{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/cannabis-101/7","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2688-markdown","title":"4 Ways to Find Your Perfect Dose of Cannabis ","slug":"4-ways-to-find-your-perfect-dose-of-cannabis","content":"Dosing marijuana is hard. Even with legalization gaining traction across the U.S. and the multitude of cannabis brands and consumption options available, folks new to cannabis still struggle with finding how much cannabis—and what kind—is appropriate for them.\n\nFor now, the best we can tell cannabis consumers in their quest to find the perfect dose is to “**start low and go slow**.” Cannabis businesses and entrepreneurs are stepping up to the plate and giving consumers a wide array of options to solve their problems around figuring out the right amount when dosing. \n\nThe first attempt at a solution was the rise of [microdosed](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/microdosing) cannabis products. Now, some businesses and organizations are adding science and technology to the mix in hopes of improving dosing accuracy. \n\nOther companies are helping consumers figure out not just how much cannabis they require but also what type of cannabis products best suits their needs. From the tailored consumer highs touted by companies like [Canopy Growth](https://www.canopygrowth.com/) and [AbsoluteXtracts](https://www.abx.org/) to the “layered” effects of [Level Blends](https://levelexperience.com/), consumers now have a few ways to tackle the cannabis dosing problem. \n\n![Hello2-min (26).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello2_min_26_b45b29ac52.png)\n\n### 1. Microdosing—It Isn’t Just for Cannabis Edibles & Tinctures \n\nMicrodosing was first associated with **[psychedelics](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/psychedelics)** like lysergic acid diethylamide ([LSD](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-is-lsd-psychedelics-101)) and [psilocybin](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-is-psilocybin-psychedelics-101)—the psychoactive component of ***magic mushrooms***. Young professionals reported using small enough doses of these substances to elicit certain responses, like depression relief, without any larger hallucinogenic effects that could inhibit everyday activities. \n\nThis concept quickly gained in popularity in a cannabis space that was initially focused on products with high amounts of [tetrahydrocannabinol](https://www.hellomd.com/tag/thc) (THC). Now, microdosing is all the rage with products like [Kiva’s Petra Mints](https://www.kivaconfections.com/brand/petra) and [Terra Bites](https://www.kivaconfections.com/brand/terra), which come in at a manageable 2.5 mg of THC per mint and 5 mg of THC per bite. \n\nEdible makers still have to address their own dosing problem: Multiple reports in U.S. states with recreational cannabis markets have found that [the amount of THC on the package doesn’t necessarily correlate with how much of the molecule is in the edible](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/medical_marijuana_edibles_mostly_mislabeled_study_shows) itself. \n\nLuckily, microdosing edibles aren’t your only options: **Tinctures** offer a more accurate way to dose, and there are also inhalable alternatives. Low-THC prerolls like those sold by [The Garden Society](https://thegardensociety.com/) are a burgeoning option. They allow newbies or those with a low THC tolerance to smoke flower with little fear that they’ll accidentally overdo it. And [dosist](https://dosist.com/) vapor pens vibrate after 2.5 mg of THC has been inhaled, letting users know exactly how much they’ve had.\n\nThere are also a number of cannabis inhalers available that are designed to give metered doses. Israel-based Syqe Medical has managed to attract the attention of [Teva Pharmaceuticals](https://www.tevapharm.com/) with a medical cannabis inhaler that delivers standardized doses of cannabis. The device is already in use in Rambam Hospital in Israel and has even undergone [a small clinical trial to test its dosing accuracy](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25118789). \n\n![Hello6-min (12).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello6_min_12_66859b92da.png)\n\n### 2. Technology That Tracks Your Cannabis Dosing\n\nIf you’re having trouble keeping track of your cannabis consumption, never fear: There’s—unsurprisingly—an app for that. [Releaf](https://releafapp.com/) is a digital cannabis journal. Consumers note what they’ve taken, how much of it and how it made them feel. All of the data are recorded in the app, which creates reports you can share with your doctor or another appropriate caregiver.\n\nOther brands like [Resolve](http://www.resolvedigitalhealth.com/) are also using technology to help customers find their perfect dose. The company’s “smart inhaler” pairs with an app where users input their pain levels. Based on this report, the app calculates an appropriate dose. The app then pings the user, asking them to record how they feel 10 minutes after consuming. By aggregating this data and offering a way to precisely consume cannabis, the consumer can have an easier time determining how much of Resolve’s product is needed for pain relief.\n\n![Hello4-min (24).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello4_min_24_8240521b5f.png)\n\n### 3. Cannabis Products That Are Designed & Touted for Their Effects\n\nWhile some companies are focusing on helping consumers hone their dosing levels, other companies are “designing” cannabis effects to help consumers figure out what they should take. By controlling the amount of [cannabinoids](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/cannabinoids-chemical-compounds-with-huge-therapeutic-potential) and [terpenes](https://www.hellomd.com/articles/what-are-cannabis-terpenes-and-how-do-they-work) in their product, companies aim to create predetermined effects that eliminate the uncertainty that sometimes happens when consuming cannabis—especially edibles. \n\nReconstructing cannabis highs is common among vapor pen companies like AbsoluteXtracts and dosist. Both companies use components of the cannabis plant to create particular effects.\n\nIn AbsoluteXtracts’ case, the company reconstructs strain profiles to give consumers effects they recognize from their favorite cannabis strains, like [Jack Herer](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/jack-herer), [Blue Dream](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/blue-dream), and [Sour Diesel](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/sour-diesel). While dosist uses the same principle to elicit effects like bliss, relief, passion, calm, arouse and sleep. \n\nOther companies, like [Canopy Growth](https://www.canopygrowth.com/), are taking this idea and attempting to apply it to the burgeoning cannabis beverage market. The company is collaborating with MillerCoors to develop a cannabis beer that mimics the effects of alcohol. The beer will even “hit” drinkers in the same amount of time it takes for an alcoholic beer to take effect. \n\n![Hello1-min (25).png](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Hello1_min_25_08bb84ad6d.png)\n\n### 4. Layering Cannabis Can Help You Achieve Certain Effects\n\nLayering is a concept that experienced cannabis consumers have likely been doing for a long time, perhaps without even knowing it. Layering is mixing and matching various cannabis products to achieve a certain effect. According to HelloMD Co-founder [Pamela Hadfield](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-hadfield-19a986), layering can be done in two ways:\n\n* within a product line\n* by using different cannabis consumption methods together \n\nLevel Blends has taken the idea of tailoring cannabis highs to the next, well, level. In addition to tailoring highs with products like [Elevate](https://elevatecannabis.co/), [Soothe](https://soothelife.com/) and [Remedy](https://www.remedyyourself.com/), the company’s line of tablinguals is also designed so customers can mix and match different products to obtain the effect they’re looking for.\n\nFor example, if you’re looking to relax but still be engaged, you might combine Soothe with Elevate. The mixing and matching are up to the individual consumer, but the company also provides an [infographic](https://www.instagram.com/p/BhIIEMBhqrf/?taken-by=level.blends) to give folks an idea of how they might use their products in concert. \n\nIf you’re already an experienced cannabis consumer with a wide array of products at your disposal, layering with different consumption methods might help you achieve a desired effect. “If you have chronic pain, maybe start with your vape pen, then move on to your edible and then your topical,” suggests Pamela. \n\nEven with the advent of new technologies in cannabis dosing, finding the right amount and the best consumption method still requires some experimentation. Hopefully, with some of the products and methods listed here, you’ll be on your way to finding your perfect dose. If all else fails, remember the basics: Start low and go slow. \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.\n\n### Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online\n\nIt's easy to get your medical marijuana document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/get-started/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and purchase medical cannabis today. You don't pay unless you're approved!","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/ee604/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png","srcSet":"/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/69585/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png 200w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/497c6/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png 400w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/ee604/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png 800w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/f3583/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png 1200w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/b9e4b/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.png 1254w","srcWebp":"/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/58556/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/61e93/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp 200w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/1f5c5/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp 400w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/58556/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp 800w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/99238/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp 1200w,\n/static/0d114338b12508dcb35c7bd311a74d80/3c324/aa0a35ebf2656a4e92a23432a0a439a3.webp 1254w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2672-markdown","title":"Know Your Terpenes: Beta-Caryophyllene","slug":"know-your-terpenes-beta-caryophyllene","content":"If you love herbs and spicy foods—or beer for that matter, you’ve most likely encountered beta-caryophyllene (BCP). BCP is a common terpene that’s found in hops and is responsible for the spicy, zesty flavors of black pepper, rosemary, oregano and many other herbs. There’s BCP in many plants around the world, including cannabis. This little-known terpene plays a key role in activating the [many therapeutic properties of cannabis. This is thanks to its own potent healing power](https://mybiohack.com/blog/beta-caryophyllene-cannabinoid-pain-brain) and its unique ability to activate the endocannabinoid receptor CB2. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Marijuana Terpenes: The Hidden Healers\n\nMuch of the research on the health benefits of cannabis has focused on cannabinoids, especially delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These compounds are abundant in varying amounts in different cannabis strains. Most people are talking about cannabinoids when they espouse the known psychoactive and therapeutic effects of cannabis. But alongside these and other compounds, marijuana also contains more than 200 terpenes—oils produced by the plant’s resin glands. Terpenes are responsible for the wide variety of flavors and scents of the many cannabis strains.\n\nRELATED: [WHAT ARE TERPENES AND WHAT IS THEIR EFFECT?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56e359576d0ed000080000ba/what-are-terpenes-and-what-is-their-effect)\n\nBut terpenes also do much more. Recent research on marijuana terpenes reveals that these oils [have anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antioxidant properties all on their own](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/caryophyllene). Terpenes can also be used alone to treat a range of health problems such as:\n\n* Depression\n* Anxiety\n* Infection\n* Digestive issues \n* Cancer\n\nThe terpenes in marijuana modulate the effects of THC, CBD and other cannabis compounds to increase their potency. Terpenes also support the other compounds’ ability to bind with the body’s own system of natural cannabinoid receptors.\n\nBecause the [compounds and terpenes in cannabis are so similar to these natural cannabinoids](http://www.europeanneuropsychopharmacology.com/article/S0924-977X1300302-7/abstract), they can trigger the same responses in the endocannabinoid system. This explains why cannabis can be effective for treating such a wide range of very different health conditions. \n\n### Beta-Caryophyllene: the Dietary Cannabinoid With Healing Properties\n\nBCP is the [first-known “dietary cannabinoid](http://www.pnas.org/content/105/26/9099).” It has this nickname because it appears naturally in so many herbs and spices. This is also why the Food and Drug Administration awarded it [GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status for use as a food]( https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/).  \n\nCannabis compounds like CBD and THC typically bind directly to both cannabinoid receptors to a greater or lesser extent. A number of secondary terpenes and cannabis compounds act indirectly by boosting their activity. But like THC and CBD, BCP is able to bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors themselves, specifically to CB2 receptors, which occurs in large numbers in the organs and peripheral tissues.\n\nBoth the CB1 and CB2 receptors have important roles to play in keeping the body healthy. When activated, CB1, the receptor that’s activated by the psychoactive THC, triggers responses that affect things like:\n\n* Mood\n* Concentration\n* Perceptions of pain\n* Neural responses \n\nBut the CB2 receptor is found in high concentrations in organs and tissues, which means that it can affect the health of cells, nerves and tissues by:\n\n* Reducing inflammation \n* Lessening oxidation\n* Encouraging immune responses \n\nAnd because CB2 is also found in the brain, activating it with natural endocannabinoids or cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis can also:\n\n* Reduce anxiety \n* Ease depression \n* Help with drug- and alcohol-related cravings\n\nThe ability of BCP to bind directly with the CB2 receptor means that this terpene can help: \n\n* [Reduce pain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24930711) \n* [Ease the symptoms of inflammation-related conditions](https://naturegoingsmart.com/anti-inflammatory-proprieties-of-caryophyllene/) such as osteoarthritis, colitis, atherosclerosis and diabetes \n* Protect brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease and stroke sufferers \n* [Suppress tumor growth and boost the effectiveness of some chemotherapy medications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053325)\n* Support healthy skin cells \n\n### How to Consume Beta-Caryophyllene Through Cannabis\n\nEach cannabis strain has a unique terpene profile, and some have more BCP than others. Popular strains that contain significant amounts of this terpene include: \n\n* [Sour Diesel](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cd299d520d60009f4f4ae/sour-diesel)\n* [OG Kush](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cce66d520d60009f4f4ab/og-kush)\n* [Bubba Kush](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7ce37fd520d60009f4f4b5/bubba-kush)\n\nBCP has a lower boiling point than other cannabinoids do, so researchers recommend consuming it in ways other than smoking—and if vaping, pay close attention to the temperature whenever possible. \n\nBecause BCP is classified as a food-grade product, it’s perfect to choose a high-BCP cannabis strain if you’re making marijuana edibles. It’s also easy to purchase BCP as an extract, which you can add directly to foods, consume as a dietary supplement, or mix with carrier oils to make creams and ointments. BCP is also often already found in topical products such as salves, creams and ointments for smoothing the skin and reducing the appearance of blemishes and scars.  \n\nBCP adds peppery flavor and a woody aroma to spices like caraway and cloves and several strains of cannabis. Widely available and safe to use in many ways, this dietary cannabinoid has a unique way of affecting the endocannabinoid system that can result in a long list of powerful benefits. \n\nPhoto credit: [Christin Hume](https://unsplash.com/@christinhumephoto)\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.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/14b42/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/f836f/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 200w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/2244e/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 400w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/14b42/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 800w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/47498/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 1200w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/0e329/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 1600w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/3e38a/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.jpg 3622w","srcWebp":"/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/58556/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/61e93/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 200w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/1f5c5/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 400w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/58556/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 800w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/99238/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 1200w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/7c22d/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 1600w,\n/static/4c329c0f31501d62e747233307ab64dc/7280a/bc1e4baa707df550f4feee2b52371856.webp 3622w","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_2659-markdown","title":"Cannabis Transdermal Patches: Medicate Through Your Skin ","slug":"cannabis-transdermal-patches-medicate-through-your-skin","content":"Cannabis transdermal patches are a new and unique way to experience the benefits of medical marijuana. You may be familiar with transdermal patches that administer other medications like birth control, pharmaceuticals for pain or nicotine. Cannabis transdermal patches work much the same way, with cannabinoids time-released directly into the bloodstream to provide long-lasting relief without the side effects associated with smoking, vaping or eating cannabis.  \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 Marijuana Transdermal Patches Work?\n\nCannabis transdermal patches store active cannabinoids inside a reservoir that has an impermeable backing on one side and an adhesive that sticks to the skin on the other side. When adhered to the skin over a veiny area, cannabinoids are transferred from the patch through all layers of the skin and absorbed directly into the bloodstream.\n\nOur [skin has a protective permeability barrier](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2688147/), which prevents us from absorbing microbes like bacteria, fungi, viruses and other substances. To get past this barrier, marijuana transdermal patches use carrier molecules, which attach to the cannabinoids and carry them over the skin barrier and into the bloodstream.  \n\nTransdermal patches have a higher bioavailability than that of any other method of marijuana consumption, because they bypass the digestive and respiratory systems. When you ingest or inhale cannabis, a percentage of the cannabinoids is digested or metabolized by the liver before entering your bloodstream. With a transdermal patch, you absorb 100% of the available cannabinoids, giving a [10 mg dose of cannabis though a patch a medicinal value closer to an 80 mg dose](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/563d168959fa6800080000c9/cannabis-transdermal-patches-easy-to-use-and-effective-for-pain) from other consumption methods.  \n\nThe measured dose of cannabinoids in a transdermal patch is slow-released to provide consistent and continual dosage for all-day or all-night relief. You’ll feel the effects of a patch within roughly 20 minutes of applying it, and they’ll generally last between eight to 12 hours.\n\nThe effects from a marijuana transdermal patch come on quicker than the effects of edibles do, though their onset is a bit slower than that of smoking. Meanwhile, transdermal cannabis’s effects last longer than both of these modes of administration. With a gradual entry and exit, the overall experience with a transdermal patch is more even and consistent than experienced with other ways of consuming cannabis. \n\n### Transdermal Patches Are Made With Cannabis Isolates\n\nTransdermal patches contain cannabis isolates that have been extracted from the plant and purified, with no other active molecules present. Patches are generally available in a variety of formulations with different isolated cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). Doses can range from 10–50 mg, and there are indica and sativa options for both nighttime and daytime use.  \n\nAmong the cannabis transdermal patches available, you’ll find a variety of ratios of CBD to THC.  These two cannabinoids offer benefits on their own even as they work well together. While THC is known for its analgesic, anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory properties, CBD offers anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic and anti-seizure benefits. THC is known as the molecule that causes you to feel high, while CBD balances out the psychoactivity of THC and eases the paranoia or anxiety that can come with consuming THC.\n\nTo find the ratio that’s right for you, consider how much psychoactivity you can handle and what conditions you want to relieve. A pure CBD patch has none of the psychoactive effects of THC, and provides mood uplifting and anti-inflammatory benefits. Balanced 1:1 ratios of CBD to THC offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits for sleep, pain and muscle spasms. Ratios with more THC will result in greater psychoactive effects while transdermal patches with more CBD will have a more calming influence with less psychoactivity.  \n\nRELATED: [HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING? TRY NON-PSYCHOACTIVE CBN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a00c7e5462abf14dd36415f/having-trouble-sleeping-try-non-psychoactive-cbn)\n\n### Cannabis Topicals vs. Marijuana Patches\n\nWhile both patches and topicals—such as lotions, creams, balms, salves and ointments—are administered via the skin, the effects are different. With marijuana topicals, cannabinoids are absorbed into the top layers of the skin, but aren’t absorbed into the bloodstream. This means they have little to no psychoactive effects and are best used for localized relief on a specific body part. \n\nOn the other hand, transdermal patches deliver cannabis past all of the epidermal layers to reach the bloodstream. This means transdermal patches can produce psychoactive effects. This also makes transdermal patches a better option when you need steady and long-lasting relief. \n\n### Why Choose a Marijuana Transdermal Patch?\n\n* They’re discreet and easy to use. You can stick one on your skin and wear it all day without anyone knowing. Plus, you only have to do this once instead of medicating multiple times. \n* The slow-timed release offers long-lasting and consistent relief. Transdermal patches only release a certain amount of cannabinoids into the bloodstream at a time, so there are no peaks to the medication’s effects.\n* Transdermal patches provide precise dosage and higher bioavailability. Absorbing 100% of the cannabinoids means you can accurately track and control your dosage. This also allows you to ingest less marijuana overall while experiencing the same level of relief.  \n* You can consume cannabis in a way that’s smoke-free and calorie-free. Bypassing the digestive and respiratory systems also bypasses many of the side effects that go along with ingesting or inhaling cannabis.   \n* With transdermal patches, you can more precisely choose your cannabinoid. You’re in control of how you treat your condition—with a pure isolate and no secondary metabolites or byproducts. \n* Cannabis transdermal patches can decrease the cost of your medicine. You can purchase less medicine overall because of the patches’ higher absorption rate and less frequent dosing requirements.  \n\n### Which Cannabis Transdermal Patch Is Right for You?\n\n* If you suffer from insomnia, you may want to try a [CBN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56b95ac10e9909000800012b/the-cbn-cannabinoid-affects-your-health) patch, which has a sedative effect. Some patients report no psychoactive effects from CBN, but this isn’t universal. If you’re particularly sensitive to THC, then you may feel some psychoactive effects from CBN.\n* If you seek relief from chronic pain and inflammation, you may want to try a patch with a 1:1 or 1:3 CBD to THC ratio.  \n* If you’re looking to treat anxiety, a pure CBD patch or a 3:1 CBD to THC ratio may be right for you. A pure CBD patch will have no psychoactive effects.  \n* If you suffer from nausea, appetite loss, neurodegenerative disease or arthritis, start with a 1:3 CBD to THC patch or a patch containing [THCA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/584f78817f091000089c44a4/the-medicinal-benefits-of-thca), which has neuroprotective and anti-emetic properties.\n\nCannabis transdermal patches are easy to use and the most effective way of consuming medical marijuana. They’re perfect for folks who wish to medicate with cannabinoids but who aren’t interested in smoking or eating their medicine. Plus, if you try a transdermal patch and discover it’s not for you, simply remove the patch and the effects will go away in just a few minutes. Do you consume cannabis via a transdermal patch? If so, let us know why in the comments section below. \n\nPhoto credit: [Makhmutova Dina](https://unsplash.com/@dinamakhmutova)\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.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/14b42/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/f836f/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 200w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/2244e/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 400w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/14b42/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 800w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/47498/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 1200w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/0e329/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 1600w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/c6c88/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.jpg 2251w","srcWebp":"/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/58556/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/61e93/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 200w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/1f5c5/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 400w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/58556/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 800w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/99238/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 1200w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/7c22d/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 1600w,\n/static/423461250f1a37380ec2da605ffe84b5/9f4c3/5edb45af926aaa5db0030451ce12e04d.webp 2251w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2637-markdown","title":"3 Ways to Keep Your Cannabis Tolerance Under Control","slug":"3-ways-to-keep-your-cannabis-tolerance-under-control","content":"Cannabis high in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a powerful psychoactive medicine, and when you first start using it, you may find the effects to be very strong. That said, if you use cannabis regularly, you’ll likely build up a tolerance to it. You may find over time that your cannabis just doesn’t seem as strong as it used to be. Psychoactive effects may become less noticeable, and you may find other effects of your cannabis are weaker as well. For most, the obvious solution is to use more. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nBut increased cannabis consumption often only makes matters worse. As you consume more, your tolerance increases as well. This causes folks to need more and more cannabis to produce the same effects as when they first started consuming the plant. It can be a frustrating cycle, especially since cannabis can be costly.\n\nIn addition, tolerance is an especially important issue for [women, who are both more sensitive to the effects of cannabis and tend to develop a cannabis tolerance faster than men do](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a6786ed8425e40008273a37/5-ways-marijuana-affects-men-and-women-differently). Luckily, there are a few ways that cannabis patients can manage their tolerance to ensure it doesn’t get out of control. \n\n### 1. Avoid Overusing Cannabis\n\nThere are ways to bring your tolerance to cannabis back down, but before we get to those methods, let’s start with how to avoid a quick tolerance build-up in the first place. One of the easiest ways to build up a tolerance is to overuse cannabis. This happens when patients use more than they actually need to deal with their symptoms. \n\nTo avoid this, always [start with the smallest effective dose of marijuana](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a0efecec1c79d0009dba12b/how-to-find-your-ideal-marijuana-dosage) and work your way up. Overuse can be problematic on its own, because it can make your treatment less effective and can lead to increased side effects. But it will also very quickly bring your tolerance up. \n\nYou can bypass these problems with mindful choices about how much marijuana you use. Go with what you need to manage your symptoms, but don’t use any more than that. \n\n### 2. Take a Tolerance Break From Cannabis\n\nOne popular way to reduce your cannabis tolerance is to take a tolerance break. A tolerance break (also called a tolerance cleanse) is just a temporary pause on cannabis use. Most breaks last three to seven days. \n\nAfter this break, when cannabis use is resumed, most find that their tolerance is much lower. With a lower tolerance, they’re able to use less cannabis, and perceive its effects to be much stronger. \n\nRELATED: [SHOULD I DO A CANNABIS TOLERANCE CLEANSE?