Fibromyalgia and Cannabis

An estimated five million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. It is a chronic pain affecting the muscles and soft tissue.The National Pain Foundation conducted a study of 1,300 fibromyalgia patients who treated their symptoms with medical marijuana. Results of the research found that cannabis was more effective than the other three FDA approved medications to treat fibromyalgia.

Currently the FDA has approved the medications Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Savella to treat fibromyalgia. Over 60% of patients reported that these three drugs did not work for their fibromyalgia. 62% of the patients who tried medical marijuana saw improvements with their symptoms. (Source)

Similar results were found in a Canada-based study where Nabilone, a marijuana-based drug, was tested on fibromyalgia patients. Forty sufferers of the disease reported a significant reduction in pain and anxiety when using the cannabinoid drug. (Source) Currently Nabilone is offered for Americans under the name ‘Cesamet.’

Fibromyalgia sufferers report that their condition is often misunderstood. The lack of understanding about the pain, fatigue, and feeling isolated makes fibromyalgia a debilitating disease. About 80 to 90% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women. (Source) People with fibromyalgia feel that 30-40% of their physicians and loved ones do not take their condition seriously. Only 11% of sufferers are diagnosed correctly the first year. (Source)

Source:

http://nationalpainreport.com/marijuana-rated-most-effective-for-treating-fibromyalgia-8823638.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17974490

Testimonial - Pill Popping Be Gone

Medical Marijuana Testimonial	After more than a decade on over 20 pills a day (that seemed to get me by) I have tried medical cannabis. This has changed my life. A feeling of happy, clear and calm with only a puff. Just get over the stigma of "doing drugs" and start to feel good!
Strains you Like	Harlequin, Super Lemon Haze, Blue Moon
Conditions	PTSD
Symptoms	Anxiety Depression Pain: Neuropathic

Testimonial - Pain Management

I am extremely pleased with the results obtained by my use of prescribed Cannabis. Suffering from low back pain for years, I was always prescribed prescription pain killers like vicodin, percoset or to load up on Tylenol during bad episodes. Tylenol never was enough and the prescription meds helped a little with the pain but and had the opposite affect on me in terms of drowsiness...they actually kept me awake and caused anxiety. My Cannabis prescription worked much better once we found the right strain...an indica variety. No Anxiety at all...I could get to sleep just fine. It also had better pain relief qualities and relaxed me enough to be able to stretch which helps address the core problem itself.  I'm grateful our government is finally waking up to the fact this "medicine" has wonderful healing properties with less harsh side affects than many pharmaceuticals.

Testimonial - PMDD

Medical Marijuana Testimonial	Just having the ability to acquire medicinal marijuana is worth as much as the relief it brings. My main complaint is pain, and since pain equals weakness, I prefer going to a controlled environment where my meds have been tested. This way I know for a fact what it is that I'm buying, no guess work required. Better yet, there's no middle-man, no stranger on the street, and violence is virtually unheard of among regular users such as myself. Now, if we could just get them tested for pesticides, mold and fungi, AND have Medicare pay for it...
Strains you Like	Ringo's Gift, J-1, Candy Jack, ATF
Conditions	ADD ADHD Bipolar Disorder Migraine PMS
Symptoms	Anxiety Cramps Depression Loss of Appetite Pain: MuscleJoint Pain: Neuropathic
Other	PMDD is what I have, it just hasn't been able to be verified.

The Benefits of Cannabis and Hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is the lack of the blood to clot. This can lead to prolonged bleeding with wounds as well as internal bleeding problems. People with Hemophilia experience conditions that can be relieved with medical marijuana. These include:

• Bruising and swelling in soft tissue and muscle
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Inflammation
• Swollen Joints
• Pain
• Nausea
• Stiff and Tight Joints

Traditionally opiate drugs are prescribed for treatment to treat swelling. Side-effects of NSAID are nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite and constipation. Long-term effects of these narcotics can be addiction and damage to the liver and kidneys.

Cannabis can treat the symptoms of Hemophilia but it does not cure. Marijuana has clinical proof to treat inflammation, increase appetite, pain, nausea, headaches and joint pain. Marijuana is a safe alternative to opiate medication for its lower addiction rate and less side-effects.

