{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/cbd/20","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2226-markdown","title":"CBD: An Alternative to Anti-Psychotic Medicine","slug":"cbd-an-alternative-to-anti-psychotic-medicine","content":"The benefits of medicinal cannabis are numerous and far reaching. From pain relief and nausea to [new research](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22716160) suggesting a firm link between cancer cell death and cannabis, it is becoming more evident that cannabis has a large role to play in medicine. A significant part of marijuana's efficacy is due to the numerous medicinal properties of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the cannabinoid compounds found within cannabis. \n\nCBD is an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory, and it also happens to be non-psychoactive. As both attitudes and written laws change around marijuana, more and more research is coming to light that highlights its numerous medical benefits. One particular area of interest is in CBD as a potential anti-psychotic medication, especially for those suffering from schizophrenia. \n\n### How Mainstream Medicine Often Fails Patients\n\nAlthough traditional medicines like Risperdol and Clozapine have found mainstream success managing the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, many bring with them a list of discomforting and even in some cases, debilitating side effects. A short list of the more common side effects of Abilify (aripiprazole), a popular atypical-antipsychotic medicine originally designed for patients with schizophrenia (and now prescribed for many mental/mood disorders), showcases just how many additional ways a patient can find discomfort through one of the only means of finding relief from his or her disorder: \n\n* Difficulty with speaking\n* Drooling\n* Loss of balance control\n* Muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness\n* Restlessness\n* Shuffling walk\n* Stiffness of the limbs\n* Twisting movements of the body\n* Uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back\n\nPatients must exercise additional caution when using these medications as some of the rare (meaning between 1 in 1,000 and 1 in 10,000 may encounter these negative aspects of the drug over their lifetime) side effects, despite their low prevalence, are extremely serious. A few short examples of the rare rare effects of Abilify are: sudden loss of consciousness, loss of bladder control, and convulsions. When we look back at the common side effects and consider that between 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 are expected to experience these unpleasant effects, the picture becomes even more clear. \n\n### How CBD Can Help Those Suffering From Psychosis\n\nNew research is now beginning to shine a spotlight on CBD as a potential alternative to anti-psychotic medication. “A Critical Review of the Anti-Psychotic Effects of Cannabidiol: 30 Years of a Translational Investigation,” published by Bentham Science Publishers in 2012, gives a detailed look into 24 complimentary studies that tested CBD as an anti-psychotic medication in animal and human patients.\n\nThe outcome of the review led researchers to conclude that “the results discussed above clearly indicate that CBD behaves in preclinical and clinical studies as an atypical anti-psychotic, improving psychotic-like symptoms in doses that do not impair motor function” and that “these results support the idea that CBD may be a future therapeutic option in psychosis, in general and in schizophrenia, in particular.” \n\nResearch like this is very motivating news for patients who still have only a few options when trying to find relief from their disorder, especially considering that CBD have shown repeatedly to have no proven side effects, other than fatigue in extreme cases.\n\nAlthough a general consensus has not yet been reached on whether CBD has a future as a frontline option for patients suffering from a form of psychosis, the new attention reviews like this will give to CBD will hopefully spur new research into this potentially life-altering medication. \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/ee604/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png","srcSet":"/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/69585/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png 200w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/497c6/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png 400w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/ee604/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png 800w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/f3583/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png 1200w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/f90fa/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/58556/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/61e93/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp 200w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/1f5c5/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp 400w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/58556/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp 800w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/99238/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp 1200w,\n/static/26d3241d3bd672746142a8ec8cb41a45/5e0b8/790f9597bbea915674c6ee6cf773ada3.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1967-markdown","title":"Marijuana Found to Shrink Aggressive Brain Cancer","slug":"marijuana-found-to-shrink-aggressive-brain-cancer","content":"Those who are familiar with marijuana know there are a variety\nof medical applications, from treating\n[nausea](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b7eb226264330006320000/the-next-step-for-nausea-treatment-medical-marijuana)\nto helping to alleviate the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders such\nas [Crohn's\nDisease](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/561d5de53233340006be0000/cannabis-shows-promise-in-treating-crohns-disease-and-colitis).\nToday, however, scientists are finding that medical marijuana, when used\nin conjunction with other forms of cancer treatment, is capable of\nshrinking some of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer known to\nscience. Here's what you need to know:\n\n**Cannabis as a Treatment for Glioma**\n\n[Glioma](http://www.abta.org/brain-tumor-information/types-of-tumors/glioma.html)\nis a form of cancer that develops in the supportive tissue of the human\nbrain. This tissue is designed to enhance neuron function and when a\ntumor begins to grow within it, the affected person experiences nausea,\nheadaches, vision changes, altered behavior and personality changes.\nPatients affected by glioma are subject to a bleak [5 percent survival\nrate](http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content/130/10/2596) over three\nyears.