{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/science-and-research/4","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2529-markdown","title":"5 Ways Marijuana Affects Men & Women Differently","slug":"5-ways-marijuana-affects-men-and-women-differently","content":"As more and more states legalize marijuana, we’re able to collect additional anecdotal evidence about how the plant affects consumers. We’re also getting more data from scientists conducting research around cannabis. One of the most interesting questions folks are attempting to answer is: How exactly does cannabis affect men and women differently?\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\nEvery person reacts differently to cannabis based on their unique biochemistry as well as genetic factors like height and weight. But we’re learning that gender can also play a big role in a person’s relationship with cannabis. Sex hormones, the amount of cannabinoid receptors and where these receptors are found in the body differ between men and women—and researchers are still discovering other differences. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [MORE WOMEN ARE NOW CONSUMING CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/592efb98d5b1733844d9bc99/more-women-are-now-consuming-cannabis)\r\n\r\n### Sex Hormones Cause Different Reactions to Marijuana\r\n\r\nResearch shows that sex hormones are a big part of why one gender experiences marijuana differently than the other. For women, estrogen plays a particularly significant role in the effects of cannabis. \r\n\r\nEstrogen regulates something called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which degrades a naturally occurring endocannabinoid named anandamide. Anandamide is the body’s natural version of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), known for its euphoric effects and ability to regulate mood and appetite. \r\n\r\nEstrogen levels fluctuate during a female’s menstrual cycle and are lowest during a woman’s period. When estrogen levels are low, FAAH is able to more freely degrade anandamide, which can often result in temporary states of anxiety and depression. This is also why [women report marijuana to be less effective just before and during their period](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59dd94919ce4ed24c356c39e/is-cannabis-less-effective-during-your-period). \r\n\r\nFor men, the effects of marijuana on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) don’t fluctuate nearly as much. At any given time in a month, cannabinoids from cannabis generally synthesize and affect men in the same way. \r\n\r\n### 5 Ways Marijuana Affects Men & Women Differently\r\n\r\n**Tolerance**\r\n\r\nAccording to a study out of Washington State University performed on rats, [females build up a tolerance to cannabis faster than men](https://news.wsu.edu/2014/09/03/females-more-sensitive-to-cannabis-males-get-munchies/#.VA8G92RdWcI). But it should be noted that tolerance to cannabis, regardless of gender, increases rapidly. \r\n\r\nWhat does this mean for women? It may be worth it for women to do a [cannabis tolerance cleanse](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a4aaf10100a820006562f46/should-i-do-a-cannabis-tolerance-cleanse) more often than men do in order to get tolerance levels back down to where it doesn’t take increasingly more marijuana to feel the desired effects. \r\n\r\n**Sexual Health**\r\n\r\nIn men, [high levels of THC can cause temporary low levels of testosterone](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6090909). Lower testosterone levels can affect libido, sexual performance and male fertility. It’s important to note that THC-related decreases in testosterone are short-lived; testosterone levels can be restored to normal levels by taking a short cannabis break. \r\n\r\nA study by the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia looked at cannabis and its effects on women’s libido. Researchers found that [cannabis topicals can increase arousal and sexual stimulation as well as improve overall sexual health](https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/download/pdf/24/1.0103333/1). They concluded that women generally have more positive sexual outcomes from consuming cannabis than men tend to have.\r\n\r\n**Pain Relief**\r\n\r\nA 2016 study looked at the pain-relieving effects of cannabis on males and females. The researchers concluded that [active cannabis, when smoked, “significantly decreased” pain sensitivity in men](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27522535). Compared to female subjects, men experienced more pain relief from consuming marijuana. This could mean that women need higher doses of cannabis to feel the same pain relief that men receive with a lower dose of the same product. \r\n\r\nThere are other studies that conflict with these findings, including the Washington State University study. According to that research, women were more susceptible to pain relief from cannabis, but only when their estrogen levels were at their peak. These conflicting studies highlight the need for more research on the topic. \r\n\r\n**Increased Appetite**\r\n\r\nIn the same study from Washington State University, researchers found that [men are more susceptible than women are to getting the munchies after consuming cannabis](https://news.wsu.edu/2014/09/03/females-more-sensitive-to-cannabis-males-get-munchies/#.VA8G92RdWcI). According to researchers, this increased appetite after cannabis consumption was the only “THC reaction where males show more sensitivity than females.” This finding seems to corroborate other studies that show [THC increases appetite in males more than it does in females](https://www.centerformedicalcannabis.com/single-post/2017/03/31/Are-Men-and-Women-Effected-Differently-by-Cannabis).\r\n\r\n**Withdrawal**\r\n\r\nA 2010 study published in the _American Journal of Drug Alcohol Abuse_ looked at cannabis withdrawal symptoms in men and women. According to this research, [women reported more withdrawal symptoms like lack of appetite, anxiety and sleep issues than men did](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20678028). Women were especially likely to report upset stomachs as a result of withdrawal, something not commonly reported by men. It should be noted that this study had a relatively small sample size of 104 participants.\r\n\r\n### Cannabis Pointers to Keep in Mind for Men & Women\r\n\r\nIt’s important to know how cannabis might affect you based on gender. \r\n\r\n* Women looking to use cannabis as a pain treatment may need a higher dose than men to achieve similar results.\r\n* Men might not need cannabis tolerance breaks as frequently as women might.\r\n* Women should expect more withdrawal symptoms than men when they do take a tolerance break. \r\n* For women, cannabis more positively affects sexual stimulation.\r\n* For men, cannabis can have adverse effects on testosterone production. \r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Stephanie Liverani](https://unsplash.com/@steph)\r\n\r\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/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/14b42/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg","srcSet":"/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/f836f/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 200w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/2244e/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 400w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/14b42/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 800w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/47498/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 1200w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/0e329/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 1600w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/77d93/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.jpg 3600w","srcWebp":"/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/58556/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/61e93/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 200w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/1f5c5/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 400w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/58556/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 800w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/99238/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 1200w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/7c22d/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 1600w,\n/static/80ff15947c867f98c0fb24e000cfecf7/d4378/45ad4f64c27f3afbe29f96bdd314f5f5.webp 3600w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2533-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Be a Healthier Substitute for Alcohol? ","slug":"can-cannabis-be-a-healthier-substitute-for-alcohol","content":"Alcohol is part of the social fabric in many countries around the world. From toasts at a wedding to a night out with friends or a relaxing evening after a hard day’s work, drinking can boost mood, ease stress and reduce inhibitions. \r\n\r\nBut this legal drug can also cause great harm, both to the individual who consumes it and to the society at large. Around [88,000 deaths annually are attributed to alcohol](https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/alcohol-use.htm) in some way, including suicide, homicide and deaths from alcohol-related complications such as heart and liver damage. \r\n\r\nNow, though, evidence is mounting that cannabis in its many forms can be a safer alternative to alcohol, an effective substitute for many of the reasons people choose to drink in the first place. Relatively recent research suggests that for many people, [cannabis could even provide a way out of alcohol abuse](https://www.salon.com/2017/07/09/the-key-to-treating-alcoholism-with-medical-marijuana-the-key-to-treating-alcoholism-with-medical-marijuana_partner/).  To see why, it’s important to consider the reasons people choose to use alcohol in the first place.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n \r\n### Why People Drink: To Feel or Not to Feel\r\n\r\nFor decades, researchers have worked to understand why people use alcohol, and why some can enjoy an occasional social drink without going further, while others become dependent on alcohol—or outright addicted. Those studies reveal numerous reasons for abusing alcohol that can include genetic, social and economic factors. But British physician Bruce G. Charlton has noted that the [fundamental reasons for drinking\r\ncan be reduced to just two: a desire to experience a good feeling or to avoid experiencing a painful one](https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hci067).  \r\n\r\nFor example, someone might drink at a party to drive away feelings of social awkwardness— or to feel relaxed, euphoric and happy, while a person suffering from depression might drink to escape sadness and feelings of inadequacy. And someone with debilitating arthritis might turn to alcohol to cope with chronic pain. Whether to feel good or avoid feeling bad, Charlton claims, people typically turn to alcohol as a form of self-medication.\r\n\r\n### Alcohol Has Powerful Effects on the Pleasure-Reward Circuit\r\n\r\nLike other drugs, alcohol affects the brain’s pleasure-reward-learning circuit. This is a complex and powerful loop of neural activity that produces positive feelings in response to certain behaviors, so that we repeat those behaviors again and again. This circuit can be hijacked by potent substances like opioid drugs and alcohol, which trigger a larger than normal production of “feel good” brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine while suppressing the levels of other, balancing neurotransmitters. \r\n\r\nAlcohol affects not only the pleasure-reward-learning pathway, but also other areas of the brain related to coordination, memory and the executive functions of the cerebral cortex. These functions include decision-making, impulse control and managing emotion. Alcohol can also depress activity in the brain stem and lower response to pain signals from various parts of the body. You might have seen this when someone whose been drinking becomes drowsy, unresponsive or unaware of physical injuries.\r\n\r\nIn the long run, an [addiction to alcohol can also slowly compromise the brain and other systems in the body](https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Hangovers/beyondHangovers.pdf), increasing vulnerability to disease and causing irreversible organ damage.  \r\n\r\n### Marijuana & Alcohol: Different Effects Produce Similar Outcomes\r\n\r\nCannabis also affects the brain’s pleasure-reward-learning circuit. People who consume cannabis also typically experience feelings of euphoria, relaxation and lowered inhibitions. But [those effects come from very different mechanisms](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/120541/) in the body.