Medicinal Cannabis – The Basics
A Brief History of Medicinal Cannabis
The cannabis plant, also known as marijuana, ‘weed,’ ‘pot,’ ‘hash,’ and by many other names, has been part of human culture for thousands of years, used as food, a resource, and as medicine. Records of its use date back over 4,000 years, making it one of the oldest known medicines. It is believed to have originated in Central Asia and was embraced by almost every ancient civilization, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Indian, and Chinese societies.
Areas of use
Cannabis has been used in many forms throughout history, both in ancient and modern times, to address a wide range of conditions. While medical research on cannabis is still limited, more and more studies are being conducted today to explore how medicinal cannabis can help treat various health issues.
How medicinal cannabis works
More than 100 unique cannabinoids, or cannabis-specific compounds, have been discovered in the plant. However, two of them stand out for their medical significance: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system but have different effects.
Medicinal cannabis products work differently depending on the ratio of THC to CBD they contain. CBD helps to counterbalance some of the negative effects of THC, which means combining the two can allow patients to take higher doses of THC with a lower risk of unwanted side effects.
The endocannabinoid system
The endocannabinoid system is found throughout the body and plays a role in many areas, especially the immune and nervous systems. THC and CBD interact with this system by binding to endocannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2, which are present in various tissues across the body.
The endocannabinoid system plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, such as sleep, appetite, pain sensation, and inflammation.
The different forms of medicinal cannabis
Medical cannabis is derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabis can alleviate the symptoms of some diseases. The cannabis plant contains more than 100 cannabinoids. There are several types of cannabis products developed to provide treatment options for chronic conditions. Medications legally prescribed by physicians may include pharmaceutical grade oils and tinctures or dried cannabis flowers.
Medicinal cannabis can be used in various ways and comes in a range of THC to CBD ratios. The most common forms include oils or capsules for oral use and dried plant material for inhalation with a vaporizer. These different forms work at different speeds in the body — for instance, inhaled THC/CBD takes effect much faster than when taken orally.
What to expect from treatment
Book an appointment with a qualified cannabinoid doctor. 420 Latam can help you find a local doctor who is familiar with prescribing medicinal cannabis.
CANNABIS JOURNAL
It is important to monitor the daily dose, the product(s) used, and the effects to establish the ideal dosing regimen and optimal therapeutic benefit.
There is no standardized or clinically defined dosage for medical cannabis for any specific medical condition. If you are unsure about dosage or administration, consult your physician. Do not use cannabis products without the dosage/administration advice of a medical specialist.