{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/sleep/3","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2407-markdown","title":"Having Trouble Sleeping? Try Non-Psychoactive CBN","slug":"having-trouble-sleeping-try-non-psychoactive-cbn","content":"If you consumed marijuana that was sitting around for longer than usual or was exposed to open air or sunlight for an extended period of time, you may have felt a little sleepier afterward. Don’t worry, you didn’t imagine it. There’s actually a scientific reason why old cannabis has increased sedative effects. It happens when tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is left out in the open and changes into a lesser-known compound called cannabinol (CBN). \n\nAccording to [Steep Hill Labs](https://www.steephill.com/), one of the leading cannabis testing labs in the country, [CBN is a very useful and unique cannabinoid](http://steephill.com/blogs/34/Cannabinol-(CBD)) that can help people who suffer from sleep disorders, need a sedative to control conditions like muscle spasms or anxiety, or have vision issues like glaucoma—without psychoactive effects. \n\n### How Does THC Turn Into CBN? \n\n![Your cannabis can contain THC which can turn into CBN over time.](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_29_36_PM_05e85fb683.png)\n\nExposure to certain elements can alter a cannabinoid’s chemical makeup, pushing it into a new stage of life as a different compound altogether. According to Steep Hill Labs, almost all identified cannabinoids have something in common: They’re stored in the cannabis plant in their acid form until heat is applied, in a **process called decarboxylation**. The heat forces cannabinoids to take on a new chemical make-up that sometimes results in different side effects. \n\nFor example, THC, the cannabinoid that makes us feel high, is stored in the cannabis plant as an acid called THCA, which has no psychoactive effects. But once heat is applied, THCA’s chemical makeup is altered, and it turns into THC.\n\nUnlike most cannabinoids, CBN doesn’t appear as a result of decarboxylation, but instead arises simply from contact with air and UV rays that deteriorate cannabis over time. Steep Hill Labs notes that “most of the CBN found in cannabis is due to the degradation of THC, where THC has oxidized to CBN.” \n\nSo cannabis that has been sitting around for many weeks, exposed to open air or UV rays, will result in more THC turning into CBN. \n\n### CBN Helps You Sleep Without Making You High\n\nSimilar to CBD, CBN has very little to no “high” side effects. But what CBN lacks in psychoactive properties, it makes up for in sedative potential. Some medical cannabis patients may enjoy oxidized cannabis for its ability to help treat [sleep disorders, an issue that affects 60 million Americans](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90638364) each year.\n\n![Plus gummies has a Sleep formulation with CBN](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_34_36_PM_f3b4a03c09.png)\n\n[Cloudberry Sleep gummies by Plus](https://www.plusproducts.com/sleep) include CBN as an ingredient.\n\nSteep Hill Labs says consuming 2.5 to 5 mg of CBN will have a level of sedative effects equal to a mild pharmaceutical sedative-like Diazepam. They say that the right dose of CBN can be a natural treatment option and effective aid for sleeping five to six hours. \n\nIf you prefer cannabis without increased sedative effects, you can easily follow proper storing techniques that can help keep your cannabis fresh for longer. \n\n### CBN as an Alternative to THC \n\nSteep Hill Labs also concluded that CBN can be a “beneficial alternative to THC for treatment.” \n\nThis is a big revelation especially considering that [many medical cannabis patients want treatment options with little to no psychoactive results](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/a-powerful-new-form-of-medical-marijuana-without-the-high/2016/12/29/81bbf7c0-b5b2-11e6-b8df-600bd9d38a02_story.html?utm_term=.61250fd47f9a), specifically children or elderly patients uncomfortable with being high. As a result, these patients, or their caregivers, often choose CBD-only options, attracted to their lack of psychoactive side effects. \n\n![Peak Extracts offers a CBN chocolate](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2021_12_26_at_6_37_46_PM_a540ed1fd8.png)\n\n[Peak Extracts](https://www.peakextracts.com/) offers a CBN chocolate.\n \nBut some physicians believe **CBD-only treatments are less effective than treatments that incorporate THC with CBD**. If CBN can be an effective treatment alternative to THC, patients may be able to get the same medical benefits without getting high. \n\nAs with all things cannabis, more research must be done to fully understand all of the treatment applications for CBN and whether the cannabinoid is truly an effective alternative to THC. But if you live in a marijuana-friendly state and suffer from sleep disorders or glaucoma, talk with your doctor about CBN as a potential natural treatment option. \n\n### Get Your Medical Document & Purchase Medical Cannabis\n\nIt's easy to get your medical document with the online [Telehealth service HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/). Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and start purchasing medical cannabis today.\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3605442176870748,"src":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/14b42/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/f836f/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/2244e/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 400w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/14b42/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 800w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/47498/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/a026e/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.jpg 1389w","srcWebp":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/58556/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/61e93/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/1f5c5/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 400w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/58556/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 800w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/99238/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 1200w,\n/static/759a6abd005b70c46adaf6c3f8c16784/963da/6ce37d3870fb613b2f4e409285e5014c.webp 1389w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2179-markdown","title":"Top Marijuana Products to Help with Insomnia","slug":"top-marijuana-products-to-help-with-insomnia","content":"### Cannabis a Great Alternative to Pharma\n\nCannabis is a great alternative to traditional pharmaceutical sleep aids for fighting [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/learn/insomnia). Both edibles and vaporizers are great choices for helping people to get to and stay asleep. Edibles provide a slow and steady release of cannabinoids, while vaporizers provide instant relief to help you fall asleep right away. \n\nBoth THC and CBD help to contribute to insomnia relief, as well as many terpenes that are found in cannabis. THC is the component in cannabis that helps people fall asleep, while CBD can help you stay asleep. Cannabis is a great component to add your nightly routine if you often struggle with sleep related problems. Here are three of the best products on the market to help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.