\n\nUntil now, the treatment options for glioma have been limited to surgery\nand chemotherapy in the event of high-grade tumors. Today, however, this\nmay be changing. According to a [2014\nstudy](http://mct.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2014/11/12/1535-7163.MCT-14-0402.abstract)\nconducted by oncologist Wai Lu at St. George's University of London,\ncannabinoids like THC and CBD are highly efficient at destroying glioma\ncells. During a clinical study, Lu found that CBD and THC alone were\ncapable of killing roughly half of the glioma cells present in affected\nmice. When these cannabinoids were used in conjunction with\nradiotherapy, however, the treatment caused the tumors in several of the\nmice to stop growing entirely.\n\nAdditionally, Lu found that when THC and CBD were used together to treat\ntumors, researchers could use less of each compound and still achieve\nthe same effects. This is important because THC is psychoactive and can\ncause unwanted psychoactive side effects for people receiving treatment.\nFortunately, when combined with CBD, THC can be used in smaller doses\nand patients receiving treatment can reap the medical benefits of the\ncompound without any of the \"high\" feelings traditionally associated\nwith it.\n\n**How Cannabis Works to Treat Brain Cancer**\n\nWhile the results of Lu's study are exciting, researchers are still\nworking to figure out how, exactly, THC and CBD are producing these\neffects. According to Lu, the answer may be that the cannabinoids are\npreparing neural pathways for radiotherapy. \"We think that the\ncannabinoids are hitting a number of cell signaling pathways, which\nprimes them to the effects of irradiation,\" [Lu\nsays](http://www.medicaldaily.com/cannabis-shrinks-brain-tumors-associated-highly-aggressive-form-cancer-310720).\nOnce the cells have been primed, the ability of a tumor cell to rebuild\nitself is damaged and the tumor cells die as a result. The outstanding\nthing about this treatment, however, is that while THC and CBD have been\nshown to kill glioma cells, they don't produce any negative effects in\nthe healthy cell tissue surrounding the glial cells. In fact,\ncannabinoids may even [protect these\ncells](http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq# cit/section_4.3)\nfrom damage.\n\nWhile the results of Lu's study are particularly exciting given the\naggressive and often-fatal nature of glioma, this is not the first\nevidence researchers have of cannabis being used to treat different\nforms of cancer. Cannabis contains upward of 85 different cannabinoids,\nand [previous\nstudies](http://www.nature.com/nrc/journal/v3/n10/abs/nrc1188.html) have\nshown that these cannabinoids are capable of killing various types of\ncancer cells. This research has given scientists a place to start when\nevaluating the use of CBD and THC for cancer treatment.\n\n**Marijuana and Cancer Prevention**\n\nIn addition to the recent findings that cannabinoids may be an effective\ntreatment for glioma, researchers have discovered over the years that\nmarijuana may also have powerful anti-tumor effects, which could stop\ncancer from ever forming in the first place. While the research isn't\nnew, it paved the way for further evaluations of the connection between\ncannabis and cancer. In one [1996\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12594529?dopt=Abstract),\nresearchers found that lab mice given doses of THC over a two-year\nperiod experienced a decrease in the rate of certain cancers and benign\ntumors in areas such as the pancreas, uterus, testes and mammary tissue.\n\nMore recent research has shed some light on how cannabis produces these\neffects. According to a [2014\nstudy](http://www.jbc.org/content/early/2014/06/18/jbc.M114.561761)\npublished in the *Journal of Biological Chemistry*, THC acts on\ncannabinoid cell receptors to inhibit the interactions between them,\nthus decreasing the risk that cancer will form or interrupting cancer\nthat is already growing. Further research has shown that THC is capable\nof [decreasing the rate of lung cancer cell\ngrowth](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417193338.htm)\nby 50 percent as well as preventing pre-existing cancer from\nmetastasizing throughout the body. Studies have also shown that cannabis\nis capable of [killing brain cancer\ncells](http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279571.php). The\nanti-cancer benefits of cannabis are extensive and clearly noted, and,\nwhen used correctly, can help providers offer powerful cancer treatment\nwithout the dangerous and uncomfortable side-effects present in other\ntreatment options.\n\n**Moving Forward: The Future of Marijuana and Glioma**\n\nLu's 2014 study was groundbreaking in the world of glioma research and,\nwhile further research is needed to put his findings into action on a\nlarge scale, it's clear that cannabis may be more powerful than\nresearchers previously thought when it comes to treating aggressive\nforms of cancer. In addition to offering relief from many of the\nsymptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment (such as [nausea,\nvomiting, pain and decreases in\nappetite](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/561ee4573632300006190100/medical-marijuana-helps-treat-undesired-effects-of-chemotherapy)),\ncannabis also boasts an extensive list of anti-tumor and cancer-treating\nproperties. These properties present huge opportunities for treatment to\ncancer patients and their families, and have the potential to alter the\nface of cancer treatment forever.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3513513513513513,"src":"/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/ee604/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png","srcSet":"/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/69585/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png 200w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/497c6/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png 400w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/ee604/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png 800w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/f3583/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png 1200w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/af768/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.png 1268w","srcWebp":"/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/58556/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/61e93/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp 200w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/1f5c5/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp 400w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/58556/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp 800w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/99238/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp 1200w,\n/static/3b881ad8d7a43397bc09a6cce0a9a75a/3938f/88557aa08f08fb0274bedc1684304a23.webp 1268w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1992-markdown","title":"High-CBD Marijuana Strains","slug":"high-cbd-marijuana-strains","content":"Medical marijuana has been a breakthrough treatment option for a great number of patients seeking the [relief it provides for health conditions that range from\narthritis and migraines to seizures and even cancer](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness?category=health-conditions). The whys behind the\nrelief cannabis provides to some patients can be harder to\nunderstand. That said, one key reason medical cannabis\ncould be a great alternative treatment has to do with the amount of cannabidiol (CBD) that’s contained in the\nparticular type of medical marijuana strain that a health-care provider\nrecommends.