{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/muscle-spasms/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"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_2543-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions About Marijuana & Muscle Spasms/Soreness Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-muscle-spasmssoreness-answered","content":"People experience muscle spasms or sore muscles for a variety of reasons—from having conditions like muscular dystrophy to completing an intense session at the gym. Luckily, cannabis can help. Studies show that the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana [improves the communication between muscles and nerves, and reduces inflammation](http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.327.9531&rep=rep1&type=pdf), which helps relieve spasms and sore muscles. \n\nWe’ve gathered our three most popular Q&As about how marijuana can help alleviate muscle spasms, aches and pains. The advice comes from professionals in the cannabis industry as well as experienced consumers, who shared their knowledge in our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) section. We hope you find this information helpful and practical.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: pain from muscle spasms\n**_I have dystonia which causes muscles spasms and pain in the upper trapezius muscles when I'm active. The pain subsides when I'm sleeping or resting. I've tried the Cheeba Chews with 50 mg CBD and 2 mg THC divided in halves. I’ve also tried the 18:1 high CBD spray from Care by Design—neither seem to help. I don't need to take anything at night, but how often should they be taken during the day? Should I try a different product?_**\n\nAnswer: [@andrewvanmd]( https://www.hellomd.com/people/55d3990c32326600062d0000/andrewvanmd) I would recommend massaging a high THC topical ointment/cream directly onto the dystonic muscles every few hours. I would also try increasing the THC in your edible and sublingual cannabis preparations. Also, when you take the sublingual spray make sure you are doing the following.... 1) Before applying the spray, remove excess saliva from your mouth. 2) Allow the preparation to remain under your tongue for as long as possible, in order to achieve sublingual/oral absorption.\n\nRELATED: [EASING MUSCLE SPASMS WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55b156f433303700060f0000/easing-muscle-spasms-with-medical-marijuana)\n\n### Q: Does the Alta California Spasm Relief Tincture really help with muscle spasms? If so, how much do I take?\nAnswer: [@melissa](https://www.hellomd.com/people/5697f4f109d7dd000c000018/melissa) I am not a doctor but I have tried this product. It has helped me with muscle spasms effectively after a tough workout. I started with a half a dropper and then went to a full dropper. When you try a product always look at the dosage and start “low and slow” as the saying goes. Perhaps start with slightly less than the suggested amount, wait 20 minutes and then try a bit more. Hope this helps.\n\n### Q: Will Sweet Releaf help muscle soreness?\n**_I work out a lot and my muscles get very sore. Will this help to receive some of the soreness?_**\n\nAnswer: [@didi](https://www.hellomd.com/people/5751d3fdfe8dee000b00004f/didi) Yes, you can get a lot of relief from sore muscles using the original formula of Sweet Releaf which addresses soreness and discomfort of muscles and tendons at the mild to moderate level. For a typical workout, a moderate level of soreness would be expected afterwards and topicals are perfect in such cases because you just apply them directly to the spots that hurt and wait a few minutes for the area to relax, loosen up and pain to resolve.\n\nFor added effectiveness, use Sweet ReLeaf after a shower or bath when your skin's pores are open. We've heard from patients that applying it when pores are open helps the medicine penetrate quicker so relief is felt sooner and sometimes more deeply.\n\nPhoto credit: [Austin Neill](https://unsplash.com/@arstyy)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/14b42/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/f836f/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 200w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/2244e/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 400w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/14b42/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 800w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/47498/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 1200w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/0e329/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 1600w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/15f9c/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.jpg 3611w","srcWebp":"/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/58556/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/61e93/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 200w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/1f5c5/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 400w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/58556/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 800w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/99238/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 1200w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/7c22d/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 1600w,\n/static/cac3ecbd24021e94593b6dbd5b7edecc/328de/fef845fd14b1c2f456c09d49f77443b1.webp 3611w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2488-markdown","title":"3 Popular Questions about Marijuana & Parkinson’s Disease Answered","slug":"3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-parkinsons-disease-answered","content":"Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that unfortunately doesn’t have a cure. Traditional pharmaceutical medications show some success keeping symptoms in check (albeit with some debilitating side effects). But recent studies have shown marijuana’s potential to slow the disease.\n\nWe’ve compiled the most popular questions from our [Answers](https://www.hellomd.com/answers) page about how cannabis can help those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The answers were provided by nurses and doctors who have a deep knowledge of the marijuana plant and how it works in the body. We hope that their answers shed some light on how cannabis can be an effective treatment for this disease.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Q: Can you tell me if cannabis is good for Parkinson's disease? \nAnswer:[@tatiananp](https://www.hellomd.com/people/593b0f891dd3972880b33551/tatiananp) Hello, cannabinoids have been studied for use in treating symptoms, like bradykinesia (slowness caused by Parkinson's) and dyskinesia (excess movement caused by Levodopa). According to the National Parkinson's Foundation, the benefits of medical marijuana for the treatment of Parkinson's disease include a possible improvement in anxiety, pain management, sleep dysfunction, weight loss and nausea. Research suggests that cannabis might be neuroprotective, saving neurons from damage caused by Parkinson's.\n\nRELATED: [A BRIEF HISTORY OF CANNABIS USE FOR PARKINSON’S DISEASE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a299277100a820006562ebb/a-brief-history-of-cannabis-use-for-parkinsons-disease)\n\n### Q: What strains would you recommend for Parkinson's disease?\nAnswer: [@drkim]( https://www.hellomd.com/people/5896394f4c4b960008abd774/drkim) Hello, and thank you for the great question.\n\nNumerous studies have been conducted on marijuana and its active components. While not entirely conclusive, the research on marijuana shows promise for people with Parkinson’s.\nFor Parkinson’s disease, marijuana is thought to provide numerous benefits, including:\n\n* pain relief\n* reduced tremors\n* better quality of sleep\n* improved overall mood\n* more ease in movement\n\nDespite the potential benefits of marijuana for people with Parkinson’s, there are also some risk factors involved. THC in marijuana can cause:\n\n* impaired thinking and movements\n* hallucinations\n* memory problems\n* mood changes\n\nSo when considering the above, it becomes clear that most of the positive effects cannabis has on Parkinson’s derives from CBD (cannabidiol), whereas most of the possible adverse effects are derived from THC. As such, I would recommend that you seek high-CBD strains.\n\nACDC is a hybrid strain that I have touted for several conditions which would benefit from a high CBD and low THC content. The cannabinoid content is extremely CBD-dominant, sitting on average at 20:1 in its CBD/THC ratio. An imperceptible amount of THC makes ACDC an outstanding companion for daily medicinal cannabis. ACDC would be my top overall recommendation as treatment for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.\n\nA sativa strain I also recommend is Harlequin. Harlequin is one of the most popular CBD strains available. Typically testing around the 5:2 CBD/THC ratio, it exhibits a sativa-dominant alertness with only mild euphoria.\n\nFor sleep time, a CBD-heavy indica strain such as Sweet and Sour Widow would be a good choice.\n\n### Q: Does THCa interact with medications for Parkinson's disease?\n**_ I take Carbidopa/Levodopa for Parkinson's disease and started taking THCa for chronic sciatic pain. After I started taking 150 mg THCa I started to have a lot of trouble walking; I switched over to a CBD tincture of 600 mg and now I can walk normally again. Do you think the THCa reduced the effectiveness of my Parkinson's medications? _**\n\nAnswer: [@tatiana](https://www.hellomd.com/people/593b0f891dd3972880b33551/tatiananp) According to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, research suggests medical marijuana is an effective way for some patients to manage their symptoms. Furthermore, the neuroprotective qualities of [THCa (the precursor to THC)](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/584f78817f091000089c44a4/the-medicinal-benefits-of-thca) could aid patients with neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s Disease as well as those with dementia. Medical marijuana also has great pain-relieving properties.\n\nSerious drug interactions have not been seen with medical marijuana in combination with any other drug. There have been very few adverse interactions reported.\n\nI'm not sure what could have caused the worsening of your symptoms and subsequently the inability to walk. Everybody is unique and reacts uniquely. Let’s be rational and proceed with caution, if THCa provided a negative response, then stray away from it. If CBD has proven to provide you with positive results, then continue to safely administer. I suggest you collaborate with your primary care provider in order to safely monitor your condition and the adjunctive treatment with medicinal marijuana.