\n\n### Terra Bites by Kiva Confections\n\nTerra Bites are bite-sized easy to dose edibles that provide great relief for insomnia sufferers. Kiva’s blueberry terra bites are made with dried blueberries that are coated in cannabis infused milk chocolate. Each Terra Bite has 5 mg of THC, while each container contains a total of 120 mg of THC. Terra bites are a high quality edible that are made with simple ingredients. They are a perfect nighttime treat to satisfy your sweet tooth and help you fall asleep. The bite sized chocolate treats are a great choice for easy and accurate dosing that allows you to formulate the proper dosing based on your needs. \n\n\n### Snooze Bar by Swerve Confections\n\nThe Snooze Bar is an organic cookie bar filled with superfoods and high quality cannabis medication. Swerve confections uses coconut oil infused with cannabis to provide each bite of their Snooze Bar with a strong dose of indica hybrid cold-water hash. The Snooze bar is filled with other beneficial ingredients, like almonds, nutmeg, poppy seeds, and four Ayurvedic sleep herbs. \n\nAll of the ingredients that go into snooze bars are chosen with the goal of counteracting stress and encouraging restful sleep. Each cookie bar package contains 200 mg of THC and each “single-bite” cookie bar package contains 50 mg of THC. Make sure you read the package carefully in order to measure out the accurate dosage for yourself. \n\n### dosist Vape Pen - Sleep\n\ndosist has created a line of dose specific vape pens that are designed with particular medical conditions in mind. Their dose pens provide precise and consistent doses of cannabis that allow you to build the proper dose for yourself and be able to replicate it each time you use the product. \n\nTheir optimized temperature control, controlled airflow, and time control all help with consistent dosage throughout the use of the preloaded vape pen. The Sleep pen is a specific mix of cannabinoids and terpenes that are specifically designed to promote sleep. The Sleep pen contains THC and CBD, as well as limonene, nerolidol, myrcene, linalool and terpineol, all which have qualities that can help fight against insomnia. \n\nIf you're new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://hellomd.com/articles/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAGAAAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEAQX/xAAVAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAABfZyLQ2Gin//EABkQAAIDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDAAERE//aAAgBAQABBQJDKFQncDAph94ocl5P/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECH/2gAIAQMBAT8Bh//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AUf/xAAcEAACAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIRITEyIkH/2gAIAQEABj8CinCVo4ez3hlaivpmVnR//8QAGxABAAMBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQARMSFBUZH/2gAIAQEAAT8hpGDrVSs+ydIkCEbpY1BWX6lEzZzydNfk/9oADAMBAAIAAwAAABCL3//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAEDAQE/EIV//8QAFxEAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAERIf/aAAgBAgEBPxDaKD//xAAbEAEBAAMBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhMXFhkf/aAAgBAQABPxDW/NIMfvuBQUJdEccp3YaeYj0xVvoyhqGgp+sD44SS5//Z","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/14b42/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/f836f/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg 200w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/2244e/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg 400w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/14b42/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg 800w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/47498/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg 1200w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/54ac5/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/58556/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/61e93/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp 200w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/1f5c5/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp 400w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/58556/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp 800w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/99238/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp 1200w,\n/static/d247d29322e01d57ef9d817505965ace/5e0b8/70c5ce2ccc5d8c74634c6dc86d6dd3db.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2213-markdown","title":"Accurate Dosing with CBD & THC","slug":"accurate-dosing-with-cbd-and-thc","content":"### Creating a Desired Outcome\r\n\r\nFor years we’ve been conditioned to buy health and wellness products based on a desired outcome. We know ahead of time that a given product will work for a headache, for back-pain, for an upset stomach, or for sleep. This had not been the case in the medical cannabis arena, at least not until now. HMBLDT is out to change this. \r\n\r\nI recently met the folks from the HMBLDT team, and got to listen in on the many intricacies that went into making cannabis products that promise what they call ‘needs states’. While more and more concentrate makers are delivering their medicine in replaceable cartridges, the HMBLDT team explained that short of creating an all-in-one product, with no moving parts, they would not be able to stake claim to needs states (ie. Outcomes). For now, HMBLDT offers these four devices, promising BLISS, RELIEF, CALM and SLEEP.\r\n\r\nNeeds state-based packaging is a critical step forward for the cannabis industry, in particular for attracting new patients. To date, most cannabis flower or infused products have been modest at best in declaring what outcome their products may offer. Instead, we’ve witnessed a more generalist approach, where patients are highly dependent on the bud-tender to try to match products with symptoms and unfortunately not all bud tenders are well informed.\r\n\r\n### Why Accurate Dosing Matters\r\n\r\nHMBLDT has relied on the right combination of cannabis extracts and technology to deliver on their promises. For one, each of the four vaporizer pens come pre-loaded with very clear, beautiful looking cannabis oils - that you can clearly see through the device's gauge. In each, aside from the secret sauce they have invested significantly in developing, you will find a carefully implemented CDB-THC ratio. \r\n\r\nDose control is where HMBLDT introduces a unique solution. Until recently, dosing, as a means of optimizing one’s success with medical cannabis, has been woefully underused in cannabis packaging. In the edibles segment, for instance, we are finally starting to see more ‘micro-dosing’-- an approach that will invariably help both new and existing patients better manage their results. Dosing controlled products like HMBLT will help the general public to better understand that cannabis - like other medications - needs to be delivered on a dose basis in order to achieve desired (yes, rather than undesired) results. \r\n\r\nIn the case of the HMBLDT devices, the research team identified what they believe is the optimal single dose; the technology team added a feature that turns off the device once you have inhaled that dose. Even better, the device vibrates to tell you you’ve reached the per dose amount. This control mechanism is critical to delivering on the promised needs states - BLISS, RELIEF, CALM and SLEEP.