\r\n\r\nThe human body contains numerous receptor networks—systems of cells capable of responding to triggers produced either by the body itself or from similar substances that are consumed from outside sources. One of the most comprehensive receptor networks in humans and other vertebrate animals is the endocannabinoid receptor system, a widespread system of receptors that responds to active cannabis compounds like cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).\r\n\r\nWhen a person consumes marijuana, those receptors are activated, producing a wide range of effects that include pain and inflammation relief, muscle relaxation and a stronger immune system. Cannabis can cause mild side effects such as impaired coordination and concentration, but has a very low risk of overdose or death. In fact, no deaths have ever been directly attributed to consuming too much cannabis. \r\n\r\nThe body has no receptor network for alcohol, though.  Alcohol acts on a variety of different receptors in the brain and body, and while it can make people feel temporarily better by altering mood and promoting relaxation, it also causes disruptions and delays in the cross talk between cells. What’s more, alcohol is essentially a neurotoxin, capable of causing brain cells to shrink and cells in other organs such as the liver to malfunction and die.\r\n\r\n### Can Cannabis Be a Healthier Alternative to Alcohol?\r\n\r\nTo find out whether cannabis could help people stop, or reduce, their use of alcohol, psychiatrist and marijuana advocate Tod Mikuriya of UC Berkeley conducted a \r\n[study of 92 patients for whom he had prescribed marijuana as a treatment for alcohol abuse](http://hams.cc/mikuriya.pdf). His 2004 study revealed two key insights about the potential for cannabis to help alcohol abuse.\r\n\r\nA majority of the people in Mikuriya’s study group reported having emotional or physical health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, arthritis, glaucoma, bipolar disorder, traumatic brain injury or chronic pain from a number of causes. Almost half acknowledged they were using alcohol as a way to cope with these conditions.  \r\n\r\nWhen study participants used cannabis rather than alcohol, many reported that their symptoms improved, and they had less need to use alcohol to relieve them. They also reported an improved quality of life, without the complications caused by alcohol such as aggression, poor judgment or trouble with law enforcement. When they stopped using cannabis, their symptoms returned—and so did the desire to drink.\r\n\r\nLike Charlton, Mikuriya observed that people frequently use alcohol to relieve emotional or physical pain—and that cannabis has well-documented benefits for treating both those things, along with the symptoms of all the conditions experienced by the patients in his study. For those reasons, he concluded, cannabis could be an effective and generally safe substitute for alcohol use.  \r\n\r\nRELATED: [CAN YOU BE ADDICTED TO MARIJUANA?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/59c298a24f508a4a9adead74/can-you-be-addicted-to-marijuana)\r\n\r\n### Marijuana Maintenance—A Way Out of Alcohol Addiction?\r\n\r\nMillions are spent every year on alcohol treatment and recovery programs—but over 60% of people who enter alcohol treatment relapse anyway, often multiple times.  And for many, staying sober requires constant vigilance and sometimes the help of multiple medications to curb the desire to drink. \r\n\r\nA number of alcohol-related organizations and support groups for recovering alcoholics are now embracing “[marijuana maintenance](http://hams.cc/mm/),” a plan for staying off alcohol by [substituting cannabis products of various kinds](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3327810/) that contain either CBD or a combination of CBD and THC. For those who use alcohol as a way to relieve the pain and distress of emotional or physical conditions, cannabis products can do that too, without the considerable societal and health risks of alcohol.\r\n\r\nAnd for those who use alcohol for the opposite reason—to experience positive feelings of relaxation and euphoria—cannabis can also provide that kind of experience, with a lower risk of toxicity and harmful effects for both consumers and the world around them. Bruce Charlton, the British researcher and cannabis advocate, points out that people will always search for ways to feel better, or to escape from feeling worse. \r\n\r\nWith a low risk of addiction and a natural affinity for the body’s own receptor system, cannabis could provide that too—and become the “exit drug” from alcohol’s harmful effects that everyone’s been looking for.\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Kelsey Knight]( https://unsplash.com/@kelsoknight12)\r\n\r\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/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/14b42/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg","srcSet":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/f836f/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/2244e/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 400w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/14b42/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 800w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/47498/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 1200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/0e329/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 1600w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/77d93/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.jpg 3600w","srcWebp":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/58556/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/61e93/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/1f5c5/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 400w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/58556/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 800w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/99238/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 1200w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/7c22d/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 1600w,\n/static/720be30d4524dea6796b44f4c16499f8/d4378/ad45c1ecfd59a459988c46626180af35.webp 3600w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2532-markdown","title":"How Acupuncture Interacts With the Endocannabinoid System","slug":"how-acupuncture-interacts-with-the-endocannabinoid-system","content":"To date, the opioid system—the network of receptors in the body that opioid drugs attach to—is most often credited with delivering acupuncture’s reported effects as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-emetic. However, studies in recent years have found another, less-studied, but equally important receptor network may be involved: the endocannabinoid system—the same system that’s responsible for cannabis’s myriad effects on the body.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### What Is Acupuncture, and What’s It Good for? \n\nThough acupuncture can trace its roots back to China 2,500 years ago, it only really gained traction in the United States in 1971 when the _New York Times_ columnist James Reston wrote about his appendectomy in a Chinese hospital. According to James, the doctors used acupuncture to control his post-operative pain and to his surprise, it worked. \n\nSince the publishing of James’ article, the use of acupuncture to manage pain and a host of other maladies has soared. Like cannabis, double blind clinical research on acupuncture’s benefits is lacking. However, preliminary studies on this ancient treatment’s mechanisms are beginning to reveal how it might work and why some people are seeing positive results. \n\nOne of the key tenets of traditional Chinese medicine is the existence of a life force called *qi* that circulates through channels in the body, known as meridians. Acupuncture involves the insertion of needles at certain “acupoints” in the body to influence the flow of *qi* and bring about a positive bodily response. Typically, the practitioner manipulates inserted needles by hand to further stimulate the points of interest. \n\nAcupuncture theory has evolved since ancient times—some practitioners no longer subscribe to the concept of *qi* and meridians, and new techniques such as electroacupuncture have emerged. Electroacupuncture is frequently used in clinical practice and involves the use of an electrical current to stimulate the needles. \n\nIn 1997, the National Institute of Health acknowledged acupuncture’s therapeutic effects for certain conditions like chronic pain and stroke. Since then, numerous anecdotal and scientific reports suggest that acupuncture can help ease back and neck pain; symptoms of chemotherapy, like nausea and vomiting; pain associated with osteoarthritis, especially in the knee; and the frequency of tension and migraine headaches. \n\nAcupuncture’s growing popularity has led scientists to investigate the mechanisms underlying this practice. So far, researchers’ most accepted hypothesis is that stimulating acupoints activates certain nerves, which in turn send signals to the brain and spinal cord via various nervous pathways in the body. These signals then lead to various physical effects like pain relief and the protection of brain cells.\n\n### Acupuncture Stimulates the Endocannabinoid System\n\nBecause nerve signaling likely plays a key role in acupuncture’s benefits, it should come as no surprise that the endocannabinoid system—whose receptors are located throughout the body, but are most concentrated in the brain—may play a role in acupuncture’s reported effects. \n\nRELATED: [WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5751cbd970410e000b00003a/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system)\n\nFor example, a landmark study conducted on rats in _Chinese Medicine Journal_ showed that [electroacupuncture could reduce brain injury in strokes caused by lack of oxygen to the brain](http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/12667400). In 2012, the finding that [endocannabinoid receptors could play a role in protecting the brain from the same type of stroke](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22577257) led some scientists to speculate that the endocannabinoid system could be involved in acupuncture’s previously reported benefits.\n\nFurther studies in rats have shown that [electroacupuncture increases the amount of the endocannabinoids AEA and 2-AG in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19372445), meaning that electroacupuncture somehow activates endocannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system. \n\nStudies involving acupuncture and pain have found further links with the endocannabinoid system: By inducing arthritis in rats and then performing electroacupuncture at certain acupoints, scientists determined that there was an increase in CB1 and CB2 receptors—the main receptors of the endocannabinoid system. \n\nInterestingly, by adding or subtracting compounds that affect the CB1 and CB2 receptors, researchers have determined that the receptors work independently: CB1 is primarily responsible for the perception of pain, while CB2 moderates the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture. \n\n### The Endocannabinoid System & Opioid System Are Linked \n\nTo further complicate matters, consider that the endocannabinoid and opioid systems are linked: They share space on the brain and spinal cord, and receptors from both can be found in areas of the brain that control sensations of pleasure, reward and pain. This is why cannabis and opioid drugs are able to produce similar effects like feelings of euphoria, relaxation and pain relief. \n\nHaving these two systems so close together means that they’re often able to influence each other—this phenomenon has already been noted in animal studies involving pain. It’s also the reason why cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis can boost the pain-relieving properties of opioids like morphine. \n\nThe overlap between these two systems may also contribute to acupuncture’s pain-fighting effects. In 2003, researchers found that electroacupuncture at particular frequencies stimulated the release of endorphins, a type of opioid made by the body. \n\nA 2011 study involving the inflamed skin tissues of rats went even further: Scientists found that [electroacupuncture at a particular acupoint stimulated the release of endorphins](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3281798/), and through a series of tests, they also found that the endocannabinoid receptor CB2 was responsible for reducing inflammation and stimulating the release of the endorphins in these skin tissues.\n\n### Pain Relief With Acupuncture & the Endocannabinoid System \n\nPain is one of the most common reasons people seek out acupuncture, and recent studies may give us some insight on why people continue to use it for pain management. A 2010 study involving mice found that [acupuncture triggered the release of adenosine](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3467968/), a chemical that delivers messages between nerves cells and that also has pain-relieving properties. The researchers found a 24-fold increase in adenosine concentration in the blood of the mice after acupuncture along with an overall reduction in pain in their test subjects.  \n\nThe researchers then injected the mice with compounds similar to adenosine and found a similar reduction in pain levels. They then injected more compounds that slowed the breakdown of adenosine in the body—thus boosting acupuncture’s effects by making adenosine available for a longer period of time. \n\nThis study becomes more compelling when we consider the finding that endocannabinoids regulate adenosine concentrations in the brain. Scientists have found that [AEA increases adenosine levels in the brains of rats and that this mechanism is overseen by the CB1 receptor](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14746372). This study, like most studies looking at the relationship between acupuncture and the endocannabinoid system, suggest that [acupuncture stimulates or mimics endocannabinoid activity](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763417301318?showall%3Dtrue%26via%3Dihub).\n\nHowever, there are instances where the opposite has happened: [Acupuncture led to a decrease in activity of the CB1 receptor](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019701861200174X?via%3Dihub). While studies like this may be outliers, they also bring up an important concept: that acupuncture may dampen effects on the endocannabinoid system to maintain balance in the body.\nWhile we’re still far away from deciphering acupuncture’s exact mechanisms, it’s clear that this treatment has tangible effects on the body—effects that are likely due to the interaction of multiple receptor systems. \nUnderstanding the complex interactions between these systems is important because they may one day lead to the development of new techniques that combine acupuncture with medicines such as cannabis that target the endocannabinoid system.  \n\nPhoto credit: [Antonika Chanel](https://unsplash.com/@antonikachanel)\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/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/14b42/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg","srcSet":"/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/f836f/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 200w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/2244e/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 400w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/14b42/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 800w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/47498/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 1200w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/0e329/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 1600w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/35aef/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.jpg 3400w","srcWebp":"/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/58556/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/61e93/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 200w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/1f5c5/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 400w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/58556/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 800w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/99238/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 1200w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/7c22d/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 1600w,\n/static/fe8a8a6476df8c452da1f2c77cc4e815/24201/f7e8bf61c34051403567ee94060b8e51.webp 3400w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2541-markdown","title":"Can Dabbing Cannabis Raise Cancer Risk?","slug":"can-dabbing-cannabis-raise-cancer-risk","content":"Dabbing has been around since the 1970s, but with the growing movement to legalize cannabis, it’s taking on higher visibility. Many claim it’s a safer way to consume cannabis than smoking is. That said, the methods used to create butane hash oil (BHO), the highly concentrated form of marijuana used in dabbing, and the high temperatures produced by homemade dab rigs [can expose users to high levels of a variety of \r\ntoxins, including known carcinogens such as methacrylein and benzene](http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2017/09/butane_hash_oil_releases_carci.html). So, is it safe to dab marijuana, or is it something you should avoid? \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n### How Does Dabbing Cannabis Work?\r\n\r\nDabbing is a way to consume a very high concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that produces its well-known high. When cannabis is smoked, parts of the whole plant are burned, so that users consume not only THC but also non-psychoactive cannabis compounds like cannabidiol (CBD). Smoking also means you consume marijuana’s terpenes—the compounds responsible for the many flavors and aromas of different cannabis strains. But in dabbing, marijuana is processed using butane oil— a highly volatile, flammable solvent that extracts the terpenes. The result is BHO, which can vary in consistency from hard and solid to soft and waxy.\r\n\r\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDYiH61QvzQ`\r\n\r\nA dab of BHO is placed on a small surface called a nail, which is heated to very high temperatures to produce vapors consisting mainly of concentrated THC. The amount of THC can range from 50–90%—far more than the amount found in the natural plant. BHO can also have a terpene content of up to 35%—far more than smoked cannabis typically has. It’s this combination of high terpene content and high heat that means dabbing can raise the risk of exposure to carcinogens and other toxins. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [CANNABIS & CARCINOGENS: WHAT’S THE RISK?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a467d02100a820006562f42/cannabis-and-carcinogens-whats-the-risk)\r\n\r\n### Terpenes & High Temperatures: A Risky Combination\r\n\r\nTerpenes are organic compounds found in the resins of plants of all kinds. Because they play a major role in creating a plant’s aroma and flavor, they’re used in a wide range of products such as essential oils, lotions, cosmetics and salves.  \r\n\r\nCannabis has at least 70 terpenes. Many of them haven’t been well studied, so their effects are largely unknown, but [the most prevalent terpenes in cannabis include myrcene, limonene, pinene and humulene](http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsomega.7b01130). In different combinations, these compounds provide the unique scents and flavors of the many cannabis strains. In the natural cannabis plant, terpenes are largely nontoxic, but they aren’t inert. \r\n\r\nBecause they bind to the body’s natural endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and other areas of the body like cannabinoids do, terpenes are responsible for some of the effects of cannabis such as feelings of euphoria and relaxation. They also interact with cannabinoids like THC and CBD to moderate their actions on the brain and body—a mechanism known as the entourage effect. To enhance the effects of terpenes in BHO, some users even practice “terp dipping,”dipping their dab in terpene extract before using it.\r\n\r\n[When terpenes are  heated to high temperatures](https://www.healthline.com/health-news/heating-up-marijuana-could-increase-cancer-risk#1), either by burning natural plant parts during smoking, or by subjecting butane hash oil to extreme heat during dabbing, they break down. As they degrade, they produce toxins, including some known carcinogens such as benzene and methacrylein. And when a person inhales the vapor produced by highly concentrated BHO on a dab nail, those toxins can enter the lungs and bloodstream. \r\n\r\nDabbers claim that dabbing marijuana is safer than smoking it, because when cannabis smoke enters the lungs, it carries with it not only burning terpenes but also other toxic byproducts of combustion. But the high terpene content of BHO and the extreme temperatures at which it’s often vaporized can create a different scenario of risk. Researchers believe that [the higher the temperature terpenes are exposed to, the more carcinogens and toxins they produce](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/09/27/dabbing-cannabis-oil-may-expose-you-to-cancer-causing-toxins/#10ea91606651). \r\n\r\n### Dab Rigs Often Have No Heat Control\r\n\r\nAs [dabbing becomes more popular](http://cannabisscienceblog.com/tag/terpenes/), so has the production of professional-grade dab rigs with temperature controls. But for most users, a dab rig is still a DIY project, which usually involves using a culinary torch or other high-heat source to heat the BHO on a surface that might be a literal nail or other heat-resistant material. As the dab is heated, it releases its high-THC, high-terpene vapors that users inhale.\r\n\r\nBecause homemade dab rigs have no thermostat, it’s virtually impossible to control the temperature—and temperatures on the nail of these setups can reach as high as 900F—far out of the recommended “safety zone” of around 500 to 610F, before toxins begin to be released. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [WHY DO SOME PATIENTS DAB MEDICAL MARIJUANA](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a4fd8fc100a820006562f52/why-do-some-patients-dab-medical-marijuana)\r\n\r\n### Butane Can Be Risky, Too\r\n\r\nBHO is the most common kind of cannabis extract used in dabbing. As its name indicates, BHO is created by a process that involves using highly flammable n-Butane, a solvent that’s also used in disposable cigarette lighters and a variety of other petroleum products. That strips out the cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in the highly concentrated oil. \r\n\r\nBut if the butane is poorly processed, it can leave behind toxic residues that are also inhaled when a dab is heated. Now, as commercial processors are producing more and safer cannabis products of all kinds, it’s possible to buy safer versions of butane-processed BHO in some cannabis-friendly states, but in most cases users are still making BHO at home, raising the risk of exposure to butane toxins along with the products of terpenes heated to high temperatures when dabbing cannabis.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [UNDERSTANDING CANNABIS CONCENTRATES & HOW TO USE THEM](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5a3ab570100a820006562f30/understanding-cannabis-concentrates-and-how-to-use-them)\r\n\r\nThe popularity of dabbing comes from its ability to deliver a very concentrated, very potent form of THC along with the effects of far larger amounts of terpenes than in the natural cannabis plant. Dabbing involves inhaling rather than smoking, so this way of consuming cannabis reduces the risk of exposure to carcinogens produced by combustion. But if consumers aren’t careful, the high temperatures of many dab rigs can turn those beneficial terpenes into toxins.\r\n\r\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/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3888888888888888,"src":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/7a96f/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png","srcSet":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/69585/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 200w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/497c6/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 400w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/7a96f/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.png 793w","srcWebp":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/72119/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/61e93/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 200w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/1f5c5/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 400w,\n/static/4086a562dba53fbe518c2e97f0b8833a/72119/84978b9d8d79361d0adbf222be544981.webp 793w","sizes":"(max-width: 793px) 100vw, 793px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2520-markdown","title":"Studies Bust the Stereotype of the Lazy, Out-of-Shape Stoner","slug":"studies-bust-the-stereotype-of-the-lazy-out-of-shape-stoner","content":"The negative stereotype that cannabis consumers are lazy with a bad case of the munchies still holds a firm place in many people’s minds—despite [64% of Americans favoring marijuana legalization](http://news.gallup.com/poll/221018/record-high-support-legalizing-marijuana.aspx). \n\nIt’s no secret that appetite can increase after consuming cannabis. In fact, a [surge in appetite](https://academic.oup.com/annonc/article/22/9/2086/211788) is considered a positive marijuana side effect for cancer patients who experience nausea from chemotherapy. This tendency to increase appetite has led to the idea that cannabis consumers constantly binge eat and, as a result, are prone to weight gain and inactivity. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Study Examines Relationship Between Cannabis & BMI\n\nBut a 2016 study conducted by Oregon Health & Science University and published by the _Journal of Mental Health Policy & Economics_ [turns the sluggish stoner stereotype on its head](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27572145). \n\nThe researchers decided to examine the correlation between cannabis use and body mass index (BMI). Historically, scientific research on this topic produced mixed results, with some studies showing weight gain after continued cannabis consumption and others showing a reduction in BMI with cannabis use. In most of these previous studies, though, researchers failed to control for important lifestyle factors that could affect body weight like alcohol consumption and exercise routine.\n\nThe 2016 study looked at data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health comprising more than 13,000 responses from adults between the ages of 18 and 26. Each participant had his or her BMI calculated and was then tested for marijuana consumption. The participants were then re-tested six years later.\n\n### Data Show Marijuana Users Have Lower BMIs\n\nThe results of the study were surprising. Researchers discovered that the BMI of females who consumed marijuana daily during the study was, on average, 3.1% lower than that of non-consumers. Males who consumed cannabis daily during the study had a 2.7% lower BMI on average than non-consumers’ BMI. \n\nResearchers concluded that their study indicates a “negative association between marijuana use and BMI,” a divergence from the stereotypes and multiple previous studies on the subject. \n\nRELATED: [THE MUNCHIES WILL MAKE YOU FAT, RIGHT? THINK AGAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56cb9d8ececb1b000b000073/the-munchies-will-make-you-fat-right-think-again)\n\nTwo important things should be noted about this study. First, the [accuracy of BMI as a measure of health and obesity has come under scrutiny](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2877506/) in recent years. A high BMI doesn’t necessarily mean a person is unhealthy or sedentary. \n\nSecond, the results don’t prove any sort of causal relationship between daily marijuana consumption and weight loss or maintenance. More research must be done to determine if there’s any sort of metabolic reason for why daily cannabis consumers tend to have a lower BMI than that of non-consumers.\n\n### How Do Blood Sugar & Marijuana Consumption Correlate?\n\nA 2013 study published in the _American Journal of Medicine_ [looked into the relationship between blood sugar and cannabis consumption](http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-93431300200-3/fulltext), and resulted in a possible explanation for lower BMI in daily consumers. \n\nResearchers examined results from more than 4,500 male and female participants in the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005–2010. \n\nDuring the examinations, participants’ fasting insulin and glucose levels were measured after a nine-hour fast. Their cannabis consumption was then self-reported to researchers in a private room. The study concluded that current cannabis consumers had:\n\n* 16% lower fasting insulin levels\n* Lower levels of insulin resistance\n* Higher levels of HDL cholesterol, which is associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease\n* Smaller waist circumference\n\nThe results of these studies should not be taken as a surefire sign that daily marijuana use will result in dramatic or even moderate weight loss. But the two studies do help dismantle the stereotype of the lazy, out-of-shape stoner. These studies also provide a good foundation for future research on the correlation between cannabis consumption and fitness.\n\nPhoto credit: [Marion Michele](https://unsplash.com/@marion_michele)\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/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/14b42/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg","srcSet":"/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/f836f/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 200w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/2244e/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 400w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/14b42/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 800w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/47498/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 1200w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/0e329/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 1600w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/fdaec/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.jpg 3011w","srcWebp":"/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/58556/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/61e93/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 200w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/1f5c5/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 400w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/58556/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 800w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/99238/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 1200w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/7c22d/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 1600w,\n/static/528c9ad5575c4f0b796ccbca6249fbc8/21ba5/e89b54408608887ca62127f080ac9edf.webp 3011w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2516-markdown","title":"Cannabis & Carcinogens: What’s the Risk?","slug":"cannabis-and-carcinogens-whats-the-risk","content":"Can using cannabis raise your risk of cancer? Many anti-drug campaigns and mainstream medical experts say that it can, adding that warning to the long list of reasons why cannabis is a dangerous drug capable of destroying lives. But marijuana consumers and advocates say that those claims are either overblown or downright false. Who’s right? \n\nThe cannabis plant contains more than 400 individual compounds. Most of these haven’t been separately studied, but so far [none have been shown to be intrinsically carcinogenic](http://scienceblog.cancerresearchuk.org/2012/07/25/cannabis-cannabinoids-and-cancer-the-evidence-so-far/). However, the best-known cannabis compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), appear to have both anti-carcinogenic and tumor-promoting properties. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nNumerous studies on the health benefits of cannabis reveal that CBD can have an inhibiting effect on cancer cells, particularly in the lungs, breast, prostate and brain, while high doses of THC can trigger cancerous cell changes in some tissues. But the controversy over whether cannabis can cause cancer really relates not to the plant in its natural state, but to the ways people consume it: by smoking, eating or inhaling its vapors.\n\n### Is Smoking Marijuana Riskier Than Smoking Tobacco?\n\nThough edibles and other ways of using cannabis are grabbing ever bigger shares of the growing medical cannabis market, many people still consume it the old-fashioned way: by smoking. For that reason, much of the research and discussion around the issue of cannabis and cancer risk are concerned with smoking the plant, and how that compares to smoking cigarettes containing nicotine and tar. Recent research suggests that aside from the fact that both can be lit, burned and inhaled, marijuana and tobacco really aren’t equivalent.\n\nWhen materials of any kind are burned, combustion causes the release of toxins that can be inhaled along with the smoke. Some of these, such as benzene, are carcinogens that can damage various organs, especially the lungs. That’s true for both tobacco cigarettes and for cannabis joints, so simply [smoking cannabis can expose someone to the carcinogens that come with combustion](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56cba036cecb1b0008000088/marijuana-and-your-lungs-should-you-be-worried), just like smoking cigarettes would do. The question is: How much is that exposure?\n\n### Can We Trust the Studies?\n\nA few years ago, the British Lung Foundation claimed that [smoking marijuana is up to 20 times more likely to cause lung cancer than tobacco](https://www.drugfoundation.org.nz/matters-of-substance/august-2012/cannabis-20-times-more-carcinogenic-than-tobacco/). The DEA, in a piece warning of the harmful effects of marijuana, also reported that [when burned, cannabis releases up to 70% more carcinogenic gases than tobacco](https://www.dea.gov/pubs/pressrel/pr042605.html?_ga=2.57028714.1178403058.1508089606-1310698703.1507934028), and that the risk of exposure to these toxins is greater when smoking marijuana because smokers typically inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs longer. \n\nBut a number of studies, including one recently published in the _Harm Reduction Journal_, \npoint out that [statistics like these are misleading at best](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1277837/). Cannabis and nicotine behave differently in the body, so the cancer risk from exposure to equivalent levels of carcinogens rises in the presence of nicotine, but falls in the presence of cannabinoids.\n\n### How Our Bodies React to Nicotine & Cannabis\n\nThe human body has many natural receptors for nicotine. These receptors can have some protective functions such as preventing damage to brain cells from beta amyloid plaque that causes Alzheimer’s disease. But many nicotine receptors exist in the epithelial cells that line the respiratory system, and that makes these cells especially vulnerable to damage from toxins created by burning tobacco.\n\nThe body also has an extensive network of naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors, which are found in many organs and tissues—but not in the respiratory epithelial cells. This, researchers say, probably explains why tobacco smoke can be demonstrably linked to cancers, but not cannabis. What’s more, cannabinoids can support processes that lead to the death of cancer cells. \n\nSo yes, there’s an overall risk that comes from inhaling hot gases and particulates, but smoking cannabis may present less of a cancer risk than smoking tobacco, while getting the many health benefits of cannabinoids. \n\nRELATED: [IS MARIJUANA RIGHT FOR YOU?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/is-marijuana-right-for-you)\n\n\n### Is Vaping Safer Than Smoking Marijuana?\n\nVaping has been hailed as a safer way to “smoke” without the toxins that come from burning cannabis, and in general it can be—but that depends on the method of delivery. Some cannabis oils contain ingredients that also can release toxins and irritate the respiratory system when inhaled, and vaping at very high temperatures can also cause the release of harmful toxins.\n\n### What About Edibles?\n\nThe legalization of marijuana in many U.S. states and around the world has opened the door to [new ways of consuming cannabis that don’t involve smoking](https://www.livescience.com/24714-marijuana-edibles-colorado-washington.html), from artful edibles blended with chocolate and raspberry to candy bars, sodas and teas. But the cannabis plant itself contains no documented carcinogens, so the risk of cancer from eating cannabis is negligible, although other ingredients added to edibles could carry their own cancer risks.\n\n### Dabbing: Unsafe at High Temperatures\n\nAnother new way to consume cannabis is dabbing—heating highly concentrated pieces or dabs of extracted cannabis oil on a “nail,” a metal or glass compartment capable of reaching very high temperatures, and inhaling the vapors. Of all the ways people consume cannabis, dabbing can pose the [highest risk of exposure to carcinogens](https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2017/09/27/dabbing-cannabis-oil-may-expose-you-to-cancer-causing-toxins/#10ea91606651) if not done with caution.\n\nThe form of cannabis typically used in dabbing is butane hash oil, or BHO, a potent cannabis concentrate created by extracting cannabis oil using the highly flammable (and toxic) N-Butane. When placed on the nail of a dab rig and heated, the oil releases a potent vapor high in THC. Temperatures on a nail can exceed 900 F—and it’s that intense heat that exposes consumers \nto [high concentrations of chemicals](http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2017/09/butane_hash_oil_releases_carci.html) that include the known carcinogens benzene and methacrylein.\n\nHeating dabs at lower temperatures (at or below 700F, say consumers) lowers risk considerably, but many dabbing rigs don’t have the temperature controls that make it possible to monitor heating levels. \n\nCannabis is a plant rich in compounds with the potential to affect processes in the human body, including the development of cancer, and scientists are still working to understand how those compounds limit or promote the growth of cancer cells. For now, the known risks of cancer from cannabis relate more to how it’s consumed than to the plant itself—and consumers can take steps to reduce those risks.