\n\nPhoto credit: [Thomas Hafeneth](https://unsplash.com/@thomashafeneth)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/14b42/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/f836f/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 200w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/2244e/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 400w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/14b42/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 800w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/47498/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/0e329/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 1600w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/4af5c/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.jpg 2421w","srcWebp":"/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/58556/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/61e93/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 200w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/1f5c5/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 400w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/58556/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 800w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/99238/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 1200w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/7c22d/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 1600w,\n/static/3263925dbafc98353a6ecf167f13048a/790f7/0ea194bca5cf5b6ada5690a4933e8359.webp 2421w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2407-markdown","title":"Having Trouble Sleeping? Try Non-Psychoactive CBN","slug":"having-trouble-sleeping-try-non-psychoactive-cbn","content":"If you consumed marijuana that was sitting around for longer than usual or was exposed to open air or sunlight for an extended period of time, you may have felt a little sleepier afterward. Don’t worry, you didn’t imagine it. There’s actually a scientific reason why old cannabis has increased sedative effects. It happens when tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is left out in the open and changes into a lesser-known compound called cannabinol (CBN). \n\nAccording to [Steep Hill Labs](https://www.steephill.com/), one of the leading cannabis testing labs in the country, [CBN is a very useful and unique cannabinoid](http://steephill.com/blogs/34/Cannabinol-(CBD)) that can help people who suffer from sleep disorders, need a sedative to control conditions like muscle spasms or anxiety, or have vision issues like glaucoma—without psychoactive effects. \n\n### How Does THC Turn Into CBN? \n\n![Your cannabis can contain THC which can turn into CBN over time.](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_29_36_PM_05e85fb683.png)\n\nExposure to certain elements can alter a cannabinoid’s chemical makeup, pushing it into a new stage of life as a different compound altogether. According to Steep Hill Labs, almost all identified cannabinoids have something in common: They’re stored in the cannabis plant in their acid form until heat is applied, in a **process called decarboxylation**. The heat forces cannabinoids to take on a new chemical make-up that sometimes results in different side effects. \n\nFor example, THC, the cannabinoid that makes us feel high, is stored in the cannabis plant as an acid called THCA, which has no psychoactive effects. But once heat is applied, THCA’s chemical makeup is altered, and it turns into THC.\n\nUnlike most cannabinoids, CBN doesn’t appear as a result of decarboxylation, but instead arises simply from contact with air and UV rays that deteriorate cannabis over time. Steep Hill Labs notes that “most of the CBN found in cannabis is due to the degradation of THC, where THC has oxidized to CBN.” \n\nSo cannabis that has been sitting around for many weeks, exposed to open air or UV rays, will result in more THC turning into CBN. \n\n### CBN Helps You Sleep Without Making You High\n\nSimilar to CBD, CBN has very little to no “high” side effects. But what CBN lacks in psychoactive properties, it makes up for in sedative potential. Some medical cannabis patients may enjoy oxidized cannabis for its ability to help treat [sleep disorders, an issue that affects 60 million Americans](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90638364) each year.\n\n![Plus gummies has a Sleep formulation with CBN](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_34_36_PM_f3b4a03c09.png)\n\n[Cloudberry Sleep gummies by Plus](https://www.plusproducts.com/sleep) include CBN as an ingredient.\n\nSteep Hill Labs says consuming 2.5 to 5 mg of CBN will have a level of sedative effects equal to a mild pharmaceutical sedative-like Diazepam. They say that the right dose of CBN can be a natural treatment option and effective aid for sleeping five to six hours. \n\nIf you prefer cannabis without increased sedative effects, you can easily follow proper storing techniques that can help keep your cannabis fresh for longer. \n\n### CBN as an Alternative to THC \n\nSteep Hill Labs also concluded that CBN can be a “beneficial alternative to THC for treatment.” \n\nThis is a big revelation especially considering that [many medical cannabis patients want treatment options with little to no psychoactive results](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-powerful-new-form-of-medical-marijuana-without-the-high/2016/12/29/81bbf7c0-b5b2-11e6-b8df-600bd9d38a02_story.html?utm_term=.61250fd47f9a), specifically children or elderly patients uncomfortable with being high. As a result, these patients, or their caregivers, often choose CBD-only options, attracted to their lack of psychoactive side effects. \n\n![Peak Extracts offers a CBN chocolate](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_37_46_PM_a540ed1fd8.png)\n\n[Peak Extracts](https://www.peakextracts.com/) offers a CBN chocolate.\n \nBut some physicians believe **CBD-only treatments are less effective than treatments that incorporate THC with CBD**. If CBN can be an effective treatment alternative to THC, patients may be able to get the same medical benefits without getting high. \n\nAs with all things cannabis, more research must be done to fully understand all of the treatment applications for CBN and whether the cannabinoid is truly an effective alternative to THC. But if you live in a marijuana-friendly state and suffer from sleep disorders or glaucoma, talk with your doctor about CBN as a potential natural treatment option. \n\n### Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis\n\nIt's easy to get your medical document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and start purchasing medical cannabis today.\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/14b42/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/f836f/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/2244e/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 400w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/14b42/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 800w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/47498/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/a026e/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 1389w","srcWebp":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/58556/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/61e93/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/1f5c5/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 400w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/58556/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 800w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/99238/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 1200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/963da/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 1389w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2053-markdown","title":"Download our Medical Marijuana Patient Study","slug":"download-our-medical-marijuana-patient-study","content":"For us at HelloMD, the medical cannabis industry is an exciting and fascinating business to be in. Every day we leave the office knowing that we are improving people's lives and helping further the cause for mainstream acceptance of this amazing plant.  In the short time since we’ve been providing our service (one year) we’ve witnessed a positive shift in how the broader population perceive the legal cannabis market. The collective contribution of the industry has performed a remarkable feat in changing attitudes and in moving us from back-alley to the main street.\r\n\r\nWe have come far. Yet, for anyone entering the industry, indeed for anyone in it, it can still be difficult finding information to help plan and grow a business. Very little is published indicating patient preferences, methods of use, reasons for use, etc. Most in the industry are planning products and services based upon small sample sets of anecdotal data and intuition. Not that there is anything wrong with that. After all, we did that. But if that’s all you’ve got, then it’s really difficult to identify trends and to plan ahead. \r\n\r\nThat is why, in January of this year, we conducted a detailed study of patients that use medical marijuana. \r\n\r\n[Download the medical marijuana patient study here](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hellomd-news/HelloMD_Medical_Marijuana_Patient_Survey.pdf).\r\n\r\nWe believe it to be the most comprehensive study to date and we are very pleased to share it with the community at large. Our methodology included surveying our membership of 17,000 patients (all of whom have been evaluated by our own doctors), correlating with other data sets (public and private), analyzing, and then using the results to form key findings. Thanks to our friends at [FireFly](http://www.thefirefly.com) (of whom generously donated 5 of their beautiful vaporizers as an incentive to participants) we had an exceptional response of over 1,400 patients. Anonymously, every one of them answered an extensive questionnaire that detailed their own experience and details regarding conditions leading to use, modes of use, efficacy, and much more.\r\n\r\nAll this data led to key findings and learning's that helped us understand:  \r\n\r\n - The demographic of patients using medical marijuana today, and how it has been changing overtime\r\n - Conditions being treating with medical cannabis\r\n - How effective cannabis is as a treatment modality\r\n - How patients feel about using cannabis as an alternative, or as a compliment, to other more-traditional prescribed pharmaceuticals\r\n - How, or if, patients talk about their use of cannabis among family, friends and colleagues.