be as bad as or worse than the actual disease. There are so many debilitating side effects to deal with, alongside the trauma of fighting the illness itself. Patients often turn to alternative therapies to help them cope with the pain of the disease and the disabling effects of the treatment drugs. A question frequently asked is “Can medical marijuana help cancer patients?” Below we’ll show you why we believe it is indeed possible to treat cancer symptoms with MMJ.

How can medical cannabis help cancer patients?

Research and a lot of anecdotal evidence point to the fact that MMJ products can help in alleviating the extreme nausea and vomiting taht often results from chemotherapy treatment. Additionally, medical cannabis has been shown to relieve pain. Using MMJ to help with pain relief is clearly a better option than taking yet more drugs, which will have their own side-effects to add to those caused by the chemotherapy. WebMD also tells us that medical marijuana can help treat nerve pain and damage caused by chemotherapy and that it can play a part in alleviating inflammation. Furthermore, according to Cancer.org, some scientific reports have indicated that MMJ can slow the growth of or even kill off certain types of cancer cells.

While there is still a long way to go yet when it comes to cancer patients and medical marijuana, it’s comforting to know that research and tests are constantly being carried out, and that so far there is good evidence to show that MMJ can help cancer patients.

What’s the best way to ingest MMJ?

MMJ comes in many different forms. You can buy or make your own edibles containing it. This might be preferable for some patients who prefer not to smoke, but there are a couple of downsides to edibles. Firstly, it takes longer for the marijuana to get into your system this way, and secondly it’s harder to control how much you’re actually ingesting. You might take a couple of bites of something and think “OK, this is doing nothing for me” – so you take a couple more bites, and in a little while, it hits you hard. Smoking medical marijuana is much more immediate and therefore more controllable, and is the recommended way to help relieve cancer symptoms and chemotherapy side effects.

Image by Sharon McCutcheon on Pixabay: What’s the best way to treat cancer symptoms with MMJ?

How do I get my MMJ card?

Whichever way you take it, it’s advisable to seek advice on the best strain and the definitive amount to take for your particular condition. We can help you with that at MMJRecs. We can inform you about the qualifying conditions for MMJ (cancer most certainly being one of them), and our expert medical marijuana doctors can not only assess you for qualification, but can also advise you on the best strains and amount to take to help treat cancer symptoms with MMJ.  You simply have to fill in a form online, and the assessment can then take place virtually so you don’t have to leave your home and go through a face-to-face consultation. Our experts are always respectful and professional.

If you qualify, your MMJ card will be sent to you immediately and you can start using it at dispensaries and/or for growing your own plants. Even if recreational marijuana is legal in your particular state, owning an MMJ card is definitely beneficial for the following reasons: you will be allowed to grow more of your own plants; recreational use of MMJ is not allowed in public places, but with an MMJ card, you can smoke medical marijuana wherever tobacco smoking is allowed; and finally, there’s no sales tax on MMJ in most states. All good news!

CBD and THC

THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are both components present in cannabis plants. The main difference between them is that THC can give you that trademark cannabis “high,” whereas CBD is non-psychoactive. Medical marijuana generally has a much lower THC content than recreational marijuana, or contains no THC at all. Which strain you should use really depends on your own particular desires and needs. THC has been shown to ease nausea, pain, and inflammation but it can cause or increase anxiety. CBD, on the other hand can ease anxiety as well as pain and inflammation. To treat cancer symptoms with MMJ, a strain with high levels of CBD is often the best way to go.

Image by Margo Amala on Unsplash: Cancer patients and medical marijuana can go hand in hand.

Hopefully this has helped in some way to answer the question “Can MMJ help cancer patients?”. We’d be pleased to help you further on MMJRecs.com. The bottom line is that if you are dealing with cancer, it’s definitely worth exploring the possible benefits of medical marijuana. We would recommend consulting with your own physician and definitely don’t give up any conventional medicines without taking advice. MMJ can work alongside your regular treatment by helping to relieve some of the symptoms and drug side effects, and perhaps by negating the need for further painkilling drugs.