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a4aaf10100a820006562f46/should-i-do-a-cannabis-tolerance-cleanse)\n\nStill, tolerance breaks aren’t for everyone. While pausing your cannabis consumption won’t lead to the kind of withdrawal symptoms you might find with addictive substances like alcohol, tobacco or opiates, it may interfere with your medical cannabis treatment. \n\nFor example, I’ve met patients who take cannabis to prevent the onset of seizures. While their tolerance has increased, they don’t want to take a tolerance break, because they’re worried their seizures may start up again without cannabis in their system. Depending on your condition, a tolerance break may not be a viable strategy. \n\n### 3. Switch Marijuana Strains Regularly\n\nAnother method for managing tolerance is to switch cannabis strains on a regular basis. \n\nSometimes, our tolerance is tied to the particular types of cannabis we’re regularly consuming. If I use Afgoo all the time, for example, and then try something new like, say, OG Kush, I may find that OG Kush affects me more strongly. This phenomenon can be harnessed for the purposes of tolerance management. \n\n* If you have a few varieties of cannabis that work well for you, start with one and use it regularly. \n\n* When your tolerance has begun to build, and you notice the strain isn’t affecting you as much, put it to the side. For me, this is usually after two to three weeks, but it can vary person to person. \n\n* Start using a different marijuana strain. \n\n* After tolerance begins to build again, switch again. You can even cycle back to the first cannabis strain you were using.\n\nBy employing a strain-switching strategy, patients can keep their tolerance down without having to take a tolerance break. You can apply this strategy to you method of cannabis consumption. So, for example, if you’ve been vaping cannabis and your tolerance is up, switching to edibles for a few weeks may help bring your tolerance for vaped cannabis back down.\n\n### When Cannabis Tolerance Is a Good Thing\n\nNow that we’ve shared our tips on how to keep your cannabis tolerance in check, it’s important to point out that sometimes having a cannabis tolerance is actually a good thing. \n\nIn the next installment of our Cannabis for Newbies guide, we’ll go over the various reasons why you may actually want to have a high tolerance to cannabis and how to achieve that quickly. \n\nPhoto credit: [Carlos Gracia](https://www.flickr.com/photos/vardolath/)\n\nNeed a medical marijuana recommendation? [Consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/14b42/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/f836f/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.jpg 200w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/2244e/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.jpg 400w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/14b42/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.jpg 800w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/32a41/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.jpg 923w","srcWebp":"/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/58556/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/61e93/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.webp 200w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/1f5c5/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.webp 400w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/58556/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.webp 800w,\n/static/c3228c9debec4789d3d097fbca5ae6e8/cddad/8ac752bebaee5c23ecb53b1682fd6f92.webp 923w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2635-markdown","title":"Embracing the Positive Side Effects of Cannabis","slug":"embracing-the-positive-side-effects-of-cannabis","content":"The broad variety found among cannabis strains translates into a wide range of side effects, some of which can be positive, while others can be negative. In last week’s article, we reviewed the various ways you can go about [reducing or eliminating any adverse side effects that may accompany cannabis consumption](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5abebfdcf24d1300077ccbb3/5-tips-to-knock-out-the-negative-side-effects-of-cannabis). Now, we turn our attention to the positive side effects that come with taking cannabis along with how to embrace and adapt to them in your everyday life. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Feelings of Guilt for Feeling So Good When Consuming Cannabis\n\nCannabis is finally starting to get the recognition it deserves as a powerful medicine. This plant is helping so many folks with their conditions and illnesses. But marijuana can come with a wide range of side effects, some of which may have nothing to do with what the patient is actively treating.\n\nCannabis can leave patients feeling happy, even euphoric. It can relax them. It can spark creativity. For some, cannabis puts them more in touch with their physical and emotional side, leading to new interests in spirituality or mindfulness. It can also help put folks more at ease in social situations, allowing them to be more open and compassionate with others. \n\nRELATED: [MEET 3 ARTISTS WHO USE CANNABIS TO SPARK THEIR CREATIVITY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a53b186100a820006562f54/meet-3-artists-who-use-cannabis-to-spark-their-creativity)\n\nWhatever the positive side effects may be, patients are sometimes concerned about experiencing them. They seem to feel almost guilty about feeling so good. It’s not that the effects are unpleasant, but they seem to be “unearned.” While it’s possible to avoid experiencing most positive side effects in many of the same ways you might [avoid negative side effects](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5abebfdcf24d1300077ccbb3/5-tips-to-knock-out-the-negative-side-effects-of-cannabis), effective cannabis options often come with more than one positive effect, so sometimes experiencing them is unavoidable. \n\n### The Drug User Stigma Around Marijuana\n\nIt actually makes a lot of sense as an instinct to distrust substances that make you feel too good. After all, there are plenty of drugs that create positive or euphoric feelings, but can lead you down a dangerous and addictive spiral. Many of the doctor-prescribed painkillers are on this list.\n\nThankfully, cannabis isn’t one of them. When compared to most euphoric substances, cannabis doesn’t cause the same kind of chemical addiction, and it can’t cause a toxic overdose. \n\nStill, there can be a strong stigma against any kind of euphoria-inducing substances including cannabis. Patients who’ve spent years avoiding addictive substances, or who are recovering from addiction, might find it quite alarming to have a euphoric reaction to cannabis. \n\n[One way to avoid the feelings of euphoria is to use cannabidiol (CBD) alone](https://www.hellomd.com/answers/59794b1be1fbd208230524c6/whats-the-best-strain-for-muscles-spasms-with-the-least-euphoria). This cannabinoid doesn’t come with cannabis’s psychoactive effects, and it can help with pain, stress, spasms and a variety of other issues. \n\nStill, even with CBD you may feel positive side effects that you weren’t looking for, such as extreme relaxation. At some point, patients usually need to adapt to these positive effects—or give up the medicine that’s working so well towards relieving their condition or symptoms.\n\n### When It Comes to Cannabis, “Own Your Stone”\n\nSome of the best advice I ever got while adjusting to cannabis use was to “own your stone.” Basically, this refers to the process of embracing the full experience of cannabis.\n\nFor me, cannabis was for pain and anxiety relief. I felt so much better when I was using it, but I also felt strange. I wasn’t used to being a happy, relaxed person. I’d been suffering from intense anxiety and chronic pain for as long as I could remember, and that suffering shaped a lot of my personality. \n\nWhen I tried cannabis, suddenly things started to change. I could relax in conversations and crack more jokes. My speech slowed and became less intense. I felt so good that at first it made me self-conscious.\n\nMy big worry? I was changing. I was worried that I didn’t seem like the same person anymore.\n\nThen a friend suggested that I just “own my stone.” This medicine was helping me for the better, and while I was changing, the changes were good. My health problems had shaped some of my traits, and as those dropped away, I changed in positive ways.\n\nWhen I embraced this process as one of becoming more like my true self, I suddenly didn’t feel so different. My core identity didn’t shift much, but some of my habits did—and I’m so glad for it. Having embraced my full experience with cannabis, I feel more whole and authentic than I ever have. \n\nThe person I am on cannabis is happier, more social, more relaxed and more creative. I’m so glad I embraced these positive effects instead of trying to avoid them.  \n\n### The Endocannabinoid System’s Connection to Achieving Good Health \n\nAs it turns out, the [endocannabinoid system (ECS)](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5751cbd970410e000b00003a/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system) plays a role in  bringing about these positive cannabis transformations. The ECS is a network of receptors found in all animals, and it controls vital functions and affects key bodily functions like immune responses, mood, memory and pain.