\r\n - Where medical cannabis purchases are made\r\n - Where patients obtain education and knowledge of medical cannabis\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most surprising finding; an emerging demographic that, indisputably, is eclipsing the recreational demographic. This has all sorts of implications – politically and otherwise.\r\n\r\nWe have compiled all findings into a report that can be [downloaded as a PDF here](https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/hellomd-news/HelloMD_Medical_Marijuana_Patient_Survey.pdf).","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/14b42/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/f836f/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.jpg 200w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/2244e/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.jpg 400w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/14b42/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.jpg 800w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/47498/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/58556/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/61e93/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.webp 200w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/1f5c5/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.webp 400w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/58556/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.webp 800w,\n/static/e8673bbdb39b8593fd7a7da80b6c7825/99238/38cff30a6e1ef5b926d055a399eae91d.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1994-markdown","title":"Why Your Parents Need to Learn About Cannabis","slug":"why-your-parents-need-to-learn-about-cannabis","content":"**The Dream of Retirement**\r\n\r\nThe golden years: that bastion of life that promises retirement from the grind, financial independence, and unfettered access to all the things we enjoy. At least, that’s the dream. A dream pushed upon us by relentless advertising from the pharmaceutical, life insurance, and banking industries.\r\n\r\nOf course, I want that dream. Who wouldn’t? But, if reality is to have it’s way – and it most often does – then the grind is likely to have its grip on me until the very end. And that dream? Well, it’s probably destined to remain as just that – a dream. \r\n\r\nAs a doctor, I meet with many seniors. I listen to them, and I watch them as they age. I see their attitudes change. I see their needs, wants, and desires change. I see their lives change – often for the worse. I hear them wish for a good nights sleep, hands that don’t shake, knees that don’t hurt, a day of comfort – things we take for granted while younger. These observations have influenced me and, as I near the so-called golden years period myself, the way I think about the effects of aging. \r\n\r\nI keep arriving at the same place...\r\n\r\n**Getting old sucks!**\r\n\r\nIf you live long enough – and most of us will these days – the adverse symptoms of aging are hard to avoid. While many people are healthy and active into their late 90s, the majority of us will face typical aging related health issues such as insomnia, chronic pain, impaired vision and motor function, reduced appetite – the list goes on and on. Many will deal with symptoms so degenerative – like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – that they will lose their independence and require assisted living facilities or hospitals for the reminder of their days.\r\n\r\nWhile we consider it very fortunate to have a long life, the ailments associated with aging have not been easy to treat with conventional medicine. Often, the pharmaceuticals prescribed can cause health implications of their own. Prescribing them is a bit hit-or-miss. We don’t really know how an individual will react. We can’t know. Different people react differently to the same pharmaceutical. It becomes trial and error, rinse and repeat. For many, one pill begets the next and before you know it you have a potpourri of pharmaceuticals that are organized, by the bucket, for swallowing at scheduled times through the day – every day. For patients that are agitated, uncomfortable, or in pain, the entire process can be frustrating and the results are often questionable if not disappointing.\r\n\r\n**Pills, pills, and more pills**\r\n\r\nIt pains me to watch as some folk react badly to this routine. Side effects occur more often than not - often in the form of seizures, nausea or emotional disturbances such as uncontrollable crying and depression (this is especially true for some sleeping pills on the market today). When these reactions occur, more pharmaceuticals are prescribed to deal with the side effects. And, those are the side effects we know about. What about the unseen side effects? The potentially irreparable damage we may do at cellular level, or at a neurological level?\r\n\r\nDon’t get me wrong; with the advent of many pharmaceuticals we’ve improved the overall health of society immensely. Many drug discovery and pharmaceutical innovations have been nothing short of revolutionary at turning back disease and improving people’s lives. But that’s not really what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the habitual crutch that prescribing pharmaceuticals has become – especially to the elderly.     \r\n\r\n**It's just not right**\r\n\r\nOver the years, as a doctor, observing all of this trial and error, and the general reliance on prescription pharmaceuticals for uncertain results – well, it no longer sits right with me. And it flat out saddens me when I see powerful painkillers and antipsychotics used to sedate some elderly into a manageable submission.\r\n\r\nThese are our seniors, they deserve our respect and they deserve better treatment. At the very least, they deserve an alternative. \r\n\r\n**There is an alternative** \r\n\r\nIt’s been under our nose for millennia, it’s less toxic, and it’s entirely natural. It’s cannabis. Or, to those conforming to legislation, it’s medical marijuana.\r\n\r\nAs cannabis slowly emerges from a long quarantine imposed by authorities acting on misinformation, fear, uncertainty and doubt, we are beginning to learn of its medicinal and health properties. Several years of research performed by many credible institutions are all arriving at the same result. Indeed, cannabis looks like a wonder plant – nature’s gift to humanity. The list of conditions that cannabis is most effective for reads like a list of typical ailments afflicting seniors. Chronic pain (from inflammation of joints and stiff limbs), insomnia, lack of appetite, lethargy and reduced energy, anxiety, are but a few. All affect ones mood and general sense of well being of which cannabis is also said to elevate. There are even reports suggesting certain cannabinoids (found within cannabis) have been effective at arresting some cancers, restoring motor control, and eliminating seizures. \r\n\r\n**Their own worst enemy**\r\n\r\nSuffice to say, this is a population that could benefit tremendously from cannabis, yet their access is limited -- if even considered.\r\n\r\nSeniors themselves are often the first to resist using medical cannabis because of societal concerns about using a drug that the federal government deems illegal. For those that do want to use cannabis, they often don’t know where to go, or how to get it. Only rarely will their doctor support the use of cannabis (it’s more common for a doctor to steer away from the cannabis conversation). This last fact, I can attest. I was that doctor – shaped by decades of misinformation. Prevailing attitudes will change, although it may take a full generation cycle before we see results.\r\n\r\n**It starts with you**\r\n\r\nFor many, cannabis is making their lives more tolerable. For others, it is extending their lives. These are not isolated cases. As Chief Medical Officer at HelloMD.com, I’m hearing such testimonials on a daily basis. Legalization aside, for widespread acceptance there is still one large obstacle to overcome – education. And for your parents, that might start with you.\r\n\r\nIf you are 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 100% online, private and efficient.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/14b42/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/f836f/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.jpg 200w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/2244e/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.jpg 400w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/14b42/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.jpg 800w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/47498/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/58556/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/61e93/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.webp 200w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/1f5c5/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.webp 400w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/58556/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.webp 800w,\n/static/9bb3d1cbcc24e1e968d7d7d45654de66/99238/2f1205dc5df5fb3975b1f71f90b0f6a7.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2034-markdown","title":"Death Score: Opioids 16235. Cannabis 0.","slug":"death-score-opioids-16235-cannabis-0","content":"Living with chronic pain and trying to treat it can be difficult and frustrating. Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals ignore or are unaware of the benefits of medical marijuana for pain management, choosing to prescribe opioid-type drugs to mask symptoms. \n\n[Marijuana has been used to effectively battle chronic pain for centuries](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55dfb34e3763370006c70000/the-history-of-medical-marijuana-usage). But despite the success patients have achieved through the use of medical cannabis, its usage still lags far behind opioids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 10% of prescribing medical professionals account for 50% of opioid prescriptions, illustrating a pattern of over-usage in chronic pain situations. While surveys show that [76% of doctors approve of medical marijuana](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/survey-76-percent-of-doctors-approve-of-medical-marijuana-use/), statistics indicate that [only 1.1 million patients have current prescriptions](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=005889),\na number that falls far short of opioid usage. However, [92% of users say medical\ncannabis absolutely works](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/10/01/92-of-patients-say-medical-marijuana-works/) to treat their conditions.