Featured image by LMoonlight from Pixabay

There are currently more than 240,000 people living with lupus in the US today. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues and internal organs (including the brain, heart, and lungs). The inflammation caused by lupus results in patients experiencing chronic pain, tissue swelling and damage, and extreme fatigue. There is currently no cure for lupus, but some of the symptoms are treated with prescription medications, including corticosteroids and immunosuppressive drugs. For people who don’t want to rely on medications that often come with significantly unpleasant side effects, or for whom medication is not effective, they’ve found they can treat Lupus symptoms with MMJ (medical marijuana). So, is it true that lupus patients and medical marijuana are a good match? Keep reading for more info about how cannabis can help treat lupus.

Can medical cannabis help lupus patients?

Lupus is often marked with periods of remission where symptoms are not as noticeable. But patients can experience what are called flare-ups, where their symptoms can be felt significantly (and which can lead to potentially debilitating physical issues). During these flare-ups, patients are often looking for any type of relief from the pain and discomfort they’re experiencing. To help combat these symptoms, doctors are always searching for what can be potentially helpful to lupus patients.

In recent years, researchers have found that cannabis helps in fighting inflammation that is present for lupus patients. It can decrease inflammation in the body by suppressing specific parts of the immune system. Cannabis actually lowers levels of interleukin-2 and raises interleukin-19 (an anti-inflammatory protein). Marijuana also has the added benefit of being able to alleviate pain, which is why so many patients with chronic pain are proponents of cannabis usage. Patients can ingest it in a number of different ways, and they often experiment to discover which strains and which forms help to give them the most relief from their lupus symptoms. These can range from edibles (like gummies) to tinctures or vaped liquids.

Does CBD produce the same effects?

CBD (cannabinoid) products are basically a component of marijuana that doesn’t have THC, which is the ingredient that makes you feel high. CBD has swept the country in recent years – you can find it in everything from oils and edibles to beauty products and caffeine drinks. Without the psychoactive effects, CBD can be used for a huge variety of reasons (including anxiety, nausea, insomnia, and chronic pain) without a person feeling high or unable to function.

Image by CBD-Infos-com on Pixabay: Hemp extract or CBD oil can be helpful in treating symptoms of lupus.

Researchers have begun to study the effects of CBD on lupus patients who are using it to reduce inflammation and decrease pain levels related to the condition. Although more research needs to be conducted, initial results seem to indicate that high levels of oral CBD can help alleviate some lupus symptoms in patients with the disease. Some researchers think that CBD products are the most effective when they’re used in combination with other marijuana compounds. This is known as the “entourage effect,” and many scientists note that taking an isolated chemical in pill form might be less effective than if a patient uses these products altogether. So, along with CBD products, the answer to “Can MMJ help lupus patients?” is yes!

Why is it useful to have an MMJ card?

If individuals want to try out CBD products, they don’t need any official documentation or intervention from a doctor. In fact, these products can be found in a ton of stores or online. However, if a person wants to obtain MMJ products, they’ll need an MMJ card, which can be obtained through MMJRecs. There are tons of benefits to owning a card (even if the person lives in a state where recreational marijuana is legal). For example, MMJ cardholders can:

• Grow their own MMJ products at home
• Possess more product at one time
• Get tax benefits (like no sales tax in some states)
• Have access to more licensed dispensaries

With an MMJ card, people are entitled to grow and possess more product so they can effectively treat their medical condition without having to worry about running out of the MMJ products they need.

Image by Roberto Valdivia on Unsplash: Having an MMJ card means a person can grow their own cannabis plants.

How do I get an MMJ card?

A patient simply needs to have a qualifying medical condition in order to be eligible for an MMJ card. There are a large number of conditions that will qualify, ranging from eating disorders and cancer to glaucoma and chronic pain. To get started, MMJRecs can help by providing a complete doctor’s recommendation and an official MMJ card that can be shown at dispensaries or to law enforcement. It’s a super convenient way to obtain a card (without having to go through any government red tape) – and the entire process can be conducted online!