\n\nWhile the ECS usually functions when our bodies’ natural endocannabinoids activate the endocannabinoid receptors, a deficiency in natural endocannabinoids can lead to a lot of health problems. This is where cannabis comes in: The phytocannabinoids found in marijuana can fill in for the body’s endocannabinoids to activate the ECS’s receptors. \n\nWhile many come to cannabis for a specific reason such as pain relief, [it may be that the root cause of your problems is an endocannabinoid deficiency](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59b2191f214a9d000dd6a3fe/do-you-have-clinical-endocannabinoid-deficiency). If this is the case, you may find that positive side effects are actually just resolutions to your deficiency. If your body has been missing out on these key natural chemicals, restoring them can bring new levels of health and well-being that you weren’t expecting. \n\nOther people may be this happy and healthy naturally, so there’s no need to feel guilty or that you’re cheating your way to bliss. Gaining positive effects from cannabis might just be a restoration of your true self—basically, what you’d be like without the cannabinoid deficiency. \n\nMy advice? Embrace the positive side effects and live your best life, guilt-free. \n\nIn our next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies guide, we’ll discuss how to manage your cannabis tolerance. While cannabis isn’t chemically addictive, you can increase your tolerance to it. For some, this means increasingly high amounts are needed for the same effects. Stay tuned to learn more about how to work with your cannabis tolerance and bring it back down when needed. \n\nPhoto credit: [Conor Lawless](https://www.flickr.com/photos/conchur/)\n\nNeed a medical marijuana recommendation? [Consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/14b42/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/f836f/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 200w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/2244e/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 400w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/14b42/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 800w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/47498/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/0e329/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 1600w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/c59b8/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.jpg 1850w","srcWebp":"/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/58556/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/61e93/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 200w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/1f5c5/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 400w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/58556/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 800w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/99238/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 1200w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/7c22d/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 1600w,\n/static/8ac1c32416069c5717c4ebd6c6729732/6b634/0684cddc70b8fcdf55de8c5a51af659f.webp 1850w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2642-markdown","title":"5 Tips to Knock Out the Negative Side Effects of Cannabis","slug":"5-tips-to-knock-out-the-negative-side-effects-of-cannabis","content":"Cannabis has an incredible amount of variety, and with that variety comes the potential for many different effects. Some of those effects are ones you’d prefer to avoid because they can turn a helpful experience into a cannabis nightmare. Luckily, we’ve got some tricks you can use that will reduce or eliminate these adverse effects, thereby ensuring a positive cannabis experience.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Negative Side Effects Can Lead to a Cannabis Consumption Nightmare \r\n\r\nThere are few things as frustrating as finding a medicine that would work great, if not for its negative side effects. While not everyone who consumes cannabis has an adverse reaction, for those who do, it can be a big problem. For some, it can even make cannabis unusable. \r\n\r\nThe potential side effects of cannabis can include:\r\n\r\n* anxiety\r\n* headache\r\n* paranoia\r\n* rapid heartbeat\r\n* difficulty thinking\r\n* lack of motivation\r\n* increased pain\r\n\r\nBut they don’t always occur. This makes patients unsure of how to medicate consistently: Though cannabis may work incredibly well, at other times it may leave them feeling worse than before they consumed. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [5 TIPS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF HAVING TOO MUCH CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a5cfdb5c7e0180007a78273/5-tips-to-reduce-the-effects-of-having-too-much-cannabis)\r\n\r\nIf you find yourself dealing with negative side effects when consuming cannabis, try these five tips to kick them to the curb.\r\n\r\n### 1.  Choose Marijuana Strains Carefully \r\n\r\nBecause the large variety of cannabinoids and terpenes in cannabis can create a variety of different effects, it’s important that you pick your strains carefully. People respond differently to different marijuana strains. As one of my first budtenders used to say: “Different strains for different brains.” While some marijuana strains may produce the effects you’re looking for, others may create the negative effects you were hoping to sidestep. \r\n\r\nStart recording your cannabis experiences so you can remember which strains work for you and which give you adverse effects. When something affects you negatively, stop using it and try something else. Keep searching for strains that work best for you and then stick with them. \r\n\r\n### 2. Lower Your Dose of Cannabis\r\n\r\nSometimes, the reason why you’re experiencing a negative effect is because you’ve had much marijuana. If you use a higher dose than you need, you may get negative side effects. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), for example, usually reduces pain, but if you take too much, it can actually increase pain levels.\r\n\r\nExperiment with lower doses if negative side effects are getting in your way. Start with the smallest dose you can and work your way up until you [find a dose that alleviates your symptoms without giving you more problems](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a0efecec1c79d0009dba12b/how-to-find-your-ideal-marijuana-dosage). \r\n\r\n### 3.  Build Your Cannabis Tolerance \r\n\r\nIn some cases, the problem isn’t having too high of a dose. Rather, you may not have had  enough cannabis. \r\n\r\nWhen people are just getting started with cannabis, or only use it occasionally, certain side effects—such as disorientation and paranoia—may come on much stronger. When you use cannabis more consistently, your tolerance goes up, and these side effects tend to diminish. It may take a week or so of adjustment before your system gets used to cannabis and those effects start to die down.\r\n\r\nSometimes, sticking with it is the only thing you need to do. Other times, increasing the frequency of your cannabis use can help. Stay tuned for our upcoming article where we’ll talk more about how to a build a tolerance to cannabis. \r\n\r\n### 4. Switch Your Method of Administration\r\n\r\nSometimes, the method you’re using to take your cannabis can be the reason why you’re experiencing negative side effects. Are you smoking, vaping or eating your cannabis? Is it a sublingual tincture or a topical? When it comes to the effect profile, the method of taking cannabis can be as important as the strain you select. Some methods may work well for you, while others produce negative effects. \r\n\r\nFor example, I find that I have my best experiences when I smoke cannabis flower or take cannabis in low-dose edible form. When I use the right strains, these methods alleviate my symptoms with no noticeable negatives effects. Vaping flower, on the other hand, makes me feel jittery and gives me a headache every time—even with my favorite strains. Vaping is so uncomfortable for me that I feel better without any cannabis at all, than I do after vaping. Still, for others, vaping is their preferred way to medicate with marijuana. You have to find what works best for you.\r\n\r\nIf you experience negative side effects from one particular method of consumption, explore other methods to see if something else is a better fit. \r\n\r\n### 5. Tame THC With CBD\r\n\r\nMany of the negative effects of cannabis come from THC, the powerful psychoactive compound in cannabis. While highly medicinal, THC can be hard to handle, and may leave you feeling too high, disoriented and paranoid—with a dry mouth, dry eyes and a racing heart. If that’s an experience you’ve had or one you’d like to avoid, cannabidiol (CBD) is here to help. \r\n\r\nCBD actually works with THC, modulating its effects. When you use CBD with THC, it helps reduce negative effects while still providing THC’s powerful medicinal properties. If you want to avoid THC’s psychoactive effects, CBD can also be used on its own. The World Health Organization recently reported that [CBD can help with symptoms related to epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, psychosis, Parkinson's disease and other serious conditions.](http://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf)\r\n\r\nIn our next installment of our Cannabis for Newbies guide, we’ll get into how to embrace cannabis’s positive side effects. While this might sound like an easy task, stigma around cannabis’s mood-altering abilities leaves some patients feeling guilty about feeling so good. \r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Joshua Wood](https://www.flickr.com/photos/126186577@N08/)\r\n\r\nNeed a medical marijuana recommendation? [Consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/14b42/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/f836f/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 200w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/2244e/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 400w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/14b42/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 800w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/47498/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 1200w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/0e329/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 1600w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/c59b8/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.jpg 1850w","srcWebp":"/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/58556/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/61e93/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 200w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/1f5c5/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 400w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/58556/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 800w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/99238/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 1200w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/7c22d/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 1600w,\n/static/7cb77d47395af656ee87cae08fa44193/6b634/c856b78b47d812e5f7413f1c3320b856.webp 1850w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2641-markdown","title":"Learning From the Cannabis Experiences of Others Like You","slug":"learning-from-the-cannabis-experiences-of-others-like-you","content":"As a cannabis patient, it’s important to figure out what cannabis options are right for you and your symptoms. This begins with research. In last week’s article, we discussed [how to find the scientific information on cannabis that applies to you](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5abeb727f24d1300077ccbb1/researching-the-right-cannabis-options-for-your-needs). In this article, we move on from published scientific data and start looking at how to apply anecdotal sources appropriately. Learning what has worked well for others who share your symptoms can be one of the quickest ways to figure out your own cannabis preferences.