{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/arthritis/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_3089-markdown","title":"New Cannabis Study Shows Promise for Arthritis Sufferers","slug":"new-cannabis-study-shows-promise-for-arthritis-sufferers","content":"A fascinating 2019 study is getting the attention of both the cannabis community and people suffering from arthritis. \n\n[CreakyJoints](https://creakyjoints.org/) a worldwide, digital community for millions of arthritis sufferers and caregivers conducted the study. The organization, founded in 2009, addresses all forms of arthritis and offers:\n\n* Education\n* Support\n* Advocacy\n* Patient-centered research\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_us/?utm_medium=copy_link/)\n\nCreaky Joints presented the findings of the study in June 2019 at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Madrid. Titled “[Patients’ Perception and Use of Medical Marijuana](http://scientific.sparx-ip.net/archiveeular/?view=4&c=a&searchfor=nowell&item=2019THU0644),” the study involved 1,059 participants living in the United States who had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis or musculoskeletal diseases. \n\nSeveral surprising findings emerged:\n\n* More than half of the respondents (57.3%) reported trying marijuana rich in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD) for medical purposes.\n* A stunning 97% of respondents taking THC and 93% of CBD consumers stated their symptoms improved after consuming cannabis.\n* Only 64% of patients told their doctor about their cannabis consumption.\n* Of those patients, 58% of those who spoke with their doctor received no information on cannabis safety, effectiveness or dosage.\n\nStudy participants stated they took THC or CBD-rich cannabis to help with:\n\n* Pain\n* Sleeplessness\n* Relaxation\n* Depression\n* Nausea\n* Physical function and fatigue\n\nDespite the overwhelming responses indicating their symptoms lessened during the study:\n\n* 31% of respondents stopped taking cannabis containing THC because of its illegality.\n* 33% of CBD consumers cited the high cost of CBD products as a factor in stopping cannabis consumption.\n* 21% of THC consumers quit because of the costly hit to their wallets.\n\n“Anecdotally, and via this survey data, we know that there are many people with arthritis who benefit from marijuana and CBD products. However, we have to temper our potential excitement about adding these products to an arthritis management strategy because there is so much yet to learn about how these supplements interact with people’s prescribed and over-the-counter medicines and if, in fact, they can be proven to positively impact a person’s experience of disease and symptoms,” says W. Benjamin Nowell, Ph.D, Director of Patient-Centered Research at CreakyJoints.\n\nThe study authors concluded that:\n\n* Patients need to openly communicate with their health care providers about cannabis consumption.\n* Randomized trials are needed to truly understand how cannabis helps arthritis sufferers.\n* Access to tested, regulated marijuana and CBD products is critical for patients taking cannabis medically. \n\n### How Does Marijuana Help With Arthritis\n\nBecause arthritis is an inflammatory condition, and because cannabis is widely known to have anti-inflammatory properties, doctors like Dr. Benjamin Caplan of the Center for Educational Documentation (CED) Foundation in Boston are prescribing cannabis to people with arthritis. \n\nDr. Caplan notes that [unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids, ibuprofen or biologics, cannabis operates differently, with far fewer dangerous side effects](https://www.forbes.com/sites/abbierosner/2019/04/15/new-study-suggests-cannabis-may-be-effective-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-and-why-it-may-not-matter/#6bfcdf58561). \n\nAnd unlike traditional arthritis medications, the numerous routes of administration for cannabis enables folks to build a flexible cannabis medication regimen, which results in a person feeling more empowered and engaged in their treatment. \n\nEndocannabinoids are involved in the body’s inflammatory response, and arthritic patients often have elevated endocannabinoid levels in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. Some research points to the possibility that [THC and CBD relieve pain](https://www.labroots.com/trending/cannabis-sciences/13709/cannabis-help-arthritis) because they make up for an imbalance  in the endocannabinoid system (ECS).\n\nRELATED: [TREATING ARTHRITIS PAIN VIA THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM](https://hellomd.com/articles/treating-arthritis-pain-via-the-endocannabinoid-system/)\n\n### Cannabis & Rheumatoid Arthritis \n\nFor years, rheumatoid arthritis has been among one of the qualifying conditions that states allow when legislating medical marijuana. A Chinese text dating back to 2000 B.C. even cites cannabis use as way to “undo rheumatism.” \n\nResearch shows that CBD suppresses the immune response in animals that results in arthritis-like illnesses, and [human studies](https://www.safeaccessnow.org/arthritis - arthritis) show that cannabis consumption:\n\n* Increases mobility\n* Improves morning stiffness \n* Enables arthritis sufferers to reduce their use of NSAIDs\n\nAnother [study published in the British Society for Rheumatology’s journal _Rheumatology_ ](https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/45/1/50/1788693) found that the use of Sativex—a cannabis-based pharmaceutical—resulted in “statistically significant improvements in pain on movement, pain at rest and quality of sleep,” with few adverse side effects noted. \n\nThe low-risk side effects of cannabis are a primary reason that many medical marijuana consumers are motivated to reduce their use of potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs by incorporating cannabis into their health care plan.\n\n### How to Start a Medical Cannabis Regime for Treating Arthritis\n\nBefore you begin any new health regime, you should first consult with your doctor. If you live in a state where cannabis is legal, seek out further consultation with a doctor or health care provider familiar with cannabis. \n\nDispensaries often employ a particular staff person with expertise in specific health conditions. Don’t be afraid to ask for the expert in the room, and never stop using your prescribed medications without working hand-in-hand with your doctor. \n\nHere are a few tips to get you started if you’re thinking about incorporating cannabis into your arthritis care plan:\n\n* **Start slow with marijuana topicals**: Now that there are many excellent topical products on the market, look for cannabis lotions, rubs or salves that can be applied throughout the day with no concern that they will make you feel high. \n* **New to cannabis? Try CBD first**: If you’re concerned about the psychoactive effects of cannabis with THC, try CBD-rich cannabis products first to see if they will work for you. Like THC-rich marijuana, CBD now comes in every type of consumable format—from beverages and pills to flower you can smoke in a pipe or a joint.\n* **Track your progress with a journal**: Try to determine the amount of product you’re consuming. CBD must build up in your system before you can feel the optimal effects, so experiment with your dosages and increase over a few days to a week.\n* **Try to add some THC into your regime**: THC is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Though it’s not for everyone, it works together with CBD to reduce inflammation. There are excellent, dose-specific products on the market that enable people to precisely titrate a dose so that you won’t be subject to discomfort. Try taking THC products before bed. Hopefully, you’ll wake up following a great night’s sleep.\n* **Layer your cannabis products**: Many chronic pain sufferers rely on a variety of cannabis products throughout the day—starting with more energizing strains in the morning, and moving to stronger, pain-alleviating products toward the evening.\n* **Follow up with a cannabis professional**: If you’re not getting results, you may need a change in products or dosages. \n\nPhoto credit: Aaron Amat/Shutterstock.com\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-what-you-need-to-know-about-marijuana/) index of articles. And if you have questions about cannabis, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/14b42/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/f836f/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 200w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/2244e/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 400w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/14b42/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 800w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/47498/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/0e329/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 1600w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/ffa36/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.jpg 1773w","srcWebp":"/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/58556/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/61e93/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 200w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/1f5c5/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 400w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/58556/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 800w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/99238/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 1200w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/7c22d/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 1600w,\n/static/1800335d40e816049732535a3e1cf204/d1528/c92a73dda8d5ed9841a8a125d94af37c.webp 1773w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2958-markdown","title":"How to Layer CBD to Help Ease Arthritis Pain","slug":"how-to-layer-cbd-to-help-ease-arthritis-pain","content":"With hemp research still in its relative infancy, people using cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp have to be willing to do a bit of experimenting on their own. Part of that experimentation could include something called layering: using different types of CBD to achieve the effects you want. \n\nBy layering different CBD consumption methods, you can boost effectiveness and avoid growing an immunity to the benefits of any one CBD product. \n\nLet’s take a look at what it means to layer CBD and how this new method can work well for people suffering from arthritis. \n\n### How Do You Layer CBD?