It’s important to remember that you should check with your doctor before starting to use any marijuana or CBD products, but if you’re wondering, “How can medical marijuana help lupus patients?”, you can always try this avenue of treatment to find out if you’ll be helped by MMJ or CBD products.

Featured image by Zohre Nemati on Unsplash

These days, most people in the United States are aware that Medical Marijuana, aka MMJ, can be used for pain relief – and more specifically, joint pain relief for conditions such as arthritis. But why does marijuana help joint pain? What’s the best strain of MMJ to use for this purpose? And how exactly can you seek out joint pain relief with medical marijuana? Here’s all you need to know.

How does marijuana help joint pain?

When it comes to MMJ and joint pain relief, medical marijuana has two active chemicals that play a role in the process: THC and CBD. THC is the most well-known active chemical since this is the psychoactive stimulant responsible for the “high” many people associate with cannabis. However, THC also very closely resembles cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally in our body, meaning when you introduce THC to your system, it binds to the cannabinoid 1 receptors, reducing pain.

Like THC, CBD is a phytocannabinoid found in medical marijuana. However, unlike THC, it has no psychoactive effects. It binds very weakly, if at all, to cannabinoid 1 receptors, and can in fact stop THC binding as much as it normally would, reducing the psychoactive effects. Does this mean less pain relief? Actually, no. In fact, consuming the two together (as naturally occurs in marijuana) can actually help. CBD reduces some of the negative effects of THC like increased heart rate, while increasing its half-life (which in theory can increase the length of its effectiveness), while also having its own pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

CBD and THC are by no means the only phytocannabinoids in MMJ to help with joint pain relief, but are certainly the most well-known and the most likely to be marketed at dispensaries.

There’s a fortunate connection between soothing sore joints and MMJ.

Which strains and doses are best?

When it comes to the best strains and doses of medical marijuana for joint pain relief, it depends on many factors. As mentioned before, phytocannabinoids have been shown to work best when used together, as they are naturally found, which means individuals looking for general pain relief will probably be best off with a strain high in both CBD and THC.

However, due to the psychoactive effects of THC, this is not always possible, and so having MMJ high in CBD and low in THC could be a great option. This can have the same pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects – often the key problem for joint pain – while still allowing the user to get on with their normal day, uninhibited by the psychoactive side-effects of THC.

The dominant strains you will come across are cannabis sativa, which generally has a higher amount of CBD, and cannabis indica, which contains more THC. In addition to these, there are numerous hybrids with varying levels of phytocannabinoids, so the best option is to see what works for you as an individual.

Who does joint pain affect?

While we often associate joint pain with the elderly, it is something that affects many groups across a variety of ages. In fact, a national survey in the U.S. found that over a third of adults reported experiencing joint pain in the 30 days leading up to the questionnaire. It can be caused by aging, most commonly in the form of osteoarthritis, but also comes from the autoimmune condition of rheumatoid arthritis or any number of injuries and illnesses. This means that while the elderly or obese are most at risk, people who regularly play sports or do manual labor can also find themselves with severe joint pain.

Elderly people are most likely to suffer from joint pain, but others who experience it may also experience joint pain relief with medical marijuana.

How can I get an MMJ card?

If you’re interested in seeking joint pain relief with medical marijuana, the first thing you need to do is make sure you pursue it legally by obtaining a medical marijuana card. The requirements for an MMJ card differ from state to state, but generally speaking, if you have a condition that causes severe joint pain, you will be eligible. In California, for example, qualifying conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, which is what many people with joint pain suffer from.

The first step to acquiring an MMJ card is getting a letter of recommendation from a health professional that states that you would benefit from medical marijuana. While this can be done through your normal GP, many patients opt to apply online. Services like MMJ Recs allow joint-pain sufferers to carry out the whole process from their homes, first with an online medical form, then a video conference with a medical professional to determine eligibility. If accepted, you can get a recommendation almost immediately, allowing you to apply for your MMJ card.

