{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/alzheimer's-disease/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3135-markdown","title":"Breathing Easier - Can Cannabis Reduce Inflammation Associated with COVID-19?","slug":"breathing-easier-can-cannabis-reduce-inflammation-associated-with-covid-19","content":"##When we've been through a tough time, we often say we can breathe easier.  And if something is straightforward, it's \"as natural as breathing.\" \n\nBut for many people, breathing isn't easy or comfortable. From chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD to the \"air hunger\" of a severe anxiety attack, breathing troubles affect both adults and children worldwide.\n\n Medications including bronchodilators, antihistamines and corticosteroids are often used to treat breathing disorders. However, research reveals that cannabis and other natural approaches could help you breathe easier without many prescription drugs' side effects.\n\n### Cannabis Compounds May Make Breathing Easier\n\nRecent research suggests that natural approaches, including cannabis, can relieve the symptoms associated with some respiratory conditions.\n\nStudies continue to reveal how the many compounds and terpenes in cannabis can benefit the health of both body and mind, and some studies suggest that these compounds, especially cannabidiol, or CBD, can make breathing more manageable too.  \n\nBut the situation is complicated.\n\nMuch of the Research on the respiratory effects of cannabis comes from studies that involve smoking – a favorite way to use cannabis.  Those studies reveal a [mixed picture](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425753) of benefits and potential risks for respiratory health.  \n\nEven though smoking cannabis is less risky to the lungs and respiratory system than smoking cigarettes, the process still involves combustion, which creates toxins.  Those toxins can irritate the airway and lungs, and over time, smoking cannabis frequently could make cell changes that lead to cancer and other respiratory illnesses.  \n\nBut some research indicates that smoking cannabis rarely, about once or twice a month, could [help to improve symptoms](https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/conditions/pulmonary-fibrosis/) of COPD and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. \n\nResearchers believe that's because [CBD has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25356537/)   that could reduce swelling in lung and bronchial tissues.  THC (delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that causes a euphoric high, can also [play a role](https://www.honestcbdinfo.com/cbd-science/inflammation/phytocannabinoids-benefits-for-lung-disease/) in reducing the inflammation associated with chronic lung diseases.\n\nSmoking cannabis may have some contradictory effects on breathing. But there appear to be [clearer benefits](https://www.fundacion-canna.es/en/idiopathic-pulmonary-fibrosis-endocannabinoid-system-and-cannabinoids) from using cannabis in other forms.  CBD oils can be vaped or inhaled using diffusers or steam, which bypasses the risks of combustion.  Teas made from boiled or steeped cannabis leaves can also help to relieve congestion, reduce inflammation and support the immune system overall. For some people, even edibles and topicals can provide symptom relief.\n\nAlong with acting directly on the respiratory system, cannabis may also help some breathing disorders' secondary symptoms.  Many people with chronic breathing conditions such as COPD, asthma, and IPF also struggle with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  Cannabis has documented [properties for reducing anxiety and relieving stress](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/can-marijuana-help-with-chronic-pain-anxiety-and-insomnia) that can also trigger episodes of dyspnea.\n\n### Can Cannabis Reduce Lung Inflammation with COVID-19?\n\nScientists are now looking at cannabis as a possible adjunct therapy for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. Although research is preliminary, [Forbes reports](https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilyearlenbaugh/2020/07/06/cannabis-may-reduce-deadly-covid-19-lung-inflammation-researchers-explain-why/?sh=42517a9b4d9d) that scientists are hopeful that it has \"potential for [reducing susceptibility to the disease](https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202004.0315/v1), and even discussed whether it could be used as an [antiviral medication.\"](https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/CAN.2020.0035) Most of this research is focused on cannabis derived from CBD, a well-known anti inflammatory and how it may treat dangerous lung inflammation caused by the virus.\n\nOne of the biggest struggles medical personnel face when treating the novel coronavirus is reducing inflammation caused by the 'Cytokine storm\". This [cytokine superstorm](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cytokine-storm) is \"a severe immune reaction in which the body releases too many cytokines into the blood too quickly. Cytokines play an important role in normal immune responses, but having a large amount of them released in the body all at once can be harmful.\" Previous research has shown that CBD can reduce a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to reduced inflammation, without many of the negative side effects associated with pharmaceutical medications under review. \n\n### What Makes It Hard to Breathe?\n\nBreathing is controlled by the autonomous nervous system, which is why we don't have to remember to take a breath consciously.  But the respiratory system that makes breathing possible is a complicated one with connections to the lungs, heart, and the central nervous system, so [there are many factors](https://www.webmd.com/lung/lung-diseases-overview) that can interfere with healthy breathing at any point in the process.  \n\nCommon causes of breathing problems include:\n\n### 1. Allergies, Infections and Viruses\n\n Wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing are often caused by allergens like pollen and mold.  Most of the time, these breathing problems are short-lived and can be remedied by avoiding the allergen or taking an antihistamine.  \n\nBut allergens can also trigger episodes of more severe breathing disorders like asthma. Likewise, viruses that cause colds and flu can also cause temporary breathing problems due to congestion in the sinuses and upper respiratory system.  \n\n### 2. Respiratory Diseases\n\nRespiratory diseases can affect any part of the system, including the airways and lungs. Common respiratory conditions include asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a group of breathing disorders that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. \n\nLung cancers,  idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and cystic fibrosis are also respiratory diseases, as are acute conditions like pneumonia and pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining surrounding the lungs. Now we can add COVID-19 to this list as well.\n\n### 3. Neurological Conditions\n\nSome progressive neurological conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, and Alzheimer's disease also cause breathing problems because they affect the nerves and muscles that control the respiratory process.\n\n### 4. Dyspnea\n\nDyspnea is an umbrella term for several conditions that cause a feeling often described as \"shortness of breath,\" an inability to take in enough air when breathing, or a feeling of discomfort when breathing.  \n\nViruses, bacteria, and even medications can cause dyspnea and respiratory infections and some systemic diseases, including anemia. But anxiety, fear, and stress can also cause dyspnea.  In these situations, a surge of cortisol and adrenaline can trigger rapid breathing or a feeling of suffocation.\n\nThe causes of breathing troubles can range from mild and temporary to serious and debilitating, and that means many different treatments are available to address them. People with temporary congestion from allergies, a cold, or flu might get easy relief from over the counter decongestants and antihistamines.  \n\nFor asthma and other chronic breathing conditions, inhalers and nebulizers infused with steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications can relax airways and reduce inflammation. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/ee604/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png","srcSet":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/69585/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 200w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/497c6/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 400w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/ee604/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 800w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/f3583/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/58556/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/61e93/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 200w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/1f5c5/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 400w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/58556/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 800w,\n/static/f3427e543dfabcf8186995538352d369/99238/64e1f59a4380bba73ebeb1045c185bfa.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_3125-markdown","title":"4 Popular Nootropics to Help You Work Smarter, Not Harder","slug":"4-popular-nootropics-to-help-you-work-smarter-not-harder","content":"\n100 thousand stars. 100 billion planets. The Milky Way is so vast, it's hard even to grasp. Yet, our 5.5-inch-wide brains hold more: 1,000 trillion synapses, connecting 86 billion neurons. No wonder we're so smart! \n\nWhy then do we ever forget things? How can we ever feel \"foggy\" with so much going on in there? These are the questions neuroscientists still don't entirely have answers to—about how our spongy gray matter actually works and what causes failures.\n\nWith Alzheimer's rising at an epidemical rate, research foundations worldwide are applying more funds than ever to find answers. With so many struggling to concentrate and stay focused while working or learning online—and new conditions like the post-Covid-19 [\"brain fog\"](https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/09/25/long-haulers-face-debilitating-chronic-health-issues-following-coronavirus-recovery/) described by Dr. Fauci—health and wellness companies are expanding their brain-supporting technologies, too.\n\n### What Can Nootropics Do for You?\n\nThe modern day nootropics or “smart drugs” booming right now are actually smart supplements that combine plants and/or synthetic compounds to enhance various cognitive functions. The old-school nootropics are typically caffeine and prescription stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall. \n\nHere, we’ll focus on the former rather than the latter, as most of us are familiar with the life-saving nectar of the coffee tree and amphetamines if the multi-billion-dollar ADHD and illicit market is any indication.  \n\n### Natural Nootropics\n\nThe most buzzed-about natural neuroenhancers right now are mushrooms. Not the magic kind (although psychoactive mushrooms are being fast tracked for FDA-approval for treating depression, anxiety and PTSD, but rather what are called “functional mushrooms.” \n\nSome you will have heard of in your recipe books or the vitamin aisle: \n\n- Lion’s Mane\n- Shiitake\n- Oyster mushrooms\n\nOthers have been used for centuries in their native China, Korea, Japan and Tibet: \n\n- Cordyceps\n- Reishi mushrooms\n\nThe best natural nootropics we have found combine one or more of these powerful mushrooms with psychostimulating herbs. \n\n### Popular Nootropic Mushrooms\n\n[Cordyceps](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cordyceps-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4) comes from the weirdest, most remote place but is used in medicines worldwide. A staple in natural pre-workout supplements, it’s a highly effective booster for energy, vitality and endurance. Its remote native land is on the “roof of the world” in the Tibetan high plateau. The weird place it grows? On caterpillars that live there.\n\nThe rare elixir traditionally harvested for royalty ultimately became a major income source due to its rarity and value. Cordyceps gained worldwide attention after the 1993 Olympics when the Chinese Women’s Track and Field team used the supplement and shattered 9 world records. It is a star for many benefits and in nootropics, “helps elevate energy levels naturally via ATP production with increased oxygen utilization,” says The Genius Brand.\n\n[Reishi](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/reishi-mushroom-benefits) is an extra-sexy mushroom in the wellness world because it is an [adaptogen,](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/adaptogens-what-are-they-and-how-to-combine-them-with-cbd) one of few plants that adapts to your body’s needs to help it cope with physical, biological, or chemical stressors. “Adaptogens can affect different tissues and organs, and adjust each of these parts to attain homeostasis,” according to an article published by the [National Institutes of Health.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240259/) \n\nMyco Botanicals says Reishi mushrooms support neurological and adrenal functioning* in its Brain Capsules. According to studies cited by Healthline, it also provides strong support for the immune system and inflammation pathways. This is increasingly important during cold, flu and Covid season, as systemic inflammation affects the brain downstream, its immune system and the way it signals. \n\n[Lion’s Mane](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/lions-mane-mushroom) look just like they sound and are the kings of the nootropic mushroom forest. The shaggy-headed super-shrooms are known to help improve focus and boost concentration levels and memory, according to [Nulivscience.](https://nulivscience.com/blog/functional-mushrooms-and-their-benefits) They are also known to help prevent degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. \n\nBuddhist monks brewed Lion’s Mane tea to heighten their focus while meditating. Sources say it can help with anxiety and depression, diabetes, preventing cancer, ulcers and heart disease, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and stimulating brain cell growth. Before you begin gobbling it up, though, know that you should check levels in your nootropic as it can negatively affect people treating diabetes or already on blood thinners. \n\n### Other Popular Nootropic Herbs\n\nAs with the smart shrooms, some of the brainy herbs are already well known, while some are just popping.