\n\nThe concept of layering CBD is pretty basic. Just like you layer certain colors on top of each other to make new colors, using multiple CBD delivery methods at the same time can bring about new levels of effectiveness. These different delivery methods include inhalation (vaporizing or smoking), edibles, sublinguals and topicals. \n\nLayering works because each delivery method provides very different effects. When ingesting an edible, you can expect a longer onset time (typically 30 minutes to two hours), but longer-lasting effects (up to six hours on average). \n\nMeanwhile, CBD vaporizers provide nearly immediate effects, but they typically don’t last as long (30 minutes to an hour) as edibles do. \n\nHere’s an example of how you could layer two different CBD delivery methods to boost effects: If you suffer from insomnia, you could eat a highly potent CBD edible; it will take some time for it to kick in, but it will be long lasting and provide benefits throughout the night. While you wait for the edible to take effect, you can layer a CBD vaporizer on top of the edible. The vaporizer will provide immediate effects, helping you wind down for a restful night of sleep. \n\n### Tips for Layering CBD\n\n* Before layering more than one CBD product, it’s important to know how each one affects you separately. Try them each independently. Once you’re comfortable, you can begin to layer them. \n* When taken together, different CBD delivery methods can produce more pronounced effects. Try a lower dose of each individual method when layering so you don’t overdo it. \n\nRELATED: [5 HEMP CBD PRODUCTS FOR YOUR ACHES & PAINS](https://hellomd.com/articles/5-hemp-cbd-products-for-your-aches-and-pains/) \n\n### Arthritis & How CBD Can Help\n\nArthritis is widespread, with [31 million Americans](https://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/arthritis-statistics-facts.php) suffering from some form of the condition. Most people associate arthritis with aging, but this painful inflammation condition can strike at any age—even children can suffer from arthritis. \n\nThere’s no one single type of arthritis; it’s an umbrella term for many diseases that all negatively affect joints in the body.\n\nOne constant across all of these arthritic diseases, though, is chronic inflammation. This inflammation, when left untreated, leads to debilitating pain and lack of mobility. Because these diseases mostly affect joints, people with arthritis often feel pain through their hands, knees, shoulders and wrists. \n\nSo, what does CBD have to do with arthritis and/or inflammation? [CBD shows massive potential in treating the root cause of inflammation](https://hellomd.com/articles/how-cbd-can-curb-chronic-inflammation/) and therefore the pain associated with arthritis. \n\nWhile trials on humans are scarce, [some are taking place right now](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03693833). Meanwhile, many animal studies seem to confirm that CBD can greatly diminish arthritis pain. \n\nResearchers treated arthritic rats with transdermal CBD consistently for four days. They observed significantly reduced joint swelling. In another study, researchers at Cornell University found that [dogs with osteoarthritis pain saw significant pain reduction when treated with CBD oil](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full). \n\n### 3 Ways to Layer CBD for Arthritis  \n\n* **1. In the morning:** For all-day relief, start your day by layering a CBD edible and vaporizer. Include a CBD edible in your breakfast; this will take a while to kick in (typically 30 minutes to two hours) but will last for hours, bringing you relief through the day. While you wait for the edible to fully set in, use a CBD vape pen for more immediate, albeit somewhat short-lived, relief. \n* **2. Before bedtime:** Arthritic pain can stand in your way of a good night’s rest. For continuous relief while you sleep, layer a CBD capsule with a sublingual tincture. The tincture will travel through the mucous membranes in your mouth to the brain very quickly. Once the tincture wears off, the capsule will take effect and continue to deliver relief throughout the night. \n* **3. For acute pain:** Arthritis flare-ups are real, and they’re painful. In these cases, you could layer three CBD products: a CBD edible or capsule, tincture or vaporizer and a CBD topical. Take the edible or capsule first, as these will take more time to kick in, but will provide the longest-lasting relief. Then to deal with acute pain while the edible or capsule sets in, use a tincture or vaporizer for immediate effects. Finally, for really bad flare-ups, add a third layer of cannabis topical to the skin. CBD topicals are great for nonintoxicating, fast-acting relief that you can layer into your regimen any time. \n\nPhoto credit: one photo/Shutterstock.com\n\nDo you want to try CBD, but don’t know where to start? [Shop our selection of high-quality, lab-tested CBD products](https://hellomd.com/) and have them shipped to your door. And if you have questions about CBD, [ask them](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/) and our community will answer.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/14b42/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/f836f/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 200w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/2244e/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 400w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/14b42/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 800w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/47498/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/0e329/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 1600w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/391cf/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.jpg 1772w","srcWebp":"/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/58556/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/61e93/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 200w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/1f5c5/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 400w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/58556/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 800w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/99238/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 1200w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/7c22d/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 1600w,\n/static/d54b725e4e0032c955d55f2ebff66015/edb99/c03d3d5f2a25ba9c8f5ab8d2f413aee1.webp 1772w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2818-markdown","title":"Keeping Your Pet Healthy With Hemp-Derived CBD","slug":"keeping-your-pet-healthy-with-hemp-derived-cbd","content":"If you’re a pet owner, you know that sinking feeling when your furry friend just isn’t acting alright. Maybe they’re not eating with abandon like usual. Or maybe they can’t bring themselves to leave their bed for morning walkies. You know they may be ill, or maybe they’re stressed or anxious, but unfortunately you can’t ask them what’s wrong, and they can’t tell you where it hurts. It’s probably the most stressful part of being a fur mom or dad. \n\nA trip to the vet is sometimes in order, but as with us humans, many of the pharmaceuticals prescribed to animals come with a laundry list of side effects. Luckily, there’s a natural medicine that pet owners can turn to for some acute situations, as well as for preventative treatment. \n\nThat medicine is cannabis.\n\n“Wait a minute,” you may be thinking. “I’m not going to get my dog or cat stoned.” Of course, that’s not what we’re suggesting. There’s a way you can harness the benefits of the cannabis plant for your furry family member without any psychoactivity—and that’s with the use of hemp.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What Is Hemp?\n\nHemp is a variety of the cannabis plant, _Cannabis sativa_. Psychoactive recreational and medical marijuana products come from a version of the _Cannabis sativa_ plant that contains cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—along with a battery of other cannabinoids and terpenes.\n\nBut hemp plants have almost exclusively CBD, the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. In fact, by law, hemp plants must only contain less than 0.3% THC, a negligible amount that doesn’t cause a head high. \n\n### CBD & Its Benefits\n\nSo, CBD products made from hemp won’t give the consumer a psychoactive experience, but they will be able to reap CBD’s benefits. The cannabinoid has been shown to help with:\n\n* Inflammation\n* Pain\n* Nausea and vomiting\n* High blood sugar \n* Anxiety\n* Stress \n* Epilepsy\n\nRELATED: [USING CBD TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PET'S ANXIETY](https://hellomd.com/articles/using-cbd-to-take-care-of-your-pets-anxiety)\n\n### Is CBD OK for Animals?