Considering the possibly hundreds of phytocannabinoids that exist in medical marijuana, the exact science as to how it helps with joint pain is still being researched. However, there is a significant body of evidence that shows the impact of both CBD and THC on joint pain, so whether you are suffering from age-related arthritis or joint pain incurred from sports, it may be worth considering the connection between sore joints and MMJ!

A massive opioid epidemic is currently sweeping the United States, creating a shocking increase in overdoses and deaths. Although some people are prescribed painkillers (like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl) for chronic pain issues, there are also many who use opioids as recreational drugs. For those who are using opioids as prescribed, it’s possible that an increase in the usage of medical marijuana products could actually encourage people to switch from opioids to MMJ. Because medical cannabis can help treat a number of physical symptoms, researchers are trying to determine if MMJ products could create a significant decrease in opioid usage – resulting in slowing down the opioid epidemic, or even stopping it in its tracks.

The current crisis of opioid abuse began in the late 1990s, when there were around 4,000 overdose deaths taking place every year. In the last two decades, the numbers have skyrocketed – more than 64,000 Americans died in 2016 from overdoses (compared to the  more than 52,000 that died in 2015). That figure means that nearly 180 people die from opioid-related overdoses every single day in the U.S., making it the leading cause of death for people under the age of 50. Over two million Americans are considered to be dependent on opioids, while at least 95 million individuals used prescription painkillers during 2017.

If steps aren’t taken to hit back against the epidemic soon, public health experts estimate that over 500,000 individuals could die from opioid overdoses in the next 10 years. The federal government has tried to boost some drug enforcement measures and is pushing regulations to get doctors to write fewer prescriptions for opioid painkillers. However, it will take at least until 2020 for any of the effects of these measures to be noticed, which means that the only hope the country has is to think outside the box to limit the growing number of people using and abusing opioids.

The overuse and abuse of prescription painkillers has become a real problem in the U.S. in recent years.

One possibility for curbing the epidemic is to use medical marijuana products to treat chronic pain instead of prescription painkillers. Several studies have shown that medical cannabis can be used to effectively treat pain symptoms. In a recent study, elderly patients who started using MMJ products were able to lower their pain levels (and experience an improved quality of life). More than 70 percent were able to see a moderate to significant improvement. Overall, 93 percent of the elderly reported improvements in their overall health. After six months, more than 18 percent of the medical marijuana users had reduced or completely stopped using opioids to treat their pain symptoms.

Switching from opioids to medical marijuana has tons of benefits. MMJ products are much safer since they don’t have the potency of opioids (which result in dangerous and often lethal overdoses). Most opioids also work so that individuals end up needing more and more of the drug to feel its effects – something that doesn’t apply to medical cannabis. There are also way less side effects from using MMJ products (usually mild symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, or mental clouding) than from using opioids.

Another recent study conducted in Minnesota (published by the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Medical Cannabis) also demonstrates how an increase in MMJ usage could lead to a decrease in opioid dependence. The first-of-its-kind study included 2,245 people who enrolled in a medical marijuana program during the last few months of 2016. The results showed that 38 percent of patients were able to reduce their opioid usage, and 42 percent reported a pain reduction of 30 percent or more. Of the 353 patients who self-reported taking opioid medications during the time they used the MMJ, 63 percent reduced or eliminated their opioid use after six months. The research manager for the office of medical cannabis, Dr. Tom Arneson, said, “These survey results are a good starting point. We need more research into the potential value of medical cannabis in pain management, especially as our communities grapple with the harmful impacts of opioids and other medications now in use for that purpose. We encourage health care providers to read the full report as they consider whether medical cannabis should be part of their strategies for treating patients’ intractable pain.”

Could MMJ products be a key factor in overcoming the U.S.’s opioid epidemic?

If more research is conducted, even more credence would be lent to the concept that MMJ products can safely and effectively treat pain symptoms. Reducing the number of people being prescribed painkillers could greatly impact the rising trend of overdoses in the U.S. from these medications – this factor might even prevent some individuals from being prescribed opioids in the first place.