\n\nPhoto credit: [Itay Kabalo](https://unsplash.com/@itaykabalo)\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":1.3793103448275863,"src":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/14b42/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/f836f/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/2244e/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 400w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/14b42/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 800w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/47498/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 1200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/0e329/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 1600w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/2e21c/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.jpg 3632w","srcWebp":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/58556/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/61e93/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/1f5c5/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 400w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/58556/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 800w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/99238/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 1200w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/7c22d/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 1600w,\n/static/daa312a6908bd842165d3fbc95cb0e43/46715/cd39fa7cd2e0de140f241bf788f796e7.webp 3632w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2512-markdown","title":"The Science Behind Why Marijuana Is Safer Than Opioids","slug":"the-science-behind-why-marijuana-is-safer-than-opioids","content":"Every day, [more than 90 Americans die of an opioid overdose](https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html). Opioids are a class of powerfully addictive drugs that includes not only the street drug heroin, but also a number of medications legally prescribed for pain like oxycodone and fentanyl. The abuse of opioids has become so widespread that it’s been called a [national epidemic](https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-opioid-epidemic). Meanwhile, recent research reveals that medical cannabis can offer equivalent pain relief without the risks of addiction and overdose—because it acts very differently than opioids on essential systems in the brain.\r\n\t\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### The Body’s Receptors Respond to Opioids & Marijuana\r\n\r\nThe human body is home to several systems of receptors—cells that respond to the input of certain kinds of molecules from sources inside and outside the body. These receptor systems are responsible for driving essential processes in the central and peripheral nervous system, as well as the organs and tissues. They trigger the release of hormones and other neurotransmitters that affect temperature, digestion, mood, sensation and much more. \r\n\r\nThe human body produces its own version of the chemicals that bind to these receptor systems, but they also respond to similar substances that are consumed from outside sources, such as opioid drugs and marijuana.\r\n\r\n### The Opioid Receptor System: Wired in the Brain\r\n\r\nThe [opioid receptor \r\nsystem](http://www.guidetopharmacology.org/GRAC/FamilyIntroductionForward?familyId=50) consists of five types of receptors that can trigger responses such as pleasure, pain control and relaxation. Natural opioids, including the endorphins that kick in during exercise, bind to these receptors to produce good feelings and minimize pain. Synthetic opioids trigger the same responses.\r\n\r\nSome opioid-sensitive neurons are found in the spinal cord and digestive system. But the [majority of opioid receptors occur in the brain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851054/), which is why opioid drugs are highly addictive and can therefore be extremely dangerous.\r\n\r\nOpioids activate opioid receptors in the mesolimbic—or midbrain—area of the brain, which is home to the pleasure-reward-learning system. That network rewards essential behaviors with feelings of pleasure and stimulates learning and memory, so those behaviors can be repeated. \r\n\r\nWe feel the effects of natural opioids on this system when we enjoy food, reach a goal or engage in a fun activity; we’re rewarded with pleasant feelings, and they’re stored in our memory so that we know that if we repeat the activity, we’ll feel those same positive feelings again. But because opioid drugs are far more powerful than natural opioids, they can quickly hijack the midbrain’s pleasure and reward response, producing cravings, dependence and addiction.  \r\n\r\nMeanwhile, down at the locus ceruleus—or the brainstem—opioid drugs suppress signals of pain and depress the production of a chemical called norepinephrine, which stimulates essential functions like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and wakefulness.\r\nDuring prolonged use of opioids, the body produces more norepinephrine to compensate for the drug’s effects. When a person stops using opioids suddenly, norepinephrine floods the system, which causes the well-known flu-like symptoms of withdrawal.  \r\n\r\nThis is also why there’s a high risk of death from opioid overdose—because opioid medications damp down the production of norepinephrine, very high doses of opioids can suppress breathing and heart rate to fatal levels, especially if they’re combined with other kinds of central nervous system depressants such as alcohol or sedative drugs. \r\n\r\nThese issues are largely absent when a person consumes cannabis, because it affects an entirely different system of receptors: the endocannabinoid system.\r\n\r\n### The Endocannabinoid System:  A Whole-Body Network\r\n\r\nJust as the body has a system for responding to opioids, it also has a [network that responds to cannabinoids](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26103031) —both the ones we produce naturally such as anandamide and 2AG, and ones we consume, mainly from cannabis but also from other sources such as black pepper and hot spices like turmeric and cumin.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system)\r\n\r\nCannabinoid receptors are found just about everywhere in the body—the brain, spine, organs and tissues. These receptors are responsible for supporting a wide range of processes such as regulating temperature and immune responses, and managing pain signals and mood. Because compounds in cannabis such as the psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) are so similar to natural—or endogenous—cannabinoids, they bind easily to the same receptors.\r\n\r\nCannabinoid receptors also occur in the midbrain, so cannabis can trigger pleasure and reward responses similar to opioids—relaxation, euphoria and [relief from pain](http://ns.umich.edu/new/releases/23622-medical-marijuana-reduces-use-of-opioid-pain-meds-decreases-risk-for-some-with-chronic-pain). Cannabis can also calm anxiety and ease digestive symptoms by acting on receptors in the central nervous system and vagus nerve. And because cannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, cannabis can also stimulate immune responses and support the workings of other systems to keep the body in balance.\r\n\r\nAlthough opioid and cannabinoid receptors are both found in the brain, spine and digestive systems, there’s one area of the body where that isn’t true: the brainstem, which contains relatively large numbers of opioid receptors—but only a negligible amount of cannabinoid ones.\r\n\r\n### Cannabis: A Safer and Less Addictive Alternative\r\n\r\nBecause cannabis can trigger responses in the pleasure and reward system, people can want to use more and more—and suffer some uncomfortable feelings and cravings when they stop. But cannabis isn’t likely to cause physical dependence and withdrawal if someone stops using it, because it doesn’t trigger the same processes in the brainstem that opioids do.\r\n\r\nLikewise, cannabis isn’t likely to cause death from overdose. Since the brainstem has virtually no cannabinoid receptors, consuming it doesn’t affect the production of norepinephrine. Suddenly stopping cannabis may disrupt the pleasure and reward loop, but it doesn’t trigger the surge in norepinephrine that causes the unpleasant and potentially life- threatening symptoms of opioid withdrawal. And because the brainstem lacks significant cannabinoid receptors, cannabis use doesn’t depress essential functions like breathing to harmful—or even fatal—levels as opioids do.\r\n\r\nOpioid medications offer relaxation, pleasant feelings and pain relief, but so does cannabis. And its very different effects on the brain and body make it a far safer choice for pain control.\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [frankieleon](https://www.flickr.com/photos/armydre2008/)\r\n\r\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/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/14b42/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg","srcSet":"/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/f836f/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 200w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/2244e/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 400w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/14b42/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 800w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/47498/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 1200w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/0e329/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 1600w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/096b3/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.jpg 3226w","srcWebp":"/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/58556/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/61e93/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 200w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/1f5c5/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 400w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/58556/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 800w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/99238/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 1200w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/7c22d/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 1600w,\n/static/94dc33acc98db441769405c28c03410d/2cee3/14d3d09a40a0a41c28e03440d3120d28.webp 3226w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2519-markdown","title":"How Athletes Get a Boost From the Endocannabinoid System ","slug":"how-athletes-get-a-boost-from-the-endocannabinoid-system","content":"The concepts “runner’s high” and  “second wind” are familiar to serious athletes. They’re examples of the way intense exertion can bring on a feeling of energy, euphoria and complete union of body and mind. Now, recent research reveals that the positive benefits of exercise arise from the body’s endocannabinoid system—and that for athletes of all kinds, cannabis can help to boost performance, relieve pain, and protect cells and neurons from damage and death.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Cannabinoids, not Endorphins Responsible for Workout High\r\n\r\nA large and growing body of research continues to show that working out—or just moving more—has the power to alleviate aches and pains, reduce anxiety, improve concentration and even ease the symptoms of depression. Those benefits are so well documented that exercise is often prescribed as part of a recovery plan for both physical and mental health conditions.  \r\n\r\nFor years, [sports medicine researchers worked hard to pin down the reasons behind those well-documented effects of exercise](https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/web/2015/10/Exploring-Molecular-Basis-Runners-High.html). Until relatively recently, though, it was generally believed that the positive effects of exercise came from the release of endorphins—“feel good” chemicals expressed by the body’s own natural system of opioid receptors during intense, focused physical activity.  \r\n\r\nBecause higher levels of endorphins can be measured in the blood under those conditions, researchers believed that these natural opioids were responsible for the runner’s high and other mood-altering benefits of exercise. The opioid receptor system is largely concentrated in the brain and is strongly associated with the pleasure-reward-learning circuit. Opioid receptors, especially in the brainstem, also activate to block pain signals.