\r\n\r\n### My Experience with HMBLDT\r\n\r\nI’ve tried three of them; BLISS, RELIEF, and CALM. I’m very curious to try SLEEP actually as I am one of those patients for whom THC actually stimulates rather than sedates me, mostly by creating a ‘busy-brain’ effect. SLEEP includes plenty of THC, but I’ve spoken to a few people already that used SLEEP with success, including members of our team here at HelloMD.  \r\n\r\nAs for the others, I’m sold. I’ve used many vaporizing devices and concentrates, in search of one that I could depend on regularly. I’ve found many that I really like, but in HMBLDT I have one that just feels dependable and consistent. And ironically, not withstanding my knowledge of and comfort with these devices, it’s the dose control that is making the biggest difference for me. \r\n\r\n### Vaping with CALM\r\n\r\nWhile this one is built of a CBD-THC ratio of 15:1, don’t be fooled. You can feel the THC. For me, CALM actually created a real sense of focus. In my life, this is a sense of calm, as it can be difficult for me to stay in one lane.\r\n\r\nHelloMD team member Ashlyn, also tried this pen and she has this to say about CALM:\r\n\r\n>\"The first pen that I tried was the Calm. It has a 15:1 ratio of CBD to THC, and only one inhalation was enough to ease the migraine that I could feel coming on. Because of the high-CBD content, I felt no psychoactive or sedating effects, just a mild sense of relaxation and easing of tension. This allowed me to function normally and alertly at work.\"\r\n\r\n### Vaping with RELIEF\r\n\r\nThis device’s concentrate is based on a CBD to THC ratio of 2:1, a ratio I usually prefer as I find the CBD mutes some of the undesirable results THC can produce (ie. Anxiety). Unfortunately, I am not one whose pain is subdued by THC; often the opposite actually. So I seek out solutions like RELIEF. One bonus for me with RELIEF, it helped me sleep soundly.\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5820cd89cd3edf000b8d8fce/embedded_images/5820ce00f1221300073dc671/Screen_Shot_2016-11-07_at_10.16.13_AM.png)\r\n\r\nMelissa, who heads up our Customer Service team, also tried this pen and she had this to say about RELIEF:\r\n>\"I came home feeling nauseous one evening and decided to try the RELIEF pen. I took my first draw pretty lightly and it did not vibrate. The next time, I inhaled more deeply, and in a few seconds it did vibrate. It made me cough pretty hard though! After coughing, I started to feel a little less nauseous. I took 2 more doses and felt complete relief. I was no longer nauseous. I was surprised, and happy it worked so well for my nausea.\"\r\n\r\n### Vaping with BLISS\r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5820cd89cd3edf000b8d8fce/embedded_images/5820cd8bcd3edf000b8d8fcf/Screen_Shot_2016-11-07_at_10.38.37_AM.png)\r\n\r\nI just love the name. By itself, it makes feel good. And so did the device. BLISS in particular is where the dosing control made a difference. When using cannabis for more ‘blissful’ results, there is nothing I like less than over-consuming. HMBLDT solves that problem.\r\n\r\nNote that while the device is programmed to vibrate when you have reached the prescribed dose, I did not always get there. I know I don’t have a very strong inhale, so this is likely the reason. Either way, at least I know that I am below the prescribed dose, and not over.\r\n\r\nMark, HelloMD's CEO tried out the BLISS pen and had this to say:\r\n\r\n>\"My experience with BLISS was very positive. I found that if you pull strongly it will make you cough, so I now prefer to take mini puffs. It made me feel happy and slightly enhanced, but not really high, which is great. It was a positive experience and I really enjoy the overall design of the pen as well.\"\r\n\r\n### Vaping with SLEEP\r\n\r\nI did not try the SLEEP pen, but two HelloMD team members, Ryan and Chris both enjoyed their experience. Ryan from our Customer Services team had this to say about the SLEEP pen:\r\n\r\n>\"The HMBLT Sleep vape pen has a very slick, almost surgical design and the packaging could have arrived from Apple’s cannabis division. Its convenient size slid right into my pocket and after work I almost forgot to take it for a test run. \r\n\r\n>I suffer from insomnia. Some nights I can’t fall asleep, though this is easily remedied with cannabis. Other nights I fall asleep, but wake up at 2 am, my brain immediately keeping my body awake. After using the HMBLDT SLEEP pen for about a week now, I can confidently say that it is my first line for early am insomnia. It's just that good. \r\n\r\n>I used to fumble around in the night, count the seconds to myself and watch the cloud of vapor to see if it was large or small. That was how I dosed myself. A small cloud, maybe, needed another puff, while a large cloud probably signaled that tomorrow may require an extra cup of coffee. The HMBLDT sleep pen fixes all of this with its fixed dosing.\" \r\n\r\nChris, who supports our Business Division, reviews many products for us and here is what he had to say about the SLEEP pen:\r\n\r\n>\"I was incredibly impressed with what was contained inside the Hmbldt sleep pen.  The oil had a fantastic taste, and the vapor was incredibly smooth.  I noticed a much cooler temperature of the vapor produced by the HMBLDT, a staggering difference to usual harsh vapor that I’ve come to expect from other vape pens.  \r\n\r\n>This makes it the perfect accessory for your nightstand if you have trouble sleeping like I do.  The easy and all around pleasant experience of consuming a couple of doses from the HMBLDT pen could easily replace your night time ritual.  After climbing into bed the other night I enjoyed 3 doses over about half an hour as I did some evening reading.  \r\n\r\n>Much to my surprise, I found myself nodding off before long; a task that typically requires a significant amount of THC to accomplish.  Not only did it help me fall asleep quicker than usual, I also slept soundly through the night, a rarity for me.