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### The Limits of Current Cannabis Research\r\n\r\nIt’s always a good idea to start with the scientific research on cannabis when investigating whether it could be helpful for a certain condition or symptom. That said, once you’ve figured out whether cannabis is a viable solution in your particular case, you’ll notice that there are limitations when it comes to this body of information.\r\n\r\nFor one thing, there’s very little published scientific data about which marijuana strains and methods of use are best for various conditions and symptoms. Most studies simply focus on the plant in general, but don’t say what variety of cannabis they’re using. Some studies mention tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), but very few mention the other cannabinoids or terpenes, and almost no studies mention strain.\r\n\r\nSo, patients often discover when reading the research that cannabis might help with their condition, but are left without any clues as to what type of cannabis they should try. This leaves them trying options at random, leading to a lot of disappointing experiences. \r\n\r\nWhile the scientific research isn’t always well suited to narrowing down your cannabis options, there are other ways to learn what might help. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [THE 5 MOST POPULAR STRAINS OF CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/the-5-most-popular-strains-of-cannabis)\r\n\r\n### Asking for Cannabis Advice From Those Around You\r\n\r\nOne way that cannabis patients can begin their search for helpful products is to ask people in their immediate circles what’s worked well for them. Do you know any other cannabis users with your condition or symptoms? Try asking them what they’ve found success with. Cannabis consumers usually have a lot of insight into what is and isn’t helpful for them. All you have to do is ask. \r\n\r\nIf you don’t know any other cannabis consumers dealing with similar problems, you can easily widen your net to find some. Local dispensaries are a great place to make these connections. Budtenders, or cannabis consultants, may have suggestions based on the patients they’ve worked with in the past. And often there are support groups or other events where patients can come together to discuss their medicine. Political advocacy groups for cannabis are also great places to meet experienced cannabis consumers, whom you can talk to. \r\n\r\nBy talking directly with other cannabis patients, you can get very specific and nuanced information about what’s working for them. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that people can react differently to cannabis strains. What’s worked for other patients may not work for you, so you may need to do a little experimenting to find your best options. Still, learning from others’ experiences can at least give you a place to start. \r\n\r\n### Online Tools for Learning What Types of Cannabis Works for Others\r\n\r\nYou can also get online to access a cornucopia of patient reports on what’s helped them. With more examples to learn from, patients are even more likely to find something that works. HelloMD is a great place to start this research, because it makes it easy to learn about other patients along with what cannabis strains and products have been effective for them. \r\n\r\nOn HelloMD’s [Strains](https://www.hellomd.com/strains) and [Product](https://www.hellomd.com/products) pages, patients can review what they’ve tried. Often, in these reviews, patients share what the product or strain was helpful for. You can then browse through these strain and product reviews to learn what’s helping people with needs similar to yours. \r\n\r\nYou can also find patients chatting about their strain preferences on message boards and blogs. HelloMD’s [Q&A platform](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) allows patients to ask questions of our community comprising cannabis doctors, experts and patients. Searching through these questions and answers can provide a lot of insight into what’s working for a number of conditions.\r\n\r\nIf you can’t find the information you’re looking for, go ahead and ask your own question. The HelloMD community is full of helpful cannabis experts and consumers, eager to aid others in their cannabis journey. \r\n\r\nWe’ve also got [many articles featuring patient success stories](https://www.hellomd.com/search?type=article&term=success%20story). In these inspiring posts, patients often share key details about their own cannabis regimen. Mining this information could be helpful for you. \r\n\r\n### Trying Out Cannabis Suggestions\r\n\r\nHaving access to all of this information is incredibly helpful, because it can give you a short list of marijuana strains, methods and products to explore. By further honing your list of options, it’s likely that at least one of the products you learn about will be helpful for you.   \r\n\r\nAs already mentioned, however, as you try out these suggestions, it’s important to remember that cannabis can affect people differently. You may need to go through a trial-and-error phase before you find the right options for you. It can sometimes take a little bit of patience, but finding the right cannabis options can be life-changing. \r\n\r\nIn our next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies series, we get into how you can reduce or eliminate the negative side effects from consuming cannabis.\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Suhyeon Choi](https://unsplash.com/@choisyeon)\r\n\r\nNeed a medical marijuana recommendation? [Consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwABAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQFBv/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAdGNCdKnH//EABsQAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAQQAERIT/9oACAEBAAEFAjdw6bRee8tBtrIhYKLpX//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABD/2gAIAQMBAT8BP//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABD/2gAIAQIBAT8BP//EABwQAAICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECABEQURIxQf/aAAgBAQAGPwJE8PcJFXywraE3ZitsT//EABoQAAMBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABESExQXH/2gAIAQEAAT8hzZR0/B6AwXwVJMRanQXetTpl00P/2gAMAwEAAgADAAAAEPvP/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD/2gAIAQMBAT8QGf/EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAR/9oACAECAQE/EIf/xAAcEAEBAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhQVExscH/2gAIAQEAAT8QuNEqjwMTEJluyvzD7QuUZ4A8lcksBDGyr7wwNBHTzn//2Q==","aspectRatio":1.36986301369863,"src":"/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/14b42/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/f836f/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 200w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/2244e/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 400w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/14b42/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 800w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/47498/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/0e329/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 1600w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/8682f/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.jpg 1811w","srcWebp":"/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/58556/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/61e93/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 200w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/1f5c5/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 400w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/58556/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 800w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/99238/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 1200w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/7c22d/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 1600w,\n/static/6d6a6fca85f12131332db5310fe5ab5f/14420/fdea317c68cbe225c3491f2f97c721e5.webp 1811w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2654-markdown","title":"Researching the Right Cannabis Options for Your Needs","slug":"researching-the-right-cannabis-options-for-your-needs","content":"In our series for cannabis newcomers, we explore the most relevant information to help you get started with cannabis. We’ve covered many topics including [how to talk to a doctor](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59d40a8911eb323d56682477/how-to-talk-to-your-general-practitioner-about-cannabis) or [choose a dispensary](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59e8e2f5727ea40d59672a76/choosing-a-cannabis-dispensary-or-delivery-service), the medical conditions most commonly treated with cannabis—such as [stress](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a99f8b3f24d1300077ccb74/how-to-manage-stress-with-cannabis) and [anxiety](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a99f400f24d1300077ccb72/finding-success-with-cannabis-to-reduce-anxiety)—and [what the main marijuana options are](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a81efe4f24d1300077ccb43/harnessing-the-power-of-cannabiss-chemical-compounds) and how to use them. \r\n\r\nNow, we take a look at how to personalize your cannabis regimen. Cannabis has an incredible amount of variety, and that variety can provide a number of different effects. As a cannabis patient, it’s important to figure out what options are right for you and your symptoms. This begins with research. To help you on your way, we go over how to research cannabis for your specific needs.