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May is National Lyme Disease Month. It’s a time to learn more about a disease that affects more than 300,000 Americans each year with symptoms including fatigue, rash, and body aches. National Lyme Disease Month spotlights Lyme disease causes, prevention, and treatments – but it’s also a time to take a look at the many ways cannabis can help to relieve the discomforts of this common tick-borne condition.
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme Disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. It’s caused by either of two bacteria strains, Borrellia burgdorferi or Borrellia mayorii, which are carried by a species of tick called the black-legged tick or deer tick. Lyme Disease occurs most often in the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic parts of the country, where conditions are damp and grasses grow tall in summer, but it’s been reported in all 50 states, including the dry desert Southwest.
Only the deer tick carries the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but not every deer tick bite transmits it. Ticks cling to the skin and burrow into it, and the longer a deer tick remains attached to the body, the greater the risk for Lyme disease. That’s why health professionals recommend carefully checking for ticks after any outdoor activity during tick season.
Lyme disease symptoms typically appear between 3 and 30 days after the Borrellia bacterium enters the bloodstream, and they can include:
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and body aches
- Headache
- A distinctive skin rash called erythema migrans, which can appear in various areas of the body
If Lyme disease is untreated, more serious symptoms can appear, including neck stiffness, facial palsy, and arthritis. The erythema migrans rash can also spread or appear in more locations.
There are no specific tests for Lyme disease, so it’s usually diagnosed by symptoms, a recent activity that might include exposure to ticks, and general blood tests revealing the presence of certain antibodies. Once diagnosed, Lyme disease is usually treated for two to four weeks course of antibiotics.
For some people, symptoms can persist for weeks or months after Lyme disease treatment – a condition called [Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, or PTLDS. Others may experience Lyme disease symptoms indefinitely, known as chronic Lyme disease.
Currently, there’s no proven treatment for PTLDS or chronic Lyme disease since long-term use of antibiotics can lead to some serious complications. But some research suggests that cannabis can help to relieve the symptoms of Lyme disease and PTLDS without the side effects and risks of pharmaceuticals.
Cannabis Provides Natural Relief for Lyme Disease Symptoms
Cannabis isn’t a cure for Lyme disease, but it shows promise for relieving its symptoms. A growing body of research reveals that cannabis has considerable anti-inflammatory and analgesic or pain-relieving properties. It’s also a powerful neuroprotectant, capable of supporting neural pathways in the brain and central nervous system. That’s because cannabis in all its forms activates responses in the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of cell receptors that respond to cannabis compounds in ways similar to cannabinoid chemicals naturally produced by the tissues.
Cannabis compounds such as THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) can activate pathways in the brain and central nervous system that are related to pain signaling and immune responses, which can help to relieve the discomforts of Lyme disease. According to LymeDisease.org, an education and advocacy group for those living with Lyme disease, these properties make cannabis “very valuable as an adjunct to treatment of tick-borne diseases.”
Products and Strains for Symptom Relief
Whether you prefer to smoke, vape, or consume your cannabis another way, there’s a cannabis product that can help to relieve the symptoms of Lyme disease, such as pain and inflammation. Here are a few options to try.
Harlequin Cannabis Flower by MrHempFlower
Harlequin from MrHempFlower is a high CBD Sativa dominant hybrid that’s a popular choice for relief of chronic pain and headache. Descended from Colombian Gold and a mix of landrace strains from around the world, Harlequin also contains soothing terpenes, including Myrcene, Bisabol, and Linalool.
ACDC Hemp Flower from Scotch Valley Ranch
CBD-dominant ACDC from Scotch Valley Ranch is a Sativa hybrid that offers relief from aches, pains, and other discomforts, as well as anxiety and restlessness. ACDC contains less than 1 percent THC as well as the calming terpene Myrcene.
OGKush High THC Flower from Fluent
OG Kush from Fluent is a potent Sativa dominant hybrid with a reputation for easing pain and the symptoms of neurological disorders. OG Kush is low in CBD at about 1 percent, with a THC content that ranges between 12 and 30 percent, plus the terpenes Terpinolene and Farnesene.
Dark Chocolate CBD 5:1 Bar from Kiva Confections
Kiva’s Dark Chocolate CBD 5:1 bar is part of Kiva’s collection of tasty, upscale cannabis edibles. With just 1mg THC per serving to 5mg THC, this dark chocolate bar with a hint of vanilla offers relaxation and relief from aches and pains.
Martha Stewart CBD Tropical Medley Wellness Gummies
Martha Stewart’s CBD Tropical Medley Wellness Gummies contains pure CBD isolate along with the flavors of pineapple, mango, and coconut, with less than 0.3 percent THC. Designed by Martha herself and produced by CBD specialists Canopy Growth, these gourmet gummies provide relief from stress, tension, and insomnia.
Do it Yourself: Homemade Cannabis Topicals
Cannabis-infused creams, salves, and oils can provide relief from pain and inflammation. They’re sold by dispensaries and retailers around the country, but it’s also easy to make a homemade version that can be customized to suit individual needs. This simple recipe for a customized cannabis salve combines essential oils, cocoa butter, and cannabis-infused coconut oil.
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