The opioid epidemic is also creating a very large impact on the U.S. economy – a recent study from 2016 stated that opioid overdoses, abuse, and dependence have cost the economy around $78.5 billion. However, the White House stated in late 2017 that the opioid epidemic has cost the U.S. closer to an estimated $504 billion. Either way, using more MMJ products instead of prescribing painkillers could actually help boost the economy.

There are many benefits to using MMJ products for people experiencing symptoms of chronic pain, including a lower likelihood of dependence and side effects. If the U.S. wants to truly make a dent in the opioid epidemic, the health care field should consider including medical marijuana products as much as possible in their treatment plans. Their patients could benefit from the usage of medical cannabis, while also helping the country to cut down on individuals addicted to painkillers. Using MMJ products could also lower the costs the economy is incurring from the overuse of opioids. It definitely seems worth it for health care professionals and patients alike to consider using MMJ products to help cut down the use of opioids.

Researchers have known for quite some time that medical marijuana can be greatly beneficial in treating the symptoms of a number of conditions (including anxiety, cancer, glaucoma, migraines, etc.). This fact was validated even further by a recent study that showed that a stunning 93% of elderly patients who used MMJ products saw improvements with their health.

The study, published in The European Journal of Internal Medicine, showed that patients over the age of 65 who used medical cannabis showed reduced pain levels – without experiencing any adverse side-effects. The researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the Cannabis Clinical Research Institute at Soroka University Medical Center documented what happened when elderly patients used MMJ to treat symptoms from illnesses like cancer, Parkinson’s, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions. The patients who participated in the study consumed the medical marijuana in different ways. About 33 percent used cannabis-infused oils, 24 percent used smoking products, and six percent used vaporization methods. Every patient received a prescription for their medical marijuana items.

The results of the Israeli study (conducted with 2,732 patients) demonstrated that after six months using medical marijuana products, the patients reported less pain and an improvement in the quality of their day-to-day lives. A majority of the patients noted that their pain levels (on a ten-point scale) went from an average of eight to four. More than 70 percent of the patients said they saw a moderate to significant improvement with this treatment. Very few prescription medications can boast these types of findings.

There are many ways that elderly people can benefit from using medical marijuana.

This study came at the perfect time for researchers. Professor Victor Novack MD from the BGU Faculty of Health Sciences (FOHS) said, “While older patients represent a large and growing population of medical cannabis users, few studies have addressed how it affects this particular group, which also suffers from dementia, frequent falls, mobility problems, and hearing and visual impairments.” This means that these findings are even more relevant to researchers looking at the benefits of MMJ on the elderly population.

One of the most significant aspects of the study showed that after six months, more than 18 percent of the MMJ users had reduced or completely stopped using opioid analgesics (also known as narcotics or painkillers). Patients who relied more on medical marijuana than these medications also reported feeling few to no side effects. The most common MMJ side effects were reported to be mild symptoms of dizziness or dry mouth. This indicates that elderly patients could begin to rely more on MMJ products for the treatment of their symptoms, which could greatly decrease their usage and dependence on prescription narcotics.

With the elderly population making up a significant segment of the MMJ community (around 14 percent in the US), this research could help convince more individuals over the age of 65 to consider using medical cannabis to help more effectively treat their symptoms. Because this population is also more likely to be on a fixed budget, they could benefit from buying MMJ products because there’s no sales tax in certain states, and they would have the freedom to grow their own plants if they didn’t want to buy them from a medical dispensary. Those on a tight income could also see significant savings if they’re able to trade in their prescription drugs for medical cannabis. For example, most seniors spend on average about $3,000 every year on medications. Those who purchase MMJ products usually only spend about $650 annually – which could be a huge help to those who are struggling financially.

More and more elderly people are realizing the benefits of using MMJ products in conjunction with, or even instead of, traditional prescription medications.

Senior citizens who have some fears about using medical marijuana should remember that it’s actually safer to use than most prescription medications. There are additional positive effects that marijuana can provide, including relief from liver inflammation, lupus, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Additionally, people don’t have to worry about getting addicted to marijuana. Medical marijuana can also be ideal for treating some illnesses that hit the elderly population the hardest, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, joint pain, and depression.