\n\nThe reason that so many humans find relief from a variety of health conditions with CBD is because the cannabinoid acts on the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors that’s pretty much found in every part of the body. The ECS influences so many processes including:\n\n* Digestion\n* Pain\n* Inflammation\n* Hunger\n* Mood \n\nThe body makes endocannabinoids naturally that bind with the ECS receptors to affect these mechanisms. But sometimes the body doesn’t make enough of its own endocannabinoids. \n\nResearchers now think that an unbalanced ECS has a lot to do with many health problems. And a way to top up natural endocannabinoid levels and help balance the ECS is to supplement with cannabinoids from cannabis.\n\nSo, how does this relate to our pets’ health? Well, animals also have an ECS. This means that a sick animal could benefit from a balanced ECS, and can balance theirs using cannabis, too. \n\n### Why Should I Give My Pet Hemp-Derived CBD?\n\nIf you’re interested in treating your pet with cannabis, CBD is your best bet. As we’ve said, it’s non-psychoactive and can address a range of problems from anxiety to arthritis. And the easiest form of CBD to obtain, and the form you can be sure won’t give your pet a head high, is hemp-derived CBD. \n\nCBD made from hemp is available no matter what state you live in—even if there aren’t any medical marijuana laws on the books. Hemp CBD products formulated for humans will work fine for dogs or cats, but now some companies are making CBD products especially for pets.\n\nOne such company developing CBD products for animals is Holistic Hound. The company makes CBD dog treats in two different sizes, so you can choose the dose that’s right for your pup. The brand also produces a CBD-rich hemp oil. If your pet isn’t into crunchy treats, this oil can simply be drizzled onto their food or mixed with anything else they eat for easy medication.\n\nHolistic Hound says it gets feedback from pet owners that its products have helped:\n\n* Calm anxious dogs\n* Stop nighttime anxiety\n* Settle dogs down around strangers\n* Ease digestive distress due to Crohn’s disease \n* Relieve sore hips\n\n### Questions to Ask When Choosing Hemp CBD for Your Pet\n\n* **Where did the CBD come from?** Because hemp is largely unregulated, it’s very easy to purchase hemp-derived CBD that’s inferior in quality and has been extracted through dangerous means. \n\n> Substandard CBD won’t actually have too much of the cannabinoid in it and will therefore lack the benefits of CBD. Plus, [the hemp plant is what’s known as a bioacculumator](https://hellomd.com/articles/what-to-watch-out-for-when-buying-hemp-cbd-oil). This means that it absorbs chemicals from the soil and those chemicals are stored in the plant’s tissues. So, if the plant is farmed using any pesticides, they may show up in the final product. \n\n> Some questionable extraction methods could leave traces of harmful chemicals in the CBD, again something you don’t want your beloved pet ingesting.\n\n> When doing your research on hemp-derived CBD products for your pet, make sure the company sources its hemp from the United States or Europe. Steer clear of hemp grown in China and Indonesia, which is known for being less than healthy. \n\n* ** Was the CBD lab tested?** A quality company will have all of its products lab tested by a third party for purity. Most reputable companies will say on their product labels and website that their products are lab tested. They may even provide the lab results, too. \n\n* ** What’s the label say?** Just as if you were shopping for yourself, scrutinize the hemp CBD labels to make sure there’s nothing added that will harm your pet. Ingredients you have trouble pronouncing or that you’ve never heard of before can be an easy way to spot products that may not be the best choice. \n\nRight here in the HelloMD office, many of us have turned to CBD treats to help our pets live their best lives. In fact, co-founder Pamela Hadfield credits CBD for helping her dog, Desmond, ease his shoulder pain at 14 in his last year and a half of life. Others have turned to CBD to help their dogs get their appetite back, move better and calm down when it’s time to go in the car or when they have to stay home on their own.\n\nAnd really, you don’t have to wait until your pet is visibly sick to treat them with CBD. Many in the cannabis industry believe that humans should think of the cannabinoid as a vitamin or supplement, something you can take daily to boost your health and help prevent problems in the future. And the same can go for your cat or dog—CBD can be your pet’s ticket to maintaining good health for years to come. \n\nPhoto credit: [rawpixel.com](https://www.pexels.com/@rawpixel)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/14b42/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/f836f/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 200w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/2244e/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 400w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/14b42/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 800w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/47498/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 1200w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/0e329/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 1600w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/541f7/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.jpg 3685w","srcWebp":"/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/58556/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/61e93/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 200w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/1f5c5/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 400w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/58556/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 800w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/99238/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 1200w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/7c22d/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 1600w,\n/static/2e283557c36e997941aeba5b9c5c528a/3726b/6490e35a6d7fbb1f50befe65efeb6ba5.webp 3685w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2685-markdown","title":"Treating Arthritis Pain via the Endocannabinoid System","slug":"treating-arthritis-pain-via-the-endocannabinoid-system","content":"Arthritis is a general term that refers to any kind of joint disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are over 100 different types of arthritis, all of which share the similar symptoms of joint pain and stiffness.\n\nThe most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, and while remission is the goal with rheumatoid arthritis, this is rarely achieved. Given these outcomes, managing symptoms like pain and inflammation are key to maintaining quality of life.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nMedications used to manage osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and sometimes opioids for pain. Other pharmaceuticals may also be prescribed depending on the type of arthritis involved. However, in many instances, management strategies come up short; medications can have detrimental side effects; and sometimes, patients simply want more options to manage their pain. \n\nThis is where cannabis and its anti-inflammatory properties come into the picture. At this point, it’s pretty widely acknowledged that cannabis can help with many different types of pain. Anecdotal evidence gathered from multiple sources—[a survey in the UK](http://files.iowamedicalmarijuana.org/science/misc/Ware-Guy%20Cannabis%20Use%20UK%20Intl%20J%20Clin%20Pract%202005.pdf), [another in Australia](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1262744/) and [one conducted by HelloMD with UC Berkeley](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication)—support the idea of using cannabis to manage pain from myriad conditions, including arthritis. \n\nThough few clinical trials exist on arthritis of any kind, emerging evidence from preclinical research suggests that the endocannabinoid system is involved. By targeting this system with compounds from cannabis, scientists hope to one day create medicines to address inflammation and pain arising from both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. \n\n### Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis—What’s the Difference?  \n\nWhile both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis involve inflammation of the joints that lead to pain, the reasons for these symptoms are different.\n\n#### What Is Osteoarthritis?\n\nJoints—the non-cannabis kind—are the places in the body where two bones meet. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage—a flexible connective tissue that covers the ends of bones—gradually wears away as we age. As this material breaks down, less of it is available to cushion the area where the two bones meet, leading to pain during movement. As the disease progresses, nerve damage can also occur. \n\nRELATED: [3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA & ARTHRITIS ANSWERED](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a720780f24d1300077ccb25/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-arthritis-answered)\n\nTypical osteoarthritis symptoms are deep, aching pains and stiffness, especially in the morning or after resting. Osteoarthritis is often the result of aging, but injuries or being overweight can also cause undue stress on the joints, leading to cartilage degeneration. Osteoarthritis is most common in joints that bear weight like the knees, hips, spine and feet. \n\n#### What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?\n\nRheumatoid arthritis, in contrast, is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks the joints, leading to inflammation and swelling of the joint linings, also called the synovia.