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n\n### The Role of CBD in Health & Wellness\n\nThe two main components in marijuana are CBD and [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a8dab1cf24d1300077ccb58/the-pros-and-cons-of-psychoactive-thc). While THC is\nthe substance responsible for the way marijuana can impact a patient\npsychologically—such as creating heightened or enhanced feelings\nof euphoria), it’s CBD that can bind to certain receptors in the body to reduce the sensation of pain in patients, or even alleviate\nother common symptoms such as nausea and spasms. This is often why\npractitioners prefer high-CBD strains of cannabis. The mood and\nwell-being that THC provides may be desirable, but CBD can induce a sense of calm as well as reduce inflammation among other things while avoiding some of\nthe psychoactive effects of THC.\n\nResearchers have come to recognize the important role cannabinoids may\nplay in the treatment of symptoms related to life-threatening diseases like cancer. The\n[National Cancer\nInstitute](http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq)\nnotes that \"commercially available cannabinoids … are approved drugs for\nthe treatment of cancer-related side effects.\" While federal\nlaw has remained unchanged, a growing number of states have enacted\nlegislation in a nod to the usefulness of cannabis in a complete medical\nregimen. Beyond it’s positive effects on cancer side effects, [CBD is now being\nexplored as a treatment to hit cancer head on](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22506672).\n\nRELATED: [WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT CANNABIDIOL, OR CBD](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a8dafa0f24d1300077ccb59/whats-so-great-about-cannabidiol-or-cbd)\n\n### Strains of High-CBD Cannabis That Have Beneficial Effects\n\nThe impact of CBD illustrates why practitioners and patients prefer high-CBD strains of medical marijuana. All medical marijuana isn’t created\nequal, and that makes it important to explore available strains in order\nto find the right match for the illness and the symptoms being\naddressed.\n\n#### Charlotte’s Web\n\nOne particularly potent strain, called Charlotte's Web, is\nnamed for a child it most notably helped by alleviating her long struggle with\nseizures. In addition to a high concentration—20%—of CBD,\nCharlotte's Web, which is derived from hemp, has a very low concentration of THC—at less than 0.3%.\n\n#### Harlequin\n\nAnother high-concentration strain of medical marijuana is called\n[Harlequin](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a9d9ad8fdb6dd00088d0cf1/harlequin). This cannabis strain has been found to be effective in the\ntreatment of pain, stress, anxiety, depression and inflammation.\n\nDepending on how it’s distilled, Harlequin can contain\nbetween 8–16% CBD, running only a tad lower than\nCharlotte's Web. However, it has a 5:2 ratio of CBD to THC, which\nmeans that this cannabis strain mutes the potential psychoactivity of THC that\npatients often seek to minimize.\n\n#### Avidekel\n\nPatients and practitioners can also consider Avidekel, a strain of\nmarijuana developed in Israel and reported by researchers at Hebrew\nUniversity to [treat people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes\nand heart disease](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/03/israel-highless-marijuana_n_1645488.html).\n\nIn fact, Hebrew University researcher Ruth\nGallily says that Avidekel, which contains less than 16% CBD, has\nremarkable anti-inflammatory properties. Because so many illnesses are\nexacerbated by inflammation, this particular marijuana strain can have very broad\napplicability for all types of diseases or conditions that involve inflammation and swelling.\n\n#### Sour Tsunami\n\nSour Tsunami, another strain of medical cannabis that’s got high concentrations of CBD, was one of the initial types of marijuana bred\nspecifically for CBD versus THC. Naturopathic doctors, like Dr. Jake\nFelice, have seen [Sour Tsunami make a world of difference in patients battling\nirritable bowel syndrome](http://www.drjakefelice.com/2011/04/ibs-relief-using-cbd-rich-sour-tsunami-strain/). As a hybrid of two other strains—Sour Diesel\nand NYC Diesel—Sour Tsunami's concentration of CBD is around 11% with THC measuring slightly lower.\n\n### Other High-CBD Marijuana Strains That Can Provide Relief\n\nIn addition to these four high-CBD strains of marijuana, numerous others are available to consumers in markets where cannabis has been legalized for use. They include [Cannatonic](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7ce5dcd520d60009f4f4bd/cannatonic), Trident, Remedy, Zen and many more. These cannabis strains\nall feature a different ratio of THC to CBD. Depending on the ailment, some patients benefit from either a higher or lower concentration of THC in combination with CBD.\n\nWhile CBD interacts with pain receptors, a particular patient's condition may also benefit from the psychotropic effects of THC, which is typically an even more effective painkiller. This can be particularly true in later-stage diseases or diseases that are highly\ncomplicated in nature.\n\nRatios of THC to CBD as well as specific concentrations of these compounds in\nmedical marijuana should be discussed carefully with a patient's medical\nprovider. Only after careful evaluation—and some trial and error—can a patient find the right type of cannabis to provide the healing or relief they need.\n\nPhoto credit: [Rusty Blazenhoff](https://www.flickr.com/photos/blazenhoff/6716525153/in/photolist-bevWVP-bevWXM-bezNnD-beAiX6-5msbg8-oHJHHD-jwBhd1-7jTSZg-8TnLCh-peR8dn-5KjZK8-7jXLJj-8TY1GD-8xdw91-7VMNYf-8xav4n-8AgykN-fy9FN-y4VnV7-jwCoCA-gaC4xa-jwBfr5-CQXUo-8BxE4L-jwBbMm-jwAmuD-8RvGrx-7jTSMv-7jTSNp-7jTSUD-jEbTR-7jXLLE-7jTT34-8Yd5pt-7jTSXt-8Vaxkw-p7AQJP-8GRgN7-8w4EUg-996agY-8BuxP4-8tusDz-jwCr7d-8BxESN-8MkwXx-4fmvfG-8PWScw-5ArkiD-8JxV3t-8vubVA)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.   \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/ee604/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.png","srcSet":"/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/69585/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.png 200w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/497c6/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.png 400w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/ee604/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.png 800w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/2466b/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.png 917w","srcWebp":"/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/58556/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/61e93/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.webp 200w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/1f5c5/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.webp 400w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/58556/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.webp 800w,\n/static/752ae3ae63c7f02a9ba038f37812a0ea/4f4d5/9f22d72801e740d17feeb91fc31b8b40.webp 917w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1926-markdown","title":"What Is Hemp CBD?","slug":"what-is-hemp-cbd","content":"Research on the medical effects of cannabidiol (CBD), the most common non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in marijuana, has shown that CBD has many beneficial effects. It can be used to treat nausea and vomiting, seizures, anxiety, depression, psychosis, inflammation, and the list goes on. When taken in combination with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid responsible for causing a euphoric high, marijuana has been shown to [reduce brain tumors](http://www.gwpharm.com/oncology.aspx) as well as [shrink breast tumors](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22776349) in animal subjects.\n\nBut because a majority of CBD comes from the marijuana plant, it often falls under the classification of a Schedule I narcotic. Its use and availability are therefore restricted to those states with medical marijuana laws.\n\nAs of September 2015, 28 states, the District of Columbia and Guam have passed medical marijuana legislation. What this means is that the remaining 22 states aren’t able to legally access cannabis-based CBD products.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nYet a quick search online reveals hundreds of CBD products that are deemed legal to buy and ship across state lines. These products are legal, because they’re made from the hemp plant and not marijuana.\n\nSo, what’s the difference between cannabis CBD and hemp CBD? And why is one restricted and the other not?\n\n### The Most Studied Cannabinoids: THC & CBD\n\nThe two most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis are THC and CBD. Their abundance and the euphoria-inducing effects of THC make them the most studied compounds in the plant. Similar to CBD, THC has been associated with medical benefits including for:\n\n-   [Pain\n    control](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3820295/)\n-   [Mood\n    stabilization](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2866040/)\n-   [Sleep improvement](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/164314)\n-   [Appetite\n    enhancement](http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientific-explanation-how-marijuana-causes-munchies-180949660/?no-ist)\n-   [Inflammation\n    reduction](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/)\n-   [Spasticity in those with multiple\n    sclerosis](http://www.gwpharm.com/Sativex.aspx)\n-   [Asthma](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.12597/full)\n\n[CBD can often\nlessen\nthe high of THC](http://pureanalytics.net/blog/2012/02/19/how-thc-and-cbd-work-together/), especially when taken at higher concentrations. This is why many scientists have attempted to manipulate the plant’s compounds or increase the concentration of CBD while, at the same time, decreasing THC levels. Their goal: to enhance its medical effects while reducing its psychoactive effects.\n\n### CBD Derived From Hemp\n\nIt makes sense then, that scientists looked at hemp as a possible solution to finding a much higher balance of CBD to THC.\nHemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant, which [contains very little THC (0.3% or less)](http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/328202/ages001eb_1_.pdf) and [has a higher ratio of CBD to THC than marijuana does](http://www.alternet.org/drugs/whats-difference-between-hemp-and-marijuana).\n\nRELATED: [6 REASONS TO CONSUME HEMP CBD](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5b64b6c7a1805500087dba2f/6-reasons-to-consume-hemp-cbd)\n\nHemp has been used for centuries for clothing, sailcloth, rope, paper, medicine and cosmetics. Modern uses include plastics, food, animal food, animal bedding, construction, nutritional supplements and essential oils.\n\nPrior to World War II, hemp was one of the biggest agricultural products in the United States. However, farming and production began dropping after the [Marijuana Act of 1937](http://definitions.uslegal.com/m/marijuana-tax-act%20/), and it\nbecame illegal in 1970.\n\n[Hemp products, however, can be imported as long as the product comes from plants that contain less than 0.3% THC](https://www.projectcbd.org/article/cbd-misconceptions) and are derived from the seed or stalk of the plant rather than the leaves or flowers.\n\nWhen the benefits of CBD started becoming known, companies around the world began creating hemp-based CBD-concentrated oils. These products are legal to buy and use in all 50 states as long as the product adheres to the import rules regarding THC. Although this sounds like a good\nsolution to the problem of providing high-CBD and low-THC products, there’s a problem: a lack of quality control.\n\n### Does Hemp-Based CBD Pass Muster, and Is It Safe? It Depends\n\nIn the U.S., drugs must undergo rigorous testing and quality checks before they can make claims about effects and be put out on the market. This isn’t true in many other countries, and in February 2015, the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration](http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm435591.htm) issued several warning letters to hemp-based CBD manufacturers regarding their medical claims.\n\nWhile these products were being sold as dietary supplements, which have fewer restrictions than drugs do, the manufacturers were making a number of medical claims, including ones that stated that their products could treat, cure or prevent a number of diseases including cancer. Even worse was that scientific evaluation of their chemical components revealed that many of the products contained little or no CBD despite being labeled as a CBD-containing product.