\n\nGingko Biloba contains antioxidants galore and thus protects against the effects of age and organ damage, including your brain organ. It is also known to promote blood and oxygen flow in the bloodstream, which your brain loves. Many people take it to improve memory and mental function.\n\nAmerican Ginseng is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb, too, and a well-known adaptogenic. Understood to improve mental health and social functioning, Western [studies](https://www.essentialnutrition.com.br/media/artigos/quantum/22.%20Improved%20cognitive%20performance.pdf) have shown it helps with fatigue and improves cognitive and task performance throughout the day. \n\nBecause adaptogens act on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis to tune your physiological functions, they are at the forefront for optimizing brain function, too. Among the elite herbs:\n\nBacopa used in Ayurvedic medicine has neuroprotective effects, according to [research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22700087/) published by the National Institutes of Health. It is thought to help the brain process faster and help facilitate dendrite growth.\n\nRhodiola contains more than 140 active ingredients, according to [Healthline.](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rhodiola-rosea) It has been proven to alleviate burnout and exhaustion, reduce mental fatigue and improve work-related task performance by 20%, increase motivation to study and even boost exam scores by 8%, they say. \n\nGotu Kola, or Asiatic Pennywort, is well known in Chinese, Indonesian and Ayurvedic traditions as a brain-power booster. According to [Healthline,](https://www.healthline.com/health/gotu-kola-benefits#cognitive-function) studies proved it enhances memory and nerve function, protects brain cells from toxicity and improves overall cognition.\n\n ### 4 Nootropics to Help You Work Smarter\n\n1. [Rise by Cured Nutrition](https://www.curednutrition.com/product/cured-rise/) boasts a blend of adaptogens (Rhodiola, American Ginseng, Gotu Kola and more), along with Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps mushrooms and a Vitamin B complex—topped with THC-free, hemp-derived CBD to eliminate anxiety and any jitters and crash that can come after using any stimulant. One consumer states, \"This particular nootropic concoction is great for inflammation and reestablishing and unlocks my physical flow. I suffer from autoimmune and Rise helps me move through my day.\"\n\n2. [Brain Capsules by Myco Botanicals](https://hostdefense.com/products/brain-mycobotanicals-mushroom-and-herb-support-for-mental-clarity) support mental clarity with a different blend of herbs (Gingko, Bacopa and Gotu Kola) and pairs Lion’s Mane with Reishi mushrooms instead. They say the complementary plants support and nourish the brain and nervous system to ensure optimal cognitive functioning. \n\n3. [Genius Mushrooms by The Genius Brand](https://thegeniusbrand.com/collections/all-products/products/genius-mushrooms) has all three of the brainy mushrooms described above and has thousands of positive reviews. It boosts natural (ATP) energy production and promotes total brain health and peak functioning by stimulating neurotrophic and nerve growth factors. Genius Joy is another of their nootropics, which leans more on emotional enhancers to support dopamine production and “unclog” the mind. \n\n4. [Basis by Elysium](https://www.elysiumhealth.com/en-us/basis) is an outlier in that it contains none of the above. Yet, it has gained much attention for its revolutionary natural technologies. Created by the director of aging research at MIT, Basis helps optimize cellular health to optimize brain function. It is clinically proven to significantly increase NAD+, a coenzyme (or helper molecule) involved in the body’s energy production and cellular protection processes. And it activates sirtuins, which regulate and manage everything that happens in your cells. Your brain will thank you for it, now and when it’s older. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.2658227848101267,"src":"/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/ee604/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.png","srcSet":"/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/69585/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.png 200w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/497c6/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.png 400w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/ee604/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.png 800w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/f3583/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.png 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/58556/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/61e93/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.webp 200w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/1f5c5/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.webp 400w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/58556/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.webp 800w,\n/static/37c6d81e29a73ebb4e9fa0d253406dd1/99238/c89a6d970f26ab40c91d5afbe736793a.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2982-markdown","title":"CBD’s Role in Helping Ease Alzheimer’s Symptoms ","slug":"cbds-role-in-helping-ease-alzheimers-symptoms","content":"Receiving an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis is profoundly upending, for both sufferers and family members. Currently, nearly [6 million American’s are living with Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.alz.org). \n\nAlzheimer’s is one of many forms of dementia and accounts for the bulk of dementia diagnoses. It’s a progressive, irreversible disease—one that worsens as time goes on. Alzheimer’s isn’t, as many people believe, normal cognitive decline associated with aging. \n\nCurrently, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S., and the Alzheimer’s Association estimates that [by 2050, 14 million people will have Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers). \n\nBecause there’s currently no cure, researchers continue to look for medicines that will help ease symptoms or make living with Alzheimer’s a little easier for patients and caregivers. \n\nRecently, there’s been interest in the role cannabidiol (CBD) may play in helping manage the disease. Let’s take a look at some of the most promising research and investigate how you can safely incorporate CBD into a comprehensive Alzheimer’s protocol.\n\n### The First Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease\n\nGetting an accurate diagnosis is essential for anyone facing cognitive or memory issues. The first symptoms of Alzheimer’s are usually related to memory loss, things like:\n\n* Forgetting names\n* Trouble accessing specific words \n* Changes in the ability to work or perform daily activities\n\nMany things can cause memory problems—from stress to certain medications—so finding a doctor experienced in diagnosing Alzheimer’s is critical in order to discover the source of memory issues. \n\nFolks who receive an early diagnosis generally fare much better, as do their loved ones, who often bear the burden of becoming long-term caregivers. Some medications, such as Galantamine and Namenda, are designed to forestall the most severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s. But these drugs don’t work for everyone, and their effectiveness is only temporary. \n\n### As Time Goes on, Alzheimer’s Symptoms Become More Severe\n\nModerate and late-stage Alzheimer’s disease symptoms include serious challenges like:\n\n* Inconsistent sleep patterns\n* Moodiness\n* Incontinence\n* Confusion\n\nThese symptoms can result in people becoming lost, anxious or combatant. \n\nAnother hard aspect of the disease is that communicating about pain symptoms can decrease as verbal skills decline, and many late-stage Alzheimer’s sufferers often lose the ability to walk or talk completely.\n\n### Your Brain on Alzheimer’s: A Tangled Web of Proteins\n\nTwo protein structures—plaques and tangles—which are foreign to a healthy brain are usually found in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s disease. \n\nPlaques form deposits that take up space between nerve cells. Tangles are a different type of protein fiber, which reside inside brain cells. \n\nThese two disruptive protein structures compromise normal communication between cells, resulting in the death of brain cells. It’s the death of these cells that creates the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer’s—changes that decrease a person’s ability to communicate, remember and live a normal life.\n\n### The Latest Research on CBD for Alzheimer’s Disease\n\nOne of the best pieces of news for all Americans is the 2018 passage of the Farm Bill. The fact that the U.S. now has access to legal hemp will enable additional research on hemp-based CBD. This will increase our knowledge of how CBD may be targeted for specific medical conditions. \n\nIt will take at least a few years for hemp-based Alzheimer’s research to emerge, but a 2014 Australian study shows a great deal of promise. The study found that [CBD was shown to “reverse cognitive deficits” in mice](https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad140921). It also found that CBD provided neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It was the first study to show CBD’s potential as a preventative treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.\n\nRELATED: [FARM BILL UPDATE: HOPE FOR HEMP FARMERS & CBD CONSUMERS](https://hellomd.com/articles/farm-bill-update-hope-for-hemp-farmers-and-cbd-consumers/)\n\nIn the United Kingdom, King’s College researchers are currently recruiting Alzheimer’s patients willing to use the cannabis-based drug Sativex, [to determine if it will reduce symptoms of aggression and agitation](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/uk-researchers-are-launching-a-phase-2-trial-looking-at-a-cannabis-based-therapy-for-alzheimers-2019-02-15).\n\nA 2014 Israeli study showed that mice injected with a molecule from humans with Alzheimer’s [measurably improved in functioning after only one week of treatment with CBD](http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/125564).\n\nA little closer to home, a 92-year-old woman diagnosed with dementia was able to wean off antipsychotic medication after [incorporating CBD into her daily regime](https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/11/03/alzheimers-disease-medical-marijuana/).  \n\n### How CBD Can Calm Alzheimer’s Symptoms\n\nThough Alzheimer’s research still isn’t conclusive, what we know is that CBD is generally considered a gentle addition to almost anyone’s health and wellness regimen. If you’re considering adding CBD to an Alzheimer’s medical program, please consult with your doctor to make sure there are no concerns, particularly that you—or the person you care for—don’t have any medical issues with adding CBD to the established treatment. \n\nAnd don’t buy into any hype about CBD curing Alzheimer’s disease. What it can do is help with some troubling symptoms. Small successes are huge when caring for someone with this debilitating condition and can help make the difference between a day filled with trauma or joy.\n\nBecause CBD has been shown to assist with anxiety and sleeplessness, it may prove useful in helping someone feeling agitated or restless, without the high associated with THC-containing cannabis. \n\nMany people prefer tinctures or gel caps for medical CBD use, in order to bypass the digestive tract and speed up the beneficial effects. You can even add CBD tinctures to water or juice, and many have a pleasant flavor—or none at all. \n\nStart with a tiny amount, such as 5–10 milligrams. Chances are you won’t notice any significant improvements until you build up to a higher dosage. Since there are typically no unpleasant side effects, you should feel confident in safely increasing your dose, as long as you’re using trusted products from a reliable source. \n\nIf you’re OK with inhaling CBD and need a quicker delivery system to help with anxiety, try using a hemp-derived CBD vape pen.  \n\nYou or the person you’re caring for should use CBD regularly to keep a level of the cannabinoid in your system. Be sure to keep a journal, noting at minimum:\n\n* The types of symptoms you’re experiencing\n* The time(s) you used your CBD product \n* The type of CBD product \n* The amount of product used\n* The results/how you felt after consuming\n\nOver time, you’ll find the right dose that works for you. \n\nIf, as research is beginning to suggest, CBD has neuroprotective components, it’s also an excellent choice for people wanting to address the potential of cognitive decline before it becomes an issue. \n\nYou can rest assured that providing CBD to a person who may not be able to choose for themselves is one of the safest, most compassionate ways to help them live their best life, even while coping with the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease.\n\nPhoto credit: [Esther Town](https://unsplash.com/photos/glpYh1cWf0o)\n\nIf you want to try CBD, but don’t know where to start? [Shop our selection of high-quality, lab-tested CBD products](https://www.hellolift.com/products) and have them shipped to your door. And if you have questions about CBD, [ask them](https://www.hellolift.com/answers) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/14b42/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/f836f/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 200w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/2244e/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 400w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/14b42/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 800w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/47498/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 1200w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/0e329/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 1600w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/ca9e1/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.jpg 1775w","srcWebp":"/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/58556/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/61e93/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 200w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/1f5c5/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 400w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/58556/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 800w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/99238/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 1200w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/7c22d/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 1600w,\n/static/ce282c2170fcd00442d594ea308aa4bc/9858d/d58e3430998204f5f3544ca7a658b197.webp 1775w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2762-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Defend Against Dementia Symptoms?","slug":"can-cannabis-defend-against-dementia-symptoms","content":"A new case of dementia is diagnosed about every four seconds. And while the overall incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and some other causes of dementia are dropping, the memory and cognitive problems caused by these disorders are likely to remain a major public health challenge for years to come. \n\nThe search continues for medications to stop or even reverse the progress of dementia—but cannabis may hold the key. Recent research on Alzheimer’s disease suggests that cannabinoids can act directly on the brain’s neurons. Cannabis has been shown to protect these neurons from the toxins and inflammation that kill brain cells and cause symptoms of dementia.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What Are the Symptoms of Dementia?\n\nDementia isn’t actually a disease. It’s the [term given to a set of symptoms](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/142214.php) that can include:  \n\n* Memory loss\n* Problems with executive functioning, such as making decisions and abstract reasoning\n* Personality and mood changes\n* Problems with coordination and movement\n* Deficits in speech and language\n* Failure of central nervous system functions \n\nDementia symptoms can be related to a number of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular problems and other kinds of health issues including:\n\n* Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for more than 60% of all U.S. dementia diagnoses\n* Vascular dementia, caused by cardiovascular disease that leads to poor blood flow to the brain\n* Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, which can cause dementia in later stages\n* Dementia with Lewy bodies, a relatively rare neurodegenerative disease related to abnormalities in brain structure \n* Strokes and mini-strokes\n* Traumatic brain injury\n* Toxins, including prescription medications\n* Metabolic disorders that create inflammation, such as Pick’s disease\n* HIV\n\nSome causes of dementia are temporary and reversible, including vitamin deficiencies, medicine reactions or interactions, and thyroid conditions. Even severe depression can cause dementia.\n\nBut although there are multiple avenues for developing dementia, the outcome’s the same: the death of neurons in the brain. This leads to the many symptoms of largely irreversible cognitive and physical impairment. \n\n### Toxins & Inflammation Attack Brain Cells & Cause Dementia\n\nAlzheimer’s disease is the most public face of the many causes of dementia, and a lot of research has focused on finding the causes of this memory-robbing disease. Scientists have learned that the brains of Alzheimer’s patients contain large amounts of a toxic protein called beta-amyloid 42. This protein clumps together to create plaque that accumulates between neurons and disrupts healthy functioning. Over time, neurons die, and the brain actually shrinks.  \n\nAn added factor in the development of Alzheimer’s is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. These are abnormal collections of another protein called tau inside the neurons themselves. These tangles also block transport systems between neurons so that they fail to communicate. \n\nBut what causes the buildup of beta-amyloid 42 and tau in the first place?  \n\nMany factors may play a role. People with Alzheimer’s disease often have other kinds of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes. These disorders interfere with the movement of blood, oxygen and glucose to the brain, and this can contribute to the buildup of plaque and tangles.\n\nThat said, recent research suggests it’s actually chronic inflammation that could be the cause.\n\nRELATED: [MEDICAL MARIJUANA AS AN AID AGAINST INFLAMMATION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a3f31338323000062f0000/medical-marijuana-as-an-aid-against-inflammation)\n\nStudies reveal that inflammation can develop within neurons themselves when a certain kind of cell called microglia fails to do its job. Microglia could be called the brain’s housekeepers, responsible for destroying waste and toxins in the brain. But when these cells don’t work properly due to inflammation, poor blood flow, glucose buildup and other factors, toxic beta amyloid plaque can accumulate inside neurons, causing them to become impaired and eventually die.  \n\n### How Cannabis Protects Neurons & Could Help Prevent Dementia\n\nA number of drugs have been developed to treat various symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia with varying degrees of success. But recent studies show that [cannabis may be better at protecting brain cells](http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/3/8/2689/htm) from inflammation and toxicity, thanks to its recognized effects on the body’s own endocannabinoid system (ECS).\n\nThe human body contains a rich network of cannabinoid receptors that respond both to natural cannabinoids produced in the body and to the very similar compounds produced by the cannabis plant. Researchers are still discovering new ways that the ECS affects overall health. Studies have shown that when cannabinoids from either source activate this system, it can trigger powerful responses that affect the:\n\n* immune system\n* central nervous system\n* and many other systems and organs in the body  \n\nWith the exception of the brainstem, ECS receptors are abundant in most areas of the brain, including inside the neurons themselves. Multiple studies have shown that cannabinoid compounds found in various strains of the cannabis plant including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Combinations of THC and CBD may be able to [help clear toxic beta amyloid plaque from neurons](https://www.salk.edu/news-release/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-from-brain-cells/) and reduce damage from inflammation in the brain.\n\nFor these reasons, cannabis is recognized as a potent neuroprotectant—meaning, it can shield vulnerable neurons in the brain from damage caused by events like traumatic brain injury and stroke. These same qualities can explain why cannabis can help reduce symptoms of dementia—or even prevent it from developing in the first place. \n\nBecause Alzheimer’s disease tops the list of dementia causes in the U.S., most research on cannabis for dementia has focused on that condition. But because of its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects on brain cells, cannabis can also be helpful for symptoms that come from other causes like vascular dementia or the neurodegenerative disorder Parkinson’s disease.\n\n### How to Consume Cannabis for Dementia Symptoms\n\nA combination of THC and CBD seems to be most effective in reducing dementia symptoms, especially those related to anxiety and mood changes. Marijuana can also help with sleep disorders including “sundowning,” the late-afternoon restlessness and anxiety that strikes many Alzheimer’s disease sufferers. \n\nThose with mild forms of cognitive impairment often choose to smoke or vape cannabis. But caregivers and family members can administer smoke-free consumption methods to people who have advanced problems with memory and self-care. These include marijuana tinctures and cannabis edibles. Patients can easily ingest precise cannabis doses when tinctures are added to their food or drink. And cannabis edibles, whether pre-made or homemade, mean the medicine’s effects last longer than with vaping or smoking. \n\nDementia has many causes, but the same result: damage to neurons that keep the brain functioning properly. Because it works with the body’s own ECS to protect and clear those vulnerable neurons, cannabis may be the key to relieving the symptoms of dementia at their source. \n\nPhoto credit: [Val Vesa](https://unsplash.com/@adspedia)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/14b42/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/f836f/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 200w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/2244e/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 400w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/14b42/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 800w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/47498/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/0e329/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 1600w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/43576/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.jpg 3653w","srcWebp":"/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/58556/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/61e93/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 200w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/1f5c5/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 400w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/58556/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 800w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/99238/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 1200w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/7c22d/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 1600w,\n/static/d67ee7db0e21b66a3bbffbba9466186a/35449/af192d8a36bba8efdc584cd005bee55b.webp 3653w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2723-markdown","title":"What Is Delta-8 THC & What’s It Good for?","slug":"what-is-delta-8-thc-and-whats-it-good-for","content":"When people talk about the effects of cannabis, they sometimes discuss the plant as if it were only made up of one chemical. In reality, each marijuana plant has hundreds of different chemicals, which include cannabinoids and terpenes. These all work together to create the effects we experience. While it’s a team effort, when it comes to both marijuana research and marketing, it seems like the only cannabinoids you hear about are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). While these two cannabinoid superstars are both highly potent and effective medicines, there are many more compounds to explore in the cannabis universe. \n\nToday, we turn our attention to a cannabinoid that’s starting to grow in popularity: delta-8 THC. What is this cannabinoid that we’ve heard so little about? And how can we use it to improve our own medicinal marijuana experience? \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What’s the Difference Between Delta-8 THC & Delta-9 THC? \n\nDelta-8 THC isn’t the THC that’s so often referenced in the cannabis world. When people talk about THC they usually mean delta-9 THC, the highly potent and psychoactive compound that’s found in high quantities in cannabis (once it’s been activated with heat). When you smoke or vape cannabis, delta-9 THC provides the majority of the psychoactive effects, and many of the medicinal ones, too. \n\n[Delta-8 THC is an analogue of delta-9 THC—a chemical with a similar structure—but it has differences as well](https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-drug/def/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol). Like delta-9 THC, this cannabinoid binds easily to the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system. It provides an array of medicinal effects like relief from nausea, pain and anxiety, as well as neuroprotection for the aging brain. It has also been found to [effectively bind to the CB2 receptor](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10658595). \n\nLike delta-9, delta-8 THC is also psychoactive. Still, researchers say that it has less psychoactive potency than its analogue delta-9. It appears to offer a more clear-minded experience with less anxiety. In general, research suggests that [delta-8 has about two-thirds of the potency of delta-9](https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpt1973143353). \n\nUnlike delta-9 THC, which in some strains can be found in percentages as high as 25%, delta-8 THC is found in very low amounts in cannabis. Usually this only makes up about 0.01% of the plant. Still, when isolated in a pure delta-8 THC extract, the cannabinoid has some important medicinal effects. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Nausea & Appetite \n\nOne of the most well-established uses of delta-8 THC is as an anti-emetic (nausea reducer) and appetite stimulant. In fact, there are already U.S. patents on its use as an anti-emetic. This solution is particularly helpful for patients undergoing treatment for cancer who often experience nausea. It has also been indicated as especially well suited for children. \n\nIn one study, researchers gave delta-8 THC to children ages 3–13 who were going through cancer treatments. [Those taking delta-8 THC were able to stop vomiting](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7776837) and had improvements in their nausea levels. Interestingly, researchers also found that these children didn’t experience any psychoactive effects as a result of taking delta-8 THC. While adults usually experience mild psychoactive effects with delta-8 THC, the children in this study seem to be immune from that particular effect.\n\nIn a similar vein, delta-8 THC has also been shown to improve appetite. One study using animal models found that [delta-8 THC improved appetite in mice](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15099912). While this works in a way similar to how delta-9 THC increases appetite, the study found that between the two, delta-8 THC was actually more effective as an appetite stimulant.  \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Cancer \n\nDelta-8 THC has also been researched for potential uses against cancer itself. One study looked at mice infected with lung cancer. Those who had been [treated with delta-8 THC for a period of 20 days actually had reduced tumor sizes](https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article-abstract/55/3/597/912322?redirectedFrom=fulltext) by the end of their treatment. Researchers also found that survival time went up when mice with cancer were treated with delta-8 THC. \n\nUnfortunately, little follow-up research has taken place after this important study was published in 1975. We need to do more research to know exactly how we might effectively use delta-8 THC during cancer treatment. While there’s much research left to do before we can confidently treat cancer with delta-8 THC, these results offer hope that this cannabinoid could be helpful in the ongoing fight against this disease. \n\n### Delta-8 THC for Memory\n\nIn addition to treating appetite, nausea and potentially cancer, delta-8 THC may also be a helpful neuroprotectant. This is an exciting advancement for those suffering from dementia and  Alzheimer’s disease. One study found that [mice treated with delta-8 THC actually increased their levels of acetylcholine in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3620017). This important neurotransmitter plays a key role in learning and memory. Because [lower levels of acetylcholine are associated with Alzheimer’s disease](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16273023), some believe that delta-8 THC has the potential to prevent, or maybe even reverse, this condition.\n\nAs with cancer, more research is needed to confirm these findings and develop treatment protocols. But there’s hope that delta-8 THC may become an effective treatment for dementia.\n\n### How to Use Delta-8 THC\n\nFinding delta-8 THC products is easier said than done. You can’t simply get a high delta-8 THC strain since the cannabinoid occurs in such low quantities in natural cannabis. There simply aren’t any strains that will give you noticeable effects from the delta-8 THC. \n\nStill, in California, and other western states that have well-developed cannabis industries, products with delta-8 THC extracts are becoming more readily available. The best delta-8 THC products are extracts that you can use with a vaporizer, or sublingual options which can be absorbed under the tongue. California brand Level has come up with a delta-8 THC tablingual\n\nEdibles designed to be eaten (rather than held under the tongue) should be avoided since delta-8 THC actually converts into delta-11 THC when processed through the digestive tract. Since delta-9 THC also converts into delta-11 THC when eaten, there’s no special benefit to eating delta-8 THC. \n\nIf you’re interested in consuming delta-8 THC for your medical needs, the best first step is to talk to a nurse or doctor with cannabis expertise. Your doctor can help go over your current conditions and let you know what cannabis options are best suited to you. Need to find a cannabis health professional? You can video-chat with HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors from the comfort and privacy of your own home. \n\nPhoto credit: [Brian Shamblen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23972840@N04/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/f836f/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/2244e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/14b42/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/47498/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/0e329/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/23f4e/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.jpg 1860w","srcWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/61e93/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/1f5c5/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 400w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/58556/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 800w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/99238/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1200w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/7c22d/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1600w,\n/static/2bd8979e9ae3dc6c3260520a1d9d3559/9f54b/a3b62264f3139b79d2ced4564bea2c39.webp 1860w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2628-markdown","title":"How Cannabis Works to Protect & Repair the Brain","slug":"how-cannabis-works-to-protect-and-repair-the-brain","content":"For decades, anti-drug campaigns have portrayed cannabis as a risky substance that not only opens the door to abusing harder drugs, but also causes a long list of harmful effects—including permanent damage to memory and cognition. More recently, though, numerous studies from around the world are revealing that far from destroying brain cells, compounds in cannabis are both uniquely able to protect them and support the growth of new ones.\n\nNow, this new research shows that the [potent neuroprotective properties of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabis compounds](http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/cannabis-and-the-brain-a-user-s-guide) may offer new hope for treating not only brain injury and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis, but also Alzheimer’s and aggressive cancers in the brain and body.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Marijuana Compounds Protect the Brain & Nerves in Many Ways\n\nNeuroprotectants are agents that help to reduce damage to the brain and nervous system caused by injury, exposure to toxins, or inflammatory processes or disease states in the body. These agents also encourage the growth and development of new neurons. Neuroprotectants take many forms, ranging from vitamins and synthetic drugs to herbs and natural substances such as marine algae.\n\nNow, a variety of studies indicate that cannabis may be among the most powerful of these, thanks to its action on the body’s cannabinoid receptors and [its own anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties](https://echoconnection.org/cbd-has-antioxidant-and-neuroprotective-properties-what-does-that-mean).\n\nNeurological damage can come from direct injury, such as in head trauma or a stroke. It can be caused by exposure to toxic substances, including alcohol and nicotine, or by various processes that damage the protective sheaths surrounding nerves or the nerve cells themselves.\n\nBut the cannabis compounds cannabidiol (CBD) and THC can protect against many causes of nerve damage and help repair damage once it happens by preventing inflammation; stimulating the growth of new, healthy cells; and encouraging the death of malignant ones.  \n\nThe endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an extensive network of receptors primed to respond both to cannabinoid substances naturally produced by the body and to cannabinoids from outside sources, most notably cannabis itself. The ECS is directly or indirectly responsible for supporting a variety of systems and processes in the brain and many organs and tissues; this helps explain why [cannabis can have such a wide range of neuroprotective effects](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10863546). \n\n### Cannabis Supports Healing From Brain Trauma & Injury\n\nThe brain can be injured in a variety of ways. Stroke is caused either by a burst blood vessel or a blockage in a blood vessel, so that neurons controlling various functions such as memory or coordination are damaged and die. Traumatic brain injury is caused by an impact to the head, which can lead to brain swelling and bleeding—and the subsequent damage and death of cells in the area.\n\nIn a variety of studies, cannabis has been shown to reduce the damage to brain cells caused by these kinds of events. But [cannabis is also capable of encouraging the growth of new brain cells](https://www.jci.org/articles/view/25509)—a process called neurogenesis that until recently seemed impossible under any circumstances. \n\n### Cannabis Fights the Effects of Neurotoxins on Brain Cells\n\nNeurotoxins—substances capable of causing neurological damage—come in a variety of forms, such as industrial solvents, pesticides, certain kinds of drugs as well as the more familiar alcohol and nicotine. These substances can damage or kill brain cells that govern memory, movement and other processes. [Cannabis, particularly the compound CBD, appears to be able to protect nerve cells](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15837565C) against inflammation caused by toxic substances, particularly the brain damage that can accompany chronic alcohol abuse.  \n\n### Cannabis Eases Symptoms of Neurological Disorders\n\n[Cannabis shows promise in treating the symptoms of serious neurological disorders](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022510X05000778) such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). These and other neurological problems typically involve inflammatory processes that disrupt the regulation of neurotransmitters in the brain and cause problems with movement and coordination.  \n\nCannabis compounds, especially CBD, have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help regulate the production of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, and reduce the severity of symptoms related to these kinds of disorders.\n\n### THC Fights Cancers of the Brain\n\nMuch of the research on the neuroprotective properties of cannabis has focused on CBD, which is non-psychoactive and strongly associated with supporting immune system functions and fighting inflammation. But psychoactive THC from the natural cannabis plant also has a role to play in protecting vulnerable cells—and, perhaps, in fighting some of the most aggressive and often untreatable cancers of the brain and other parts of the body.\n\nGlioma is a fast-growing, aggressive and mostly fatal kind of cancer that forms in the glial cells of the brain and, sometimes, the spinal cord. Because glioma is frequently inoperable, treatment options can be limited.\n\nBut [recent studies on the effects of cannabis on glioblastoma cell lines](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16078104?dopt=Citation) reveals that THC not only decreased the proliferation of malignant glial cells, it also triggered a process called apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In this process, THC was able to selectively target only the malignant cells, while ignoring the healthy ones. These preliminary findings support other research showing that cannabis may be able to target tumor development in the lungs, breast and other areas of the body.\n\n### A New Approach for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease\n\nOne of the [most promising areas for research on the neuroprotective properties of cannabis](https://www.alzheimers.net/6-15-15-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-alzheimers/) comes in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease—a progressive form of dementia believed to be caused by the buildup of proteins called beta amyloid plaque in the brain. A recent study sponsored by the Salk Institute reveals that a different process may be at work—and cannabis is uniquely positioned to affect it.\n\nThe Salk study found that inflammation caused by plaque occurs in cells themselves, and cannabinoid-like compounds manufactured by those cells may prevent them from damage and death. Because these THC-like compounds can exert a protective effect, [cannabis, especially with a significant THC content, may be able to protect brain cells](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25024327) from inflammation and damage related to plaque. And because cannabis appears to help promote the growth of new neurons, it could be helpful in slowing the development of Alzheimer’s disease once it develops.\n\n### Cannabis’s Effect on Memory Appears to Be Temporary\n\nAnd the effect of cannabis on memory? In sharp contrast to the rhetoric of the old (and not so old) anti-drug campaigns, this effect appear to be minimal and transitory—if they’re felt at all. A number of studies reveal no lasting impact on memory and cognition from consuming cannabis, especially for therapeutic purposes. Research continues to reveal new ways that cannabis in all its forms can be a potent neuroprotectant with the power to support, not harm, nerves and cells throughout the body and brain.\n\nPhoto credit: [Daniel Hjalmarsson](https://unsplash.com/@artic_studios)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEBf/EABYBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAv/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABvMRDLSYr/8QAGRAAAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDACIQ/9oACAEBAAEFAo05tXO3QqRmcnz/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARES/9oACAEDAQE/AY4ZP//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/Aar/xAAWEAADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDH/2gAIAQEABj8CET//xAAXEAEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABABEh/9oACAEBAAE/ISCNgcctlxEzPbW//9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABA8L//EABcRAQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAESH/2gAIAQMBAT8QORbF/8QAFhEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQAh/9oACAECAQE/EA5O/8QAGxABAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQARIWExQVH/2gAIAQEAAT8QdjqDW9tkVRk9JWB4iJV5mxn/2Q==","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/14b42/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/f836f/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 200w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/2244e/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 400w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/14b42/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 800w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/47498/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/0e329/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 1600w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/28567/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.jpg 4005w","srcWebp":"/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/58556/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/61e93/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 200w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/1f5c5/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 400w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/58556/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 800w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/99238/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 1200w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/7c22d/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 1600w,\n/static/a996b2bc9c7f8b478297487d7ed4d35c/b3373/c3aa5f36c0ee1fb972bd38651cd64683.webp 4005w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2613-markdown","title":"Top 5 Senior Conditions That Can Be Treated With Cannabis","slug":"top-5-senior-conditions-that-can-be-treated-with-cannabis","content":"In our golden years, we hope for a stress-free retirement, time to spend with family and maybe even a few adventures here and there. But what many of us also have to contend with is the potential for health problems. As we age, certain physical ailments seem to crop up—failing eyesight, stiff joints, and increased aches and pains. \n\nNormally, senior citizens are prescribed a host of pharmaceuticals to ease pain from varying conditions. But one treatment that mature Americans are increasingly seeking out is medicinal cannabis. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control, [cannabis consumption in people aged 55–64 rose from 1.1% to 6.1% from 2002–2014](https://www.livescience.com/57504-why-more-older-americans-smoking-marijuana.html), making them one of the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nBut can marijuana really help with health conditions faced by seniors? The compounds in the cannabis plant, cannabinoids, bind to our endocannabinoid receptor system (ECS). [The ECS is extensive, with receptors in nearly every part of the body](https://hellomd.com/articles/is-your-endocannabinoid-system-in-balance) including the pelvic area, gut and brain. That’s why cannabis can treat such a range of conditions in a variety of areas—the effective compounds in the plant can reach so many places because of its interaction with the ECS. \n\nSo, let’s see how medical marijuana can help combat the health conditions that become more prevalent as we age.\n\n### 1. Cannabis Can Ease the Pain of Glaucoma\n\nStudies as far back as the 1970s show that [cannabis eases interocular pressure](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/468444). This pressure buildup is a result of fluid not draining properly from the eye and is one of the most painful glaucoma symptoms.  \n\n[The American Glaucoma Society is cautious yet hopeful about using medicinal cannabis to treat glaucoma](http://www.americanglaucomasociety.net/patients/position_statements/marijuana_glaucoma)  and related eye problems. There’s some new research suggesting cannabinoid receptors are present in eye tissue—so the possibility exists for marijuana to target the actual eyeball, not just the pressure around it. There are also trials testing cannabis’s neuroprotective properties, with the thinking that marijuana could have a positive effect on optic nerves. \n\nMost patients suffering from vision issues smoke or vape marijuana, but researchers and anecdotal evidence report that interocular pressure is only relieved for short amounts of time—when the marijuana’s effects wear off, so do the benefits for people suffering from glaucoma. Apparently, a cannabis eye drop is in the works, but not available yet. So along with other therapies, cannabis edibles or tinctures high in cannabidiol (CBD) are advised because their effects last longer than vaping or smoking does. \n\n### 2. Arthritis Sufferers Say Marijuana Relaxes Joints & Muscles\n\nArthritis is an umbrella term for a variety of joint disorders that can result in mild stiffness to deformity. Traditional arthritis therapies like cortisone injections and opioids can carry serious side effects like nerve damage and breathing difficulties, respectively. \n\nSince CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, marijuana strains and products that are rich in this cannabinoid seem to work well for people with arthritis. Some arthritis sufferers smoke or vape cannabis while some choose tinctures or sublinguals as a smoke-free consumption method. But [many opt for marijuana topicals as a way to treat a specific area](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain). Plus, since cannabis used on the skin typically doesn’t reach the bloodstream (with the exception of transdermal patches), psychoactive effects are highly unlikely. \n\n### 3. Topical Cannabis Is An Effective Way to Treat Shingles\n\nShingles results from a dormant virus, the same that causes chicken pox, that reactivates later in life. It’s usually characterized by a painful rash or blisters that typically show up on the torso, but can also affect the arms, face and chest. Besides the unsightly rash, the pain from the virus is what most sufferers remember about the condition—and nerve pain may linger for months or even years after the rash disappears.\n\nFor pain, many people reach for a fast-acting vape pen. Vaping cannabis, like smoking, results in near immediate effects. Still, [many folks with shingles like to apply a topical marijuana product right on the affected areas](https://hellomd.com/articles/marijuana-and-shingles). A high-CBD salve, balm or oil can provide localized relief, quelling pain and decreasing inflammation. \n\n### 4. Cannabis’s Neuroprotective Properties Can Combat Dementia\n\nMemory problems are part of many people’s aging journey. On one side of the spectrum is forgetting where you put your keys, but on the other side are serious conditions like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Alzheimer’s and dementia. \n\nIn Alzheimer’s disease, proteins are thought to block the space between the brain cells that are responsible for memory. A 2016 study showed that the cannabinoid [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has the power to clear those proteins from the brain](https://www.salk.edu/news-release/cannabinoids-remove-plaque-forming-alzheimers-proteins-from-brain-cells/). THC has also been shown to help with appetite, sleep and anxiety—symptoms that are also experienced by dementia patients. \n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS COUNSELING: HELPING DEMENTIA & CANCER PATIENTS FIND RELIEF](https://hellomd.com/articles/medical-cannabis-counseling-helping-dementia-and-cancer-patients-find-relief)\n\nAs far as cannabis products for dementia go, it really depends on personal preference. For more mental clarity, an uplifting sativa like [Jack Herer](https://hellomd.com/strains/jack-herer) would be a good option for daytime consumption. At nighttime, an ideal strain might be [Bubba Kush](https://hellomd.com/strains/bubba-kush). Bubba Kush is an indica strain that’s said to aid in relaxation and sleep, and it’s also reported to stimulate appetite—a problem some Alzheimer’s patients suffer from. \n\nIf vaping or smoking isn’t a desired consumption method, try sublinguals. Most people feel the effects of sublinguals in as little as 10–15 minutes. Edibles might also be a good option as they’re smoke-free, and the effects last longer than other cannabis consumption methods. \n\n### 5. For Tinnitus & Hearing Issues, Turn to Marijuana\n\nTinnitus patients suffer from persistent ringing, hissing or buzzing in their ears. Throughout history, doctors thought that tinnitus was a result of something wrong with the ear, but now researchers are confident that it’s actually caused by the brain—or a breakdown in how the brain interprets signals sent by the ear. \n\nResearch on the brain’s plasticity—its ability to change and learn to react to new stimuli—shows that it’s influenced by the ECS. An animal study from 2009 found that the [brain’s circuits that break down with a tinnitus diagnosis are positively influenced by the ECS](http://www.pnas.org/content/108/18/7601), giving people hope that cannabis can be a viable therapy for hearing issues. \n\nBesides easing tinnitus symptoms, cannabis has the potential to help those with hearing issues relax as well as ease related symptoms like insomnia, depression and irritability. Because of CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, tinctures or cannabis flower that are high in CBD are a good place to start.\n\nAs we get on in years, we don’t have to accept poor health as a given. Ask your doctor if cannabis can be part of a holistic way to treat any health condition you’re confronting later in life—so you can have those adventures you dreamed of no matter what your age.  \n\nPhoto credit: [Lotte Meijer](https://unsplash.com/@lottemeijerfotografie)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's private, easy and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/14b42/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/f836f/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/2244e/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 400w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/14b42/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 800w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/47498/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/0e329/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 1600w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/80bea/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.jpg 3954w","srcWebp":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/58556/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/61e93/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/1f5c5/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 400w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/58556/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 800w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/99238/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 1200w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/7c22d/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 1600w,\n/static/1ca9e00b4544f9c39b707fe07001a54c/6ef45/1595b6da50c5ad58ebe69443f1f3022c.webp 3954w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2315-markdown","title":"Top 11 Health Benefits of Marijuana","slug":"top-11-health-benefits-of-marijuana","content":"Cannabis has moved out of the grey area and into its rightful position as a part of a healthy approach to overall wellness. In fact, a recent study released from Duke University and the University of Arizona found that [long-term marijuana use didn’t lead to a decline in health](http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2526003). In this study, 1,000 participants from New Zealand were tracked over a 40-year period, each with a minimum of 20 years of consistent cannabis consumption—smoking, specifically. \n\nThe study found no decline in lung function as well as no increase in high blood pressure or diabetes. Nor did it detect any other deterioration in physical health. The one caveat to the study was that the researchers found high levels of gum disease among the study participants. That said, this is a factor that could very well decrease as people move away from smoking marijuana towards vaporizing cannabis as well as consuming edibles or using cannabis-infused topical products. \n\nIn addition, no similarities were found between those who engaged in long-term tobacco smoking versus long-term marijuana smoking. Avshalom Capsi, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University and the co-author of the study, said that “overall damage to physical health is not apparent in this study.” \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Top 11 Reasons Why Marijuana Is Good for You\n\nThis study adds new scientific evidence to the thousands of years of anecdotal evidence, which show that cannabis isn’t bad for your health, nor can it kill you. Meanwhile, 595,690 deaths a year in the U.S. alone are attributed to tobacco. What we’re now finding is that cannabis provides a variety of health benefits for both healthy individuals and those struggling with various illnesses. \n\nHere are 11 key—and sometimes surprising—benefits of cannabis.\n\n### Benefit #1: Cannabis Regulates Metabolism & Weight Loss\n\nA survey conducted at Nunavik Inuit Health in 2004 found that the 57.4% of people in the survey, who said they used cannabis, had a lower average percentage of fat mass, body mass index and fasting insulin levels. There were statistically significant differences between the groups of people who self-reported as smoking cannabis compared to those who didn’t. \n\nSmoking cannabis in the last year was associated with a 56% lower likelihood of obesity. This is just one of the many studies that ties lower rates of obesity to cannabis consumers. Researchers found that cannabis consumers’ waists are 1.5 inches smaller on average than that of non-cannabis users. Cannabis is believed to help regulate your metabolism, also making it a factor in lowering the risk of diabetes. \n\nIn addition, for a number of folks, cannabis can get people off the couch and moving—whether it’s on the road or in the gym. In fact, some claim that marijuana increases athletic performance, for long-distance runners and swimmers in particular. Some athletes claim that it improves focus and the ability to push past previous limitations.\n\n![One benefit of marijuana: regulating metabolism & improving sports performance](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/588fcc137bf61c000cbbd136/embedded_images/588fcc167bf61c000cbbd138/Screen_Shot_2017-01-30_at_3.20.53_PM.png)\n_One of the many benefits of marijuana is improved sports performance, especially in long-distance running._\n \n### Benefit #2: Marijuana Helps Alleviate Depression\n\nDepression is one of the most common medical conditions in the world. In a 2015 study from the University of Buffalo, RIA senior research scientist Samir Haj-Dahmane, Ph.D., said, “In the animal models we studied, we saw that chronic stress reduced the production of endocannabinoids, leading to depression-like behavior.”\n\nThis means that cannabis can be used to supplement endocannabinoids lacking within our system, helping the body return to homeostasis and in turn reducing levels of depression. Cannabis also aids in relieving stress, which is one of the biggest risk factors for depression. \n\n### Benefit #3: Cannabis Slows the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease\n\nAlzheimer’s disease is currently the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It also causes mental disability for those afflicted many years prior to death. A study published in the _Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease_ in September 2014 found that, “THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) could be a potential therapeutic treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease through multiple functions and pathways.” This is believed to be due to the neuroprotective and antioxidant qualities of cannabis. \n\n### Benefit #4: Cannabis Relieves Arthritis\n\nArthritis is one of the leading causes of physical disability in the world. And it’s one of the most common kinds of chronic pain that people experience. The first recorded use of cannabis to help heal arthritis was in China nearly 4,000 years ago.