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Medical Marijuana Could Save Lives\n\nThe _Washington Post_ reports that [changing from a regimen of addiction-inducing opioids to non-addictive medical cannabis could literally save lives](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/07/14/how-medical marijuana-could-literally-save-lives/). Everyone agrees with their claim of saved lives, considering the tens of millions of patients currently addicted to opioids and a frightening CDC-compiled statistic that [more than 1,000 people a day are treated in emergency rooms for opioid misuse](http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html).\n\nTo put this into perspective, [43,982 people died of drug overdoses in 2013](http://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/overdose.html), and more than 50% of those deaths were from prescription drugs. Of the prescription drug overdoses, more than 70% were due to opioid-based medications, totaling 16,235 people. \n\nThat’s an astronomical number of lost lives stemming from doctors prescribing opioid pain medication. During the same year, [exactly zero people died from marijuana use](http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death). There could truly be no deeper disparity than losing tens of thousands of lives per year to opioids, which are addictive and may or may not work, versus medical cannabis usage that doesn’t lead to addiction and has a far higher number of patients reporting positive results.\n\n### Cannabis Helps With Chronic Pain \n\nIn addition to treatment for non-specific chronic pain, medical cannabis is also a successful treatment option for painful disorders like arthritis. Where pharmaceutical painkillers may fall short and opioids over-treat and overwhelm, [medical marijuana with high concentrations of cannabinoids can lead to decreased inflammation](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a720780f24d1300077ccb25/3-popular-questions-about-marijuana-and-arthritis-answered) and increased pain relief. While other pain medications simply mask pain or decrease pain sensitivity for shorter periods of time, medical marijuana can actually get to the root of the problem and provide longer-lasting relief with fewer side effects or long-term implications.\n\nMedical marijuana can improve the quality of life for chronic pain patients; it can also save lives. Meanwhile, opioids don't treat chronic pain as effectively and claim more lives per year than suicide, car accident fatalities and gun-related deaths combined. A National Bureau of Economic Research study shows that [increased medical marijuana use is directly proportional to decreased opioid abuse](http://www.nber.org/papers/w21345). The positives of saved lives and reduced levels of addiction could not possibly be overstated, and those positives tie back to responsible medical cannabis usage.\n\n### An Argument for Medicinal Marijuana Legalization\n\nA _Washington Post_ article shows a [direct correlation between states that have legalized medical marijuana dispensaries and the subsequent reduction of opioid-linked deaths](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/08/25/is-medical-marijuana-the-answer-to-americas-prescription-painkiller-epidemic/). \n\nAdd to that a study published in the [_Journal of American Medical Association Internal Medicine_](http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1898878) that found \"states with medical cannabis laws had a 24.8 percent lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate\" than states that hadn't yet legalized medical marijuana.\n\nNeedless to say, the argument is very strong to push for cannabis legalization across the rest of the U.S. Millions of patients suffering from a variety of disorders could find much-needed relief with medical cannabis. In addition, the lives of countless chronic pain patients could be preserved and bettered through medical cannabis instead of dangerously addictive opioid drugs.\n\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/26553756@N06/2653991611)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/14b42/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/f836f/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 200w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/2244e/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 400w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/14b42/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 800w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/47498/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/58556/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/61e93/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 200w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/1f5c5/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 400w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/58556/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 800w,\n/static/639367d57eb29c210f60ee59f076f66e/99238/d74555200ef8a176627c7c62c973c2b5.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2001-markdown","title":"Introducing Sava: a Premier Online Marketplace for Artisanal Cannabis Goods","slug":"introducing-sava-a-premier-online-marketplace-for-artisanal-cannabis-goods","content":"I met Andrea Brooks, Founder of the newly launched [Sava](http://getsava.com/), at Chow a popular eatery in San Francisco’s Castro District. She was busy towards the back of the restaurant on her Apple Workbook, tapping away, adding some finishing touches to her newly released online retail site. Sava is a new player in the world of cannabis and is a breath of fresh air in a marketplace awash in bud, oh and more bud.\r\n\r\nIn Andrea’s words [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is “like Etsy, only more curatorial in its approach. We find best of breed in smaller, artisanal brands and help bring them to the fore.  Our brands highlight the best and the brightest in lesser-known harder to find cannabis brands. When we select products, we choose them based on what  we would  use ourselves, products we could really get behind and are excited about. Like Etsy, we allow our producers to set up a shop and highlight their products in a way that best suits their style.”\r\n\r\nI was happy to spend time with Andrea to better understand [Sava](http://getsava.com/) and her business model as I am often stumped as to what to purchase in a traditional dispensary. After looking at the initial line up of shops within Sava, I became even more excited by her concept. Storefront dispensaries often carry the same brands and products and most, across the board, are very high in THC. Also, many will only exclusively carry flowers (bud, weed, the green stuff) and not even venture into other product types, such as tinctures and topicals. Andrea’s curatorial approach has the potential for a home run. It certainly hit the sweet spot for me; an active Mom who is not looking to smoke a big joint, but would rather soak in some CBD Epsom salts or take it down a notch with some flavorful THC laced jam on toast. Oh, yum!\r\n\r\n**You compare [Sava](http://getsava.com/) to Etsy, how is Sava like Etsy and how does it differ?**\r\n\r\nOne of the aspects I love about Etsy is that you can learn about who is making your product - it’s a lovely personal touch.  Even more so than something like jewelry or a furnishing, I want to know where my medicine comes from.  Why has the provider chosen to pursue this path?  What inspired them?  What is their method of making their product?  [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is like Etsy in that we showcase our providers and make them accessible to patients. It helps to de-stigmatize the products and cannabis in general.  When I was injured and turned to medical cannabis for help, I was lucky enough to have someone  guide me.  I would now like to guide others in a transparent and informative way. \r\n\r\nHowever, we do differ from Etsy. At [Sava](http://getsava.com/), we carefully curate  providers we showcase and allow on the site.  We do significant research to learn about their sourcing and process.  We want high quality products, produced by people that are passionate about building their brands and helping others.  In addition, we are also launching new producers and providing them access into the industry.\r\n\r\n**What are the types of products and brands you highlight within your Sava shops and how do you curate the selection?**\r\n\r\nI’m a fan of the whole plant and all its uses, but I’m a particularly fond of topicals, tinctures and edibles. It’s important to us to highlight the ways these types of products can have medicinal benefit.  When I reach out to new folks to discuss [Sava](http://getsava.com/), and I show them the types of products that I am offering, more often than not I hear “I’ve never seen that before!” or “ I didn’t know that existed!”   This feedback comes from people  who regularly shop at  dispensaries and they haven’t been exposed to artisanal 'cannabis makers' and this needs to change.  There are so many amazing medicinal uses to discover, from medicated epsom salts to expertly crafted high CBD tinctures to THC-rich shea butter creams to small-batch infused jam.   I use topicals, tinctures and edibles to help with my own pain and inflammation.  A significant group of our sellers provide products that address common ailments, as well as a beautiful end product. \r\n\r\n**What challenges do artisanal product manufacturers face in the cannabis world today?**\r\n\r\nArtisanal producers in this industry face many of the same challenges they do in other industries - it can be very expensive and time-consuming to produce a high-quality product.   Assuming one can manage the ups and downs of product development, the next step is getting the product to market.  It can be a long journey. If you don’t have the right connections, especially in the cannabis industry, the journey gets longer. I’ve spoken with many women within the industry about the challenges of getting into a dispensary; it was one of the inspirations for Sava.  The whims of a dispensary owner can keep an amazing product off a shelf.  As such, new channels need to be created.\r\n\r\nHowever, it’s all about finding the right partnerships.  I’m active in the [Bay Area Women Grow](http://womengrow.com/) chapter and have met so many incredible women through that group, many of whom I developed a working relationship with.  