\r\n\r\nBut newer research raises questions around this theory. In 2004, British sports medicine researchers observed that the [mood-altering aspects of intense physical activity more closely resembled the effects reported by recreational marijuana users](http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/38/5/536) than the sedating effects of opioids. \r\n\r\nSports and intense exercise, they discovered, stimulate the expression of natural cannabinoids in areas of the brain related to pleasure, concentration and pain relief. But because cannabinoid receptors are notably lacking in the brainstem and gastrointestinal tract, cannabinoids don’t cause the sedative effects and gastric slowdown typical of opioids. \r\nWhat’s more, endorphins in the bloodstream aren’t able to pass the blood-brain barrier. \r\n\r\nBut cannabinoids can, and when they activate receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, they [produce the peak experiences and pain \r\nrelief](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3717337/) known to athletes and marijuana consumers alike. Whether generated by the body itself or consumed from external sources such as cannabis, cannabinoids can also exert a protective effect potent enough to slow the progression of a number of neurological conditions—and prevent the death of neurons after events such as traumatic brain injury.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [WHAT IS THE ENDOCANNABINOID SYSTEM?](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5751cbd970410e000b00003a/what-is-the-endocannabinoid-system)\r\n\r\n### The Endocannabinoid System Generates Positive Effects During Exercise\r\n\r\nThe endocannabinoid system is a wide-ranging natural network of cannabinoid receptors that affect virtually all functions throughout the body. But this system wasn’t discovered until the 1980s, and much remains to be learned about its many complex functions, including its differences from the opioid receptor system. Those differences help to explain why cannabinoids are more able to produce the positive effects associated with exercise than opioids, and why cannabis can have more far-reaching effects on the body as a whole.\r\n\r\nThe endocannabinoid system includes two kinds of receptors. CB1 is abundant in many areas of the brain, the central and peripheral nervous systems, and organs and tissues throughout the body. In the brain, CB1 receptors exist alongside opioid receptors in areas related to pleasure, relaxation and pain responses—but they’re virtually absent in the brainstem, where opioid receptors are plentiful. CB2 is more closely associated with peripheral tissues and the immune system. \r\n\r\nThe human body produces two natural cannabinoids, anandamide and 2AG, which bind to these receptors, triggering a range of responses and supporting the functioning of other kinds of systems. The most abundant compounds in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are so similar to these natural cannabinoids that they can activate the receptors in the same way.\r\n\r\n### Cannabinoids Provide Athletes With Neuroprotection, Pain Relief & More\r\n\r\nBecause cannabinoid receptors are found on all kinds of cells throughout the body, they play an important role in protecting neurons from damage caused by inflammation, oxidation and various disease processes. This explains why cannabis can slow the progression of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease and [prevent neuron \r\ndeath](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15281893) after injuries—even [traumatic brain injury](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25166905), a major risk in contact sports such as football.\r\n\r\nCannabinoids can relieve pain—better than opioids, according to many users. During exercise, activation of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and tissues can help athletes to push past the pain or not feel it at all. During recovery, too, cannabis products of all kinds can help reduce inflammation in muscles and tissues, and help manage pain from sports-related injuries.\r\n\r\nCannabinoids also support the healthy functioning of many essential processes in the body, and during exercise they can promote the oxygenation of tissues by encouraging vasodilation and bronchodilation for better blood flow and respiration. Increased oxygenation can enhance endurance and focus during intense exercise and competitive sports.\r\n\r\n### Marijuana & Sports: A New Relationship\r\n\r\nAthletes have been using cannabis for a long time, though many have been reluctant to say so openly. Now, cannabis entrepreneurs and activists, along with athletes in sports ranging from martial arts to football, are working to promote the use of cannabis products. \r\n\r\n[VapeXhale founder Seibo Shen is a jiujitsu fighter and passionate advocate of cannabis consumption](https://socialunderground.com/2016/08/seibo-shenvapexhale-evo-birth-cannathlete/)  to “activate” performance in sports of all kinds. As cofounder of CannAthlete, Seibo works with athletes in a structured program that combines cannabis with other mind-body techniques.\r\n\r\nCannabis, he says, “tends to facilitate a state of homeostasis. Being relaxed and also able to dynamically spring into action—that’s the mind state we want athletes to be in.”\r\n\r\n[Cannabis activist and entrepreneur Jim McAlpine](https://www.denverite.com/marijuana-pairs-best-intense-physical-activity-says-420-games-founder-jim-mcalpine-39556/) is also working to shatter the myth of the “stoner” and show that cannabis can be a key part of an active lifestyle. As founder of the 420 Games, a series of athletic events promoting the healthy and responsible use of cannabis, Jim points out that many world-class athletes and champions have used cannabis—and that it can help, not hurt, performance.\r\n\r\nA growing body of research reveals that cannabis works with the endocannabinoid system to provide its benefits—and along with the well-known “high,” athletes across the spectrum of sports can use it for performance, pain relief and protection.\r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Autumn Goodman](https://unsplash.com/@auttgood)\r\n\r\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/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/14b42/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg","srcSet":"/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/f836f/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 200w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/2244e/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 400w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/14b42/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 800w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/47498/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 1200w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/0e329/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 1600w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/49344/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.jpg 3300w","srcWebp":"/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/58556/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/61e93/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 200w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/1f5c5/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 400w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/58556/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 800w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/99238/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 1200w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/7c22d/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 1600w,\n/static/5d2a5fb69650b60bb3fc6762807f54bf/d2b96/12f5b58ee4a4d562be0448396b82e8eb.webp 3300w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2479-markdown","title":"How Parkinson’s Disease Affects the Endocannabinoid System","slug":"how-parkinsons-disease-affects-the-endocannabinoid-system","content":"Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the substantia nigra, a part of the brain where nerve cells normally produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, behavior, sleep and cognition. Neurotransmitters act like messengers between nerve cells, communicating via electrical and chemical signals; it’s through these neurotransmitters that your brain receives the right instructions to elicit everyday activities.\r\n\r\nIn Parkinson’s disease patients, cells in the substantia nigra become damaged and stop their production of dopamine—causing the body’s normal operations to go awry. As these nerve cells die, protein bundles begin to build up inside of them, further compounding the disease. \r\n\r\nTo find a cure—or at least slow down the disease’s progression—researchers are taking a closer look at the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is because studies indicate that this system plays an all-important role in the basal ganglia—the part of the brain that houses the substantia nigra and controls movement. Scientists hope that studying the ECS will allow them to develop new therapeutic approaches to treating Parkinson’s disease.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### How Is the ECS Involved in Movement?\r\n\r\nStudies show that components of the endocannabinoid system are especially abundant in the basal ganglia compared to other areas of the brain. What this suggests is that the ECS plays a key role in basal ganglia processes—or the control of voluntary motor movement. \r\n\r\nResearch on the ECS began with the detection of the CB1 receptor in 1988. Since then, scientists have explored how intertwined this receptor is in bodily processes, especially those involving movement. CB1 is the most abundant receptor in the brain, especially in the basal ganglia where it controls the release of neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate.\r\n\r\nGlutamate is the most prevalent neurotransmitter in vertebrates—its main job is to excite nerve cells. GABA keeps glutamate in check—an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it reduces excitability in nerve cells and also controls muscle tone. By working together, glutamate and GABA help control the brain’s overall level of excitation. \r\n\r\nThe ECS and the body’s dopamine signaling system are intricately linked—dopamine can influence levels of the [endocannabinoid anandamide (AEA)]( https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/582b86cce686fc000c657034/why-does-cannabis-make-you-feel-good) in the basal ganglia, and CB1 can inhibit certain dopamine receptors while forming protein complexes with others.\r\n\r\nAdditionally, TRPV1, another ECS receptor, is located in the substantia nigra’s dopamine-producing neurons (the ones that become damaged in Parkinson’s disease)—its location puts it in a position to mediate dopamine release in the body. Researchers think that certain abnormalities observed in Parkinson’s disease patients may be due to the ECS trying to compensate for the loss of dopamine in the basal ganglia. \r\n\r\n### What Happens to the ECS in Parkinson’s Disease? \r\n\r\nPost-mortem analysis and research involving animal models have shown that the ECS is significantly altered in Parkinson’s patients. In the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, CB1 receptors are less abundant and less active in comparison to healthy individuals. The loss of these receptors may make the basal ganglia more vulnerable: CB1 receptors are involved in inhibiting glutamate release, so loss or damage to these receptors can increase glutamate levels leading to excitotoxicity, or excessive stimulation of nerve cells, which leads to further damage to these cells.  \r\n\r\nA common, unifying trend that researchers have seen in Parkinson’s patients—regardless of disease progression—is an increase in AEA. And in moderate to advanced stages of the disease, where symptoms like tremors and rigidity affect Parkinson’s patients, there’s an increase in CB1 receptor density and activity. Both of these findings lend credence to the hypothesis that over-activity plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases. \r\n\r\n### Can Cannabis Bring the Endocannabinoid System Back Into Balance? \r\n\r\nCannabis may help relieve the unwanted motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but it also shows promise in disease treatment. Preliminary research has focused on:\r\n\r\n* reducing protein buildup.\r\n* suppressing the inflammation in nerve cells, which contributes to the disease progression.\r\n* slowing or stopping the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [HOW CANNABIS HELPED ME FIND RELIEF FROM PARKINSON’S DISEASE](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57a7cefba123030007ba033a/how-cannabis-helped-me-find-relief-from-parkinsons-disease)\r\n\r\nBecause many processes are altered in Parkinson’s disease, researchers still can’t pinpoint an exact mechanism for how cannabinoids might improve motor function—this may be why studies involving both receptor agonists (substances that attach directly to receptors) and antagonists (substances that block binding to receptors) have shown success in relieving motor symptoms. Given these findings, it’s not surprising that cannabis, which contains both receptor agonists and antagonists [improved motor symptoms in a small open label study](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260682593_Cannabis_Medical_Marijuana_Treatment_for_Motor_and_Non-Motor_Symptoms_of_Parkinson_Disease_An_Open-Label_Observational_Study) involving Parkinson’s disease patients who smoked cannabis. \r\n\r\nWhile there are no current studies involving cannabis and its ability to reduce protein buildup in Parkinson’s disease patients, preliminary studies point to a link between the buildup of these proteins and the ECS. This link, as well as studies that show cannabis can decrease the accumulation of other proteins—such as amyloid clumps—in other neurodegenerative diseases, suggests that marijuana holds therapeutic potential.