\n\nTetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active compound in most strains of marijuana, has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, cannabidiol (CBD), which is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, helps regulate autoimmune conditions like arthritis.\n\n### Benefit #5: Marijuana Eases Chronic Pain\n\nOne of the most common reasons people miss work and have a decreased quality of life is due to various types of chronic pain. From PMS cramps to headaches to back pain, many people are debilitated by daily, overwhelming pain. Due to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, cannabis can help reduce pain whether it’s applied in the form of a topical or consumed orally. Cannabis consumption can also help greatly decrease the need for harsh, addictive opioids. \n\n![Marijuana eases chronic pain](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/588fcc137bf61c000cbbd136/embedded_images/588fccc42cf8a800084e13fc/Screen_Shot_2017-01-30_at_3.30.09_PM.png)\n_One of the benefits of cannabis is that it can relieve pain. Learn what the top strains for chronic pain are._\n \n### Benefit #6: Marijuana Lowers Blood Pressure\n\nOne-third of adults in the United States have high blood pressure or hypertension. This can lead to cardiovascular disease as well as strokes or heart attacks. Tobacco is one of the most common causes for high blood pressure, along with poor diet and lack of exercise.\n\nThere are a wide range of scientific and anecdotal studies to support how cannabis decreases blood pressure. Some researchers also believe that cannabinoids may have a protective role within the body, also leading to a decrease in blood pressure. \n\n### Benefit #7:  Marijuana Supports Recovery From Eating Disorders\n\nEating disorders are becoming an increasingly large problem across the world as many young people are exposed to constant media and peer pressure to be unattainably beautiful and thin. Cannabis can help regulate eating patterns, aiding with recovery from conditions like bulimia and other binge disorders.\n\nIt can also help stimulate appetite and regain a desire to eat in individuals with eating disorders like anorexia. Cannabis can also help reduce anxiety—both social and food related, which can lead many people down the path of eating disorders.\n\n### Benefit #8: Cannabis Provides Relief to PTSD Sufferers\n\nVeterans have become one of the most vocal supporters of cannabis legalization due to the incredible relief that cannabis can provide to people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Consuming cannabis can help reduce the stress and anxiety that PTSD sufferers struggle with every day. It also reduces the need for harder opioids and medications that can often worsen the symptoms of PTSD.\n\n### Benefit #9: Cannabis Reduces Nausea\n\nMany people experience nausea on a regular basis, whether it’s due to digestive problems, migraines or chemotherapy. Marijuana reacts with brain receptors to help regulate the feelings that are often associated with nausea.\n\nIt can also help decrease stomach pain and regulate your body’s digestive processes—as digestive issues often go hand in hand with feelings of nausea. Cannabis can also help stimulate appetite if people find themselves unable to hold food down, because they’re experiencing queasiness and an unsettled stomach. \n\n### Benefit #10: CBD Can Reduce Seizure Activity\n\nCBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana, can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of seizures. Medical marijuana legalization has been pushed through in many states due to the incredible effects that cannabis has on seizures.\n\nA study from the American Academy of Neurology published in 2015 found that there was, on average, a 51% decrease in the amount of seizures people experienced while using medical cannabis, as well as a 63% decrease in seizures for patients who had Dravet’s syndrome.\n\nA specific marijuana strain, Charlotte’s Web, was created particularly for a young girl who experienced extreme seizures. The strain is still widely used due to its effectiveness and lack of psychoactive side effects. \n\n![Another benefit of marijuana: It makes us feel good](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/588fcc137bf61c000cbbd136/embedded_images/588fcc157bf61c000cbbd137/Screen_Shot_2017-01-30_at_3.13.41_PM.png) \n_Another benefit of marijuana, specifically THC, is that it produces feelings of happiness._ \n\n### Benefit #11: Cannabis Makes You Happy\n\nLastly, for the vast majority of people, [marijuana induces a sense of euphoria and calm](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/582b86cce686fc000c657034/why-does-cannabis-make-you-feel-good). Happiness, or a general sense of well-being is something that everyone wants. Scientific studies show a connection between happiness, optimism and overall life satisfaction.\n\nCannabis activates a neurotransmitter in our brain called anandamide—also called the bliss molecule. This molecule, among other things, is responsible for making us feel happy. THC is responsible for stimulating anandamide, which is found both within our body as well as within cannabis itself.\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/14b42/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/f836f/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg 200w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/2244e/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg 400w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/14b42/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg 800w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/47498/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg 1200w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/54ac5/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/58556/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/61e93/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp 200w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/1f5c5/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp 400w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/58556/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp 800w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/99238/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp 1200w,\n/static/b0878d76d079f1945e473d7543502f16/5e0b8/12490c05851613cd37353723f5bce115.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2061-markdown","title":"Does Smoking Marijuana Make You Stupid?","slug":"does-smoking-marijuana-make-you-stupid","content":"It's a misconception that smoking marijuana makes you stupid or, in\nother words, that marijuana causes your IQ to decline. While this\nmisconception has been around for a long time, studies from prestigious\ninstitutions such as [Duke\nUniversity](http://www.pnas.org/content/109/40/E2657.abstract) that\npoint out a correlation only serve to further scare off people who could\nbenefit from marijuana. The reality is that reputable studies show\nlittle likelihood of a connection between smoking marijuana and a\ndecreased IQ, although they indicate other possible links to IQ\ndeclines.\n\n**Recent Studies**\n\nFlaws in the Duke University study quickly came to light. For example,\nthe study's findings were too preliminary to indicate a general truth,\nas only 38 of the 1,037 study participants used marijuana to the point\nthat they were diagnosed as addicted. The study also did not account for\nother [possible\nconnections](http://healthland.time.com/2012/08/28/does-weekly-marijuana-use-by-teens-really-cause-a-drop-in-iq/)\nto IQ declines such as trauma, abuse, and healthy or unhealthy family\nrelationships. In fact, a [follow-up\nstudy](http://www.pnas.org/content/110/11/4251.abstract) in 2012 pointed\nout that the Duke University study made no attempt whatsoever to look at\nthe implications of factors such as socioeconomic status, alcohol use\nand mental issues on IQ decline.\n\nTwo studies published in January 2016 indicate that there's no\nconnection between IQ and smoking marijuana. One study examined [2,235\nBritish children, aged 8 to\n16](http://jop.sagepub.com/content/30/2/159), while the other study\ncompared pairs of teenage American identical twins. One twin in each\npair smoked marijuana, while the other did not.\n\nThe twins study, which is actually a combination of [two twins\nstudies](http://www.pnas.org/content/113/5/E500.abstract), showed that\nthere was no noticeably different cognitive level between one twin and\nthe other. This held true no matter how heavy a cannabis smoker one twin\nwas. In order to qualify as a marijuana user, a twin had to have used\nmarijuana at least 30 times to date or every day for more than six\nmonths. Both types of siblings, smokers and nonsmokers, lost an average\nof four IQ points during the study. These results are powerful because\nthe DNA and similar upbringings of twins are a control for factors such\nas socioeconomic status. Interestingly, the study points toward the\nconclusion that middle-school children who are intellectually\nunder-challenged may be more likely to seek out marijuana. However, it's\nimportant to keep in mind that the twins self-reported their marijuana\nuse and IQ scores.\n\nThe study of British children controlled for extraneous factors and\nshowed that marijuana use prior to age 15 had no predictive effect on IQ\nor educational performance. In this study, about 25 percent of the\nchildren said they had tried marijuana at least one time, and almost 3.5\npercent had used it 50 times or more. Those who used marijuana heavily\ndemonstrated lower IQ scores and poorer educational performance, but\nafter researchers controlled for other variables, the marijuana\nassociation went away.\n\n**Positive Effects of Marijuana**\n\nThese study results are good news because marijuana has proven to be\nextremely helpful. For instance, it helps people better cope with pain\nranging from [chronic pain to menstrual\ncramps](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56cc9cf4bcf7810008000018/consuming-marijuana-every-day-the-pros-and-cons).\nIt also helps control blood sugar and weight gain, and sparks creativity\nin many people. It helps with [anxiety and\nstress](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-for-anxiety-and-stress-disorders)\nand even with PTSD. In cancer patients, marijuana not only alleviates\npain, it [increases\nappetite](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b14a863330370006050000/loss-of-appetite-from-cancer)\nand [combats\nnausea](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55a5842c6636300006510000/marijuana-shows-promise-as-a-treatment-for-chemotherapy-induced-nausea).\n\n**Negative Effects of Marijuana**\n\nAs with any substance, marijuana does come with some negative effects.\nPeople who smoke it may have respiratory issues such as wheezing and\nchronic bronchitis. Marijuana smoke may also damage the lungs, and for\nthe above two reasons, many people who use marijuana every day choose\nvaporizers or edibles.\n\n**Perception of Marijuana and IQ: Then vs. Now**\n\nIn the United States in the 1980s and 1990s, anti-drug ads pointed to\nso-called negative effects of marijuana: laziness, stupidity and lack of\ngood judgment. Whenever marijuana smokers were shown in movies, they\ncommonly took the form of incoherent stoners with endless appetites.\nPerceptions are now changing, as marijuana gains legal and social\nacceptance. For example, nearly 70 percent of Americans believe [that\nalcohol is more\nharmful](http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/04/14/6-facts-about-marijuana/)\nto a person than marijuana is, and more Americans support widespread\nlegalization than are against it. [Medical\nmarijuana](http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx)\nis legal in about half of U.S. states, and marijuana use is legal to a\ncertain non-medical extent in several states as well. And, of course,\nstudy after study shows that people need not worry about hurting their\nIQ if they smoke marijuana.\n\n**What Does Lead to IQ Decline?**\n\nSo, if marijuana doesn't lead to IQ decline, what does? One answer may\ncome in the form of a mix of factors, such as socioeconomic status,\nmental illness, alcohol, hard drugs and other influences touched on by\nmarijuana studies. For example, the British study indicated that teenage\nmarijuana users are more likely to have had problems in childhood and to\nbe cigarette and alcohol users.\n\nRather than decrease IQ, marijuana use for many people helps them\nstretch their mental and physical muscles. For example, it makes them\nhappier and less anxious, putting them in a more creative mood. It\ndecreases their pain levels, enabling them to exercise when they\npreviously wouldn't have been able to. In turn, that exercise promotes\nblood circulation, and that's great news for a healthy brain and a\nhealthy body. So, from one perspective, marijuana actually boosts\nintelligence, albeit in an indirect way.