\n\nQuality control issues also revealed that some imported hemp-based CBD oils contain other unwanted chemicals, such as [pesticides and heavy metals](http://www.unitedpatientsgroup.com/blog/2015/07/29/cannabis-cbd-hemp-cbd-whats-the-difference-whats-legal-by-marys-nutritionals/). Additionally, because CBD levels in hemp are still lower than those found in cannabis, it requires large amounts of hemp plants to produce CBD oil, which increases the risk of\n[contaminants](https://www.projectcbd.org/article/cbd-misconceptions).\n\nThere have been some reports of [side effects associated with hemp-based CBD oil](http://www.worldhempoil.com/cbd-faq.html) such as:\n\n-   Stomach upset\n-   Dysphoria (distorted mental state) in high doses\n\nThat said, some quality hemp-based CBD products can provide relief for patients. Yet, leaders in the medical marijuana community claim that marijuana-derived CBD holds more medicinal benefits because of the other cannabinoids present.\n\n### Is Hemp Made in the USA?\n\nMany of the states that have passed medical marijuana legislation have passed CBD-only laws in an effort to reduce access to the intoxicating effects of THC. This means that the demand for CBD-based products is going to increase.\n\nIn 2014, [federal legislation lifted the ban on hemp farming](http://www.votehemp.com/PR/2014-02-07-vh_farm_bill_signed.html) in states that had begun to legislate hemp research. Thirteen states have passed laws establishing commercial industrial hemp programs, and another seven have approved programs for the agricultural and academic research of hemp. What this means is that hemp-based products that have undergone rigorous testing and quality control may become available on the market. While hemp-based, American-made oils may not be ready in the near future, there’s hope for those who can’t access plant-based CBD products.\n\nPhoto credit: [Sterling College](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sterlingcollege/)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAANABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGAAAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUCAwT/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABtXbolJxkU//EABoQAQADAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAAQMEEhT/2gAIAQEAAQUC6Ea0OtHP1HzkQA2fkqf/xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQEf/aAAgBAwEBPwGn/8QAFBEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEP/aAAgBAgEBPwE//8QAHhAAAgEDBQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERAzFRECEiMkH/2gAIAQEABj8ChvjFios7aet5Goudj//EABsQAAMAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABESExQVGR/9oACAEBAAE/IbNPSUjWoqIRyw2jHtzY+34f/9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABBg3//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARMf/aAAgBAwEBPxDEV//EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABARIf/aAAgBAgEBPxBUf//EAB0QAQEAAgMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAERACExQWFxkfH/2gAIAQEAAT8QNgVAkr+c+51J5vYRb7vJCFhi4hBPy/GSXhQ3uTvAM+05/9k=","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/14b42/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg","srcSet":"/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/f836f/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg 200w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/2244e/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg 400w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/14b42/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg 800w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/47498/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg 1200w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/a6974/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/58556/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/61e93/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp 200w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/1f5c5/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp 400w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/58556/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp 800w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/99238/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp 1200w,\n/static/835c2d904a55075c5a696aff3a0da10e/d5052/09124105f7e1bd2d81dd04cb1a39c9df.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1909-markdown","title":"Hemp and Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes: Is There a Difference?","slug":"hemp-and-cannabis-for-medicinal-purposes-is-there-a-difference","content":"With [23 states and the District of\r\nColumbia](http://www.governing.com/gov-data/state-marijuana-laws-map-medical-recreational.html)\r\nhaving legalized medical marijuana to some degree, health-related\r\ncannabis products are growing. Some of these products are hemp-based and\r\nsome are marijuana-based, but what is the difference?\r\n\r\nHemp Versus Marijuana\r\n---------------------\r\n\r\nHemp and marijuana are two varieties of the same plant, cannabis sativa.\r\nHemp refers to a variety that has agricultural and manufacturing uses,\r\nwhile marijuana is the name traditionally given to plants grown for\r\ntheir psychotropic effects. Differences include:\r\n\r\n-   **How they are cultivated.** Hemp is grown outdoors whereas\r\n    marijuana is grown both outdoors and indoors.\r\n-   **Their size and structure.** Hemp grows between 10 and 16 feet in\r\n    height and looks like bamboo. Marijuana is less than 5 feet tall, is\r\n    bushy and has more flowers.\r\n-   **Their utility.** Hemp is used to make textiles, rope, paper,\r\n    plastic, food, body care products, nutritional supplements,\r\n    essential oils and medicine. Marijuana is primarily used for\r\n    recreational and medicinal purposes.\r\n-   **The cannabinoid composition.** According to the [U.S. Department\r\n    of\r\n    Agriculture](http://www.ers.usda.gov/media/328202/ages001eb_1_.pdf),\r\n    hemp contains less than 1 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which\r\n    is the chemical associated with marijuana's high. In contrast,\r\n    marijuana contains between 3 percent and 15 percent THC.\r\n\r\nLegal Usage\r\n-----------\r\n\r\nAnother distinction between hemp-based and marijuana-based products is\r\ntheir\r\n[legality](https://www.leafly.com/news/health/are-hemp-derived-cbd-products-a-legal-alternative-for-patients-wi).\r\nProducts derived from marijuana can only be sold in states that have\r\npassed medical marijuana legislation. Hemp-derived products, on the\r\nother hand, are legal in all 50 states.\r\n\r\nUntil recently, hemp was illegal to grow in the United States, so all\r\nhemp-based products were imported. In the past few years, some states\r\nbegan allowing for academic and agricultural hemp research, as well as\r\nexploration for potential commercial opportunities. In 2014, [federal\r\nlegislation](http://www.votehemp.com/PR/2014-02-07-vh_farm_bill_signed.html)\r\nwas signed approving hemp research in states that had previously passed\r\nhemp laws.