\n\nIf left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to severe joint damage. Like many autoimmune diseases, we aren’t sure what causes rheumatoid arthritis. However, researchers think that genetics, environmental factors and possible infectious exposures play a role. \n\n### An Altered Endocannabinoid System in Osteoarthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers\n\nInside all of us is a network of receptors called the [endocannabinoid system (ECS)](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system). This system has receptors that are located throughout the body: in your brain, your gut, even your immune cells. Due to the prevalence of ECS receptors, scientists now think that the ECS plays a key role in essential life processes like eating, sleeping and reproducing. \n\nThe main receptors in the ECS are CB1, CB2 and TRPV1. Your body also makes endocannabinoids: anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), molecules that attach to these receptors to produce certain effects such as pain relief. Likewise, cannabis makes phytocannabinoids, like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) that can also attach to, or influence, these receptors. \n\nThe ECS plays a role in our immune process and how our bodies register pain. In patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that system is altered. A study published in _Arthritis Research & Therapy_ looked at the joint fluid of both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Researchers found that both [CB1 and CB2 receptors were present in the patients’ joint linings](https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/ar2401). They also discovered that AEA and 2-AG were present in the joint fluid of both types of arthritis patients, and not present in the fluid of healthy volunteers. \n\nThe presence in the joint fluid of both endocannabinoid receptors and the substances that attach to them have made scientists speculate that manipulation of the ECS can lead to therapies that can address both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. \n\n### CBD Reduces Pain in Animal Models of Osteoarthritis\n\nFor now, the only published research on osteoarthritis and cannabis has been done in animal models. \n\nOne study looked at the effect of CBD on rats with osteoarthritis. The researchers injected the cannabinoid at the arthritis site and found that [CBD was able to stop pain sensations](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28885454/). They also noted that CBD prevented the development of further pain and nerve damage. \n\nAnother study looked at the effect of CBD applied transdermally on rats with osteoarthritis. Researchers found this method of administration to be effective: The rats had [reduced joint swelling and pain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/). \n\nResearch on osteoarthritis and cannabis continues, with [a human clinical trial](https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02324777) set to be completed in December 2018. \n\n### Targeting the CB2 Receptor May Be the Key to Alleviating Rheumatoid Arthritis\n\nThe endocannabinoid system’s deep involvement in the body’s immune response has led researchers to speculate that this system can be targeted to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. \n\nThere’s specific interest in the CB2 receptor, which is abundant in immune cells. Activating the CB2 receptor may relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms by controlling the body’s inflammatory response. Targeting these receptors may have widespread applications for other diseases, including [osteoarthritis](http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0080440), [endometriosis](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/how-cbd-can-help-relieve-endometriosis-pain) and [Parkinson’s disease](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/how-parkinsons-disease-affects-the-endocannabinoid-system).\n\nA 2014 study found that [humans with rheumatoid arthritis had a higher prevalence of CB2 receptors in their joint tissues than those with osteoarthritis](https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2474-15-275). Researchers also showed that activating this receptor leads to less joint inflammation and bone deterioration in mice models of this disease. \n\nThere’s a good chance cannabis’s components can target CB2, though more research is needed. THC sometimes binds to this receptor, though it often doesn’t. We still aren’t clear on how CBD influences CB2, but we know that the terpene [beta-caryophyllene](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/know-your-terpenes-beta-caryophyllene), which is found in cannabis and other plants, can activate this receptor. \n\n### Clinical Trial Shows Promising Results in Relieving Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain & Stiffness\n\nTo date, only one clinical trial has been conducted on the effects of cannabis-based medicines in rheumatoid arthritis. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study funded by GW Pharmaceuticals, patients were given an oral spray of THC and CBD in a 1:1 ratio for five weeks. \n\nUltimately, the researchers found [significant pain reduction and improvement of other rheumatoid arthritis symptoms](https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article/45/1/50/1788693) like morning stiffness, in patients using the cannabis-based medicine. The researchers called their results “encouraging” and emphasized the need for more studies of this nature.  \n\nAs the U.S. population ages, incidences of arthritis—especially osteoarthritis—will rise. Current methods of managing arthritis have their shortcomings and in many cases only provide minimal relief. Cannabis’s ability to affect the endocannabinoid system and promising results in both clinical and preclinical research means that cannabis-based medicines to treat arthritis will likely be in our future. \n\nPhoto credit: [Kristina Tripkovic](https://unsplash.com/@tinamosquito)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.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 easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/14b42/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/f836f/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 200w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/2244e/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 400w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/14b42/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 800w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/47498/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 1200w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/0e329/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 1600w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/77d93/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.jpg 3600w","srcWebp":"/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/58556/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/61e93/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 200w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/1f5c5/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 400w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/58556/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 800w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/99238/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 1200w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/7c22d/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 1600w,\n/static/7be07e9808c900a7d40487d675b09c6b/d4378/d3b0c18f3e3a19f1a9728f4acc497f6b.webp 3600w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2666-markdown","title":"New to Cannabis? Start With a Marijuana Topical","slug":"new-to-cannabis-start-with-a-marijuana-topical","content":"Although there are now myriad ways to consume cannabis, novice cannabis consumers often find topicals to be an easy introduction to the plant. Topicals are less intimidating than other forms of marijuana: They typically have no psychoactive effects while often proving to be highly effective for pain relief.\n\nWhat exactly is a marijuana-infused topical? It’s a cream, lotion, oil, salve or balm that’s applied to the skin to help with localized pain or inflammation—that is, a cannabis topical treats the specific area to which it was applied and doesn’t enter the bloodstream. You may be surprised to learn that cannabis has been used as a topical for thousands of years to combat lower back pain, arthritis, inflammation, certain skin conditions and more.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### How Do Cannabis Topicals Work?\n\nAt first, many people are dubious as to whether a cannabis-based topical will help provide relief. According to HelloMD’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Perry Solomon, “When a topical is applied to the skin, the cannabis is thought to interact with the CB2 receptors in the muscles or joints. This helps augment the endocannabinoid system, a series of cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body, which in turn may decrease inflammation and pain within that specific area.”\n\n### Do Cannabis Topicals Help Relieve Pain?\n\nDr. Kerklaan, D.C. has over 20 years of experience treating patients in the health and wellness space. Seeking a more natural pain solution to opioids and other pharmaceuticals, he developed a cannabis-based topical brand aptly named Dr. Kerklaan.\n\nWhen asked how topicals can alleviate discomfort and pain, Dr. Kerklaan says, “The most common pains we experience are neuromusculoskeletal in origin. This means pain from nerves, muscles and structures like our joints. Cannabinoids, including THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol), are fantastic at helping with these three components. Topicals act by blocking pain nerves, reducing muscle tension and reducing inflammation.”\n\nAlthough cannabis topicals can be very effective in relieving symptoms from various conditions, it’s also important to note that everyone is different in how their body reacts to cannabis. A topical that works for you may not work in the same way for your friend. Often, this means trying out a variety of cannabis-infused topicals before finding one that works best for you.