\"\r\n  \r\n### Disruptive Pricing\r\n\r\nHere is the other area where HMBLDT is disruptive. The HMBLDT devices are each listed for $100 retail. And these are disposable, so every time you need to reload, you buy a new one entirely (the company is planning a recycling program, by the way). But at $100, HMBLDT is positioning itself as much as 40% above the incumbent providers. If nothing else, this will make it stand out and get people to understand this is something new. \r\n\r\nWhile we may see some downward pressure on this pricing as the market expands, there is clearly a market for products that work. If the SLEEP device truly, and dependably, helps people sleep -- they will pay $100. I also suspect this signals the beginning of a new segment of higher-priced cannabis products, as manufacturers look to separate themselves from the pack.\r\n\r\nOverall, HMBLDT has done the industry a big favor by coming to market with these four devices. And as the HMBLDT team is cut above when it comes to marketing expertise and budget, this device and its innovations will open eyes in the fast emerging health and wellness sector. The packaging alone screams wellness rather than cannabis. Let’s hope this inspires competition to deliver more of the same. For the moment though, HMBLDT is worth a try, particularly for those struggling to find what’s best for them and looking for safe solutions.\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/14b42/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg","srcSet":"/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/f836f/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg 200w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/2244e/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg 400w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/14b42/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg 800w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/47498/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg 1200w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/54ac5/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/58556/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/61e93/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp 200w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/1f5c5/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp 400w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/58556/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp 800w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/99238/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp 1200w,\n/static/ddeae396f871598ebcd75ed58bc7060d/5e0b8/73b4356f9ec86271db2f2499d57b3401.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2132-markdown","title":"How I Stopped My Phantom Limb Pain","slug":"how-i-stopped-my-phantom-limb-pain","content":"HelloMD spoke with Charles Rutherford of [Boveda](http://www.bovedainc.com/). Boveda leads the industry in humidity regulation technology and allows both producers and patients alike to preserve the quality of their cannabis products. Charles spoke to us about his personal journey with medical marijuana and his experience using cannabis to ease his nerve and phantom limb pain after losing his foot in a terrible motorcycle accident. \n\n### Do you use cannabis as a medicine?\n\nYes, but I never had fun with cannabis recreationally in my life, it wasn’t really for me.  Three years ago  I got hit by a careless driver on my motorcycle, and this resulted in the amputation of my left foot. Phantom limb pain and nerve pain have become a constant and painful problem for me. Yet, the doctors only means for me to deal with this pain was to give me more and more opiates. \n\nOpioid abuse is not a road I wanted to go down. I live in Minnesota and we have a medical marijuana program, so I was able to try marijuana for my phantom limb pain. Because of cannabis I was able to stop using opioids because I could use marijuana for both the pain relief and it allows me to sleep at the end of the day. \n\nThe funny thing is, that even though we were operating our business within the cannabis industry, I was very skeptical about patients using cannabis as medicine. It was only due to my own desperation to stop my own pain that I eventually tried cannabis. It has been amazing what it has done for me. I went from being a skeptic to a believer overnight.\n\n### How did this influence you?\n\nMy personal story, and how cannabis helped me with phantom limb pain, informs everything we do at Boveda in relation to cannabis. I have a personal passion for medicinal cannabis and how it can help others. Through marijuana we can alleviate the huge epidemic of opioid addiction and death, so I have made it my own personal crusade to make sure that the flower stays in the best position it can be for people who do use it as a medicine.\n\nI also work to help expand the knowledge and understanding of the industry. At Boveda we have commissioned a lot of testing so we can see what exactly is happening to the cannabis flower at different stages of storage and what is really the maximum storage time it can have. We are also looking to see if there is a best objective curing method and a best objective storing container, and since my story informs all of that, I would say that 95% of my attention is on cannabis. \n\nWhat I have discovered is that people around me who were skeptical about cannabis and had a certain idea of what a 'cannabis user' looked like has completely changed. I am a competitive athlete, I still compete in skiing, golf, and mountain biking, I’m a professional, and I don't 'look' like a cannabis user. \n\nIn my circle of influence that has definitely reverberated. People who have had certain feelings about cannabis and about what 'those people' (who use cannabis)' look like or do, know that I am not any of those things. Since I don't have a fear of sharing my story and I am not involved with a lot of things that the stereotypical marijuana user is, it is good at helping convert people to the idea that cannabis is a medicine and it can be used safely and effectively. \n\n### What about cannabis in Minnesota?\n\nIn Minnesota, we haven't seen a lot of people go towards cannabis. I think there's only maybe 1,100 people who are patients here in Minnesota. Because of some of the restrictions on what qualifies for medical marijuana, as well as restrictions on growing and administration methods, it has put it out of reach for a lot of people. I’m not sure if this kind of program will ever survive here, because of how it was put into place, which is a real shame.\n\n### What do you think about recreational use of cannabis?\n\nThe reality is, I come from a spot with personal beliefs of personal responsibility. I think people are being hurt by the status quo, so I think we shouldn’t be asking if we should legalize medical marijuana, but rather, are people getting hurt by the status quo? \n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5818cc787d130e000740091d/embedded_images/5818cc7b7d130e000740091e/Screen_Shot_2016-11-01_at_9.56.53_AM.png)\nCharles and I recently met at the cannabis conference New West in SF.