I feel very lucky to have these resources available to help create a primary goal of Sava: to  create a space that is dedicated to providing  products  to women. \r\n \r\n**I imagine that smaller product manufacturers are excited to gain exposure on your site. What has the response been like?**\r\n\r\nYes!  I find that as excited I am to have them, they are equally excited to be showcased in a new environment.   I want to support them as much as possible, from periodically highlighting different shops to helping owners write blog pieces on their areas of expertise.   I’ve found that  everyone has a special story that lead them to enter this industry.  For example, team Strictly Topical , which makes Sweet Releaf - a trichome infused body butter.  The daughter in the mother-and-daughter team suffered a car accident which left her with severe chronic pain.  It’s a moving story  - and Sweet Releaf is amazing! Additionally, some of the smaller producers will be able to scale over time.  We are happy to help them along the way and provide necessary support as they expand.\r\n\r\n**What products are you most excited to use yourself?**\r\n\r\nOh wow - that is hard to choose!  So many exciting options!   I am also a fan of both THC and CBD, so I’m making sure I have products that are rich in both.  \r\nI’ve had a few friends recently that have pulled me aside and said “What’s this new CBD strain I keep hearing about?”  Well, as we know,  it’s not new and it’s not a strain. But with the creative products Sava is offering, there will be many new experiences to be had.\r\n\r\nAlong the lines of CBD, I can’t wait to try the CBD Raw Sipping Cacao from Om Edibles.  Not only does it have all the antioxidants of this superfood, all the benefits of CBD as well.  I’m anticipating this beverage being my constant companion as we move into the winter.  And Flour Child, which makes amazing THC-rich edibles, has a Lavender-Mint scented CBD-rich relief balm. I’ll probably be using that on my hands when I’m done sipping the cacao!\r\n\r\n**Today's cannabis user is no longer seen as the stoner who cannot get off the couch. Who do you see as your target market and what demographic do you most hope to reach?** \r\n\r\nThat is so true re: the stereotypical stoner!  There is still a stigma to overcome - and I’m happy to be part of dismantling it.  De-stigmatization is incredibly important as it helps connect patients with medicine that can help them.  Doing this work, I meet so many people.  The more I get out and talk with people, the more I’m amazed at how many people are turning to cannabis as a new, viable remedy for what ails them.  The same way I did.  \r\n\r\nI see my target market as women over 30 who have already explored alternative health and wellness options. They have likely tried medical cannabis - or maybe they’ve been thinking about it and they are ready to take the plunge.  These are women that want to continue to explore new alternatives to pain management, auto-immune challenges and dealing with PMS.  This is who we are here to help. In my previous life I worked in animal welfare and senior care - so those two populations are incredibly important to me as well.\r\n\r\n**What inspired you to start [Sava](http://getsava.com/)?**\r\n\r\nMy inspiration to start [Sava](http://getsava.com/) is very personal.  A few years ago, I suffered a disabling injury that left me with systemic nerve damage.  I went from serving on a SF city commission, the board of a local animal rescue group and working as a program director & case manager in the field of fair housing to becoming completely disabled within a very short period of time.  The pain was unbearable and I lost my independence, becoming bed-bound for nearly a year.  My doctors gave me drugs and more drugs - some of which helped with the pain, but none of which had a healing effect.  And then came the side-effects.  It felt as if I was watching my life take a long, slow spiral downward, punctuated by doctors telling me different things I would never be able to do or regain, such as the full usage of my right side. One day, a friend brought me a strain he thought would help and also made me a tincture.   It was a dramatic turning point in my recovery.    I was able to manage my pain without the side effects and my mood improved dramatically.  I was able to wean off all the prescription drugs, move and stretch, do the physical exercise I needed to help heal myself. \r\n\r\nAs I continued in my healing journey, I tried more uses of medical cannabis.  But I couldn’t find everything that I wanted in one place, and I often needed to have my medicine delivered as it was hard for me to get around.  I also couldn’t find out the level of information I desired.  So, with Sava I’m creating what I wished existed for me:  a comfortable, safe shopping experience with the female customer in mind.\r\n\r\n**Can anyone order from your site? How do people receive their orders?**\r\n\r\nYes, you need to have a California medical card, and you need to be the legal age to purchase  - just like purchasing any other medical cannabis products.  For many that shop at [Sava](http://getsava.com/), this will likely be the first time that they want to get a card.  As such, we’ve kept it as smooth and simple as a shopping experience as possible.  There are shop information pages where you can read about the collective, their methods and background - or you can also go straight to where all the products are listed and search by what you are looking for or what condition you want help with.   Every product states the full ingredients and guidance on use.  Once you select what you want and proceed through checkout, your items will arrive safely the next day!\r\n\r\nIf you are 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 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/ee604/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png","srcSet":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/69585/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/497c6/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 400w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/ee604/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 800w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/f3583/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 1200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/f90fa/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/58556/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/61e93/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/1f5c5/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 400w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/58556/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 800w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/99238/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 1200w,\n/static/c818dcd65bd2d487b2fef59c7674721e/5e0b8/582f1774caa4264162c668f435cd9a79.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2042-markdown","title":"Cannabis as a Sleep Aid for Insomnia: An Interview with Pianta Tinta","slug":"cannabis-as-a-sleep-aid-for-insomnia-an-interview-with-pianta-tinta","content":"Due its lack of psychoactivity and for its ability to effectively treat a variety of medical conditions, CBD (Cannabidiol) is the rising star among the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids. [Pianta Tinta Collective](http://www.piantacbd.com/), a new manufacturer within the cannabis marketplace, focuses on high CBD tinctures, oils and rubs ‘to enable others to live a higher quality of life.’ Their tinctures target [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better) and chronic pain as well as other common conditions people often face. Co-founders Elizabeth Knight and Dr. Kathy Acquistapace feel they have found their niche with a more medically oriented customer base and pride themselves on ongoing customer consultations with Dr. Acquistapace, the in-house Naturopath. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_/?hl=en) \n\nPianta Tinta is also representative of the booming artisanal marketplace within California. Smaller product manufacturers often focus on sourcing the highest quality outdoor grown cannabis for unique offerings, such as CBD tinctures, that may or may not be found in your local dispensary. Elizabeth Knight took time to speak to us about Pianta Tinta and the growth of their business over the past year.\n\n**What was the inspiration for starting Pianta Tinta?**\n\nPianta Tinta means ‘plant tincture’ in Italian. We chose that name because we focus on the cannabis plant as well as more natural modalities of healing. We founded our business based on Dr. Kathy Acquistapace’s research on CBD and the newly found applications for it as a medicine. \n\nAs a naturopath, Dr. Acquistapace was looking for more alternative natural medicines for her patient base. As she learned more and more about CBD, we became excited about the possibilities but also became aware of the lack of CBD alternatives in the market, especially within dispensaries. \n\nAs a business, we were most interested in entering the cannabis marketplace with products that were high CBD and very low THC. When you visit a dispensary as a first time medicinal marijuana patient, it is not that easy to find high CBD products. When a senior citizen enters a dispensary today they will most likely be presented with products that are very high in THC. Even a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC may be too much THC for a first time cannabis patient. Ultimately, we decided to make tinctures as this is a very easy way to ingest cannabis. \n\n**What high CBD cannabis strain do you favor for your product lines?**\n\nWe work with ACDC as our favored strain. It is a hybrid strain that is bred to have very high CBD content and very low THC content. It is not the easiest strain to grow but we think it works very well for the high CBD products that we produce. Our grower grows the ACDC strain outdoors, in organic soil; he uses grow pots without the use of pesticides/fungicides which we feel is very important. \n\nWe also test our products at [Steep Hill Halent](http://steephill.com/) and [CW Analytical labs](http://www.cwanalytical.com/). We first test the ACDC flower to know the cannabinoid ratios, the terpene profiles and to make sure it is free of any microbes, fungus or molds. After we go through making the tinctures we test again to get the final cannabinoid content, which is what we print on our labels. We strive to represent our product as accurately as possible.\n\n**Other than the ACDC flower, what other ingredients do you put within your cannabis tinctures?**\n\nOur tinctures are very straightforward. All of our labels list the ingredients, which include the ACDC flower/leaves and ethyl alcohol. We do not flavor or put any additional chemicals in our products. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with very ‘clean’ products.\n\n**Are you targeting a particular segment of the population with your product line?**\n\nThe people we want to reach represent a wide range of ages and demographics. We believe that we are able to reach these people because our products positively address a wide variety of symptoms that affect almost all age groups. We often find that senior citizens are looking for alternatives from a regime that is far too heavy with opioids, so they are open to trying cannabis as an alternative. We see that younger people are far too stressed out and can use some anxiety relief, which CBD is also good for. Our products are for anyone who is seeking to use marijuana medicinally, and to receive the benefit from CBD.\n\n**Do your products target specific medical conditions?** \n\nWe are not able to make claims as we do not have any clinical studies to back these up. However, anecdotally we have seen great success across a variety of conditions including adults with seizure disorders. For instance, we had a patient, a man in his fifties, who was having 4-6 seizures a month, and since taking our Super High CBD tincture he has had a total of 5 seizures since January. That is a huge reduction of seizures and in addition he was able to drop many of his pharmaceutical medications. \n\nWe have also seen a lot of people who have [chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/562150d03232620006450000/top-14-marijuana-strains-for-different-kinds-of-pain), whether that be arthritis, pain from previous injuries, general inflammation, etc. This topic of pain covers a wide swath of medical conditions and can encompass so much, but we have found that many people have found relief with our Super High CBD product. We also have members of our collective with cancer who have added our Super High CBD as well as our High THC tincture and oil to their treatment regime.\n\nSince virtually all pharmaceutical products carry unwanted side effects, CBD offers the alternative of providing the positive benefits without the negative side effects.\n\n**On your website, I see that you are promoting a new high THC tincture for sleep. Is this tincture good for treating [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better)?**\n\nWe recently produced a high THC tincture that we feel is particularly good at relieving insomnia. As we all know, insomnia can be difficult to overcome. Not everyone has insomnia for the same reasons. For instance, one person may not be sleeping because they have pain related to inflammation. If you bring the inflammation down with a high CBD product, they may be able to get a good night’s sleep every night. In other instances, a high THC tincture will help relax a person who struggles to get to sleep and also help them to stay asleep longer. \n\nOur newest tincture contains a high percentage of THC and almost no CBD. THC tends to relax people, however everyone is different. Some people find that CBD may relax them and others may find that a combination of THC and CBD may be best for them. As we are all unique, we recommend that people try our new high THC tincture for their sleep issues and see if their sleep improves. Some people may find that it works well and others may find that adding CBD to the THC may work best for them. We suggest that a person starts with a small amount before bedtime and keep a sleep log. This way, they can find what works best for them based on their own body.\n\n**You offer members of your collective consultations with your in-house Naturopath. What should a patient expect to gain from a consultation?**\n\nDr. Acquistapace is our Naturopath. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience and her focus is on alternative and natural healing. She works with people who are wanting to reach their highest level of heath and explains to them how Pianta Tinta tinctures can be a part of their health plan.  At Pianta Tinta, she often works with people, many first timers to marijuana, to better understand cannabis and how to integrate it into their lives. She is also available to answer more general health questions as well.\n\nPeople are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they are given, especially those new to cannabis, so Dr. Acquistapace is there to help guide and consult with people along the way. Our customer base is often looking for answers and wondering how medical marijuana interacts with their body and possibly with their existing medications. [Dr. Acquistapace consults in 15-minute increments](http://www.piantacbd.com/consultations/) over the phone, over Skype and in-person. We want to be flexible based on the patients needs.\n\n**What general advice would you give to people that are new to cannabis?**\n\nRead your labels!  A lot of products are mislabeled or misrepresent the medicine. This is especially true for many of the high CBD hemp-based products that are sold over the internet. Hemp is different from cannabis and the products made from it is sourced differently as well. Make sure that the products are lab tested and make sure you know how much of the medicinal cannabinoids CBD and THC is in the products. Ratios are popular but it does not tell you specifically how much cannabinoids are actually in the product. It is important to educate yourself or consult with someone who can give quality advice before ingesting your medicine. Also read the label for any additional harmful or unnecessary ingredients such as residual solvents like, butane, naphtha, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dyes, artificial flavoring and fragrances.\n\n**How do you people find Pianta Tinta Tinctures?**\n\nWe do not currently sell through storefront dispensaries. We have chosen to be a collective and produce and manufacture our own cannabis tinctures for our members. We are located in Vallejo and people pick up their products from us directly by [appointment only](http://www.piantacbd.com/contact/). Before seeing us you will need to obtain your medical marijuana recommendation, which you can do through [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/). To obtain our products you must first go online to the [Pianta Tinta](http://www.piantacbd.com/membership/) website and fill out our short membership form, which requires a valid medical marijuana recommendation and photo ID. You can contact us to schedule an appointment or we are also able to deliver for a small additional fee. \n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png","srcSet":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/69585/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/497c6/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f3583/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f90fa/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/61e93/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/1f5c5/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/99238/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/5e0b8/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2014-markdown","title":"Rubbing It In (and 6 Other Ways to Use Cannabis)","slug":"rubbing-it-in-and-6-other-ways-to-use-cannabis","content":"More and more [scientific studies and clinical\ntests](http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies/study.php) are substantiating\nthe benefits of medical marijuana in alleviating the symptoms of\nnumerous medical conditions. Due to its wide range of application,\nmedical cannabis is now available in various forms, so patients can\nchoose a method of ingestion that works best with their condition. The\nmethod of consumption primarily affects the time it takes to feel its\neffect, as well as the duration of its efficacy. Here's a guide that\ndiscusses the different methods of consuming this wonder plant.\n\n\nBreathe it in [vape it]\n-----------------------\n\nIf you want the benefits of marijuana without inhaling any of its toxic\ncompounds (such as you might from smoking it), using a vaporizer is the best way to go. With this method, medical cannabis is heated at just the right temperature to extract its\nuseful compounds with digital accuracy, so you get to inhale its vapor\ninstead of its smoke. In addition, vaporizers also increase the potency\nof medical cannabis. Thus, you can have twice as much effect for half\nthe amount of marijuana.\n\nEven though this method is relatively new, it is fast becoming the preferred way to use cannabis for many. Scientific studies already support its beneficial effects compared to smoking. In [2010\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20451365), Van Dam NT and\nEarleywine M. from the University of Albany recruited 20 cannabis users\nwith at least 2 respiratory symptoms to investigate the effect of\nvaporized cannabis on the pulmonary function of the participants.\nFindings of the study reveal improved respiratory function in\nparticipants after a month's use of vaporized cannabis, suggesting the\npotential of this method of delivery in reducing the harmful risk it may\nhave on the respiratory system.\n\nRub it in\n---------\n\nMedical marijuana can also be applied topically on the skin surface in\nthe form of salve, spray, cream, balm, oil, or lotion. Topical\nformulation provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic\neffects without delivering any of the psychoactive properties of\ncannabis. Topical cannabis is commonly used by patients suffering from\narthritis, sunburns, tendonitis, joint pain, muscle soreness, and skin\ndiseases.\n\nEat it\n------\n\nEdibles or foods that contain cannabis, are cooked using oils or butters derived\nfrom the plant. Most users who use this method of consumption report\nthat the cannabis takes effect gradually and wears off longer. Eating\nedibles is usually recommended for patients with chronic pain or sleep\ndisorder, as well as spasticity, because of its more pronounced effect\non the body, rather than the mind. The downside of using this type of\nmedical marijuana is that the dosage is never perfectly precise and with\ndelayed onset of effects compared to inhaled cannabis, you may\ninadvertently consume more than necessary. In addition, what you already\nhave in your digestive system (i.e medication and food you've eaten\nrecently) may interact with THC to produce unpredictable effects on your\nbody.\n\nIngestible Oils\n---------------\n\nThis kind of cannabis product is a blend of edibles and concentrates.