\n\n“There’s some debate about how much of the topical actually becomes absorbed through the skin,” says Dr. Solomon. “However, there are many people including professional athletes, who swear by cannabis-infused topicals for sore joints and muscles.”\n\n### What Role Do THC & CBD Play in Cannabis Topicals?\n\nIt’s common to find a topical that contains only CBD, only THC or a ratio of the two. People often ask which is best for them, but both CBD and THC may offer different effects depending on the person and the condition affecting them. \n\nAccording to Dr. Kerklaan, “THC and CBD are the most common cannabinoids derived from the cannabis plant. In simple terms, THC can offer painkilling relief, and CBD can act as an excellent anti-inflammatory. There are many other therapeutic effects offered by these molecules, but when they’re used in combination in certain ratios, they can have a compounding or entourage effect.\n\n`embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/BhxlYzolx3w/` \n<br>\n“In our Natural Skin Cream, we’re looking for the anti-inflammatory effect from CBD, hence the higher ratio of CBD to THC,” he adds. “In our Natural Sleep Cream, we’re looking to ease muscle tension. This is achieved by increasing the THC ratio. Pain is commonly targeted by a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio.”\n\n### Will Cannabis-Infused Topicals Show Up in a Urine Test?\n\nMany people work in jobs where routine urine tests are given. Dr. Solomon says, “When only using a cannabis topical, there’s a minimal amount of absorption into the blood, if at all. As such, there’s little chance of the THC becoming detected in a urine screening test.”\n\nThat said, if you were to apply a topical and then place a plastic covering over it, so that none of the cannabis can evaporate, there’s a small chance that there will be enough absorbed into the blood to perhaps cause a positive urine screening for THC.\n\nIt’s important to note that if you apply a topical to your skin, and then rub your eyes or put a finger in your mouth with the hand you used to apply the topical, there’s a chance that THC can enter into the bloodstream. If this is something that concerns you, immediately wash your hands after applying a cannabis topical to the skin.\n\n### Do Transdermal Patches Work the Same Way as a Cannabis Topical Lotion Does?\n\nCannabis transdermal patches are medicated adhesive patches that are applied topically on a veiny area of the skin. However, unlike creams and lotions, transdermal patches deliver cannabis through all of the skin’s layers into the bloodstream. These patches release small amounts of cannabinoids into the blood over a longer period of time. The result is that medication from a transdermal patch gives both localized and non-localized relief. \n\nMany consumers report having good to great success using these topicals for various skin conditions, sore muscles, arthritic joints or an aching back. So, if you’re looking for localized relief and aren’t interested in feeling high, you may want to try out a marijuana-infused topical. It just might give you the relief you need.\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/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/14b42/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/f836f/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 200w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/2244e/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 400w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/14b42/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 800w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/47498/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/0e329/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 1600w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/ee36c/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.jpg 3272w","srcWebp":"/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/58556/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/61e93/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 200w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/1f5c5/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 400w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/58556/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 800w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/99238/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 1200w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/7c22d/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 1600w,\n/static/c894981819ed8efdc244fd01e6ed87ae/98821/8f45d682cd568ee90d866aaead21efb1.webp 3272w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2648-markdown","title":"How Cannabis Can Help Ease Arthritis Pain & Inflammation","slug":"how-cannabis-can-help-ease-arthritis-pain-and-inflammation","content":"Characterized by pain and inflammation in the joints, [arthritis affects one in four adults over the age of 18, and one in every 250 children](http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/arthritis-statistics-facts.php). It’s also the leading cause of disability in the United States. While there are many types of arthritis, they all typically involve swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion in the joints. These [symptoms may be mild or severe, and may come and go, but for most they represent a daily struggle with pain](http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/understanding-arthritis/what-is-arthritis.php) and the ability to function normally. In severe cases, patients may even be unable to complete simple tasks like walking or grasping objects. \n\nFor many of those with severe arthritis, the options are limited: suffer through the pain, or [take dangerous and addictive painkillers like opiates](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5660ceb8584a7100080000c1/death-score-opioids-16235-cannabis-0). In this article, part of our series for cannabis newcomers, we explore cannabis as another, safer option to prescription painkillers. A growing number of arthritis sufferers are flocking to cannabis for its pain- and inflammation-reducing effects.  \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Chris Finds Success With Cannabis for His Arthritis\n\nChris, an arthritis sufferer from Gilroy, CA, says that he’s found great relief using cannabis. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a child—at around age eight or nine—when fevers, pain and inflammation began interfering with his life. After suffering through a painful childhood, Chris decided to try cannabis as an adult.\n\n\"I had friends suggesting I try cannabis for medical purposes,” Chris says. “I decided to go ahead and give it a try. And then, lo and behold, it started helping a lot with inflammation and whenever I would have soreness or stiffness.” \n\nChris says he’s been able to reduce his pain with the use of cannabis, and while not completely gone, the plant has helped him function in spite of his pain. Chris says he prefers this option to pharmaceuticals. “Cannabis never numbs you completely, as opposed to using opiates and stuff like that which completely numbs you,” he explains.\n\nAccording to Chris, topicals and smoked cannabis have been most helpful. He’s also found that strain selection is key. “I've noticed different strains help with different symptoms [better] than others do,” he says. “So that's also something I'm exploring.”\n\nChris has been using cannabis daily for the past five years now. His opinion on cannabis for arthritis? “It helps, quite significantly,” he says.\n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS SOOTHES ARTHRITIS PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5822789665e8fd000cc74ebc/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain)\n\n### Cannabis Relieves Pain & May Reverse Damage Caused by Arthritis \n\nChris joins a growing number of folks who are finding cannabis can help them. When it comes to arthritis, chronic pain is the main symptom that patients seek to address; it’s also the most common reason people use cannabis.\n\nIn fact, in a recent study conducted by UC Berkeley and HelloMD, [81% of patients reported that cannabis alone was more effective at relieving their pain than using opioids was](http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2017.0012). Meanwhile, almost all survey respondents (97%) reported that they were able to lower their dose of opioids by introducing cannabis into their pain-management regimen. Similar results were reported for patients using non-opioid painkillers as well. \n\nIn addition, cannabis can help with inflammation, which is often at the root of arthritis. Scientists have begun to study the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis and hope to use it specifically on rheumatoid arthritis.\n\nIt turns out that our body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a lot to do with moderating our immune system and inflammation levels. Since certain cannabinoids are able to activate the ECS, scientists believe cannabis’s phytocannabinoids may be able to reduce inflammation while actually beginning to reverse the damage caused by it. One Canadian study that’s currently underway is looking at this mechanism to [see if cannabis therapies can actually aid in the repair and reduction of pain caused by arthritis](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dalhousie-researcher-investigates-use-of-marijuana-for-arthritis-pain-1.3142592).