Source:

http://medicalmarijuana.com/medical-marijuana-treatments/Hemophilia-A

https://www.marijuanadoctors.com/content/ailments/view/34?ailment=hemophilia-a

Treatment of Migraine Headaches with Cannabis

Cannabis Use with Migraines

People have been using cannabis to treat migraines for thousands of years. Clinical studies have not been conducted to give support to marijuana as treatment. Many people who suffer from headaches are trying cannabis for treatment in migraines from other patients recommendations and the low side-effects. Some doctors recommend Marinol (cannabis pill) for treating the symptoms of headaches.(Source)

Sufferers of migraines can experience sensitivity to light, nausea, and pain. Clinical studies have shown that marijuana helps with nausea and pain. Their is not conclusive research on marijuana helping with light sensitivity. A study found that with 1085 users of marijuana, only 6 reported that it increased sensitivity to light. All 6 patients had been using marijuana for over five years before reporting this problem.(Source)

Notable Doctors and marijuana activists endorsed marijuana for treatment of migraines. Activist Jack Herer's book “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” stated:

"Because migraine headaches are the result of artery spasms combined with over-relaxation of veins, the vascular changes cannabis causes in the covering of the brain (the meninges) usually make migraines disappear."

Philip Denney MD who is Co-founder of a medical cannabis evaluation practice stated in June 2, 2005 Whittier Daily News :

"Cannabis is one of the best medicines for migraines. It's so effective - it works rapidly, and it has limited toxicity, although lung damage from smoking is a concern."

Ethan Russo MD who is the Senior Medical Advisor at the Cannabinoid Research Institute stated in the Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics:

"In closing, a unique dance of medical science and politics is occurring that will soon decide whether herbal cannabis (a derivative, or synthetic analogue) will rise like the legendary phoenix to resume an ancient role as a remedy for migraine and neuropathic pain."

And finally David L. Bearman MD stated in a letter to the Los Angeles City Beat,:

"Not only are there thousands of migraine patients who benefit from cannabis, but cannabis has been cited by such historical medical luminaries as Sir William Osler, M.D. (considered the father of modern medicine) and Dr. Morris Fishbein (long-time editor of JAMA) as the best treatment for migraines (back in the days before the Congress ignored the AMA and over the AMA’s objection, passed the Marijuana Tax Act)."

Source:

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000218

http://www.royalqueenseeds.com/blog-cannabis-as-treatment-of-migraine-headaches-n54

http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/marijuana/light+sensitivity

The Benefits of Cannabis with Cerebral Palsy

3 Stories on how Marijuana Helps Cerebral Palsy

Evidence suggests that marijuana can help treat the symptoms of Cerebral Palsy. People with Cerebral Palsy experience spastic muscles, tremors, speech impediments, pain and rigidity of muscles.

Seth Green who suffers from Cerebral Palsy has found relief of his symptoms with medical marijuana. He lived in Tennessee where medical marijuana was not an option. Through Healthy Hopes he was able to attain treatment for his symptoms with cannabis. Seth plans to move to a legal medical marijuana state and run for a state representative position.(Source)

In the country of India cannabis is used to treat speech impediments.(Source) One example of this treatment is Jacqueline Patterson who suffers from Cerebral Palsy in Kansas City where medical marijuana is illegal. Her debilitating speech impediment is greatly reduced by cannabis. She can control the muscles in her mouth with cannabis medicine.(Source)

Terri Argast suffers from the muscle rigidity of Cerebral Palsy. She takes 9 pills in the morning and 12 at night to treat the symptoms. Living in Missouri she does not have access to medical marijuana. When she tried cannabis her symptoms where relieved with no side effects. She is an advocate for the legalization so she can treat her Cerebral Palsy with marijuana. (Source)

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/30/cerebral-palsy-marijuana-seth-green_n_5508764.html

http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/powers-weed-watch-woman-cure-speech-impediment-smoking-reefer/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9PkH0gxcGQ

How Cannabis Effects the Endocannabinoid System

Cannabis has a profound effect on our body due to it's influence on our endocannabinoid system. The origin of its name comes from the cannabis plant. It is a system of lipids and receptors that maintain health creating a homeostasis environment in the body. The endocannabinoid system is found throughout our body in the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands and immune cells. The prevalence of the endocannabinoid system in the body is the reason cannabis can treat many diverse diseases and symptoms.