\nIngestible oils are made by using an alcohol solvent to extract the\ntherapeutic chemicals found in marijuana. Once the solvent evaporates,\nwhat will be left are these tar-like oils, which have high amount of\ncannabidiol (CBD) and traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); thus,\nstripping the oil of the psychoactive substance of marijuana. The oil is\nplaced in a capsule for easy ingestion.\n\nTinctures\n---------\n\nIf you want a fast-acting application with dosages you can easily\ncontrol,\ntinctures are the one of the best method of using medical cannabis. Tinctures are\nconcentrated form of medical marijuana, which are formulated in an\nalcohol solution and can be applied directly on your skin, mixed with\nfood or beverages, or placed in small amounts under your tongue. Because\nof their potency, you need to be extra careful with their dosage. It's\nbest to start with smaller doses, allowing some time to feel their\neffect, before adding more.\n\nDrink it\n--------\n\nOther parts of the cannabis plant like its stem, leaves, and buds can be\nbrewed to make a medicinal beverage. The potency of the tea can vary\ndepending on the amount of cannabis used. If you have just started\nmaking your concoction, use a small amount of marijuana at first before\nadding more to achieve a suitable dosage. In addition, you also need to\nadd oil, butter, or alcohol to dissolve THC, as the compound is not\nwater soluble. Like edibles, the effects of marijuana teas are\nslow-acting because the therapeutic compounds in cannabis first must be\nabsorbed in your digestive tract. However, you can count on the effects\nlingering for up to four to eight hours after ingestion.\n\nAside from teas, many dispensaries have medicated coffee and sodas.\nThese beverages are made by adding drops of tincture to the liquid, so\nthat you can easily ingest medical cannabis while taking a sip of your\nfavorite beverage.\n\nSmoke it\n--------\n\nCall it old-school, but smoking has been the most conventional way of consuming marijuana for\nmany years. You can smoke cannabis using a pipe, rolling papers, water\npipes, and in rare instances, it can be inhaled using hookahs. The\nadvantage of smoking marijuana is that the plant's effect can be felt\nalmost immediately. However, many medical organizations, including the\n[American Lung Association](http://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/marijuana-and-lung-health.html?referrer=https://www.google.com.ph/),\ndiscourage this method of consumption, as it may have adverse effect on\nyour lungs and increase your risk for respiratory disease.\n\nIf you do choose to smoke medical cannabis, it's best that you use a\nhand pipe that allows you to smoke consistent doses regularly. If you're\nusing rolling paper, make sure you use a filter. In addition, for\nmaximum efficacy with the least inhalation, it's better to use cannabis\nwith higher THC potency and to exhale the smoke right after inhaling it\ndeeply to keep its harmful compounds from coating your lungs.\n\n\n\nMedical cannabis is now available in so many forms, it shouldn't be\ndifficult for you to choose an option that suits your condition and\npreference.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/14b42/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/f836f/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 200w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/2244e/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 400w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/14b42/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 800w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/47498/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/58556/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/61e93/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 200w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/1f5c5/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 400w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/58556/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 800w,\n/static/c0a6d317ed3e897e2fcd5dbfb24f4036/99238/9d2e8762f500ff9ab2854e91fca569ad.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1968-markdown","title":"Patients Rate Cannabis Highly Effective for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia","slug":"patients-rate-cannabis-highly-effective-for-the-treatment-of-fibromyalgia","content":"[Fibromyalgia](http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/) is a\nchronic disorder that causes widespread muscle and joint pain. Estimates\nsuggest that about five million adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with\nthe condition each year, with women affected at least eight times more\noften than men.\n\nThe exact cause of the condition is unclear, but it seems that stressful\nor traumatic life events, such as injuries and viral infections, may\nplay a role. People with fibromyalgia experience symptoms that can range\nin duration and severity. The main symptoms are pain and fatigue, but\nother common symptoms include memory problems, sleep disturbances,\nheadaches, temperature sensitivity, and stiffness upon waking. Often,\nfibromyalgia coexists with another chronic pain condition, such as\nchronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or\ntemporomandibular joint dysfunction.\n\nConventional Treatments Cause Adverse Effects\n---------------------------------------------\n\nThere is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but a combination of treatments\ncan help patients manage the symptoms. Three medications -- duloxetine\n([Cymbalta](http://pi.lilly.com/us/cymbalta-pi.pdf)), pregabalin\n([Lyrica](http://www.lyrica.com/)), and milnacipran\n([Savella](http://www.savella.com/)) -- have been approved by the U.S.\nFood and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for fibromyalgia.\nHowever, these medications often put patients at risk for a variety of\nside effects, including serious allergic reactions, suicidal thoughts or\nbehaviors, dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, feeling \"high,\" and\nswelling of the hands, legs, and feet. Thus, there is a need for new\ntreatments that relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia with fewer side\neffects.\n\nMarijuana Offers Effective Relief from Pain\n-------------------------------------------\n\nAn online\n[survey](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nof more than 1,300 people with fibromyalgia conducted by the [National\nPain\nFoundation](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nrevealed that medical marijuana, or cannabis, is more effective than\nconventional fibromyalgia treatments. Of the patients who reported\nmarijuana use, 62 percent ranked it very effective at relieving their\nsymptoms, 33 percent said it helped a little, and five percent said it\ndid not help at all. In comparison, among those who tried Lyrica, 10\npercent ranked it very effective, 29 percent said it helped a little,\nand 61 percent said it did not help at all. Not only is marijuana more\neffective, it is also associated with fewer side effects. The only\nadverse effect shared by Lyrica and cannabis is feeling \"high.\" However,\nstrains of cannabis with lower ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the\nchemical responsible for much of cannabis's psychoactive, or\nmood-altering, effects, to cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical that modulates\nthese effects, have been shown to relieve pain without affecting\ncognition.\n\nResearchers Investigate Marijuana's Therapeutic Effects\n-------------------------------------------------------\n\nResearch has yet to reveal the exact mechanisms by which the chemicals,\nor cannabinoids, in cannabis exert their medicinal effects. But evidence\nsuggests that they work on the [endocannabinoid\nsystem](http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system),\nwhich mediates several physiological functions, including pain and\ninflammation. Studies supported by the [National Institute of Arthritis\nand Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases\n(NIAMS)](http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Fibromyalgia/# h) suggest\nthat fibromyalgia results when endocannabinoid system imbalances disrupt\nthe feedback loop that inhibits pain signals, causing altered pain\nprocessing, or more specifically, increased sensitivity to stimuli that\ndo not normally provoke pain. Perhaps the result of constant pain, these\n[imbalances](http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/brain-health-news-80/brain-scans-show-fibromyalgia-patients-process-pain-differently-681820.html)\ncould also explain why people with fibromyalgia do not respond as well\nto conventional pain medications.\n\nResearch Reveals Similarities Between Marijuana-Derived Cannabinoids and Endocannabinoids\n-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n\nThe cannabinoids in cannabis are structurally similar to [endogenous\ncannabinoids](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-produce-its-effects),\nnaturally occurring chemicals that send messages between nerve cells\nthroughout the brain and spinal cord, affecting pain sensation. Because\nof this similarity, it is hypothesized that they can attach themselves\nto molecules called cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells and activate\nthem,\n[resetting](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/559adb8865623000060f0000/relief-from-fibromyalgia-symptoms-the-case-for-medical-marijuana)\nor blocking pain processing. Research reveals that cannabinoids may\nprovide greater therapeutic effects in combination than alone: a\nphenomenon termed the [entourage\neffect](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01238.x/pdf).\nThus, taking the whole cannabis plant may modulate pain better than an\noral medicine derived from one or two of cannabis's chemical components.\n\nEvidence for Marijuana's Effectiveness Grows\n--------------------------------------------\n\nEvidence for cannabis's therapeutic effects may be mounting, but the\n[FDA](http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm421163.htm) has\nyet to approve cannabis as a safe and effective treatment for\nfibromyalgia. As a result, many people are being denied access to a\npotentially life-changing therapy. About 70 percent of the fibromyalgia\npatients who responded to the [National Pain\nFoundation](http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html)\nsurvey said they had not tried cannabis as a treatment for their\nsymptoms, which is not surprising, given that [federal\nlaw](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/state-laws-related-to-marijuana)\nstill classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug with no medicinal\nbenefit.