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Making a Cannabis Wish List\r\n \r\nFiguring out the world of cannabis can be a daunting task. The countless options available from dispensaries in your area can be overwhelming. Trying products at random won’t usually provide the effects you’re looking for, so it can be easy to get discouraged or feel like maybe cannabis isn’t for you. That’s why researching what types of cannabis will help with your needs is crucial. \r\n\r\nTo get started with this research project, patients should make a wish list of everything they want their cannabis to do. What are the main symptoms and conditions you’re looking to address? Be as specific as you’d like, and be sure to list both symptoms and conditions, as these may bring back different types of information when searching. \r\n\r\nFor example, if you have fibromyalgia, your list might look like this:\r\n\t\r\n* Treat fibromyalgia \r\n* Reduce chronic pain\r\n* Reduce muscle tension \r\n* Increase energy\r\n\r\nWith this list, you can begin your research, gathering information about what cannabis options will work best for each item you’ve included. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [NEW RESEARCH PROVES MARIJUANA EFFECTIVELY CONTROLS CHRONIC PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/598f893156ef1d0031b26cb0/new-research-proves-marijuana-effectively-controls-chronic-pain)\r\n\r\n### Getting Started With Cannabis Research\r\n\t\r\nA first step folks often take when researching cannabis is reaching out to people they trust who already know something about the plant. A doctor who specializes in cannabis should be number one on that list. Talk to a cannabis doctor about your needs when you’re getting your medical recommendation, or on a follow-up visit. You can [consult with one of HelloMD’s knowledgeable doctors](https://www.hellomd.com/); it's easy, private and 100% online.\r\n\r\nWhile talking to your doctor, discuss the items on your wish list and see if they have any suggestions for the best cannabis options for your particular needs. As medical professionals who’ve studied the research and work with medical marijuana patients every day, they’re in the best position to advise.\r\n\r\nOnce you’ve received advice from the doctor, you may also find it helpful to talk to close friends who use cannabis or an experienced budtender at a local dispensary. While these are great people to get insight from, remember that everyone experiences cannabis differently, so what worked for your friend may not work for you. You can gain amazing insight from those around you, but exploring what has worked for people beyond your immediate circles is also crucial. \r\n\r\n### Exploring Online Resources When Researching Cannabis\r\n\r\nThere are over 20,000 research papers on the topic of cannabis. While the research doesn’t answer all of our questions, there’s a fair amount of information available that can help point you in the right direction. Luckily, the internet offers some great resources for exploring this body of information.\r\n\r\nAn easy way to start is by going to educational websites that focus on cannabis research, and search for articles about your condition or symptoms. HelloMD is a great place to begin your search. It’s chock full of articles that give easy-to-read overviews of the research, written by doctors or other cannabis experts. Just enter the search terms from your wish list individually and read about what might work for you. \r\n\r\nIf you’d like to get even deeper into the research, you may want to look for the scientific studies on cannabis directly. Scientific papers can be challenging to read and aren’t always available to the public, but often there’s a lot of information you can mine, even in the study abstracts. To find these studies directly, go to [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/), type in a search term from your wish list along with “cannabis,” and see what comes up. \r\n\r\nWherever you search, look for details such as what type of cannabis was used, how it was administered and what the dosage was. This type of information can be critical in creating a cannabis regimen that works. \r\n\r\n### Experimenting to Find the Right Cannabis Options\r\n\r\nWhen you’ve completed your research, make sure to record your findings. What have you gleaned? While you might not have an exact recipe for the perfect cannabis regimen, you’ll probably have some useful information at the end of this search. \r\n\r\nRemember that cannabis can affect people differently. You may need to some experimenting before you find the right options for you. Still, it’s likely you’ve narrowed down your options. Use these parameters as you continue your cannabis search. It can sometimes take a little bit of patience, but finding the right cannabis options can be life-changing. \r\n\r\nIn our next installment of the Cannabis for Newbies guide, we talk about the value of learning what others with your condition or symptoms are using successfully. How can you effectively tap into the collective knowledge, and thereby learn more about what marijuana strains and products other patients are using successfully? Stay tuned to find out how. \r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Tanjila Ahmed](https://www.flickr.com/photos/tanj/)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.36986301369863,"src":"/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/14b42/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.jpg","srcSet":"/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/f836f/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.jpg 200w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/2244e/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.jpg 400w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/14b42/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.jpg 800w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/0a6a7/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.jpg 927w","srcWebp":"/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/58556/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/61e93/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.webp 200w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/1f5c5/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.webp 400w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/58556/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.webp 800w,\n/static/94fd50b2f472353fffac54b21c1109a2/12bdc/4cbca62796efcf506a4eb8c99ffef351.webp 927w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2646-markdown","title":"How to Alleviate Muscle Spasms With Marijuana","slug":"how-to-alleviate-muscle-spasms-with-marijuana","content":"[Muscle spasms are an involuntary and often extremely painful contraction of a muscle](https://www.medicinenet.com/muscle_spasms/article.htm). They tend to strike suddenly and resolve quickly. However, in some cases these painful spasms can leave the afflicted individual immobile. Those who suffer from chronic muscle spasms can find themselves out of commission, unable to live a normal, full life.\n\nA variety of things—from dehydration or muscle fatigue to injuries or more serious underlying issues such as multiple sclerosis or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)—can cause painful muscle spasms. Whatever their cause, muscle spasms can be frightening and debilitating. Thankfully, [many patients with muscle spasms are now finding relief and improved function with the use of cannabis](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b156f433303700060f0000/easing-muscle-spasms-with-medical-marijuana).\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Cannabis-Infused Transdermal Patches Ease Emilie’s Muscle Spasms\n\nEmilie, a 24-year-old dog walker from San Rafael, CA, says that cannabis has helped immensely with her muscle spasms and associated pain. The spasms, which occur mostly in her neck, started when Emilie got into a bike accident in the fifth grade. Her neck never really recovered, and the pain seemed to worsen over time.\n\n“I just got increasingly worse, and when I was stressed and studying, my parents could literally see this huge knot on my back,” she says.\n\nEmilie’s first muscle spasm was a frightening experience. “I literally could not move,” she recalls. “I couldn’t get out of bed… and I was terrified I had some kind of crazy nerve damage.” With pain so intense, these frequent spasms left Emilie unable to do much of anything.\n\nFortunately, Emilie has found a solution that reduces her pain and helps her live her life uninterrupted. That solution is cannabis-infused transdermal patches. “These work better than opiates work for this kind of pain,” she says. “Right now, I'm just using my patches, and I'm able to move around. I’m able to drive and look around, and it's not painful. It actually makes it so I can function and do day-to-day things without being miserable.” \n\nRELATED: [3 POPULAR QUESTIONS ABOUT MARIJUANA & MUSCLE SPASMS/SORENESS ANSWERED](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a57b362c7e0180007a7826e/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-muscle-spasms-soreness-answered)\n\n### Topical CBD Helps Sergio Manage His Painful Muscle Spasms\n\nSergio, a 27-year-old custodian from Eugene, OR, has also found success using cannabis to ease his muscle spasms. Sergio traces his spasms back to a Xanax prescription a doctor prescribed when he was going through a hard time.\n\n“I remember going to work on [the Xanax] for a while, and I couldn't really talk. ... I didn't like my life as it was,” he says. The side effects made Sergio want to stop taking the benzodiazepines he’d been prescribed. So one day he stopped taking the medication cold turkey.