Environmental factors can cause disruption in the bodies health. Stability is brought back with the endocannabinoid system. The goal for the lipids and receptors are to stabilize numerous body functions including appetite, pain, inflammation, mood, memory, muscle spasms, protect nerves, immunity, and bone density. Cannabis would be the closest cure-all for its ability to affect so many functions in the body.

The endocannabis system is made up of ligands like anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). The cannabinoid CB1, CB2, TRPV1 and G protein-coupled receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system. Together these ligands and receptors control the stabilization of the body.

Cannabis can encourage more endocannabinoids and receptors to be made by the body. First-time users of cannabis may not feel an effect from cannabis. As the body increases cannabinoids it responds more effectively to a cannabis treatment. Smaller doses have larger effects for the receptors to respond to marijuana.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocannabinoid_system

http://norml.org/library/item/introduction-to-the-endocannabinoid-system

The Benefits of Medical Marijuana and Bone Cancer

Over 50% of people that have cancer suffer from chronic pain. Studies show a higher percentage of bone cancer patients suffer from pain.(Source)

Bone Cancer can result in a lot of pain. In a recent study on mice and humans it was found that cannabinoids found in cannabis reduce pain caused by C-fiber nociceptors, CB2 Receptors(Source) and WIN-55(Source). They react to slow down the pain signals going to the brain giving relief to the pain.(Source) A low dose cannabis treatment can mitigate the pain associated with bone cancer.(Source)

The effect of the CB2 receptors from cannabis treatment has shown to reduce bone loss and fracturing.(Source) The receptors increase bone cell renewal and reduce bone resorption. Marijuana has shown to increase bone density and reduce osteoporosis to keep bones healthy.(Source)

Many cancer patients describe the cannabis application of Rick Simpson Oil or also known as Phoenix Tears to help and cure their cancer and reduce pain. Rick Simpson created his own cannabis oil by slow boiling the whole plant to get a concentrated form of cannabinoid oil. It can be taken orally in drops under the tongue or applied topically to the area of pain or cancer. Many patients have cured their cancer and attributed it to Rick Simpson Oil.

Source:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306452213004144

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18611408

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22490961

http://www.truthonpot.com/2013/07/24/marijuana-could-treat-pain-from-bone-cancer-research-shows/

http://drleonardcoldwell.com/2014/04/01/rick-simpsons-canadian-cancer-cures-and-the-rising-cannabis-oil-movement/comment-page-1/

http://www.earthclinic.com/herbs/cannabis.html

What Cannabis Topical Balms Are Used For

CBD Oil Balm

Cannabis topicals are applied to the skin for direct application to the treatment area. Creams and balms can penetrate through the skin and body tissue. Patients use creams for treatment in arthritis, allergic skin reactions, post herpes neuralgia, muscle strains, inflammation and swelling. Topicals offer a non-phycho active medicine to the patient.

Research is limited on the many uses of cannabis topicals. Patients have been reported using topicals for many treatments including:

• Arthritis

• Dermatitis and psoriasis

• Wounds and cuts

• Muscle Pain

• Hemorrhoids

• Sore throat, bronchitis

• Menstrual cramping

• Glaucoma

• herpes, blisters and lip aid

• pain from sprains and breaks

• headaches

• breathing problems

Lotions and balms offer localized treatment to the targeted area. The cannabinoids work by targeting CB1 and CB2 receptors that are found all over the body including the skin. Most patients use this method for it's anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects. Cannabis topicals often use a base of hemp oil which is rich in Omega 3 and 6. These essential fatty acids are beneficial for the health of your skin.

Source:

http://www.safeaccessnow.org/using_medical_cannabis

http://www.leafly.com/news/products/what-are-topicals-anyway-a-tour-of-a-manufacturing-lab

Cannabis Capsules

Cannabis Capsules

Cannabis capsules or “Canna Caps” are a great way to ingest cannabis in a controlled dosage. Cannabis medicine effects can last much longer as an edible than when smoked.(Source) Patients choose an edible form to help treat pain, multiple sclerosis, depression, digestive problems, and addiction of other substances.(Source)

Dr. Hornby has researched the benefits of capsules for treatments. A study with Multiple Sclerosis researched the use of capsules along with smoking. The patients were able to achieve a continuous plateau of pain relief.(Source) Another study Dr. Hornby conducted was on the reduction of addiction to methadone. One third of all drug overdoses in America are from methadone. The study found that taking cannabis capsules resulted in a 50% reduction in methadone use.(Source)

Dr. Paul Hornby has been a leader in advocating the use of capsules for cannabis. He has set guidelines for capsules to have a standard dose and be free of pesticides and harmful contaminants.