If seniors are worried about “getting high,” there are also some products called CBD (or cannabidiol) that contain some of the helpful aspects of marijuana without the psychoactive effect. CBD products (while not as potent as medical marijuana products) can still help ease pain and inflammation, reduce anxiety, and increase mental focus. People who are suffering from a decreased appetite can also benefit from MMJ products, because they have been found to reduce nausea and stimulate appetite. Additionally, seniors suffering from insomnia can also use medical cannabis products to improve their sleep habits.

With further research in the future, it’s likely that more and more studies will demonstrate the true advantages of using medical marijuana to decrease symptoms of illnesses and diseases among the elderly population.

Before we get into the best strains of medial marijuana for inducing sleep, let’s talk about insomnia.

Insomnia is a frustrating and debilitating condition that impacts the lives of 60 million Americans. Not being able to sleep, despite being tired, drained, and having little energy, is very unpleasant and can lead to all sorts of negative physical and psychological effects.

For most of us, the harder we try to fall asleep, the more difficult it is to do so. If you suffer from insomnia it can be damn near impossible to drift off, no matter how many sheep you count!

Conventional sleeping pills are one solution, but they can have unpleasant physical and mental side effects. They can also be addictive and many people develop crippling dependencies that are extremely difficult to escape.

Another cure for insomnia is medical cannabis, and now that cannabis cards are legal in 29 states, more and more people who find it difficult to get some shut-eye are using particular MMJ strains for sleep benefits.

It seems that medical cannabis really is a bit of a magic bullet when it comes to treating insomnia.

Did you know you can use medical marijuana for inducing sleep?

But not all strains of medical cannabis are created equally when it comes to blasting people off into dreamland. Indicas, with their less heady and more heavy, relaxing body-high, are usually best for inducing slumber. Most sativas, on the other hand, tend to have a more energizing, heady effect that may in fact keep you awake.

But not all indicas are equally insomnia-crushing either – some strains will knock you out more assuredly than others. So here is our list of the six best strains of medical marijuana for inducing sleep.

Big Bud is a very strong indica plant with (yes, you’ve guessed it!) big buds. These big buds contain a super-dose of potent CBD that will make your eyelids feel heavier than boulders in no time. Big Bud will essentially knock you out within a few minutes. With this CBD-heavy beast circulating in your bloodstream, sleep is guaranteed. It is advisable to put your pajamas on and brush your teeth before you hit Big Bud, because you might not manage to do so afterwards.

Pound Hammer is an indica that is renowned for its mind-quieting and anxiety-reducing properties. For people who struggle with a head full of frantic thoughts and incessant self-chatter, Pound Hammer is a great choice of medical marijuana for inducing sleep. It gradually turns the volume down to zero on your self-talk and your worries, replacing them with a silent, dreamy, relaxed calm. Once you have a few hits of Pound Hammer there’s no turning back – it is well and truly time to say (or slur) “goodnight.”

Try one of these strains for some quality shut-eye.

Afghan Kush is a famous old indica strain that incites a heavy, drowsy, body-focused high. It is brilliant for getting rid of pain and quieting anxious thoughts. A few hits of Afghan Kush will give you a strong desire to eat anything you can get your hands on, but an even stronger desire to sleep. So don’t smoke unless you are ready to fall asleep pretty darn soon, and quite possibly wake up 10 hours later covered in chips and chocolate wondering, “What the hell just happened?”

Blue Mystic is one of the less potent “insomnia-blasters” on the list. It will not necessarily knock you into a coma in the same way that Big Bud or Afghan Kush will, but it will give you a delightful body-high and a warm, tingling feeling of relaxation. The chilled-out body-high and feelings of wellbeing that Blue Mystic induce will gently nudge you into a zone in which you can chill out and watch some TV, but you could also kick your shoes off, lie back, and drift off into a warm, fuzzy snooze. Blue Mystic is ideal for people who have mild insomnia or just like a little hit of something light to help them unwind, and maybe nap in front of the TV.