\n\nRELATED: [3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA & ARTHRITIS ANSWERED](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a720780f24d1300077ccb25/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-arthritis-answered)\n\n### Treating Arthritis With Cannabis \n\nIf you suffer from arthritis and think cannabis might be right for you, the best first step is to talk to a doctor. You can [consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. \n\nWhether you have a medical marijuana card or live in a state where you can purchase through recreational means, there are many options you can try. Cannabis’s many forms can help arthritis, so it’s really about finding the best options for you. Marijuana-infused topicals, for example, can be applied directly to the affected area without any psychoactive effects. Some folks prefer cannabis edibles for their long-lasting, full-body pain relief, while others choose to smoke and vape for its quick-acting effects.\n\nWhatever you try, remember that cannabis can affect people differently, so you may need to try a few options before you find the right one for you. \n\nIn the next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies guide, we'll get into how cannabis works as a powerful anti-inflammatory.\n\nPhoto credit: [Felipe P. Lima Rizo](https://unsplash.com/@plqmr)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/14b42/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/f836f/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 200w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/2244e/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 400w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/14b42/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 800w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/47498/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/0e329/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 1600w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/7c89d/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.jpg 3636w","srcWebp":"/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/58556/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/61e93/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 200w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/1f5c5/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 400w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/58556/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 800w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/99238/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 1200w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/7c22d/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 1600w,\n/static/3858605f4e25cd7aaab9a919fc14a9a1/02a42/367b4b0e97683395959653acfbbf894f.webp 3636w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2599-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Seniors Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-seniors-answered","content":"People may associate marijuana with a younger crowd, but more and more seniors are turning to the cannabis plant to help ease pain associated with conditions such as glaucoma, dementia and arthritis. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, [between 2006 and 2013, the number of Americans 65 and older who consume marijuana went up 250%](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/why-are-more-seniors-using-marijuana#modal-close). \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nIt’s understandable that people are turning away from intense pharmaceuticals with harmful side effects, but can cannabis really help with conditions we face later in life? Here are three popular Q&As from our Answers page detailing how cannabis may be able to help with conditions like glaucoma, arthritis and dementia. If you have a question about a senior condition, post it on our website and someone from our knowledgeable community will be able to point you in the right direction. \n\n### Q. Is marijuana the best treatment for glaucoma or are the traditional meds far superior at this point?\n**_ My friend still smokes several times a day for his glaucoma, but from my understanding the pharma drugs are actually better for this than marijuana at this point. He is anti-pill and likes his weed. We argued about this last week and I want a doctor's opinion so we know who is right._** \n\nAnswer: @dredmunds Traditional medications are well-established for the treatment of glaucoma. It is important that you determine a target intraocular pressure with your ophthalmologist and then be followed closely. First line therapy is typically pharmacologic or laser therapy (not surgery). If pharmacologic therapy is chosen one current recommendation is topical prostaglandin. If mono therapy is not sufficient, another topical (beta blocker) may be added.\n\nFrom what we know, I would consider marijuana to be a complimentary or supplemental therapy to your medication; and this decision should be arrived upon with the guidance of your ophthalmologist. Cannabis does decrease intraocular pressure, and it also has neuroprotective properties, so it may be helpful in the treatment and prevention of progression in glaucoma.\n\n### Q. CBD for motor problems in dementia?\n**_I have read this: (I copied and pasted the quote below)\n“To treat movement problems (Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s, dementia): 3 to 5 mg of cannabidiol (CBD) oil per pounds of body weight daily. If you weigh 150 lbs, that would be 450 to 750 mg daily.”_**\n\n**_Do you know anything about this? My mother has dementia and is losing the ability to walk. I give her about 200 mg of CBD and it works fantastic for her agitation and anxiety, but she walks even less now. Should increase the dose? any suggestion?_**\n\nAnswer: @drelkind You do not say where that quote comes from and I want to be clear that there is no medical literature defining CBD doses for ANYTHING. CBD is remarkably benign in the human body and there are essentially no reports of toxicity, but at the same time there is no body of clinical studies defining a dosage range for any condition. Most reports of using CBD for various conditions are basically anecdotal, and the kind of dose-response information you are seeking is still folk medicine, not based on medical science. It is also not clear to me what other factors might be affecting you mother's ambulation, so the best I can suggest is that increasing the CBD dose is unlikely to cause any adverse effects and if the lack of walking is from CBD related sedation her response will likely be to walk less. If it helps, then I would not be concerned about a modest increase in dose unless other symptoms appear.\n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e90Sdyg2XDk`\n\n### Q. Arthritis\n**_What is the best strain to treat arthritis and stay somewhat lucid? I have bad osteoarthritis (OA) and an intense, fast-paced job. Thanks in advance!_**\n\nAnswer: @chearpear I would recommend a high-CBD strain like Harle-Tzu. It has great anti-inflammatory characteristics. A topical with this type of strain plus ingredients like peppermint, lavender, arnica, and emu oil all help to decrease inflammation and pain. You don't need a product high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You need a product that focuses on the inflammation. Also, a change in diet is vital. Look into an anti-inflammatory diet which eliminates red meat, sugar, wheat and dairy. Eat simple, organic foods that heal and support, and don’t cause inflammation.\n\nRead more answers to this question\n\nPhoto credit: [Elena Saharova](https://unsplash.com/@eessoo)\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":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/14b42/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/f836f/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/2244e/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 400w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/14b42/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 800w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/47498/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/0e329/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 1600w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/017f4/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.jpg 3630w","srcWebp":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/58556/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/61e93/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/1f5c5/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 400w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/58556/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 800w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/99238/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 1200w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/7c22d/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 1600w,\n/static/4012e07364ac16af41b9f227d5d48b6e/ef33f/842cb426e4db81e807e94f0b75085893.webp 3630w","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_2547-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Arthritis Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-arthritis-answered","content":"Arthritis is a fairly common condition in which inflammation of the joints causes pain, stiffness and trouble moving. Because cannabis exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, some arthritis sufferers anecdotally say that the plant has helped with their condition. Cannabis also causes fewer side effects than traditional treatments do—mainly nonsteroidal drugs that can also cause ulcers, stomach pain and diarrhea.\n\nWe’ve compiled our most popular questions about how marijuana can be an effective treatment for arthritis pain. We hope you find this information useful if you or someone you know is thinking about treating arthritis with cannabis. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: I have severe rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. What solution is best to relieve my chronic pain?\n\nAnswer: [@dredmunds](https://www.hellomd.com/people/5695961d38c92e000a00006e/dredmunds) Cannabis may be useful in the treatment of both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia. Cannabis has both immune-modulating properties and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to analgesic effects. Because both RA and fibromyalgia are systemic illnesses, most patients administer either vaporized or ingested cannabis. Strains or products with a higher CBD/THC ratio have been effective in alleviating chronic pain while lessening psychoactive effects of the medicine.