Source:

http://www.leafly.com/news/medical/scratching-the-surface-dr-paul-hornby-and-adolfo-gonzalez-discuss

http://cannabisdigest.ca/cbc-of-c-product-testing/

What Cannabis Sprays Are Used For

Cannabis Sprays

Cannabis spray is an oral medication for pain. In 2014 the FDA designated a fast track to approve cannabis sprays at a federal level. Cannabis sprays are desired by cancer patients that have trouble responding to opiate medication for their pain.

The company GW Pharmaceuticals has become well known for cannabis based drugs for the mainstream market. Their CEO Justin Gover says “Sativex is the only non-opioid treatment currently in Phase 3 development for patients who do not respond to, or experience negative side effects with opioid medications.” He goes on to say “We are fully committed to delivering the first FDA-approved cannabinoid medicine for these patients who currently have nowhere else to turn.”(Source)

Many patients prefer the spray over other cannabis applications. The benefits of administering an oral spray are the fast acting effects. Cannabis spray is discreet and has a pleasant smell. The sprays are offered in unflavored or other flavors like mint. Patients can regulate their dosage in an effective way with the spray.

OUTCO currently offers CBD oil spray in unflavored or peppermint flavor. Outliers Collective is located in El Cajon. It is the only legally licensed Dispensary in San Diego.

Source:

http://www.hightimes.com/read/fda-yes-marijuana-spray-will-not-reclassify

Harlequin Strain

Harlequin Marijuana Strain is High in CBD

Harlequin strain is for patients of medical marijuana looking for high pain relief. Harlequin is known for its high potency of the cannabinoid CBD. A ratio of 5:2 CBD to THC gives medication that is low in psycho-active sedation. Having some THC allows for the analgesic to be more effective than other strains that are void of THC. Harlequin is 75% sativa dominant which gives the effects of alertness while giving the ability to relax.

The Harlequin strain is a cross between the Columbian Gold, Swiss and Thai sativa with a Nepalese Indica Landrace strain. The smell has been described as sweet and tropical while the taste is fairly bland to sweet. The buds are thick with trichome orange hairs which overtake the green in the bud. Most strains while being cultivated increase in CBD while maturing. Harlequin is unique in that its highest concentration of CBD is earlier and diminishes with maturity.

OUTCO typically stocks Harlequin as a tincture for patients. Our staff in El Cajon just outside of San Diego is knowledgeable and compassionate to care for their members needs. Patients describe Harlequin for helping pain, seizures, anxiety, stress, nausea and muscle spasms. Please stop by or contact us for individual attention to your questions and needs.

Source:

http://www.leafly.com/sativa/harlequin

http://www.marijuana.com/news/2013/08/harlequin-marijuana-strain-review-and-photos-high-in-cbd-low-in-thc/

The Eagle Scout Strain

Eagle Scout Cannabis Strain

One of the newest top shelf strains that OUTCO has available is the Eagle Scout Strain. As an indica dominant flower with great potency you better “Be Prepared” for this one. Eagle Scout is a cross between the favorites Girl Scout Cookie and Skywalker OG.

Eagle Scout Strain has a spicy sweet smell and fruity and savory flavor. The flowers have a good balance of green and purple leaves with orange hairs. The bud wears frosty resin all over like badges on a boy scout.

Patients describe the effects as a head high with full body relaxation. Eagle Scout is perfect as a medicine for night-time use because of it's sedative qualities. Patients report excellent results as a pain reliever, and a treatment for PTSD, depression, insomnia, and nausea. It has the ability to increase appetite.

OUTCO is a medical marijuana dispensary in El Cajon California. We serve all of San Diego County with fully legal quality medicine. Contact our knowledgeable staff on your treatment needs.

Cannabis Begins it's Medicinal Benefits with Cannabigerolic acid (CBGa)

CBGa is Cannabis in the Raw

All cannabinoids start out as cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). Eating raw fresh cannabis that contains CBGa has medicinal benefits with different effects than other cannabinoids. As a result of it's non-psychoactive nature CBGa can be consumed in larger quantities than THC.