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3157894736842106,"src":"/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/ee604/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.png","srcSet":"/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/69585/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.png 200w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/497c6/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.png 400w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/ee604/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.png 800w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/ea5e2/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.png 986w","srcWebp":"/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/58556/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/61e93/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.webp 200w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/1f5c5/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.webp 400w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/58556/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.webp 800w,\n/static/0f91e8baf2720305a2c709d7949b5c02/457e0/3f42c7f3a77cb78da51efd1583bad40d.webp 986w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2022-markdown","title":"Medical Cannabis Counseling: Helping Dementia and Cancer Patients Find Relief","slug":"medical-cannabis-counseling-helping-dementia-and-cancer-patients-find-relief","content":"If you are in the cannabis industry in Northern California, it does not take long before you hear the name Eloise Theisen (MSN, RN, AGPCNP-BC), the founder of [Green Health Consultants](http://www.greenhealthconsultants.com/). Eloise spent 15 years as a patient-focused nurse specializing in cancer, epilepsy, chronic pain, ALS, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, PTSD, fibromyalgia, and various autoimmune and neurological diseases. She founded Green Health Consultants because she saw a gap in the market for services that catered to patients needing individualized cannabis counseling. \n\nGreen Health Consultants is unique in that it is one of the first such services being provided within the state of California. Eloise has an extensive medical background as well as in-depth experience with cannabis treatments. This experience provides credibility as she helps develop individualized treatment plans for her patients in collaboration with dietitians and/or a patient's doctor. Unlike your local dispensary’s ‘bud tender’ (people who help you select cannabis at a dispensary), Eloise is able to thoroughly evaluate a patient’s medical history and current diagnosis. Through this analysis she is better able to guide her patients towards the best application of medical cannabis. \n\nEloise counsels patients [in person, over Skype or by telephone](https://www.vcita.com/v/ghc.eloisetheisen) and will often stay with patients throughout a treatment plan giving additional counsel when needed to ensure the right treatment plan is found. Since opening her service in Northern California last year, Eloise has seen a full roster of patients on a weekly basis. She has been covered by [CBS](http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2015/09/12/senior-citizens-bay-area-medical-marijuana-club/), [Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/health/2015/09/04/how-weed-is-being-embraced-by-wellness-movement.html), [Newsweek](http://thenationalmarijuananews.com/2015/09/could-legal-marijuana-be-the-first-billion-dollar-industry-not-dominated-by-men/) and [SF Gate](http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Rossmoor-seniors-fired-up-about-curative-powers-6210220.php) among others.\n\n**What led you to start Green Health Consultants?**\n\nI was an Oncology nurse for thirteen years and in addition I did palliative care as well as hospice care. During this time I went into management at John Muir hospital in Walnut Creek, where I managed the oncology, geriatric and endocrine units. Around this time, I unfortunately got in a terrible car accident. I was injured badly and essentially became disabled. Unable to work, I lost my job and I ended up trying to manage my pain with standard pharmaceuticals with little to no success. A close friend pushed me to try cannabis, and after a certain point I decided I had nothing left to lose, so I tried it. It was the first time I felt my pain was well managed. I started with [edibles](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a7ce0f6f24d1300077ccb3d/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-edibles-answered), then I did a lot of high CBD, [full extract cannabis oil](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/562fc90bb8c41f000c000000/cancer-cannabis-oil-and-the-united-kingdom) and I smoked periodically. Eventually, I decided to wean myself off of all pharmaceuticals and I used cannabis to go through the withdrawals.\n\nDuring this time, while I was going through my journey to better health, I realized none of the medical professionals knew how to help me with cannabis. In fact, when I told them of my success with cannabis, they did not even have much curiosity to find out more. I had worked with many of them and I knew them well, so I was surprised. As a result of my experience, I decided to go back to school to become a nurse practitioner, initially thinking I might go back to oncology. I was doing my nursing hours at a local clinic and about 50% of my patients started asking me about incorporating cannabis into their treatment plan. With my own success with cannabis, I realized the need for someone to guide patients in how to properly incorporate cannabis into their treatment regimen.\n\nThere is such a gap from when the doctor gives a person their recommendation to when they take their medicine. So many physicians I knew did not want to deal with it, as they did not want their patients to get hurt or to fall into a hole. So essentially, they turn their back on it. My point has always been that patients are already using it, and it is in the physician’s best interest to help their patients find the right solution. Patients need to learn and become educated so that they can take the medicine safely and effectively.\n\nWhen I was injured, I met an experienced cannabis oil maker. She knew I was a nurse practitioner and she was looking for a case manager, for someone to follow her patients throughout their treatment. Working with her I researched applications of cannabis, learned best practices, monitored drug interactions and potential side effects. This experience really helped influence and shape my knowledge base, giving me the more in depth experience for when I opened my business just over a year ago.\n\n**What are the most common conditions you treat within your practice?**\n\nPain, sleep and dementia are some of the most common ailments people would like to treat when they see me. Based on my oncology background, I see a lot of cancer patients. Many people with cancer find me online and are seeking symptom management and may or may not be dealing with chronic pain. Probably 50% of my patients are oncology patients and around 50% are [senior citizens](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b929f53632330006140000/retirees-flock-to-states-with-medical-marijuana).\n \nA lot of seniors that come to see me are from Rossmoor, a local retirement community here in the East Bay of San Francisco, but I also see seniors from all over California. In most cases, senior citizens need a lot of reinforcement and ongoing education. They are used to being told to take a certain dosage at certain times of day, but cannabis does not typically work this way, so they need a lot of extra support. I typically spend at least an hour with a senior patient and often my consultations continue so that I may help them with the appropriate type of medication and ongoing dosage recommendations. Many times it takes time to find the right combination.\n\nThe [‘Truth About Cancer’](https://go2.thetruthaboutcancer.com/global-quest/episode-1/) is a video series that was recently released and based on that, I have gotten a lot of people seeking my services. I also do a lot of patient outreach and education, so that people start to understand better the options that are available to them.\n\n**You are also active with the American Cannabis Nurses Association?**\n\nYes, I am a board member on the [American Cannabis Nurses](http://americancannabisnursesassociation.org/), a national organization dedicated to expanding the knowledge base of endo-cannabinoid therapeutics among nurses. We are developing a curriculum so that people who would like to advise others can become competent in cannabinoid therapies. ACNA currently offers a course for nurses that demonstrates competency after 6 hours of instruction. At the beginning of the year we hope to launch a new online program. There is a great need for education and standards among nurses and nurse practitioners.\n\n**People often ask “Can CBD oil cure cancer?”  What is your answer to this question?**\n\nThis is a big topic and I try to be as straightforward as possible when people come to me asking this question. People with cancer are desperate for an answer and most people hope for a miracle cure. From my experience in treating hundreds of patients, I can count on my two hands the number of people I have known that have gone from stage 4 and have 'cured themselves' of cancer. Many within that handful, the cancer did come back and some have since passed away. \n\nI am not sure that we fully understand how [CBD oil can cure cancer](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55f4574a3366380006540000/government-cancer-study-shows-cannabis-kills-cancer-cells). Everyone’s response is unique and often THC is needed. CBD only has been, in my experience, less effective than a combination of THC and CBD. That said, it does reduce tumors and stabilize their tumors and most importantly there is a quality of life that comes along with its use. Often people will use it in conjunction with their chemotherapy, and I believe there is only positive value in using CBD oil in addition to traditional therapies. I believe there are a lot of misconceptions about CBD oil and people read various things online that may not be true.\n\n**What guidance do you give to senior citizens who are new to cannabis?**\n\n85% of my elderly patients have never tried cannabis and the average age of an elderly patient who sees me is about 76. These people typically missed the time period in the sixties where everyone was smoking weed at the Grateful Dead. My number one concern for them is their safety, so I always start them “low and slow”. It is important for them to know that typically there is no magic bullet and that this process may take time in order to find the right dosage and ratio. \n\nMost often, an elderly person will not understand self-titration, so I spend a lot of time with them to empower them with going up and down on their dosages. I try to tell them what they should expect based on what is the most common outcome, but I also prepare them for the fact they might be on the opposite end of the spectrum. Sometimes, I get really complicated cases, mainly women who have mystery illnesses where their doctors have been unable to help them. Although I would like to work with their doctors, many people do not want me to tell their doctor and frankly many doctors are still not open to an elderly patient seeking out cannabis as a treatment. This is very unfortunate.\n\n**How do you help people actually get the right medicine for their condition?**\n\nIt depends on where the patient is located. If they are local to me it is easier as I work with a local dispensary, which carries the medicine I prefer to use. If someone is not local, sometimes I will call the local dispensary for them to find out if they are willing to carry products I would like to recommend. It can be challenging, because even dispensaries that carry the products I recommend, may run low or be out of stock. It’s important people go to the right dispensary and get the right medication for their condition.\n\n**There have been new studies on how cannabis may affect dementia, what are your thoughts on this?** \n\nThis is a hot topic. Dementia is a big issue and I work with a facility that is an assisted care facility where many of the dementia patients are in a locked unit. Often they will have very aggressive behavior which pharmaceuticals are unable to manage. Cannabis has been shown to help with aggressive behavior. Most of the dementia patients I see, we use cannabis to manage their behavior not to actually slow down the onset of dementia. These patients often become so aggressive that they need one on one care, which many families are unable to afford. An aggressive dementia patient will often disrupt other residents and often they may even be on the verge of being kicked out of the facility. This is a really, really big problem. Right now, I have a patient who had to be removed from his living situation within his facility. We are in the midst of finding the right dosage of medication for him, so he can better manage his behavior and frankly, have a better quality of life.\n\nCannabis for a dementia patient can bring relaxation, happiness and joy back into a patient’s life. Dementia can cause aggression, anger and total loss of control. The introduction of cannabis can bring back a sense of calm and peace for these patients. A positive outcome with cannabis can be very powerful for both the patient and the family. Family members can be so stressed about taking care of a family member with dementia. It negatively impacts everyone involved.\n\n**Can cannabis help people get off of and stop chronic over use of pharmaceutical drugs?**\n\nIn my experience it certainly seems to help. Recently I treated a patient that was about to be moved to a care facility for the onset of dementia. I learned she had been on narcotics for over 40 years and so we decided to slowly wean her off the narcotics and have her use cannabis as the replacement. Very quickly she became a different person, for the better, and she became as sharp as a tack. People were amazed because what they believed was dementia was actually the side effects of so many years of narcotic use. The cannabis was able to help her manage chronic pain and allowed her to sleep well. She is a new woman! She is now able to stay in her independent living facility where she lives today. This patient is the walking poster child of how cannabis can turn someone’s life around for the better. Yes, cannabis can help people get off of pharmaceuticals.\n\n**What else would you like to communicate to people who are new to cannabis?**\n\nI think people need to manage expectations as to what cannabis can do for them and in what time frame. At the moment, cannabis is on a pedestal as almost a ‘cure all’. It is often superior in terms of effectiveness in lieu of other medications, but at the same time many people need to realize that some things may not work for them and it will often take time to explore what does actually work. Often people will try cannabis, it does not work well for whatever reason, and then they want to give up trying. Sometimes it takes a lot of back and forth to find the right medication and the right dosage. \n\nI also think it is important for a medical professional to follow someone who is new to cannabis, throughout the initial stages of their treatment. Too often people get their recommendation and that’s it. They go to the dispensary ‘bud tenders’, they get the wrong medication and then receive free samples on top of that, and often things will go terribly wrong for the patient. What I really hope for is better education, outreach and for medical professionals to step up and help patients out when they need it most.