\n\nAlso, for musculoskeletal discomfort in general, many patients have found topical salves to be beneficial in treating localized joint or muscle pain. One benefit of this approach is that most, if not all, of the cannabis does not enter the blood stream, so there are no systemic effects; therefore, topicals can be used comfortably during the day as well as the night.\n\nRELATED: [CANNABIS SOOTHES ARTHRITIS PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5822789665e8fd000cc74ebc/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain)\n\n### Q: My husband has severe arthritis in his hand. Cannabis oil has been recommended, what is best?\n\nAnswer: [@andrewvanmd](https://www.hellomd.com/people/55d3990c32326600062d0000/andrewvanmd) Cannabis can be utilized in a number of ways for arthritis relief. You may want to start with topical creams applied directly to the arthritic areas. Tinctures of a whole plant cannabis preparation with CBD and THC can be applied under the tongue and should take effect within 20 minutes. Inhaled cannabis will provide more immediate relief. Try a variety of methods and see what works best for you.\n\n[Read more answers to this question](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/584ba0c500234a000ca73426/husband-has-severe-arthritis-in-hand-cannabis-oil-has-been-recommended-what-is-best).\n\n### Q: Would you recommend Sweet ReLeaf topical for arthritis pain or migraines? \n\nAnswer: [@ryan](https://www.hellomd.com/people/56e9a5ccccdf36000b000029/ryan) I have used many topicals and Sweet ReLeaf is consistently one of my favorites! From my observations, they also have the strongest formula for the price. I always keep one at my desk for wrist pain and find it very effective at reducing my pain and swelling if things flare up. I would highly recommend Sweet ReLeaf for your wrist pain.\n\n[Read more answers to this question](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/57fbfa0cd805a30009a9f9a3/would-you-recommend-this-product-for-arthritis-pain-or-migraines).\n\nPhoto credit: [Ant Rozetsky](https://unsplash.com/@rozetsky)\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/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":1.36986301369863,"src":"/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/14b42/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/f836f/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 200w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/2244e/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 400w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/14b42/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 800w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/47498/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/0e329/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 1600w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/77d93/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.jpg 3600w","srcWebp":"/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/58556/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/61e93/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 200w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/1f5c5/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 400w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/58556/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 800w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/99238/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 1200w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/7c22d/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 1600w,\n/static/d14de25a44878e520617007338c69fca/d4378/fd4b614b7aa5db0667603cd195957ac8.webp 3600w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2546-markdown","title":"Using Cannabis-Infused Topicals for Localized Relief","slug":"using-cannabis-infused-topicals-for-localized-relief","content":"In our series for cannabis newcomers, we’ve looked at the many ways patients can take their cannabis—from smoking and vaping to consuming edibles and sublinguals. In this article, we take a look at how cannabis can be applied topically. This often underrated method of using cannabis is quite powerful at easing pain, tension and inflammation. Cannabis-infused topicals have helped patients with a variety of issues from relieving skin conditions to arthritis and muscle pain.\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 Cannabis-Infused Topicals?\n\nCannabis-infused topicals come in a wide variety of forms, including oils, creams, lotions, balms, mud masks and more—all infused with potent cannabinoids. These topical options are designed to be applied directly to the skin, treating the specific area where it was administered. Because topicals don’t enter the bloodstream the way smoking, vaping or eating cannabis do, they don’t typically have any psychoactive effects.\n\nThat said, I did meet one patient who was so incredibly sensitive to cannabis that she reported feeling high after using a large amount of marijuana-infused topical all over her body. For the vast majority of patients, the effects of topicals don’t cause any change to your overall state—just relief in the area where you used it. \n\nAs a precaution, however, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after applying the marijuana-infused topical. Exposure to your mouth or eyes—by rubbing them with your cannabis-laden hands—could lead to [accidental ingestion and an unwanted high](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/574b679b982db9000a000055/do-cannabis-topicals-pass-the-drug-test).\n\nRELATED: [THC IN CANNABIS TOPICALS: WHY IT MATTERS](https://hellomd.com/articles/thc-in-cannabis-topicals-why-it-matters)\n\n### Why Do Patients Use Marijuana-Infused Topicals?\n\nPatients use topicals for a variety of reasons. If you’re sensitive to the effects of medical marijuana and find that you’re unable to function as well after ingesting it, topicals can make a great alternative to all of the other methods of administration.\n\nThe fact that [cannabis-infused topicals don’t affect you systemically also means that they don’t show up on drug tests](https://hellomd.com/articles/do-cannabis-topicals-pass-the-drug-test). So for patients in careers or other contexts where marijuana drug testing is prevalent, topicals are often the only viable method of using this powerful medicine. \n\nMany patients use topicals for everyday aches and pains such as sore, tense or injured muscles. Powerful cannabinoids seep into the skin, helping ease tension while providing localized pain relief.\n\nThe plant’s anti-inflammatory effects also help reduce pain and inflammation at the site of any sprained, pulled or injured muscle. Much like regular application of ice helps speed up healing by reducing inflammation, cannabis-infused topicals also bring down inflammation, helping speed the recovery process.\n\n[Another popular use for marijuana-infused topicals is to apply it to arthritic joints](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain). Arthritis can make everyday tasks very painful and sometimes even impossible. Thankfully, cannabis-infused topicals can help arthritis sufferers by providing direct pain relief to the areas where they need it most.\n\nIn addition, topicals may actually help reduce or even reverse arthritis. A Canadian study, currently underway, is looking at [how cannabis’s anti-inflammatory powers may be able to actually heal the damage caused by arthritis](http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/dalhousie-researcher-investigates-use-of-marijuana-for-arthritis-pain-1.3142592), reversing the condition itself, rather than just offering relief from its symptoms. Scientists working on the study believe that by saturating the CB2 receptors in the affected arthritic area, joints may actually be repaired.\n\nArthritis patients who use cannabis-infused topicals regularly often report finding mild pain relief at first, but with regular use, their overall pain gradually reduces over time. If you suffer from arthritis, marijuana-infused topicals may be a great option to try out. \n\nPatients also use [cannabis-infused topicals for a variety of skin conditions](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/the-3-most-common-skin-conditions-can-cannabis-help). Cannabis is chock full of powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and pain-relieving properties. This potent mix makes cannabis-infused topicals incredibly helpful in treating a wide range of skin maladies such as eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea. With regular application of cannabis-infused topicals, many patients report that these conditions begin to subside. \n\n### How to Use Cannabis-Infused Topicals\n\nThe basics of using marijuana-infused topicals are simple. Apply the topical to your skin, at the site of your pain or irritation. This usually involves rubbing the topical in until it has been absorbed into your skin. Of course, usage can vary by product, so always be sure to read the instructions.\n\nYou should feel some pain-relieving effects within minutes of applying the topical, but may also find that regular application increases these effects and gradually improves the underlying condition. To get started with cannabis-infused topicals,  or [learn how to make your own topical](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/diy-recipe-marijuana-infused-topical-for-pain-relief). \n\nWhen it comes to marijuana-infused topicals, the options are plentiful. Before you hone in on a particular topical, find out what types of oils were used to make the topical along with what other scents or ingredients were added. Think about what works for you. Is there a non-cannabis moisturizer or balm that you already use and like? You may be able to find something similar but infused with cannabis.