Fresh and raw cannabis typically breaks down CBGa into other cannabinoids quickly after harvest. Some industrial hemp strains have shown to have CBGa that doesn't convert to other cannabinoids. It has been speculated that these strains hold a recessive gene which doesn't allow this conversion. If a strain has a high CBGa content then smoking it will add heat and change it to CBG.(Source)

CBGa has been found to interact with a different cannabinoid receptor than THC. Ruth Ross from the University of Aberdeen found that CBGa was an antagonist for the cannabinoid receptor GPR55. She found that CBGa and CBDa were 2-4 times stronger in affecting GPR55 than CBD and CBG.(Source) GPR55 has shown to target inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain and aid in bone development.(Source)

Dr. William Courtney ,a leading physician advocating the use of raw cannabis, says:

“If you heat the plant, you get decarboxylated THCa – THC, and you will have psychoactive effects with only 10mg of THC. If it is not heated, you can take from 500 to 600 mg of THCa, use it as essential nutrient and enjoy the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties that these high doses offer you.”

In the raw form cannabis gives a powerful dietary component of essential fatty acids, essential aminoacids, fibers, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, carotenoids, terpenes and of course phytocannabinoid acids. (Source)

Source:

http://www.medicaljane.com/2013/08/03/cannabigerol-cbg-is-a-minor-cannabinoid-with-major-impact/

http://www.jbc.org/content/287/1/91.full.pdf

http://grantome.com/grant/NIH/R01-DA023204-08

http://www.alchimiaweb.com/blogen/dr-courtneys-raw-cannabis-juice/

Cannabis with AIDS | HIV-Positive Patients

Marijuana and AIDS | HIV Positive

Studies have shown great benefits for AIDS | HIV-Positive patients. Clinical studies have shown that cannabis helps with pain , anxiety, immunity, mood, sleep, appetite, fatigue, nausea and bone weight loss.

  Wasting syndrome is a main result of AIDS patients in where body mass is reduced. This is from symptoms of nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety. AIDS drugs on the market currently are used to treat these problems. Patients have demonstrated that these medications are not equally effective in all patients. Many AIDS sufferers describe marijuana as being a better choice than prescribed medication. The main reasons for choosing marijuana is the rapid-onset when smoked which helps in relief with less side effects.(Source)

  Pain management contributes to fatigue and mood for HIV patients. A study done published in the 2007 journal Neurology studied cannabis and pain of HIV-associated sensory neuropathy. Donald I. Abrams, MD, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco concluded that cannabis was as effective as other oral drugs used for chronic neuropathic pain.(Source)

Ways of Administering Cannabis

  Some HIV patients are given Dronabinol which is a synthetic THC over the counter drug. Margaret Haney's research in “Dronabinol and Marijuana in HIV-Positive Marijuana Smokers: Caloric Intake, Mood, and Sleep” studied the effect of Dronabinol. Her findings concluded that both Dronabinol and Marijuana smoking increased appetite and body weight. She also found that only marijuana improved sleep and Dronabinol was effective only at 8 times the current recommendation.(Source)

Major Supporters of Cannabis Treatment for AIDS

  Cannabis being a benefit for treatment to HIV is backed by large supporters. The American Academy of HIV Medicine is the largest independent organization giving active treatment to 340,000 HIV patients. They Provide care for more than two-thirds of HIV patients of America. They were asked, “Should marijuana be a medical option?” by Reason Magazine in 2007. Their response was “ When appropriately prescribed and monitored, marijuana/cannabis can provide immeasurable benefits for the health and well-being of our patients.”(Source)

 Other supporters have weighed in on the support of marijuana for AIDS patients. Consumer Reports in May 1997 stated, “Consumer Reports believes that, for patients with advanced AIDS and terminal cancer, the apparent benefits some derive from smoking marijuana outweigh any substantiated or even suspected risks." Kate Scannell, MD and Co-Director of Kaiser-Permanente Northern California Ethics Department stated in the San Fransisco Chronicle in 2003, "From working with AIDS and cancer patients, I repeatedly saw how marijuana could ameliorate a patient's debilitating fatigue, restore appetite, diminish pain, remedy nausea, cure vomiting and curtail down-to-the-bone weight loss."