\r\n\r\nHemp Oil\r\n--------\r\n\r\nOne medical product on the market is hemp oil. Hemp oil is made from\r\nseeds or from processed hemp stalks. While touted to be full of\r\n[CBD](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3579248/), which is\r\nused to treat nausea, vomiting, seizures, inflammation, mood disorders\r\nand pain, hemp oil is not regulated. Thus, the amount of CBD may not be\r\noptimal for medical purposes.\r\n\r\nIn addition, hemp oil is high in polyunsaturated fats. Excess\r\npolyunsaturated fats have been linked to cardiac problems, increased\r\nrisk of inflammation and tumor growth. Some who have taken hemp oil\r\nreport [side\r\neffects](https://healthyhempoil.com/hemp-oil-side-effects/#.Vdz9d_lViko)\r\nincluding diarrhea, cramping, anxiety, hallucinations and problems with\r\nexcess bleeding.\r\n\r\nFinally, hemp oil may contain soil contaminants, such as heavy metals,\r\nthat may not be filtered out of the final product. So when seeking\r\nmedical cannabis solutions, be sure to purchase your cannabis product\r\nfrom a reputable dispensary that has had its product tested for purity\r\nand safety.\r\n\r\nComparison\r\n----------\r\nBoth Hemp and Cannabis have noticeable levels of CBD, which is beneficial in many medical applications. \r\nMany experts, however, believe that CBD derived from Cannabis can be more effective. \r\nIt is seen as more effective because of the 'entourage effect', how the cannabinoids all work together in the body.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fallout/2542501063/in/photolist-4SEYZe-7fx5Nr-5WrQ1o-7fwTAe-6Pq5ZL-33PPZx-bEJnhY-5WrYEE-6jx3oS-7ZL9gX-avDpEi-5WnvPn-5WrZX5-afrEhm-7fMnkT-k3Bv6-6w36Z8-afp3Tg-9EPupv-9F8Cpy-e1ubLE-afogj8-afoHe4-afrcD3-afrGuY-e1oGRH-xaSkpq-hSVaYN-oG1Ky7-oG2dB2-oG1ur2-egrd2T-t7QCd-oG1JPw-oG2a1p-oYeNxx-79NqqA-EsG2w-oG1ZMW-oWtkKd-oWtkFf-c6yUVs-9F5Gsa-9F8AK1-dALh9Z-8jpH4h-oYtvqj-oWtnHw-eZbsSj-kPWX7)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/14b42/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/f836f/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg 200w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/2244e/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg 400w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/14b42/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg 800w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/47498/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/a6974/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/58556/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/61e93/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp 200w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/1f5c5/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp 400w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/58556/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp 800w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/99238/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp 1200w,\n/static/3ea72a49e3fb65d9ed788a56380196fa/d5052/8df0da7aa8d11fec29dbad6a19e0a132.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1953-markdown","title":"CBD Oil: Breaking the Stereotypes of Cannabis","slug":"cbd-oil-breaking-the-stereotypes-of-cannabis","content":"For patients looking for relief from a myriad of medical conditions, but\r\nwho do not want to experience some of the side effects caused by\r\nconsuming THC, CBD oil offers an appealing option helping with an array\r\nof conditions. CBD is one of more than sixty compounds in cannabis, but\r\nit offers a set of medical qualities that are unique.\r\n\r\nHistory of CBD Research\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nAnyone familiar with the complicated relationship between the United\r\nStates government and the cultivation, use, and sales of marijuana over\r\nthe years understands the legal hurdles involved in using the plant for\r\nrecreational and medicinal purposes. Regardless of these federal\r\nstrictures, twenty-three states and the District of Columbia have\r\nrecognized the medicinal advantages of the plant and have passed\r\nstatutes authorizing its use in the treatment of conditions ranging from\r\ncancer to psychosis disorders.\r\n\r\nFirst isolated by the scientific community in 1940, CBD was noted for\r\nits high concentration in the marijuana plant, but more than two decades\r\npassed before researchers fully identified the compound's medicinal\r\npotential.\r\n\r\nWhat distinguishes the use of CBD over THC for medicinal purposes,\r\nhowever, are the non-psychoactive properties of the CBD. Simply stated,\r\npatients treated with CBD oil do not experience the high associated with\r\nsmoking marijuana. Additionally, researchers noted that CBD, even when\r\nadministered in high doses, is \"well tolerated and safe.\"\r\n\r\nAccording to a 2011 study, presented in [Current Drug\r\nSafety](http://www.eurekaselect.com/75752/article), researchers found\r\nthat the component does not interfere with normal psychological and\r\nphysiological functions. The study, published by United Arab\r\nEmirate-based Bentham Science, details the findings of researchers at\r\nBrazil's University of Sao Paulo looking into the safety considerations\r\nof cannabidiol for use with patients.\r\n\r\nThese findings have the potential to transform the medical treatment of\r\npatients using marijuana.\r\n\r\nWhat Makes CBD Different from THC?\r\n----------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe properties of THC that are so attractive to the recreational\r\nmarijuana smoker, notably the propensity for delivering a high to the\r\nuser, is what gives healthcare professionals pause when prescribing the\r\ndrug to their patients. Simply stated, physicians prefer to limit the\r\nside effects of recommended treatments. Since CBD interacts with the\r\nbrain differently, these limitations are not evident in patients treated\r\nwith the new formulations. What differentiates CBD effects from those of\r\nTHC is the fact that the two compounds travel along different pathways\r\nin the body.\r\n\r\nSince CBD oil, the extract derived from the CBD compound found in\r\nmarijuana, does not elicit a psychoactive response, the patient benefits\r\nfrom those aspects of the drug that provides antiemetic, anticonvulsant,\r\nanti-oxidants, anti-tumoral properties that help ease and alleviate\r\nsymptoms ranging from cancer to bouts of anxiety. Indeed, owing to the\r\nfact that CBD usage does not influence the central nervous system,\r\nresearchers are encouraged that the compound might prove safe for both\r\nchildren and those suffering from mental illness.\r\n\r\nUses for CBD Oil in the Treatment of an Array of Conditions\r\n-----------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nWhile their is no suggestion that marijuana is a cure-all for the myriad\r\nof medical conditions that seemingly plague modern society, research\r\npoints to the fact that the properties of CBD can ameliorate the\r\nsymptoms of many diseases.