\n \nAre we okay with people getting addicted to opioids? Are we okay with making the cheaper and logical leap after opioids, something that can kill people even faster, like heroine? Are we okay with people getting a medication that can kill them right from their doctor? \n\nSo, there is clearly a paradox in the status quo. The safest option for people medically is something that isn't prescribed to them by a doctor, meaning marijuana. Yet the thing that can kill them, opioids, is what their doctor is handing out to them. I think people should have the ability to responsibly decide what they put inside their body and clearly cannabis is a safe and effective medicine. \n\n### How do we sway the negative stereotype of cannabis?\n\nPeople need to tell their story of how marijuana has helped them. I encourage friends who have family members who are against medical or recreational marijuana to tell my story. I am a conservative, Republican, Christian who has volunteered at church every Sunday for the last six years. I am an NRA member, I carry a gun, I am a competitive athlete, and I am a professional. Those qualities don’t normally fit into what people see as a typical cannabis user, which is why my story, in addition to being a medical case, is a political case as well. \n\nThis is also what a cannabis user can look like. Marijuana legalization, however, does not have to be a political issue, because being a conservative I believe in personal responsibility. So once again, using cannabis responsibly is exactly what I believe in. Stories of people who don’t normally fit into the cannabis mold and show people that a cannabis user can be anyone are important. Peoples’ perceptions or prejudices may keep them from listening to certain people, so finding the right messenger to get the message to certain people is crucial.\n\n### Anything else you would like to add about Boveda?\n\nOur product is unique and uniquely valuable. Boveda is being used by some big brands because they understand that it is the right thing to do for safety and quality of their cannabis. For personal use at home, we recently just released our 58% humidity formula for people who wanted a slightly lower humidity for their cannabis flowers. You just pop a Boveda pack in with your flowers and it adds or removes moisture as needed, then locks into the moisture that is encrypted into the Boveda pack.\n\nOur Twitter and Instagram are both @bovedainc and our [Boveda](http://www.bovedainc.com/) website.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/14b42/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg","srcSet":"/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/f836f/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg 200w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/2244e/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg 400w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/14b42/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg 800w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/47498/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg 1200w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/54ac5/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/58556/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/61e93/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp 200w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/1f5c5/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp 400w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/58556/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp 800w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/99238/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp 1200w,\n/static/38d19174a64137421b08649bc3c9d32b/5e0b8/72b361cc7c868978e847794e4cf5b9ee.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2237-markdown","title":"The 5 Most Popular Strains of Cannabis","slug":"the-5-most-popular-strains-of-cannabis","content":"Cannabis strains become incredibly popular if they have specific qualities that make them unique from other marijuana strains on the market. Often, one of those qualities is the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content found in a strain—typically, the higher the THC content, the more popular the cannabis strain. Most of the five most popular marijuana strains we have selected are sativa strains. Sativas are known to provide an uplifting and energetic quality as compared to indica strains, which tend to be more calming and sedative. \n\nThe most popular marijuana strains are widely produced and sold in various states where cannabis consumption is legal. All of these marijuana strains are used for their medicinal properties, but are also used recreationally as well. We consider these classic marijuana strains, which are often recognized by name even by non-cannabis consumers.\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe five most popular marijuana strains are Blue Dream, Jack Herer, Cannatonic, Sour Diesel and OG Kush. \n\n### Popular Marijuana Strain #1: Blue Dream\n\n![Popular marijuana strain: Blue Dream](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/embedded_images/5817b52eeab4e6000a28b545/Screen_Shot_2016-10-31_at_1.54.09_PM.png) \n\n[Blue Dream](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a70be4e6c30440008cafd14/blue-dream) is arguably the most popular strain of marijuana in the country. Blue Dream, which originated in California, is a sativa-dominant hybrid that’s a cross between the indica Blueberry and Haze, which is a sativa. Blue Dream is known for its high levels of THC, with percentages ranging from 17–24% and small levels of both cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). \n\nBlue Dream is known to cause full-body relaxation, while also being mentally invigorating. This marijuana strain is known to produce a gentle and calm high without heavily sedative effects. Blue Dream is very popular with medical marijuana patients for daytime relief of pain, depression and nausea. And it’s also praised for not producing a sense of anxiety, which to many makes it a clear winner.\n\n### Popular Marijuana Strain #2: Jack Herer\n\n![Popular marijuana strain: Jack Herer](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/embedded_images/5817b52feab4e6000a28b546/Screen_Shot_2016-10-31_at_1.54.31_PM.png)\n \n[Jack Herer](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cd5d1d520d60009f4f4b1/jack-herer) is another sativa-dominant hybrid that’s a cross of Haze, Northern Lights #5 and Shiva Skunk. It originally comes from the Netherlands, where it was hailed for its medicinal properties. Jack Herer has several different phenotypes that each have unique effects. It’s known to produce happy and clear-headed effects that promote creativity. \n\nAll of the Jack Herer phenotypes are known for their quality, potency and high levels of THC. THC levels can range from 18–23%. This popular marijuana strain also has low levels of CBD and CBG. Jack Herer presents high levels of limonene, which is a terpene known to fight depression. It’s a great medical strain for stress, depression, pain, fatigue and headaches. \n\nRELATED: [THE TOP 5 MARIJUANA STRAINS FOR DEPRESSION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57fbd5a9321b570007790312/top-5-marijuana-strains-for-depression)\n\n### Popular Marijuana Strain #3: Cannatonic\n\n![Popular marijuana strain: Cannatonic](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/embedded_images/5817b59e97ed67000a00146e/Screen_Shot_2016-10-31_at_1.54.41_PM.png)\n\n[Cannatonic](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7ce5dcd520d60009f4f4bd/cannatonic) is known as one of the most premier medical marijuana strains. It’s also known for its relatively low THC content, below 6%, and a high CBD content of about 6–17%. Cannatonic is a hybrid strain that comes from a cross of MK Ultra and G13 Haze. It’s known for its mellow effects, which don’t produce a strong high, but rather a very relaxing effect. Cannatonic has great pain-relieving qualities, and it works to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, anxiety and migraines. \n\nCannatonic produces happy and uplifting feelings without high levels of psychoactivity. It’s considered a borderline marijuana strain because it usually doesn’t produce psychoactive effects due to its higher levels of CBD. However, it still may impart a high if a patient is particularly sensitive. Its balance of THC and CBD make it a popular choice for people seeking strong pain relief without a prominent high.\n\n### Popular Marijuana Strain #4: Sour Diesel\n\n![Popular marijuana strain: Sour Diesel](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/embedded_images/5817b59f97ed67000a00146f/Screen_Shot_2016-10-31_at_1.56.24_PM.png)\n\n[Sour Diesel](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cd299d520d60009f4f4ae/sour-diesel) is a sativa strain that’s known for its energizing and intense cerebral effects. It’s also known to provide long-lasting relief for people who experience stress and pain. Sour Diesel contains high levels of THC, which range from 19–25%. This popular cannabis strain provides uplifting and happy effects known to fight off stress and fatigue thereby allowing people to power through their day. This marijuana strain is a favorite among medical marijuana patients because of its steady and long-lasting effects. \n\n### Popular Marijuana Strain #5: OG Kush\n\n![Popular marijuana strain: OG Kush](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/5817b52aeab4e6000a28b544/embedded_images/5817b5c9d51cbd0007d68974/Screen_Shot_2016-10-31_at_2.20.40_PM.png)\n\n[OG Kush](https://www.hellomd.com/strains/5a7cce66d520d60009f4f4ab/og-kush) is one of the most well-known marijuana strains on the market. It’s known for its high levels of THC, which can reach up to 26%. OG Kush is also known to produce extreme happiness and euphoria, as well as relaxed and calming effects. This sought-after marijuana strain has fairly high levels of psychoactivity, and it also has great medical benefits. \n\nMedicinal marijuana patients have found OG Kush to be very helpful with migraines and stress-related problems. It’s also been helpful in easing with pain and insomnia. This cannabis strain has fairly high levels of limonene and linalool, which are both terpenes that help fight against depression.\n\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/14b42/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/f836f/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg 200w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/2244e/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg 400w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/14b42/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg 800w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/47498/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg 1200w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/54ac5/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/58556/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/61e93/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp 200w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/1f5c5/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp 400w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/58556/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp 800w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/99238/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp 1200w,\n/static/8e43c5ae800a5feb641887a6164b1952/5e0b8/2cc27005a0a2de1d298febc2642318bc.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2042-markdown","title":"Cannabis as a Sleep Aid for Insomnia: An Interview with Pianta Tinta","slug":"cannabis-as-a-sleep-aid-for-insomnia-an-interview-with-pianta-tinta","content":"Due its lack of psychoactivity and for its ability to effectively treat a variety of medical conditions, CBD (Cannabidiol) is the rising star among the cannabis plant’s cannabinoids. [Pianta Tinta Collective](http://www.piantacbd.com/), a new manufacturer within the cannabis marketplace, focuses on high CBD tinctures, oils and rubs ‘to enable others to live a higher quality of life.’ Their tinctures target [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better) and chronic pain as well as other common conditions people often face. Co-founders Elizabeth Knight and Dr. Kathy Acquistapace feel they have found their niche with a more medically oriented customer base and pride themselves on ongoing customer consultations with Dr. Acquistapace, the in-house Naturopath. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_/?hl=en) \n\nPianta Tinta is also representative of the booming artisanal marketplace within California. Smaller product manufacturers often focus on sourcing the highest quality outdoor grown cannabis for unique offerings, such as CBD tinctures, that may or may not be found in your local dispensary. Elizabeth Knight took time to speak to us about Pianta Tinta and the growth of their business over the past year.\n\n**What was the inspiration for starting Pianta Tinta?**\n\nPianta Tinta means ‘plant tincture’ in Italian. We chose that name because we focus on the cannabis plant as well as more natural modalities of healing. We founded our business based on Dr. Kathy Acquistapace’s research on CBD and the newly found applications for it as a medicine. \n\nAs a naturopath, Dr. Acquistapace was looking for more alternative natural medicines for her patient base. As she learned more and more about CBD, we became excited about the possibilities but also became aware of the lack of CBD alternatives in the market, especially within dispensaries. \n\nAs a business, we were most interested in entering the cannabis marketplace with products that were high CBD and very low THC. When you visit a dispensary as a first time medicinal marijuana patient, it is not that easy to find high CBD products. When a senior citizen enters a dispensary today they will most likely be presented with products that are very high in THC. Even a 1:1 ratio of CBD to THC may be too much THC for a first time cannabis patient. Ultimately, we decided to make tinctures as this is a very easy way to ingest cannabis. \n\n**What high CBD cannabis strain do you favor for your product lines?