\r\n\r\n“The most promising aspect of cannabis to help Parkinson's patients, as well as any other neurodegenerative disease, lies in the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties, which impart nerve protection and possible reduction of amyloid buildup in brain cells,” says Dr. Perry Solomon, HelloMD’s chief medical officer. \r\n\r\nDr. Solomon points to lab research where [THC removed and reduced accumulation of amyloid clumps](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160629095609.htm) that were harming nerve cells. He also brings up another study in mice that used [a combination of THC and CBD to reduce amyloid buildup](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25125475), resulting in improved memory. \r\n\r\nResearch also suggests that anti-inflammatory actions on another ECS receptor, CB2, may help slow disease progression. Microglial cells in the brain “clean up” debris in neurodegenerative disorders, but there’s a caveat—the cleaning actions of microglia can be detrimental to surrounding cells: In patients with Parkinson’s disease, activated microglia are often found near dying dopamine-producing cells.\r\n\r\nResearchers think that controlling this microglial action could have neuroprotective benefits. A study in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease suggests that [CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties weaken the actions of these microglial cells]( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17592514). Based on these findings, compounds that bind to CB2 could help reduce neuronal inflammation in Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. \r\n\r\nExisting Parkinson’s therapies only relieve symptoms or supply the body with dopamine—none address the destruction of dopamine-producing neurons, which is the root cause of the disorder. Here, cannabis’s neuroprotective properties show much promise:  \r\n\r\n* In a mice cell culture, researchers found that [THC and THCA can protect the brain cells that make dopamine from neurotoxins](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22571976). In addition, [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to have further neuroprotective properties](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22236282) in a study that involved a human cell culture. \r\n\r\n* Cannabidiol (CBD) is also neuroprotective, but likely by way of a different mechanism than seen in THC. In rats, [CBD was found to protects brain cells that project into the substantia nigra](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17672854)—the part of the brain that’s affected in patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological diseases. \r\n\r\nThe ECS is an integral part of basal ganglia processes. The disruption of dopamine levels in the body likely leads the ECS to compensate, thereby affecting your body’s internal equilibrium—also known as homeostasis. Cannabinoids have shown promise in helping bring this system back into balance.\r\n\r\nHowever, as with most topics involving cannabis, more research is needed to better understand how the ECS functions in the presence of this disease. With this knowledge, researchers may one day be able to create therapies that slow—or even stop—the progression of Parkinson’s disease. \r\n\r\nPhoto credit: [Tirthankar Gupta](https://www.flickr.com/photos/134157488@N06/)\r\n\r\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/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/14b42/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/f836f/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 200w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/2244e/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 400w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/14b42/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 800w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/47498/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 1200w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/0e329/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 1600w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/ce105/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.jpg 3624w","srcWebp":"/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/58556/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/61e93/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 200w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/1f5c5/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 400w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/58556/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 800w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/99238/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 1200w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/7c22d/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 1600w,\n/static/1e527144854ceb7bce703ab48518d389/d72ad/f92680f23238b28d520f3cb7fe7e5f8b.webp 3624w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2498-markdown","title":"How Cannabis Affects Sports Performance & Recovery ","slug":"how-cannabis-affects-sports-performance-and-recovery","content":"Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or a professional athlete, the concept of using substances to enhance performance and recover from a hard workout or injuries is nothing new. Athletes of many sports resort to both legal and illegal means to boost performance and recuperate—sometimes with dire consequences. As the stigma surrounding cannabis slowly dissipates and as knowledge of its benefits continues to spread, it comes as no surprise that athletes are now using marijuana to aid in their training and recovery practices. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### How Do Athletes Enhance Their Performance & Recovery? \n\nEnhancement methods for athletes usually focus on either the physical or mental aspects of performance. Physically, athletes may adopt simple lifestyle changes like eating a high protein diet and supplementing with vitamins—or they may turn to more involved measures like hypoxic training, which makes the cardiovascular system more efficient by forcing the body to work out in low oxygen conditions.  \n\nAthletes may also take supplements to improve their mental state and boost focus. Caffeine is a popular, legal and easily accessible way to increase alertness, yet some athletes may turn to amphetamines or other illegally acquired substances, which can have severe side effects like organ failure and nerve damage. \n\nRecovering quickly after intense workouts or after injuries is key for athletes—especially professionals whose livelihoods depend on the performance and the wellness of their bodies. Traditional methods of recovering from minor sports injuries include rest, icing, massage and using compression garments. For professional athletes, methods of recovery can be more extreme. They may undergo surgery to repair torn tissue, and many are prescribed opioids in order to cope with pain. \n\nOpioid misuse in professional sports has gained much attention recently, with former and current NFL players admitting to excessive opioid use. A [2011 study surveyed 644 retired NFL players](http://www.drugandalcoholdependence.com/article/S0376-87161100002-0/fulltext)—52% of those interviewed used opioids during their career, with 71% reporting misuse. In addition, 15% of those reporting misuse during their career reported current misuse of opioid pain medications. \n\n### How Can Cannabis Aid Sports Performance & Recovery?\n\nAn increasing number of athletes are using cannabis to enhance their performance due to its ability to:\n\n* enhance focus.\n* reduce anxiety.\n* eliminate feelings of fatigue. \n\nPlenty of anecdotal and preliminary research exists to support using cannabis for these purposes, although studies aren’t specific to sports enhancement. For example, adults with ADHD often medicate with cannabis because it helps them relax and focus—some even prefer it over prescription medications. A study that came out earlier this year found [preliminary evidence supporting cannabis use for ADHD](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924977X17302377).\n\nMeanwhile, [CBD has been shown to have anti-anxiety properties](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22729452) by [mediating receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4604171/). And finally, those with conditions that can lead to fatigue, like depression and stress, often report that using cannabis can energize them and help them function. While not traditionally thought of as an energizing substance, several cannabis strains are known specifically for giving users a boost—among them are Durban Poison, Green Crack and Ghost Train Haze. \n\nRELATED: [THE 420 GAMES CELEBRATES ATHLETES, HEALTHY LIVING & CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/567715092829830008000034/the-420-games-celebrates-athletes-healthy-living-and-cannabis)\n\nCannabis’s anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties can help athletes recover from training and injury, and its powerful pain-fighting abilities are already being advocated by those seeking alternatives to opioids. Athletes looking to recuperate after an intense workout tend to use CBD for its anti-inflammatory properties. [CBD plays a part in how our bodies process pain](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28826543), and there’s already a large body of preclinical evidence that can vouch for the molecule’s ability to treat different acute, inflammatory and neurological pain. \n\nCannabis can also work in concert with opioids to magnify the pain-relieving properties of these narcotics, leading to overall reduced opioid use. In fact, cannabinoids are so effective in fighting pain that some athletes have turned to cannabis in lieu of opioids—regardless of whether their sport deems its use legal. Many studies, including one HelloMD conducted with UC Berkeley have found that a [high percentage of people regard cannabis as effective or more effective than opioids in pain management](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/595413ae914ae4001b40307a/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication). Given all of these reports, it comes as no surprise that pro athletes are also using cannabis in this manner. \n\nAnother property of cannabis that makes it especially useful in contact sports is neuroprotection. Both CBD and THC have shown neuroprotective properties in various studies, but the exact mechanism of how these molecules help preserve brain cell function and structure needs to be further studied. Researchers cite the many ways this might occur: from activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors to direct action on nerve cells. A 2017 review article concluded that [phytocannabinoids showed therapeutic promise for traumatic brain injuries](https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2017.00069/full), further cementing reasons why this plant is so popular among NFL players—many of whom suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a type of degenerative brain disease that arises from repeated impacts to the head. \n\n### How Can Cannabis Be Integrated Into a Training & Recovery Regimen?\n\nCannabis can complement many traditional and holistic training approaches as well as supplement a recovery regimen. It’s typically easier to use cannabis for recovery than it is for performance. This is because athletes using cannabis as part of a training strategy must consider many different mental and physical factors. \n\nWhen used properly, cannabis can help athletes relax and focus during workouts and competitions. For VapeXhale Founder [Seibo Shen](https://www.hellomd.com/people/569c5569aadede0008000012/seiboshen/questions/following), a jiu-jitsu fighter and strength trainer for combat athletes, cannabis allows his clients to be “supple leopards”—calm, yet also dynamic and ready to spring into action. \n\nSeibo works closely with athletes to fine-tune a regimen that works best for their body. He puts an emphasis on getting his clients to establish athletic goals and then uses cannabis to help them zero in on those goals. “Weed brings you back to a child's mind,” he says. “You see something interesting and your attention focuses on that interesting thing. If we make that thing your competition—that's when we increase performance. And it's not just the weed—it's the full process.”