\n\nFor example, I have sensitive skin and am allergic to many scents so I only use topicals that are made with non-pore-clogging oils like mango or shea butter, and I avoid any topical products that have added scents. Still, others may like something heavier like coconut oil, for higher levels of moisture. Meanwhile, many prefer scents in their cannabis-infused topical to mask any skunky odor. Thinking about your preferences ahead of time can help you ensure the product you’re purchasing will be something you can use. \n\nIn the next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies guide, we’ll move from talking about the many ways of using cannabis to going over the many different types of cannabis. There are so many strains—aka genetic varieties—of cannabis that it can be hard to know which one to try. We’ll give you the basics you need to know to understand what strains are and how to find the right one for you. \n\nPhoto credit: [Jesper Aggergaard](https://unsplash.com/@aggergakker)\n\nNeed a medical marijuana recommendation? [Consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://hellomd.com/); it's 100% online, private and easy. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/14b42/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg","srcSet":"/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/f836f/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 200w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/2244e/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 400w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/14b42/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 800w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/47498/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 1200w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/0e329/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 1600w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/8c6ae/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.jpg 3645w","srcWebp":"/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/58556/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/61e93/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 200w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/1f5c5/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 400w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/58556/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 800w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/99238/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 1200w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/7c22d/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 1600w,\n/static/24e0071e5cfbd7acd13f97feef29d088/29f9d/c070a3c05e6abd3667158b321e8ba7b9.webp 3645w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2492-markdown","title":"Top 5 Conditions Cannabis Treats Effectively","slug":"top-5-conditions-cannabis-treats-effectively","content":"As cannabis is legalized in more states and countries, people are turning to this powerful plant to address chronic medical conditions as well as day-to-day health concerns. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the main chemical compounds found in marijuana, appear to successfully help reduce seizures, manage nausea, combat insomnia, relieve stress and weather the emotional turbulence of depression. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### The Most Common Uses for Marijuana\n\nMigraines, anxiety, chronic pain, arthritis and insomnia are five of the most common reasons people use cannabis. According to a [HelloMD patient survey](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hellomd-news/HelloMD_Medical_Marijuana_Patient_Survey.pdf) of 17,000 patients, 64% used cannabis for relief from their symptoms on a daily basis with 66% using it as their primary treatment for their conditions. Almost all users (96%) even said they would likely recommend cannabis to family and friends who were looking for ways to treat their own symptoms. \n\n### Marijuana & Chronic Pain\n\nA recent study provides evidence that [cannabis can significantly improve chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/new-research-proves-marijuana-effectively-controls-chronic-pain) and help manage the symptoms associated with it thanks to the analgesic effects of the compounds found in the plant. Both THC and CBD are effective in treating the aching, throbbing, burning, soreness and stiffness associated with a number of conditions that result in consistent physical discomfort. In addition, a new study by HelloMD and UC Berkeley shows that an overwhelming [majority of cannabis patients (92%) prefer using cannabis to opioids](https://hellomd.com/articles/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication) when managing their chronic pain. \n\nRELATED:[CANNABIS STRAINS FOR DIFFERENT KIND OF PAIN](https://hellomd.com/articles/top-14-marijuana-strains-for-different-kinds-of-pain)\n\n###  Marijuana & Anxiety\n\nCBD has been shown to assist the brain in regulating symptoms caused by anxiety from feelings of panic and uneasiness to physical tension and trouble sleeping. When CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, its [calming properties](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/does-marijuana-ease-anxiety) have been shown to help regulate the type 1 cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in the central amygdala of the brain that manage stress signals.\n\n### Marijuana & Arthritis\n\nThough there are various types of rheumatic diseases that fall under the umbrella term arthritis, cannabis has been proven to be a powerful alternative treatment that can help reduce the tenderness, inflexibility and swelling that accompanies many of the condition’s forms. The plant’s interactions with the type 2 cannabinoid (CB2) receptors activates pathways that can produce an [anti-inflammatory effect](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-soothes-arthritis-pain) within the body and cut down on joint pain. In addition to consuming marijuana orally, patients can also use infused topical creams and salves for relief. \n\nRELATED: [DO TOPICALS WORK FOR ARTHRITIS?](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/do-topicals-work-for-arthritis-if-so-which-do-you-recommend)\n\n### Marijuana & Migraines \n\nRandomized clinical studies have shown that low doses of THC combined with CBD can lessen neurogenic pain and raise serotonin levels to ease the symptoms of [migraines](https://hellomd.com/articles/treating-migraines-with-marijuana-dr-patricia-frye). Inhalation has been shown to be the fastest and most effective method for migraines, followed by a tincture or spray taken sublingually to prolong the effects. For some people, consistent dosing of CBD has reduced or even eliminated recurring migraines.\n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m21czeJ8pJk`\n\n### Marijuana & Insomnia\n\nTHC and CBD have both been shown to play a role in regulating the endocannabinoid system, which can help people [establish more consistent sleep patterns](https://hellomd.com/articles/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better). Studies have also shown that cannabis can help people fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer throughout the night and might even improve the quality of sleep. Indica strains are usually suggested to help induce sleepiness, because they're known for their deeply relaxing qualities. \n\nRELATED: [CAN MARIJUANA HELP ME WITH INSOMNIA?](https://hellomd.com/questions-and-answers/can-marijuana-help-me-with-insomnia)\n\n### How to Consume Cannabis\n\nCannabis can be consumed in many different ways including:\n\n* smoking or vaping\n* eating edibles\n* taking tinctures\n* rubbing it on your skin as a topical\n* putting on a dermal patch\n* soaking in the tub with cannabis-infused bath salts\n\nIt’s best to assess your needs according to your condition, consider how you want to consume cannabis and figure out what type of experience you’d like to have after consumption—like whether you want to feel high.\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 100% online, private and efficient.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3245033112582782,"src":"/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/ee604/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png","srcSet":"/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/69585/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png 200w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/497c6/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png 400w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/ee604/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png 800w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/f3583/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png 1200w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/ab613/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.png 1357w","srcWebp":"/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/58556/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/61e93/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp 200w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/1f5c5/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp 400w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/58556/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp 800w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/99238/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp 1200w,\n/static/0f906e903339441a0363e7a377f9821b/1da85/8782460ff284616cf33c2836173a0381.webp 1357w","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"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":3,"currentPage":1,"id":4964,"name":"Arthritis","slug":"arthritis","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}