\r\n\r\nFor instance, those suffering from nausea due to cancer treatment\r\nregimes, such as radiology and chemotherapy, benefit from the antiemetic\r\nproperties that fight nausea and vomiting. Its anti-oxidant properties\r\nhelps combat neurodegenerative disorders, while its anticonvulsant\r\naspects appear as a promising tool to suppress seizure activity.\r\n\r\nIn terms of addressing mental health issues, [CBD\r\noil](http://www.leafscience.com/2014/02/23/5-must-know-facts-cannabidiol-cbd/)\r\noffers antipsychotic and anti-depressive qualities that help ward\r\nagainst anxiety, insomnia, and depression in patients suffering from\r\nthose conditions. As with any treatment aimed at lessening symptoms, CBD\r\nprovides palliative relief without the side effects of harsh\r\npharmaceutical drugs. In addition, CBD can counteract overwhelming\r\nsensations caused by consuming too much THC.\r\n\r\nHow CBD Oil is Made and Who Benefits From It\r\n--------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe extract from the oils and resins that are naturally located on the\r\nbuds, stems, and leaves of a mature pot plant becomes available through\r\na chemical process that draws out resins various solutions. The\r\nresulting product is safe for human consumption, can be consumed in\r\nedibles, used as a sublingual agent, and used as a topical tincture for\r\nan array of symptoms and conditions.\r\n\r\nCBD oil can also be derived from Hemp rather than cannabis, which makes it legal to consume in all 50 states. It is widely claimed, however, that cannabis derived CBD provides much better results. \r\n\r\nThe proof is in the pudding when it comes to measuring success with the\r\nuse of CBD oil, and a medical case in Oregon appears to be providing\r\nthat proof. Those who have been following the use of CBD oil in the\r\ntreatment of epilepsy are heartened by the case of Oregonian [Forrest\r\nSmelser](http://www.medicaldaily.com/cannabis-oil-helped-stop-8-year-old-forrest-smelsers-seizures-when-other-drugs-311960).\r\nThe Eugene, Oregon native developed symptoms of epilepsy shortly after\r\nhis eighth birthday, and he was prescribed Trileptal, an anti-seizure\r\nmedication, which caused side effects that included anger and suicidal\r\nthoughts. After a failed suicide attempt, the young patient's parents\r\nbegan exploring medicinal marijuana options in the Beaver State, and in\r\nthe months since beginning his regimen, Forrest's epileptic symptoms\r\nhave abated and the debilitating side effects of the Trileptal have\r\ncompletely disappeared.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sackton/7941527304/in/photolist-d6Lpoy-d1pdYj-bCTPy1-6o2cnx-ipJFc-8ccTJV-37PeZu-83pooq-2vAhTp-7Xf6ng-7Xf65z-5dMXSL-8ztJ5W-85pwUH-pdpBA8-oV9nTP-8GsZGy-ainbZ-dVnWU3-bvpN1s-6q5MDF-8kjqMq-8gXXKS-86Lh7H-8USgE6-31pnr1-cT8D2J-nzxvEj-7WHPki-bM8Nz-84VK74-mW4fmZ-82VYAq-83tid7-8ccWZ4-pdZXc9-3att9n-8dC93f-84YRVQ-pvqXg-82W2xS-wYiVGE-81mysE-h4tVT-7YKEJW-8KsW88-6Vwxb5-82SPQM-nkSBXC-8pG8La)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/14b42/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/f836f/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg 200w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/2244e/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg 400w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/14b42/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg 800w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/47498/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/a6974/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/58556/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/61e93/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp 200w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/1f5c5/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp 400w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/58556/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp 800w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/99238/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp 1200w,\n/static/6e66ddb226f4f2fe87604c34bdc7e780/d5052/7b254e08363d887e5a04bab13e67decd.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1874-markdown","title":"Migraines: How I Got off Pain Meds & Found Relief With Cannabis","slug":"migraines-how-i-got-off-pain-meds-and-found-relief-with-cannabis","content":"Have you ever considered using cannabidiol (CBD) for chronic pain relief? I didn’t. Sure, I read some stuff in the news about marijuana’s awesome healing properties, but to be honest I always thought that it was a bunch of BS. I pictured myself smoking a big spliff, getting really paranoid, feeling out of my head and still having a seriously bad migraine. Oh, and going to bed and not sleeping because I’m spinning and, did I say it before, so incredibly PARANOID. Not my happy place. \n\nMy perception of medical marijuana was way off base. There are multiple different types of cannabinoids within the cannabis plant, and CBD is almost exclusively used for medical relief. CBD, unlike its twin sister-from-a-different-mister tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), doesn’t get people high or stoned. Based on a personal friend’s recommendation, I ended up trying CBD for migraine pain relief, and to my great surprise, it worked.\n\nIf this is of interest to you, then you should read on, because this is my story of how I got off Vicodin and started using CBD to manage chronic pain caused by crazy, intense migraines.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)  \n\n### More Than 2 Dozen Years of Intense Migraine Symptoms\n\nI’ve had migraine headaches since I was 14. Head-splitting, painful whoppers that can leave me in bed for days. The first time I had a migraine, I was swimming a 100-meter race on the high school swim team. I nearly won (almost), but when I got out of the pool, I actually fell to the ground. I was struck by migraine lightning that left me blinded, vomiting and out of my head for the next 12 hours. That was the start of it all.\n\nFor the last 25 or so years, it’s been much the same, although I learned that hormonal spikes most often cause migraines along with stress, diet, lack of exercise as well as other triggers. Getting pregnant? A really bad idea if you get hormonal migraines. Several pregnancies later, I found my headaches were as bad, if not worse, than in adolescence. So was my mood.\n\nWhen you feel chronic pain this badly, I believe most people are willing to do just about anything to get pain relief (I’m included in that group). This led me to try out a barrage of drugs to find a cure (by the way, there isn’t one unless you consider cutting off your head) and/or something that might provide significant pain relief.