Source:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10839332

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.source.php?sourceID=003433

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17589370

http://www.neurology.org/content/68/7/515.abstract

http://www.neurology.org/content/68/7/515.abstract

CBD Tinctures

CBD Tinctures at OUTCO

OUTCO offers CBD Tinctures at the El Cajon Dispensary or Free Delivery for your convenience. Patients describe Cannabidiol (CBD) as treatment for pain, depression, anxiety, muscle spasms, and inflammation. Clinical research has shown CBD to be anti-bacterial, reduce cancer cells, a bone stimulant and a neuroprotectant. CBD is the cannabinoid in marijuana that has the most known benefits without a psychotic effect.

Typically patients use the tincture by putting 1-3 drops under their tongue. More drops can be used as needed. OUTCO has a proprietary method of extracting the CBD to a high concentrated form. Tinctures come in a choice of glycerin or alcohol. Glycerin patients describe as tasting better, while alcohol seems to provide more immediate relief.

5 Benefits for Marijuana over Opiates to Treat Pain

  More than 1.5 billion people suffer from chronic pain and approximately 4% suffer from neuropathic pain worldwide.(Source) Opiates are the most common prescribed medication for pain in the United States. Research has shown that the success rate of opiates for treating pain is 30-40% with horrible side effects.(Source) In 2007 prescription pain killers contributed to 42% of all drug deaths in America.(Source) Research has shown that Cannabis is a favorable alternative to opiate pain medication.

Benefit #1 Cannabis Treats your Emotional Response to Pain

  In 2010 Oxford University conducted a study on how pain is perceived. In the study volunteers were told if electric charges would be dangerous or not before they received them. The perception of danger made the charges more painful. The brain felt pain before the charge was administered.(Source)

Cannabis relaxes the emotional response by affecting the brain receptors that deal with emotion.

Benefit #2 Cannabis Reduces Cancer Growth

  Many studies have shown that marijuana lowers cancer cell growth.(Source) In 2012 the University of Chicago put out a report to showing that opiates may increase cancer growth. Jonathan Moss, MD, PhD, professor of anesthesiology and critical care at the University of Chicago Medicine said "Epidemiologic findings suggest that the type of anesthesia we do for cancer surgery influences recurrence rate, and laboratory studies demonstrate that opioids influence tumor progression and metastasis,". In another study, cancer cells in the lungs show 5-10 times as many opiod receptors than non-cancer cells.(Source)

Benefit #3 Cannabis is Less Addictive than Opiates

  A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that 9% of cannabis users have an addiction problem.(Source) To put this in perspective, 8% of Americans are addicted to Facebook, checking their account 11 or more times a day.(Source) Heroin is an opiate that has a 23% abuse rate.(Source) In 2010 two million people reported using prescription painkillers for non-medical reasons in a one year period (5,500 a day).(Source)

Benefit #4 Cannabis Reduces Side Effects that Opiates Have

  Opiates are Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants. If the CNS is overly-depressed too far this can result in difficulty with the heart beating or the ability to breathe.(Source) Other side effects include hormonal imbalance, constipation, nausea, and drowsiness.(Source) Studies have found that using cannabis along with opiates reduces side effects and decreases addiction.(Source)

Benefit #5 Cannabis Overdose Deaths = 0

  There have been no reported overdose deaths for marijuana. (Source) In 2010 the number of opiate overdose deaths were 16,651. Six percent of people who use prescribed opiates use it as a gateway drug for heroin use. (Source) In 2012 the opioid heroin use resulted in 5,925 deaths as a result of overdose.

Source:

http://www.prweb.com/pdfdownload/8052240.pdf

http://cannabisnowmagazine.com/cannabis/medical/marijuana-works-better-than-opiates-to-control-pain-heres-how

http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/pdf/poison-issue-brief.pdf

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2011/Relieving-Pain-in-America-A-Blueprint-for-Transforming-Prevention-Care-Education-Research.aspx

http://www.uchospitals.edu/news/2012/20120321-opioid.html

http://justiniskandar.empowernetwork.com/blog/internet-and-facebook-addiction

http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin

http://archive.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH/2k11Results/NSDUHresults2011.htm

http://cannabisnowmagazine.com/cannabis/medical/marijuana-works-better-than-opiates-to-control-pain-heres-how

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22880540

http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/causes_of_death#sthash.q4PDb6Tl.dpbs

The Benefits of Cannabichromene (CBC)

     

Cannabichromene CBC Creates Brain Stem Cells

  Cannabichromene (CBC) is a cannabinoid in marijuana that is in low concentration but high in healing properties. Research has shown that CBC helps in pain, depression, inflammation, bone growth, increase brain cells and reducing cancerous tumors. More research is needed but many scientists believe that CBC in conjunction with the other cannabinoids work together as a whole to provide the best medicinal effects.