**\n\nWe work with ACDC as our favored strain. It is a hybrid strain that is bred to have very high CBD content and very low THC content. It is not the easiest strain to grow but we think it works very well for the high CBD products that we produce. Our grower grows the ACDC strain outdoors, in organic soil; he uses grow pots without the use of pesticides/fungicides which we feel is very important. \n\nWe also test our products at [Steep Hill Halent](http://steephill.com/) and [CW Analytical labs](http://www.cwanalytical.com/). We first test the ACDC flower to know the cannabinoid ratios, the terpene profiles and to make sure it is free of any microbes, fungus or molds. After we go through making the tinctures we test again to get the final cannabinoid content, which is what we print on our labels. We strive to represent our product as accurately as possible.\n\n**Other than the ACDC flower, what other ingredients do you put within your cannabis tinctures?**\n\nOur tinctures are very straightforward. All of our labels list the ingredients, which include the ACDC flower/leaves and ethyl alcohol. We do not flavor or put any additional chemicals in our products. We pride ourselves on providing our customers with very ‘clean’ products.\n\n**Are you targeting a particular segment of the population with your product line?**\n\nThe people we want to reach represent a wide range of ages and demographics. We believe that we are able to reach these people because our products positively address a wide variety of symptoms that affect almost all age groups. We often find that senior citizens are looking for alternatives from a regime that is far too heavy with opioids, so they are open to trying cannabis as an alternative. We see that younger people are far too stressed out and can use some anxiety relief, which CBD is also good for. Our products are for anyone who is seeking to use marijuana medicinally, and to receive the benefit from CBD.\n\n**Do your products target specific medical conditions?** \n\nWe are not able to make claims as we do not have any clinical studies to back these up. However, anecdotally we have seen great success across a variety of conditions including adults with seizure disorders. For instance, we had a patient, a man in his fifties, who was having 4-6 seizures a month, and since taking our Super High CBD tincture he has had a total of 5 seizures since January. That is a huge reduction of seizures and in addition he was able to drop many of his pharmaceutical medications. \n\nWe have also seen a lot of people who have [chronic pain](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/562150d03232620006450000/top-14-marijuana-strains-for-different-kinds-of-pain), whether that be arthritis, pain from previous injuries, general inflammation, etc. This topic of pain covers a wide swath of medical conditions and can encompass so much, but we have found that many people have found relief with our Super High CBD product. We also have members of our collective with cancer who have added our Super High CBD as well as our High THC tincture and oil to their treatment regime.\n\nSince virtually all pharmaceutical products carry unwanted side effects, CBD offers the alternative of providing the positive benefits without the negative side effects.\n\n**On your website, I see that you are promoting a new high THC tincture for sleep. Is this tincture good for treating [insomnia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/55e5c6573236300006350000/medical-marijuana-could-help-insomniacs-sleep-better)?**\n\nWe recently produced a high THC tincture that we feel is particularly good at relieving insomnia. As we all know, insomnia can be difficult to overcome. Not everyone has insomnia for the same reasons. For instance, one person may not be sleeping because they have pain related to inflammation. If you bring the inflammation down with a high CBD product, they may be able to get a good night’s sleep every night. In other instances, a high THC tincture will help relax a person who struggles to get to sleep and also help them to stay asleep longer. \n\nOur newest tincture contains a high percentage of THC and almost no CBD. THC tends to relax people, however everyone is different. Some people find that CBD may relax them and others may find that a combination of THC and CBD may be best for them. As we are all unique, we recommend that people try our new high THC tincture for their sleep issues and see if their sleep improves. Some people may find that it works well and others may find that adding CBD to the THC may work best for them. We suggest that a person starts with a small amount before bedtime and keep a sleep log. This way, they can find what works best for them based on their own body.\n\n**You offer members of your collective consultations with your in-house Naturopath. What should a patient expect to gain from a consultation?**\n\nDr. Acquistapace is our Naturopath. She has over 25 years of healthcare experience and her focus is on alternative and natural healing. She works with people who are wanting to reach their highest level of heath and explains to them how Pianta Tinta tinctures can be a part of their health plan.  At Pianta Tinta, she often works with people, many first timers to marijuana, to better understand cannabis and how to integrate it into their lives. She is also available to answer more general health questions as well.\n\nPeople are often overwhelmed by the amount of information they are given, especially those new to cannabis, so Dr. Acquistapace is there to help guide and consult with people along the way. Our customer base is often looking for answers and wondering how medical marijuana interacts with their body and possibly with their existing medications. [Dr. Acquistapace consults in 15-minute increments](http://www.piantacbd.com/consultations/) over the phone, over Skype and in-person. We want to be flexible based on the patients needs.\n\n**What general advice would you give to people that are new to cannabis?**\n\nRead your labels!  A lot of products are mislabeled or misrepresent the medicine. This is especially true for many of the high CBD hemp-based products that are sold over the internet. Hemp is different from cannabis and the products made from it is sourced differently as well. Make sure that the products are lab tested and make sure you know how much of the medicinal cannabinoids CBD and THC is in the products. Ratios are popular but it does not tell you specifically how much cannabinoids are actually in the product. It is important to educate yourself or consult with someone who can give quality advice before ingesting your medicine. Also read the label for any additional harmful or unnecessary ingredients such as residual solvents like, butane, naphtha, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol, dyes, artificial flavoring and fragrances.\n\n**How do you people find Pianta Tinta Tinctures?