\n\nRELATED: [BEST CBD STRAINS FOR MIGRAINES](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57f283d9e4b4f6000a8dba0e/the-best-cbd-marijuana-strains-for-migraines)\n\n### Treating My Migraines With Imitrex & Vicodin\n\nYoga, Pilates and CrossFit helped me. Other than drugs, adding more exercise to my weekly routine and making a significant change in my diet, including dropping gluten and soy, helped alleviate the worst kinds of migraine headaches. That is semi code for the migraines that blind you and give you the dreaded-dotted-panic-attack-inducing aura. That said, no matter what changes I made, a migraine still seemed to rear its ugly head. Enter migraine treatment with narcotics and heavy-duty migraine medications such as Imitrex.\n\nFor the most part, I found the migraine meds like Imitrex too debilitating. I ended up foggy, drooling and practically comatose in bed, unable to do much, but still with a nagging pain in the gulliver. Vicodin is a combination of the narcotic hydrocodone and non-narcotic pain reliever acetaminophen. On a monthly basis, I found that taking Vicodin at the onset of a migraine headache helped to both stop it from getting worse while also giving significant pain relief with minor side effects.\n\nFinding pain relief with Vicodon was fantastic, but it also had a significant downside. I started snacking Vicodin on a monthly basis —roughly in the neighborhood of two to eight pills per month. It’s important to note that the DEA now classes Vicodin as a Schedule 2 drug, which means that it has a high potential to be abused and for people to become dependent on it. In August of 2014, the DEA changed the regulations around Vicodin and moved it into the same class as Oxycontin, Percocet and Codeine. As a result, physicians have been far more careful when prescribing Vicodin. Honestly, it’s understandable as the doctors now need to watch their own backs based on the new DEA regulation.\n\nLaws changed around Vicodin due to the fact that some seven million Americans seem to adore it as well as other prescription meds; they’re addicted to them and love to Rush Limbaugh (yes, that’s a gross, fat verb I coined). Fortunately, I never had an issue with Vicodin addiction, but it really bothered me that I was so heavily reliant on a narcotic. It seemed so, well, dependent. It was also far less convenient trying to get a prescription as well.\n\n### My Introduction to Migraine Treatment With CBD\n\nAbout a year ago, a friend suggested that I try a CBD mouth spray for my headaches. I was all ears, as she told me that it not only provided her with pain relief, but she was able to fully function; it didn’t make her tired, and she found it a more natural way to medicate. It had seriously never occurred to me that people weren’t necessarily smoking their medicine nor were they getting high.\n\nCBD and THC are two of the most prevalent compounds found in cannabis. There are over 60 other compounds that also make up the marijuana plant. THC is the psychoactive component and is what gets people high, which for some is great.\n\nCBD, on the other hand, is non-psychoactive and does not affect our CB1 brain receptors in the same way as THC. Both THC and CBD have many of the same medical advantages, but each person reacts differently. For me, THC is like kryptonite. My system simply can’t handle it; I short circuit.\n\n### Get to Know CBD\n\nI was never much into chemistry, but the difference with CBD from THC is that THC is perfectly shaped to bind to our CB1 receptor, whereas CBD doesn’t—hence no psychoactive effects. CBD is now finally coming into the limelight due to its remarkable properties. CBD has been shown to:\n\n* relieve pain\n* fight cancer\n* prevent diabetic neuropathy\n* protect nerves\n* reduce nausea and vomiting\n* suppress seizures\n* combat anxiety \n* alleviate inflammation in the body\n\nAnd the list goes on and on. This is me screaming from the top of my work desk, IT ALSO STOPPED THE PAIN CAUSED BY MY MIGRAINES with zero gnarly side effects!\n\nRELATED: [TOP 6 WAYS TO CONSUME CBD](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57b2182407f595000bf74dd3/6-top-ways-to-consume-cbd)\n\nAnother interesting thing to note about CBD is its unique ability to work in conjunction with THC. CBD is able to stop the negative effects that may be felt from ingesting too much THC. In effect, CBD can reduce any overly intense psychoactivity caused by THC—so if your little brother smokes too much cannabis and locks himself in the broom closet, you give him CBD. It is like Freeze Miser meeting Heat Miser, and Mother Nature stopping the argument so Christmas can go on (excuse the cult TV special cultural reference). \n\nAs a result, you’ll see many products that use ratios of 1:1 CBD to THC, or always greater CBD to THC ratios. The ratio of THC to CBD is very important for the relief you want to feel and your tolerance for the psychoactivity inherent to THC.\n\nAll that said, I’ll leave the topic of ratios and dosage for another posting. If you’re like me, and have a highly negative sensitivity to THC, talk to your doctor as well as a reputable dispensary before buying and trying any new product. If you’re in the San Francisco area or Las Vegas, I highly recommend visiting [The Apothecarium](https://apothecarium.com) as the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable and can readily help with recommendations.\n\nSo to wrap it up, if CBD worked for me, it may also work for you. This story is one of the reasons we started HelloMD. We saw there was a great need for people to gain access to medical cards so they might be able to purchase medical marijuana legally. We advocate for people to try medicinal marijuana for medical needs whether they be small or large, because in our opinion it offers a viable, relatively safe medical alternative to the drugs developed by Big Pharma.\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":1.3986013986013985,"src":"/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/14b42/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/f836f/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.jpg 200w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/2244e/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.jpg 400w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/14b42/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.jpg 800w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/16310/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/58556/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/61e93/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.webp 200w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/1f5c5/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.webp 400w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/58556/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.webp 800w,\n/static/59d3e838ee0c312c66bd8871f35811a6/cc834/e8eb9f798fc789c6488e6fde7d6f0f1c.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":228,"numPages":20,"currentPage":20,"id":5084,"name":"CBD","slug":"cbd","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}