\n\nGreen Health Consultants operates within the San Francisco Bay Area and welcomes new patients both nationally and internationally. You may book an [appointment online](https://www.vcita.com/v/ghc.eloisetheisen). Eloise conducts her consultations in person, over the phone or on Skype.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/14b42/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/f836f/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/2244e/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 400w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/14b42/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 800w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/47498/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 1200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/54ac5/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/58556/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/61e93/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/1f5c5/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 400w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/58556/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 800w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/99238/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 1200w,\n/static/e51d16687ead3f07b32db0551119a2be/5e0b8/7b38d96b8bd9a699fa50212b9c08bdca.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1873-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana Roll Out Flops in Illinois, is the Problem Interest or Access?","slug":"medical-marijuana-roll-out-flops-in-illinois-is-the-problem-interest-or-access","content":"A bill to allow medical marijuana was signed in the state of Illinois in 2013.  Though the program is not yet operational in the state, problems have been piling up for the medical marijuana market in Illinois.  Over 40 conditions qualify under the Illinois state law, including Cancer, Crohn's Disease, and Alzheimer's, and patients who qualify are allowed to buy up to two and a half ounces of cannabis for every 14 days. In the first 9 months of roll out, only 2,500 patients have applied and been accepted for medical marijuana cards.  There was an initial estimate of about 75,000 people expected to be signed up for the program within the first year.  Illinois has a particularly extensive process to get approved for medical marijuana cards including fees, background checks, doctors visits, finger printing, and a paper application.  No online alternatives or applications are available in Illinois for the medical marijuana industry.  One immediate assumption for the lack of customers in the medical marijuana industry in Illinois is the delayed ability of people to be able to receive medical marijuana in state.  \r\n\r\nToday, in 2015, patients who have fought so hard to gain the ability to access medical marijuana for their conditions are still not able to access their medicine. 18 cultivation and 52 dispensary licenses, however, were handed out in February.  The limited number left many people eager to be a part of the new industry out in the dust, but the most pressing issue is the lack of medical marijuana available in the state to date. Illinois residents, who have already been approved for the medical marijuana plan, still are not able to bring medical marijuana in from other states either.  Many of the businesses are worried about being able to open successfully, now that the amount of customers is still so low. The lack of patients may lead to a delay or thinning in the roll out of actual dispensaries in the area. \r\n\r\nIllinois, unlike many other states who offer medical marijuana, requires people to qualify under a specific condition, rather than being allowed to use medical marijuana for ailments such as chronic pain or generalized anxiety.  Both pain and anxiety are two of the oldest uses for medical marijuana.  Medical marijuana has been used across the Middle East and Asia to, “destroy anxiety and bring joy”.  Marijuana was also the earliest general anesthetic used during surgical procedures and was used to relieve general pain.  The Illinois restrictions which do not allow people to be prescribed for general issues cuts off access for some of the people who could greatly benefit from the use of medical marijuana.  In the case of many conditions, medical marijuana provides an alternative to harsh pharmaceuticals.  Many traditional prescription medications such as opioids and medications used to treat mental disorders can have harsh side effects, including particular medications with high levels of dependence and addictive qualities. In states where medical marijuana has been approved, there has be a 25% decrease in overdoses on opioids. There has been talk, however, of expanding the list of qualifying medical conditions. \r\n\r\nSince the medical marijuana industry is new across the country, and particularly in the state of Illinois, there are also trepidations by patients and doctors to prescribe and take medical marijuana.  In Illinois, people must receive a prescription from their regular treatment doctor.  In many other states, people can seek medical marijuana licenses from any doctor.  Many physicians in Illinois are not comfortable with prescribing medical marijuana because they do not know much about it.  Some patients, also, do not feel comfortable requesting it from their doctors due to stigma or judgement.  Due to some doctors inclinations against medical marijuana in Illinois, patients do not always feel as if they have a safe space to express their ideas of trying medical marijuana to help with their ailments.  The stigma against medical marijuana is decreasing, but many people want a safe space to feel like they can express their desires to try it. \r\n\r\nSome people, whether restricted by resources, stigma, or mobility, may not have the ability to schedule doctors office visits.  Programs running in other states, like HelloMD in California, allow patients to speak to doctors online from the comfort of their own home.  These doctors are also more well versed in the uses and products in the medical marijuana industry, so they are great resources for patients who are new to using medical marijuana.  HelloMD, and programs like it, give all patients the tools they need to be able to fully access the benefits of medical marijuana.  \r\n\r\nOne of the largest issues that patients face in the medical marijuana roll out is access to the products they need. States, in large numbers, are recognizing marijuana’s medical purpose in helping treat a wide range of conditions. In Illinois, patients fought hard to gain the access to medical marijuana, but still are not able to get it the products they need. It is important that as states move foreword with medical marijuana, they recognize all of the steps that are needed to implement a successful medical cannabis program within their borders.  Producers must be established in the state and distribution plans should be put in to place so when patients are granted access to medical marijuana, they are actually able to use it. The restriction on qualifying conditions also leaves many people who could benefit from medical marijuana from accessing it.  The quick expansion of medical marijuana across the United States has begun to open the door for access, but much can be done to provide people with the medical products they really need.\r\n\r\n[photo source](https://www.flickr.com/photos/francisco_osorio/8228710532/in/photolist-dx9hXw-cc59Sw-6y5h3e-cJxAEY-9zPHvt-9866ZQ-cJorC1-8VENMy-d2Tn1f-2KwNTS-h1P3a4-9biVkj-hjj2fD-7bEsuE-e3vXtG-4rhCSh-d9LUFW-xXdZu-7x6Sq6-5SVGHV-xXebu-e6ozvb-79J7Eb-aBnCE3-e2UGzB-pcuLz-d2TmHm-cJorDA-79EgEe-aioWPk-mBvTwd-9eC7PJ-mBuKpn-5q6Suw-q6bu3C-7xaEZb-7x6SsM-8uKeGF-9tZy8P-aiqKtD-hj6tRi-kpRPx1-dMheMz-oFEZpJ-dMnNxS-qggAwL-AKC4i-bA3eBS-dzXg6p-dA3JXs)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/14b42/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg","srcSet":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/f836f/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 200w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/2244e/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 400w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/14b42/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 800w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/16310/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/58556/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/61e93/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 200w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/1f5c5/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 400w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/58556/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 800w,\n/static/b8a88d97e3d968f8b102b815e40aa436/cc834/0cab0b367f63b895b20b6a9058986245.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1864-markdown","title":"Alzheimer's and Medical Marijuana: Mind-Saving, not Mind-Blowing","slug":"alzheimers-and-medical-marijuana-mind-saving-not-mind-blowing","content":"Alzheimer's disease is a devastating illness. People with Alzheimer's\r\nsuffer from progressive memory loss, cognition impairment, physical\r\ndeterioration and eventual death. Current treatment methods can slow\r\ndisease progression, but they do not stop or prevent it.\r\n\r\nRecent studies have shown that medical marijuana may help with\r\nAlzheimer's symptoms, slow progression and provide some prevention.\r\n\r\nAlzheimer's and the Brain\r\n-------------------------\r\n\r\nAlzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in the United\r\nStates. The [Alzheimer's\r\nAssociation](http://www.alz.org/facts/downloads/facts_figures_2015.pdf)\r\nestimates that in 2015, 5.3 million Americans will have Alzheimer's. It\r\nis the sixth leading cause of death in total, and is responsible for\r\n[32% of\r\ndeaths](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3976898/pdf/nihms556929.pdf)\r\nin adults 65 and older in the United States.\r\n\r\nIn Alzheimer's, protein plaques, called beta-amyloids, build up between\r\nthe nerve cells, particularly those responsible for memory and\r\ncognition. The plaques disrupt cell communication leading to loss of\r\nfunction. Additionally, tau proteins form tangled fibers inside the\r\nbrain cells, preventing nutrients from reaching the cells. Both\r\nabnormalities eventually cause cell death.\r\n\r\nAlzheimer's may also affect the cannabinoid system in the body.\r\n[Endocannabinoids](https://medium.com/@dennishill/how-do-cannabinoids-kill-cancer-e4660eddd1e6),\r\nnaturally occurring chemicals in the body, interact with cannabinoid\r\nreceptors in the brain and immune system and are responsible for\r\nhomeostasis.\r\n[Research](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931550/) shows\r\nthat Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis -\r\nall neurodegenerative disorders similar to Alzheimer's - reduce\r\ncannabinoid system function. These reductions cause many of the symptoms\r\nof these illnesses, including anxiety, sleeplessness, and appetite loss.\r\n\r\nCannabis and the Brain\r\n----------------------\r\n\r\nAbout 150 years ago, medical marijuana was introduced in England to\r\ntreat a number of conditions, including senile dementia. In 1890, Sir J.\r\nRussell Reynolds, physician to Queen Victoria, wrote in\r\n[*Lancet*](http://www.onlinepot.org/medical/Dr_Tods_PDFs/s3_3.pdf) that\r\nhe \"found nothing comparable in utility to a moderate dose of Indian\r\nhemp,\" or marijuana, for treating senile insomnia.\r\n\r\nDue to its chemical composition and effects on the brain, cannabis\r\nshould be studied with regards to Alzheimer's. Recent\r\n[studies](http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/58/3/389.full.pdf)\r\nhave found that the cannabinoids in marijuana, particularly\r\ndelta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), successfully\r\nstimulate appetite, improve sleep and reduce anxiety in Alzheimer's\r\npatients.\r\n\r\nCannabis may also help slow disease progression. [Iuvone et\r\nal.](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19228180) found that CBD reduces\r\nthe inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. [Eubanks, et\r\nal.](http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/mp060066m?prevSearch=THC&searchHistoryKey=),\r\nfound that THC inhibits the buildup of amyloid plaques, and does so\r\nbetter than the Alzheimer's drugs donepezil and tacrine. They also found\r\nthat cannabis interferes with neurotransmitter degradation and may halt\r\nthe formation of tau fiber tangles, which has potential preventative\r\nimplications.\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\n----------\r\n\r\nResearch is just beginning regarding the benefits of treating\r\nAlzheimer's patients with cannabis, but these early findings are\r\npromising and provide direction for further study.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3986013986013985,"src":"/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/14b42/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/f836f/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.jpg 200w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/2244e/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.jpg 400w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/14b42/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.jpg 800w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/16310/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/58556/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/61e93/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.webp 200w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/1f5c5/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.webp 400w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/58556/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.webp 800w,\n/static/c43b0e8e8305e19ee03b53ccca1099c5/cc834/517d811e1d5067ab5e35ee43666764aa.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":4936,"name":"Alzheimer's Disease","slug":"alzheimer's-disease","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}