\n\nWithin a month, he started to experience muscle spasms, and they continue to this day. “I feel like I've been stabbed in the head,” Sergio says to describe his spasms. Doctors suggested more Xanax to treat the muscle spasms. However, Sergio didn’t want to go back on the benzos. Instead, he decided to explore cannabis as a medical option.\n\nNow, Sergio uses topical cannabidiol (CBD) rubs to help with his painful spasms. He says that he’s better able to function, although some pain remains. “My pain isn't gone, but I'm alive,” he says. “I go to work. I don't feel too cloudy in my head.”\n\nWhile a pain-free experience would be ideal, Sergio is grateful for what cannabis brings into his life, saying, “Compared to being on some of the medications that [the doctors] had me on, it's a lot easier to function. … [Cannabis] really helps me get through the day.”\n\n### Treating Muscle Spasms With Cannabis \n\nSergio and Emilie aren’t alone in using cannabis for their muscle spasms. While the mechanism isn’t well understood, a number of [cannabis patients have reported that cannabis eases their muscle spasms](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK224382/).\n\nIf you suffer from muscle spasms 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 100% online, private and easy. \n\nWhether you have a medical marijuana card or live in a state where you can purchase through recreational means, there are many cannabis options on the market today. Cannabis can help muscle spasms with its many forms of administration. So, in some ways, this is about finding the best options for you.\n\nThat said, many patients suffering from muscle spasms find that transdermal patches—which deliver cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream—along with topical cannabis such as rubs, lotions and balms—which deliver localized relief—are most effective. Since transdermal patches delivers cannabis slowly over a period of time that can span up to eight hours, they’re not likely to get you (too) high. Meanwhile, cannabis-infused topicals simply target the affected area, so they won’t make you high.\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\nStay tuned for the next article in our Cannabis for Newbies series, where we’ll give tips on how to research and find the right cannabis options for your needs.\n\nPhoto credit: [Jasper Graetsch](https://unsplash.com/@gaspard_photo_)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/14b42/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg","srcSet":"/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/f836f/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg 200w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/2244e/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg 400w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/14b42/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg 800w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/47498/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg 1200w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/ce053/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.jpg 1511w","srcWebp":"/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/58556/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/61e93/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp 200w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/1f5c5/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp 400w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/58556/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp 800w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/99238/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp 1200w,\n/static/566f049ad5b3335a831db42144b4f543/81ca0/205abe235e279d86d3a1c1ec353655a8.webp 1511w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2645-markdown","title":"The Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cannabis","slug":"the-powerful-anti-inflammatory-effects-of-cannabis","content":"Inflammation is a symptom that’s tied to a wide range of conditions. While inflammation is your body’s natural response to infection—and is intended to fight it off and help your body heal, chronic inflammation can lead to problems of its own. In fact, some researchers believe that it’s [responsible for causing and advancing the progression of many illnesses](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3492709/). Due to the strong association between inflammation and diseases such as various cancers, autoimmune disorders and infectious disease, treatments that reduce inflammation and block the inflammatory process altogether could be incredibly helpful in treating a whole host of conditions. \n\nEnter cannabis with its powerful anti-inflammatory effects. In this article, geared towards cannabis newcomers, we examine how marijuana is proving to be a crucial tool in the fight against inflammation. That said, an increasing number of people with inflammation-related conditions are now turning to cannabis to help reduce inflammation and the pain it causes. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Dabbing Cannabis Eases Danni’s Inflammation From Fibromyalgia\n\nDani, a 31-year-old professional in the San Francisco Bay Area’s cannabis industry, says that cannabis has helped her manage painful inflammation associated with fibromyalgia. While Dani used to enjoy an active lifestyle, a car accident at age 19 triggered such severe fibromyalgia that she had to start walking with a cane, getting regular steroid shots and popping a variety of painkillers to help manage the pain. Rattling off a long list of medications she was taking, such as Norco and Percocet, Dani says, “I literally was a walking pharmacy.”\n\nThen Dani started working at the Oakland-based cannabis dispensary Harborside and quickly found that cannabis might be a better option. Still, she says it wasn’t until she started dabbing cannabis extracts that she was able to fully rely on this medicine. “I noticed that I needed a higher amount of THC, and flowers just wasn't doing it for me,” she says.\n\nDabbing offered the high doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) she needed. (Because Dani also suffered from stomach problems, edibles were off the table.) “Concentrates really were a cleaner option for me and a way for me to really get the cannabinoid profiles that I really need,\" explains Dani. “I want to educate people and change the stigma about concentrates, because concentrates really saved my life. I got off of all of the pain medications, all the medications in general. I'm steroid-injection free for about eight years now.” \n\nDani now spends her time educating cannabis patients about the benefits of medicinal dabbing. Having replaced all of her addictive medications with cannabis, Dani no longer walks with a cane. \n\n### From Doubter to Believer, Megan Says Cannabis Is the Solution \n\nMegan, a 43-year-old patient with a rare autoimmune vasculitis illness, says that cannabis has also helped with bringing down the inflammation she experiences due to her condition. Only 20,000 people in the U.S. have what Megan has. As such, there’s very little research dedicated to understanding the disease, and no well-researched treatments are available.\n\n“I ended up relying on a large number of narcotics and controlled substances to manage my symptoms,\" says Megan. “I have a really high tolerance, and I had to use large amounts of medications in order to achieve any sort of relief from my symptoms. Over time, that led to definitively physical dependence upon multiple substances.”\n\nMegan decided she needed to make a change. “Cannabis was pretty much the only treatment option that I hadn't really looked into,” she says, explaining that once she started consuming cannabis, two things happened: “Over a period of months, I lost a bunch of weight and also was able to start knocking out some of the controlled substances that I was taking.”\n\nMegan says it’s been a journey. “I was resistant to the concept that cannabis could actually be the solution, not part of the solution, but _the_ solution,” she says. “I honestly would not have believed that cannabis could really replace a medicine cabinet full of narcotics.”\n\nNow, however, Megan’s a believer and uses cannabis in lieu of her prescription medications. “I was blown away by how effective it was,” she says.\n\n### Treating Inflammation With Cannabis  \n\nThe science on cannabis as an anti-inflammatory is sound. Our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) can naturally reduce inflammation, but doesn’t always do so. Cannabinoids, when taken, can activate the ECS, triggering anti-inflammatory effects. \n\nIf you suffer from an inflammation-related condition 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 cannabis options on the market today. Cannabis can help inflammation in many forms, so in some ways, this is about finding the best options for you. Whatever you try, remember that cannabis can affect people differently, so you might 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 discuss using marijuana to help with painful muscle spasms.\n\nPhoto credit: [Mark](https://www.flickr.com/photos/eggrole/)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/14b42/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.jpg","srcSet":"/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/f836f/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.jpg 200w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/2244e/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.jpg 400w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/14b42/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.jpg 800w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/199c1/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.jpg 938w","srcWebp":"/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/58556/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/61e93/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.webp 200w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/1f5c5/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.webp 400w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/58556/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.webp 800w,\n/static/7e17a465f632d8285fbc3e7680e8e41e/4092a/948d7eaeeeaff7a82b6ce3df1d6b1f88.webp 938w","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"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":72,"numPages":15,"currentPage":7,"id":5053,"name":"Cannabis 101","slug":"cannabis-101","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}