Bubba Kush is a hybrid of Bubble Gum and Kush. It has a relatively low THC content of 16%. Bubba Kush gives a strong, CBD-induced body-high. It is very relaxing and almost numbing. A few hits of Bubba Kush and you will have a blissfully clear mind (almost as if you’ve just been on a month-long meditation retreat!). With Bubba Kush massaging your neurons, the world moves in slow motion and sleep becomes impossible to resist. A gallon of strong coffee couldn’t keep you awake after a few tokes of Bubba Kush.

Critical Mass is an indica-dominant strain that is a heavy sleep-inducer. It has a mellow, earthy, citrus flavor and strong, strong sedative qualities. When the Sandman gets even a faint whiff of Critical Mass in the air, he drops whatever he’s doing and immediately follows his nose straight to the source, where he gently puts his index finger on your forehead and whispers “Sleep.” Just a few hits of Critical Mass and you will be ready to pass out wherever you happen to be sitting… Preferably in the comfort of your own home!

We all know that medical marijuana is a wonderfully brilliant miracle treatment, but did you know that thanks to its effectiveness, it’s now seriously rivaling the popularity of modern day medicine in MMJ card states? While this doesn’t come as much of a surprise to medical marijuana card holders who have long been reaping the benefits of this super-plant, others are shocked at this news, and all because of their indoctrination into the allopathic school of thought.

Medical marijuana has recently gone through a renaissance, thanks to the advent of the medical marijuana card. Before this, MMJ had been subjected to a decade’s-long character assassination created by the proliferation of lies and misinformation during the ‘War on Drugs’. Before this dark period in MMJ history, marijuana had been used to treat all manner of ailments for hundreds of years.

Now that people are more open to the use of medical marijuana, they’re noticing the stark contrasts between using it and using more traditional modern medicines. If you were to do up a pros and cons list for each form of treatment, you’d soon see that the con list for using pharmaceutical treatments far outweighs that of using medical marijuana.

MMJ Reduces Side Effects and Health Complications

Unlike modern day medicines, which are known to cause serious side effects and complications, medical cannabis is not known to do either.

It’s no secret that some prescription painkillers come with nasty, life-restricting side effects. These side effects can be anything from chronic pain and depression to decreased libido. On the other hand, medical marijuana comes with no known severe side effects. A study conducted by Canadian scientists found that 215 MMJ card holders suffering from chronic pain “had no greater risk than non-users to experience serious adverse effects” after using the drug for one year. Most long-term MMJ card holders report no side effects following years of consumption.

Medical marijuana is not known to cause any serious health complications. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some modern medicines. Prescription medicines – especially opioid-based ones – can do serious damage to patients after prolonged use. A 2008 study based on life-threatening pharmaceutical side effects stated that opioid-based prescription drugs could cause “delayed gastric emptying, hyperalgesia, immunologic and hormonal dysfunction, muscle rigidity, and myoclonus”.

Not only are these side effects dangerous in their own right, but if they’re experienced for prolonged periods of time, they could facilitate the growth of tumors in the affected parts of the body. In particular, Pharma painkillers prescribed to relieve chronic pain in cancer patients have been observed to stimulate further tumor growth. In contrast, MMJ card holders who have been prescribed medical marijuana for cancer-associated pain have in some instances seen a reduction in the size of their tumors.

Medical Marijuana is Not as Addictive

As a lot of prescription painkillers are derived from the same source as heroin, they can be incredibly addictive. America consumes a staggering 75% of the world’s prescription drugs, and at least half of this number can be put down to addiction. Some doctors will freely prescribe these highly-addictive drugs to line their own pockets with money from Big Pharma so when people are prescribed these pills, it may not be within their own best interests.

Addiction to modern medications is exacerbated by the fact that your body starts to build up tolerance to them, meaning that you need to take more and more to get the same effect. Thankfully, the number of prescription medicine-related deaths have significantly reduced in the past number of years, with some people signaling that this is due to the introduction of medical cannabis cards.

By and large, medical marijuana is a non-addictive substance. While there are some cases of marijuana addiction, these are nearly entirely found within the recreational community. MMJ card carriers are aware of safe dosage levels, and even if they were to consume a little too much by accident, they’d be at risk of no more than feeling a little woozy for a couple of hours.