   Cannabigerolic Acid (CBCA) is the initial cannabinoid form that the raw cannabis plant starts with. With age and oxidation this quickly breaks down with enzymes into CBDa, THCa and CBCa. The CBCa form when heated will lose a CO2 molecule allowing it to convert to Cannabichromene (CBC).

   CBC effects with the brain are exciting and promising for modern medicine to help with Alzheimer's and dementia. An Italian study found that CBC promotes brain cell growth with adult neural stem cells. Studies have shown that adults brain cell growth slows and the decline can lead to memory loss. Though the studies are with mice so far, the study done by GW Pharmaceuticals gives hope for a treatment for degenerative brain diseases.(Source) 
 

   CBC has also shown to reduce cancer cells and shrink tumors along with the cannabinoids CBD and CBG. They allow anandamide to inhibit cancer cell growth. Cannabidiol (CBD) shows the highest potency with CBC and CBG being next in potency. Allowing all cannabinoids to work synergistic-ally allows them to target different receptors to inhibit cancer growth. (Source)

Other great benefits include:

• Bacteria like Staph and E.Coli showed inhibited by CBC. (Source)
• CBC has been found in studies to be an anti-inflammatory in mice. (Source)
• CBC targeting the nervous system to control pain at a chronic level.(Source)
• Euphoric uplifting properties are given with CBC that works differently than THC. (Source)
• CBC acts as a bone-stimulant (Source)

Source:

http://www.medicaljane.com/2013/08/14/cannabichromene-cbc-is-the-most-disregarded-cannabinoid/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3417459/
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197018613002106
http://montanabiotech.com/2011/09/20/breast-cancer-antitumor-effects-inhibition-of-cancer-cell-proliferation-and-treatment-using-medical-cannabis-marijuana-derived-cannabinoids-tetrahydrocannabinol-cannabidiol-cannabigerol-cannabichromen/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20942863

http://www.delta9.ca/resources/Cannabinoids%20-%20General/Cannabinoids%20Primer%20New.pdf

What is 2-AG and Does it Relate to Cannabis?

   2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is the most abundant endocannaboinoid messenger molecule that effects the TRPV1, CB1 and CB2 receptor. 2-AG is 170 times the concentration of anandamide which also effects the same receptors. 2-AG is naturally created in humans and also found in human and cattle milk. (Source)

   So why does this matter? Because 2-AG and anandamide is created on-demand naturally by the body, and an imbalance to the body to produce too much or little is thought to lead to disorders. Drug therapies that target the CB1, CB2 receptors bring the body back to a balance where 2-AG is lacking.(Source) It is theorized that diseases such as bipolar(Source) and alzheimer's(Source) could occur from an imbalance of 2-AG being created in the body.

   The nerve cells affected by 2-AG control body temperature, appetite, memory, mood, inflammation, immunity and the sensation of heat and pain. Studies show that it may inhibit cancer cell formation. 2-AG is created from 20-carbon essential fatty acids (EFA). Cannabis is a good source of EFA's that mimics 2-AG functions.(Source)

   Cannabis drug therapies have been developed to treat symptoms of many problems by mimicking the 2-AG messenger molecule. Some examples of treatment are for memory, pain, nausea, wasting syndrome, cancer, spasticity from multiple sclerosis and tremors from Parkinson's disease.

   2-AG plays an important role in traumatic brain injuries. When a brain injury occurs 2-AG has been found to be elevated. A study with mice was done where they gave a drug to boost the levels of 2-AG after a brain injury. The results were a quicker recovery, reduced inflammation, swelling and brain cell death.(Source)

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2-Arachidonoylglycerol

http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/cannabinoid-science-101-what-is-2-ag/

https://www.caymanchem.com/app/template/Article.vm/article/2110

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21175579

http://bipolarnews.org/?tag=cannabidiol

http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/45/14919.short

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11586361