\n\nSeibo has managed to develop a pre-workout routine that addresses a person’s unique biochemistry. Before every session, athletes in Seibo’s gym partake in a five-minute yoga breathing exercise after which the athletes microdose caffeine and consume a landrace sativa strain. The yoga breathing exercise, which is typically “Breath of Fire,” a kundalini breathing technique, brings the whole class into a consistent mindset. “That way when we administer the medicine, people aren’t just super high and caffeinated, while other people are lethargic,” he says. \n\nIntegrating cannabis into a recovery regimen is much simpler: Athletes experiment to figure out how to harness cannabis’s anti-inflammatory and pain-fighting properties to suit their needs. For athletes who are using opioids to cope with pain, cannabis can either supplement opioid use or replace the drugs altogether. Sleep is one of the most important factors in helping the body heal, but it’s often disrupted for those in pain—cannabis, with its analgesic and sleep-inducing qualities, can be especially beneficial for athletes. \n\n\n### Sativas & High CBD Products Tend to Be Athlete Favorites\n\nEvery individual is different, but based on research and anecdotal evidence from athletes who use cannabis in their training regimens, here are some generalizations that can serve as a good jumping-off point for those interested in incorporating cannabis into their fitness routine. \n\nTo encourage focus and energize yourself before a workout, a sativa works best—Seibo uses the landrace sativa Red Congo to help his clients hone their focus. Other sativa strains known for their uplifting effects are [Durban Poison](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cb16cd520d60009f4f4a3), the “espresso of cannabis strains”; [Green Crack](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cc89cd520d60009f4f4a8), whose name speaks for itself; and [Harlequin](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a9d9ad8fdb6dd00088d0cf1), whose high CBD content is a good fit for those who want to avoid THC.   \n\nAthletes like to use high CBD products or strains to help them recover after workouts or injuries, while indica-dominant THC edibles can also help athletes sleep, leading to faster recovery times. If you’re feeling a lot of pain and want immediate relief, vaping is the best method of consumption, as most athletes usually avoid smoking due to the irritation it can cause to the throat and lungs. Edibles and tinctures provide longer-lasting relief, but may take a while to kick in. \n\nPhoto credit: [Justin Ng](https://unsplash.com/@justinng)\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":1.3513513513513513,"src":"/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/14b42/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg","srcSet":"/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/f836f/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 200w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/2244e/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 400w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/14b42/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 800w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/47498/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 1200w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/0e329/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 1600w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/d2452/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.jpg 4000w","srcWebp":"/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/58556/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/61e93/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 200w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/1f5c5/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 400w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/58556/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 800w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/99238/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 1200w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/7c22d/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 1600w,\n/static/e6e65d16ec71c59dd3203ce865d9ff61/3a911/4217f4c39b6495d7997b3f1aaa01dca3.webp 4000w","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,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwABAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECBP/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oADAMBAAIQAxAAAAHTYgkf/8QAGRAAAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECERIh/9oACAEBAAEFAktHXpU9RMZTP//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABD/2gAIAQMBAT8BP//EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABD/2gAIAQIBAT8BP//EABYQAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAP/aAAgBAQAGPwKiZn//xAAaEAEBAAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABABEhMWFx/9oACAEBAAE/Ie40ZyQCM8J+TMYFkqvPJbv/2gAMAwEAAgADAAAAEETP/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEBH/2gAIAQMBAT8Qp//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAR/9oACAECAQE/EIf/xAAcEAEBAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhMUFRYfD/2gAIAQEAAT8Q05AEe8Ip7A3u4RbW/WOZTGy8NwM6EPA+85Ljc//Z","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_2309-markdown","title":"Can Cannabis Cause or Prevent Seizures?","slug":"can-cannabis-cause-or-prevent-seizures","content":"Recent studies published within six months of each other make two diametrically opposed claims: One points to cannabis as the likely cause of seizures while the other states that cannabis may prevent them. But the connection between marijuana and seizures is a complex one. And while these studies are grabbing headlines for their contradictory statements, it’s important to remember that they arise from highly limited studies that don’t involve the kinds of “natural” cannabis products typically used for medicinal purposes.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Marijuana & Seizures: A Complicated Relationship\n\nThe question of whether—and how—cannabis can affect seizure activity in the brain has been raised numerous times. Anecdotal evidence from a number of medical cannabis consumers says that it can in both ways. \n\nPeople with seizure disorders, and parents of children who have them, claim that cannabis, particularly cannabidiol (CBD), reduces the frequency and severity of seizures. Now, a study carried out in the spring of 2017 by researchers at the New York University Langone Medical Center appears to [confirm CBD’s beneficial effects](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/marijuana-treatment-reduces-severe-epileptic-seizures/), to an extent.\n\nOn the other hand, some people say that their seizures resulted from smoking or eating cannabis, and some mainstream medical publications list seizures as a risk of cannabis use. In September 2017, another study conducted at Japan’s University of Tsukuba appeared to confirm that as well, with research that showed high doses of [tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and “spice,” a synthetic form of marijuana, could actually trigger seizures](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319528.php). \n\nWho’s right? The answer is skewed by the limitations of these studies, both of which are based on artificial conditions and highly specific forms of cannabis that most medical consumers don’t typically encounter.  \n\n### CBD Oil May Help Treatment-Resistant Seizures\n\nThe New York University study, and a few other studies, were prompted by comments from parents of children with severe forms of epilepsy such as Dravet Syndrome, which causes almost constant seizure activity and is often resistant to standard medications. These parents said that [cannabis was able to reduce a child’s seizure activity](https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/other-treatment-approaches/medical-marijuana-and-epilepsy) when no other medications could.  \n\nRELATED: [NEW STUDY PROVES EFFICACY OF CBD FOR CHILDREN’S EPILEPSY](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/594a9ddf3a69ee00319c5136/new-study-proves-efficacy-of-cbd-for-childrens-epilepsy)\n\nTo test these claims, researchers compared an FDA-approved cannabis-based medication called Epidiolex—a 99% pure CBD oil concentrate—to both a placebo and a standard epilepsy medication called Onfi. Compared to the placebo, 54% of patients taking Epidiolex had fewer seizures—and in 2%, seizures stopped altogether. Compared to Onfi though, the study found minimal differences in effectiveness. Based on these results, epilepsy specialists have cautiously allowed that Epidiolex could be used for “compassionate care” when other medications fail to work.\n\nBut that study looked only at a single, FDA-approved medication based on CBD—and the study was funded by its manufacturer, GW Pharmaceuticals. Still, this study does suggest that CBD plays a role in suppressing seizures and adds more evidence to the growing list of health benefits provided by this non-psychoactive cannabis compound. \n\n### Could THC & “Spice” Trigger Seizures?\n\nIn stark contrast, researchers in the Tsukuba study claim that cannabis can cause seizures—but only certain strains, in high doses and in mice. The study worked only with very high concentrations of natural THC, the psychoactive ingredient responsible for marijuana’s “high,” and found that in these controlled circumstances THC could in fact trigger seizures. \n\nThe same study examined the [seizure-causing effects of one form of synthetic marijuana, known as “spice”](https://www.livescience.com/57747-synthetic-marijuana-risks.html). Spice was developed in the early 2000s as a way to get the marijuana high without the traces of THC that could show on a drug test. Since then, more than 150 different variants of spice have been lab-created, all of them far more potent than natural cannabis. \n\nLike the natural cannabis compounds CBD and THC, spice in all its forms binds to the body’s natural endocannabinoid receptors. But although spice stimulates those receptors in ways similar to THC, it doesn’t behave in the body the same way that natural cannabis does, and that can cause very different effects.   \n\nWhat’s more, spice usually contains other substances that also break down and create byproducts that most likely cause actions of their own on the endocannabinoid receptors. The Japanese study focused on just one variant of spice, called JWH-018, administering it in very high doses, and found that this drug can also trigger seizures.\n\nSpice can’t replicate the health benefits of natural cannabis and is sought after mostly by recreational users for its potency and ability to cheat a drug test. And although they sound a warning about the danger of seizures caused by cannabis, the Tsukuba research team acknowledge that those results come from administering concentrated forms of THC and JWH-018 at doses far higher than the typical consumer of recreational or medicinal cannabis would ever seek out. CBD was not included in this study at all.\n\n### The Cannabis-Seizure Connection Needs More Study\n\nIt’s clear there’s a connection between cannabis and seizures, but it isn’t entirely clear what that connection is. \n\nFor now, though, research indicates—and personal experiences validate—that CBD can calm seizure activity. And mainstream healthcare professionals point out that the [risk of having a seizure from using cannabis](http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/marijuana/safety/hrb-20059701) is largely confined to a few specific groups: people who already have a seizure disorder, or who take anti-seizure medications or antipsychotic drugs that have their own risk of causing seizures. \n\nMore comprehensive research could unravel the complicated relationship between cannabis and seizures, but federal regulations on marijuana keep it on the DEA’s Schedule 1 of highly addictive and dangerous drugs. That makes it difficult to conduct the rigorous research that clears the air and helps cannabis consumers find the answers they’re looking for.\n\nPhoto credit: [Brian Shamblen](https://www.flickr.com/photos/23972840@N04/)\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/14b42/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/f836f/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg 200w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/2244e/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg 400w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/14b42/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg 800w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/47498/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/a6974/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/58556/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/61e93/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp 200w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/1f5c5/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp 400w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/58556/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp 800w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/99238/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp 1200w,\n/static/8a1458b1d19d701b7ef2c46df25b6626/d5052/d615f5a3a08b5c65d071caa359296ec0.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":36,"numPages":9,"currentPage":4,"id":5724,"name":"Science & Research","slug":"science-and-research","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}