Since medical professionals have started issuing MMJ cards, the number of prescription medicine-related deaths have significantly reduced.

Of course, there are benefits to substituting modern medicine for medical marijuana altogether, but don’t put the idea of taking them concurrently off the table. For MMJ card holders on vital medication for a life-threatening illness, sometimes it simply isn’t an option for them to come off their prescription. In these cases, medical marijuana is often used as an additional form of treatment, to be taken alongside the original prescribed medication. Medical marijuana is taken by these patients in order to further lessen the symptoms of their ailment, or to lessen the harsh side effects that can come with taking some modern medications.

Pills taken to combat diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Crohn’s disease can come with a whole host of nasty side effects that can leave patients incapacitated or in constant severe pain. Medical marijuana tackles these issues, thanks to its exceptional pain-relieving powers, as well as its ability to tackle other subsidiary symptoms like muscle spasms and lethargy. As medical marijuana comes with no side effects of its own, it’s perfectly safe to take it alongside traditional medicines.

We shouldn’t think of medical marijuana and modern medicine as a rivalry at all. MMJ is fast becoming an integral part of modern medicine, with doctors across the country prescribing it to medical cannabis holders for a whole range of medical conditions. When we start to look at MMJ as an addition to medicine, rather than a rival to it, we’re giving ourselves more options to choose from and thus, we expand our treatment horizons.

Some treatments don’t work for everybody, and that’s to be expected, but if we have as wide a range of treatment options as possible, more people will find the perfect treatment plan for them, easing their discomfort and enabling them to live better lives. If you want to explore your MMJ card options, get in touch with us today and we’ll see what’s available to you.

People have been getting high for ages – even centuries. Smoking a joint is nothing new. So why has marijuana consumption been so popular over the years? What are the health and social benefits of marijuana? Before you go to get your medical marijuana card online in California, it’s important to understand the pros of socially smoking some weed.

Here are five social benefits of marijuana:

• Friendly: It’s pretty hard to find an angry stoner. In fact, it’s been scientifically proven smoking weed leads to fewer fights. When people smoke a little marijuana, they enter an incredibly friendly and fun state of mind. Many refer to this sensation as “getting high.” When someone is high, it’s very difficult to feel negative feelings – unless too much weed is consumed and paranoia enters the mind. However, that type of situation is rare, especially for experienced individuals who have consumed marijuana for a while.
• Relaxation: Weed reduces stress. Some medical studies say so, but anyone who has consumed a little weed knows this to be true. You don’t need a study to see cannabis consumption helps many individuals relax and takes the edge off. Some people like to relax with some beer. Some people like to relax by smoking marijuana.
• Extra Creativity: Many world famous actors, producers, musicians, and more have all been quite fond of marijuana. Just a small sampling of such individuals includes Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, George Clooney, Bob Marley, Willie Nelson, Hugh Hefner, Rihanna and Stephen King. That’s a pretty solid list of creatives, and it certainly doesn’t stop there. Marijuana has been proven to increase creativity by releasing dopamine into the brain and reducing inhibitions at the same time.
• Better Sex: While I couldn’t find any studies proporting the sexual benefits of smoking weed, many stoners swear by a little stoned sex. Some consider the drug to be an aphrodisiac. The drug relaxes you, lowers inhibitions, makes individuals more aware of touch and more. While weed won’t make orgasms more intense, most find the experience of coitus after smoking weed to be incredibly sensual.
• Less Anxiety: From a purely social standpoint, many stoners find they’re able to relate to others much better after consuming cannabis. This stems from the fact that marijuana can reduce anxiety in the right doses. Reduced anxiety combined with lowered inhibitions allows many stoners to connect on a deeper level when they’re high.

Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Online

If you’re sold on the social benefits of marijuana, getting your medical marijuana card online in California may be the ideal idea. Instead of going to the doctor, you can check out MMJRecs and get your hands on a recommendation in under ten minutes. Medical marijuana made easy – it’s what we do!

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