**\n\nWe do not currently sell through storefront dispensaries. We have chosen to be a collective and produce and manufacture our own cannabis tinctures for our members. We are located in Vallejo and people pick up their products from us directly by [appointment only](http://www.piantacbd.com/contact/). Before seeing us you will need to obtain your medical marijuana recommendation, which you can do through [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/). To obtain our products you must first go online to the [Pianta Tinta](http://www.piantacbd.com/membership/) website and fill out our short membership form, which requires a valid medical marijuana recommendation and photo ID. You can contact us to schedule an appointment or we are also able to deliver for a small additional fee. \n\n\n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png","srcSet":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/69585/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/497c6/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/ee604/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f3583/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/f90fa/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.png 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/61e93/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/1f5c5/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 400w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/58556/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 800w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/99238/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1200w,\n/static/da1f7390a43833ca5da353d0f2babe7b/5e0b8/72cc47d427e475f7a5041838f91e1d4b.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1884-markdown","title":"No Longer Sleepless in Seattle: Medical Marijuana Eases Insomnia","slug":"no-longer-sleepless-in-seattle-medical-marijuana-eases-insomnia","content":"Insomnia, the inability to fall or stay asleep, affects approximately\r\n[30% of adults in the\r\nU.S](http://www.aasmnet.org/resources/factsheets/insomnia.pdf).\r\nNinety-five percent of insomnia sufferers take a pharmacologic sleep\r\naid, such as hypnotics and antidepressants, which can produce various\r\nside effects, from dizziness to irregular heartbeats, addiction and\r\npotential overdose.\r\n\r\nAs an alternative, medical marijuana eases the symptoms of insomnia\r\nthrough its compound delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC acts on the\r\ncentral nervous system, and at the right dosage, it produces a [sedating\r\neffect](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15118485). Cannabidiol (CBD),\r\nanother major component, triggers [vascular or smooth muscle\r\nrelaxation](http://www.nhs.uk/medicine-guides/pages/MedicineOverview.aspx?condition=Muscle%20spasm&medicine=Cannabidiol/Dronabinol)\r\nand [reduces\r\nanxiety](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3079847/) at the\r\nsame time.\r\n\r\nCannabis has also demonstrated promising results in sleep apnea, one of\r\nthe common causes of sleep disturbance. Sleep apnea, a disorder\r\ncharacterized by repeated pauses in breathing or shallow breaths during\r\nsleep, is often due to a collapsed airway. Classified as obstructive\r\nsleep apnea (OSA), it leads to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the\r\nbrain. A 2013\r\n[study](http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00001/full)\r\nconducted by the University of Illinois in Chicago found that\r\ndronabinol, the synthetic form of cannabinoid, significantly reduced\r\nApnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) by 32% in adults with moderate to severe OSA.\r\nAHI refers to the number of apnea episodes per hour, with 15 to 30\r\nepisodes considered moderate, and more than 30 as severe. The 17\r\nsubjects, aged 21 to 65, exhibited no serious adverse effects throughout\r\nthe dose escalation intervention that lasted 21 days.\r\n\r\n[Dronabinol](http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq)\r\nis FDA-approved for the treatment of chemotherapy side effects, such as\r\nnausea and vomiting. Its muscle-toning action on the upper airway is\r\nsimilar to that induced by the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure\r\n(CPAP) machine used in the treatment of OSA. Dronabinol is a viable\r\noption for patients who cannot tolerate long-term usage of the mask. The\r\n[PACE](http://www.uic.edu/orgs/cnshr/clin-trials-res.html# pace2)\r\nClinical Trial, a larger study funded by the National Institutes of\r\nHealth, is also underway to determine dronabinol's efficacy and safety\r\nin OSA, and the biomechanisms involved.\r\n\r\nInsomnia and other sleep disorders are prevalent in cases of\r\n[fibromyalgia](http://www.rheumatology.org/assets/0/116/401/408/419/420/8da30b14-8bbd-48d9-85b1-366550c86d2a.pdf),\r\na syndrome that presents chronic muscle and soft tissue pain,\r\ntenderness, and fatigue, affecting 5 million adults in America. A\r\nrandomized, controlled\r\n[trial](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20007734) demonstrated that\r\nnabilone, another FDA-approved cannabinoid for cancer-related nausea, is\r\neffective in enhancing sleep in patients with fibromyalgia. As\r\nresearchers at McGill University Health Centre in Canada noted, although\r\nnabilone and the antidepressant amitriptyline improved sleep, nabilone\r\nhad a greater effect on the Insomnia Severity Index. Since it was well\r\ntolerated by the 32 subjects, the authors recommended that low-dose\r\nnabilone be considered as a treatment alternative.\r\n\r\nBetween 54% to 63% of Americans who experience chronic and acute pain\r\nreport experiencing sleep disturbances, the National Sleep Foundation\r\nrevealed in the [2015 Sleep in America\r\nPoll](http://sleepfoundation.org/media-center/press-release/2015-sleep-america-poll).\r\nPain management is therefore crucial to restoring better quality sleep.\r\nSeveral [studies](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2503660/)\r\nhave already confirmed the analgesic effect of marijuana in chronic pain\r\nassociated with neuropathy (peripheral nerve dysfunction) and spasticity\r\n(muscle control disorder), conditions that manifest in a host of\r\ndiseases, like cardiovascular, diabetes, and HIV. As science reveals,\r\nmedical marijuana does have a role in pain and sleep management.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/14b42/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/f836f/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.jpg 200w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/2244e/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.jpg 400w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/14b42/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.jpg 800w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/16310/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/58556/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/61e93/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.webp 200w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/1f5c5/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.webp 400w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/58556/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.webp 800w,\n/static/162281cb58c210e9022d3662ed8fb765/cc834/a7c678171523210641d6cf8bf995297e.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":24,"numPages":3,"currentPage":3,"id":5751,"name":"Sleep","slug":"sleep","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}