\n\nProponents of Medical Marijuana Lobby for Changes to Law\n--------------------------------------------------------\n\n[Proponents of medical marijuana](http://norml.org/marijuana) are\nlobbying for a change to the law so that the millions of Americans who\nlive with fibromyalgia could legally buy marijuana for personal use from\na safe source. Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. have already\nlegalized smoked marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, a [bill\ndecriminalizing\ncannabis](https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/499)\nat the federal level has yet to be signed into law. Currently, more than\n[60 national and international health\norganizations](http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/health-organizations-endorsements),\nincluding the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American\nCollege of Preventive Medicine, support a move towards granting patients\nimmediate legal access to medical marijuana under a physician's\nsupervision. Legalization would enable people with fibromyalgia to\nmanage their symptoms more effectively without worrying about potential\nlegal repercussions.\n\n[image credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/sbmontana/10428460483/in/photolist-gTwzYP-cYycRh-6nAJLn-upH71f-uR7suE-b8HRNi-eW1NYW-Nr3KJ-5T1SRZ-4XR1PW-5T6eWE-cL6ZzS-bNpKLp-d6Ch8f-9vX53p-earuhL-bitb9r-9gT4if-29Nofz-Kei68-ewUJjd-ohRa5g-NryNT-buy6iM-buy6cV-buy6o4-7wY4nG-bYe9dE-buy6sc-9fDbN9-rKGFhG-dwaHRH-bWRbif-5RTu7c-bWR5DG-BNV8J-bWPsRS-bXviVu-66JmzH-acMU5H-7h6UAq-dw3ah-dw3ai-uThpC1-pHEUeh-qpDE9i-enQuQt-eTXDHt-uSWouQ-sF1Mz)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/14b42/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg","srcSet":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/f836f/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 200w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/2244e/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 400w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/14b42/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 800w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/47498/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/58556/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/61e93/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 200w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/1f5c5/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 400w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/58556/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 800w,\n/static/93fad56c660a44548f5bd7dfc589e566/99238/31a44134b93c1f0b850b174d0fb20601.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1912-markdown","title":"Top 14 Marijuana Strains for Different Kinds of Pain","slug":"top-14-marijuana-strains-for-different-kinds-of-pain","content":"Two studies paint a grim picture of the American landscape when it comes to pain and pain management. \n\nAccording to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, approximately [100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain](http://www.nap.edu/read/13172/chapter/2), defined as pain that lasts for weeks or months. Often this is due to an underlying medical issue such as inflammation, migraines, fibromyalgia or spinal injury, to name a few.\n\nMeanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control report that between 2001 and 2003, there was a [three-fold increase in the total number of deaths from opioid overdose](http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates), often prescribed as pain relievers. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Clinical Trials Show Marijuana Reduces Intensity of Pain\n\nThe good news is that an increasing number of medical organizations acknowledge the benefits of medical marijuana for pain management. \n\n* A 2011 UCSF study led by Dr. Donald Abrams observed the effect of cannabis when combined with certain opiates  and found that [after being exposed to vaporized cannabis for four days, participants reported increased pain relief](http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/12/11077/ucsf-study-finds-medical-marijuana-could-help-patients-reduce-pain-opiates) even though morphine levels in the bloodstream decreased, while oxycodone levels remained unchanged.\n* In a study conducted by Dr. Kevin Hill from Harvard Medical School, six trials suggested that [medical marijuana was an effective pain reliever](http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2338266) on patients suffering from chronic pain, neuropathic pain and multiple sclerosis. \n* In his study at the McGill University Health Centre and published by the _Canadian Medical Association Journal_, Mark Ware found that [an inhalation of 25 mg\nof medical cannabis with 9.5% THC helped reduce the intensity of pain](http://www.cmaj.ca/content/182/14/E694.abstract) over four years for patients suffering from non-cancer pain. \n\n### So Which Type of Marijuana Is Best for Pain Relief? \n\nGenerally, cannabis strains with high percentages of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are most effective at pain relief. \n\n![Blueberry Kush](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-e182ab45-d6e7-4f4a-bed1-147a7b35724f/original.jpg)\n**Blueberry Kush**\n\nBlueberry Kush is a hybrid strain that features a blueberry aroma and dark green buds and has been widely used as part of a pain management regimen. \n\n![White Widow](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-28da2679-f8ef-49d5-926d-eb8f5458d08f/original.jpg)\n**White Widow**\n\nAnother strain that's been getting attention when it comes to generalized pain is the Auto White Widow. The strain is also helpful for those suffering from insomnia and depression.\n\n### Try Grand Daddy Purple or Blue Dream for Migraines\n\n![Grand Daddy Purple](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-fbc47669-a0e9-4095-8ff8-82ecfa007120/original.jpg)\n**Grand Daddy Purple**\n\nTo treat migraines, Grand Daddy Purple is an indica strain that delivers cerebral euphoria to relieve headaches. \n\n![Blue Dream](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-2fa7b263-e137-45a2-8621-de65ffb6fb38/original.jpg)\n**Blue Dream**\n\nSimilarly, many migraine sufferers swear by the pain-relieving properties of Blue Dream. This hybrid strain can ease the user into cerebral invigoration and body relaxation.\n\n### Master Kush & AK-47 Help Treat Arthritis\n\n![Master Kush](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-72472879-c2b4-4d8e-868d-99656083af9e/original.jpg)\n**Master Kush**\n\nMaster Kush has been doing wonders for patients suffering from arthritic pain. This strain provides a visual high before gradually providing full-body relaxation.\n \n![AK-47](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-6fee646a-f238-47c4-856b-45a418d93619/original.jpg)\n**AK-47**\n\nAlso used for arthritis, AK-47 is a popular strain with a high THC content. This sativa-dominant strain provides alertness along\nwith pain relief. \n\n### Combat Menstrual Cramps With Acapulco Gold or Alaskan Ice\n\n![Acapulco Gold](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-39afbcc3-79a3-410e-955b-d79e029627e0/original.jpg)\n**Acapulco Gold**\n\nAcapulco Gold is widely used by women suffering from menstrual cramps. This plant, whose buds resemble gold, has a 23% THC content.\n\n![Alaskan Ice](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-ab1c3bf3-b63b-4795-a5dc-09cbbf7c946e/original.jpg)\n**Alaskan Ice**\n\nAlaskan Ice is another option to consider when it comes to relieving the pain associated with menstrual cramps, as this potent sativa strain provides a euphoric high.\n\n### Critical Mass & Ace of Spades Help With Fibromyalgia\n\n![Critical Mass](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-99c1c352-0594-4ef2-8749-7db2562ad7fe/original.jpg)\n**Critical Mass**\n\nCritical Mass is a combination of Skunk #1 and Afghani strains and has a THC level of 19-22%, making it a good choice for treating fibromyalgia pain. \n\n![Ace of Spades](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-e89e3e9c-96d2-4500-a95d-e7a901c5659a/original.jpg)\n**Ace of Spades**\n\nAce of Spades is another strain to consider using for a wide range of medical symptoms and conditions including fibromyalgia\npain.\n\n### Spinal Injury Sufferers Should Try Purple Haze or Khalifa Kush\n\n![Purple Haze](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-49c3df0c-19a9-43da-964a-368070739a51/original.jpg)\n**Purple Haze**\n\nPatients suffering from spinal injury will like the euphoria-inducing effect of Purple Haze. This purplish plant has green and orange undertones with an earthy smell. \n\n![Khalifa Kush](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-3ae5c67f-6637-4f76-b869-aa498f5855f8/original.jpg)\n**Khalifa Kush**\n\nKhalifa Kush is also a good option for those who want to be up and running all throughout the day, as it provides an energy boost. This medical cannabis also leaves the patient with distinct cerebral buzz to help alleviate the pain.\n\n### Start With Mendo Purps & Bhang Skywalker OG if You Have MS\n\n![Mendo Purps](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-284f313d-9e74-4f81-ba40-34906bfde07f/original.jpg)\n**Mendo Purps**\n\nMendo Purps is an indica-dominant cannabis strain used to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It can also help relieve muscle spasms and fatigue. \n\n![Bhang Skywalker OG](https://hellomd-development.s3.amazonaws.com/articles-562150d03232620006450000-efe04a89-3972-462b-9ba1-0c2e8abd7e57/original.jpg)\n**Bhang Skywalker OG**\n\nIf you’re new to medical marijuana and want the therapeutic effects of the plant, you can\nalso try Bhang Skywalker OG, a strain with coconut oil that's infused with 25-35% THC, making it a strong sedative and a popular pain reliever.\n\nA growing body of scientific data now backs up the anecdotal evidence that medical marijuana relieves pain, helps folks stay focused and improves their overall quality of life. It may\nalso be an important weapon in the fight against opioid addiction. The key is finding the right strain to combat your pain so that you can live your best life—pain free.\n\n[Main Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/16210667@N02/9048590552/in/photolist-eMAoHW-bMntm-pQK2Ky-6J712H-8GpStT-9ZfBdP-8YgykV-jKBJtD-cq5vN7-eQ8SWp-7zF9jE-obwhvp-qYjA-3fCcUW-83KDDP-aLLLFc-nmqGR2-b5c3wM-6aMj5E-gH5cK4-gH59cn-pEU9mf-qhCRBQ-5YLeJp-62gr3v-aihCSC-9542b3-4tQDV1-aihCUy-9vCsAM-9EAdyE-ftq9RZ-TtxC2-dx6zu6-gjQqwC-m1HWCQ-95oQHQ-eDFDHf-9Pr2c7-ayqLuo-8Z4Ze9-rZERyb-83NLT9-83KExK-5J6NHw-5p4bNo-69hHvm-69dwor-NUCJL-7Cycuq)\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.  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