Muscle Spasms and Cannabis

Muscle spasms occur for a myraid of reasons. Dehydration, medications, and/or electrolyte abnormalities can cause short term spasms. Long term, serious conditions can relate to multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, fibromyalgia, muscular dystrophy, or myopathy. Many patients who suffer from muscle spasms report that cannabis helps with muscle spasms.

Muscle spasm pain can increase over time. One spasm can produce another, creating a continual cycle that self-perpetuates. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety, pain, and anti-seizure medications are used to treat spasms but they can have adverse side effects. Cannabis, acupuncture, and massage are more natural ways of reducing the pain and spasms with fewer side effects. (Source)

Muscle spasm research with cannabis is ongoing and slow due to regulations. A research study from the San Diego School of Medicine tested thirty multiple sclerosis patients with muscle spasms. One third of patients felt relief from muscle spasms and a 50% reduction in pain perception. (Source) A 2004 study with Parkinson's disease patients found that 45.9% of those who used cannabis saw benefits; most saw improvement after two months of use. (Source) GW Pharmaceuticals’ researchers discovered that multiple sclerosis patients found relief with 2-3 puffs of a cigarette, allowing for the marijuana to treat symptoms in seconds rather than minutes. (Source)

Research with the cannabis prescription drug Sativex has shown substantial confirmation of the benefits of marijuana in regards to muscle spasms. (Source) Other studies on cannabis reveal that other spasm-related events, like menstrual cramps and Tourette's Syndrome, can be positively affected through cannabis use. (Source)

Source:

http://www.medicann.com/muscle-spasms/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-smoking-pot-may-ease-pain-muscle-spasms-in-people-with-multiple-sclerosis/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20307378

The Benefits of THCa

Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCa) is a cannabinoid found in raw marijuana. THCa begins to convert to THC while the cannabis flower is still on the plant. Therapeutic properties can be attributed to THCa including pain relief and reducing inflammation. The non-psychoactive effects allow patients to take at a higher dose for treatment.

Eating raw cannabis by juicing or tincture will provide ample amounts of THCa. Lab results of the flowers containing THC actually show how much THCa will be converted to THC when heated. Generally, the THCa consists of 5-25% of the marijuana plant itself.

Studies have shown that THCa has anti-inflammatory properties that can help arthritis, multiple sclerosis, pain, and gastrointestinal problems. (Source) Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid can improve and reduce the effects of neurodegenerative disease. (Source) The antiemetic properties in THCa also helps patients with HIV\Aids and cancer. (Source) And finally, research has shown that THCa can slow or stop cancer growth in the prostate. (Source)

Source:

https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/34/5/34_5_774/_article

https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22571976

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1981.tb13806.x/abstract

 https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3570006/

Dr. William Courtney

Dr. William Courtney is an advocate for consuming raw cannabis. He is a proponent for eating fresh marijuana flowers for their therapeutic and nutritional value. The psycho-active quality of marijuana is not present in the raw flowers, allowing consumers to continue with their daily activities unimpaired.

Raw cannabis has healing properties without the dangers of smoking. The cannabinoids CBGa, CBCa, THCa, and CBDa are present in raw cannabis that hasn't been aged. Tinctures with high potency of these cannabinoids can be made without the threat of psycho-active side effects. Dr. Courtney states that a tolerable dose of 10 mg limits THC from being as beneficial as THCa, which can have a dose of 100-200 times greater.(Source)

The essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, and phyto-cannabinoids are the focus of Dr. Courtney's mission to popularize the use of cannabis in a daily diet. He’s working to find a minimum daily requirement guide for raw cannabis to be included in health maintenance. He is part of Cannabis International Foundation which supports an international treaty for cannabis to be recognized as a dietary supplement. (Source)

Dr. William Courtney has recently been in the press for aiding in treatment of a baby’s cancer. The child’s parents used the suggestion from Dr. Courtney to apply CBD oil on the baby’s pacifier. The goal was to reduce an inoperable brain tumor in an eight month old baby. The results were outstanding - the tumor shrunk, allowing the child to thrive. Dr. Courtney stated that “this child... is not going to have the long-term side effects that would come from a very high dose of chemotherapy or radiation... currently the child's being called a miracle baby.” (Source)

What to Expect with the First Time using Marijuana

Many patients who turn to marijuana for conditions such as cancer are generally novices at using marijuana. Trying marijuana for the first time can lead to emotions like fear and anxiety, along with feeling alone. Luckily, our society has a high acceptance for the use of medical marijuana.

Getting a doctor’s recommendation is the first step to your treatment. Find a legally compliant medical marijuana dispensary by asking your doctor in your area or searching online. For example, OUTCO is the first legally compliant dispensary in San Diego, California. You will need to bring your medical recommendation and valid a California ID with you to the dispensary. Set aside some time for your first visit so you can talk to the dispensary staff about your conditions.

Marijuana comes in many different forms as well as different potencies. Different marijuana flowers will give various treatment results. They will explain the differences between Sativa and Indica strains, the delivery methods to use cannabis (smoking, concentrate, tincture, raw, or in edible form) should also be considered. 

Your first time with marijuana may yield different results than a frequent user.  As you practice and gain experience, your body will build endocannabinoid receptors that accept the medicine more readily.(Source) Use in small doses and increase slowly to get the desired treatment. This process is especially important with edibles as it may take longer to feel the effects of this method.

The “High” in Cannabis

The “high” that marijuana gives can be a desired result - or something the patient does not want. Effects from cannabis are different depending on the potency of THC, the way it is consumed, and the patient’s body chemistry. Every patient has a unique experience with marijuana.

When cannabis is heated, THCa will convert to THC, resulting in the “high.” Some describe it as being relaxing and euphoric with sedation and tranquility. (Source) Research showed that the user’s state of mind can influence the marijuana’s effects. Factors such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and worrying can cause short term paranoia.(Source)

The euphoric feeling is caused because THC mimics a neurotransmitter called anandamide. It is known as a “bliss” messenger cell that relieves pain and stimulates appetite. Anadamide breaks down naturally before it gives a euphoric feeling. When the THC is introduced, it will have a longer lasting effect, resulting in the feeling of being “high.” (Source)

Source:

http://www.cesar.umd.edu/cesar/drugs/marijuana.asp

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/research-explains-why-pot-can-make-you-paranoid/

Rick Simpson Oil

Rick Simpson Oil

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is named after the developer of the famous product. Rick Simpson created the oil to cure his cancer. Many others have cited the nutrient rich oil as a cure for their own cancer.(Source)

A full spectrum of cannabinoids are present in Rick Simpson Oil, most notably THC. The benefits of the cannabinoids together give different medicinal effects than CBD Oil. (Source) Also named Phoenix Tears, RSO is made from a recipe that is available on Rick Simpson's website. The oil uses Indica strain flowers, so the color varies with each batch. Patients can ingest the oil or apply it directly on the skin for targeted relief.

When starting out with RSO, ingest a small amount (approx. the size of a grain of rice). The oil is very potent and should only be used when you’re not working or driving. Once you start your treatment, you will build a tolerance - with time, you will be able to take more RSO in a single dose. (Source)

Source:

http://www.zamnesia.com/content/361-the-difference-between-cbd-oil-and-rick-simpson-oil

http://phoenixtears.ca/what-it-does-and-how-it-works/

http://boards.cannabis.com/threads/my-experience-with-rick-simpson-oil.200017/

Casa Luna CBD Edibles

Casa Luna Edibles

There is nothing better than nourishing your body while indulging in delight! Casa Luna handcrafts their chocolate bars with quality ingredients, infusing their treats with anti-oxidants to boost your health. They are also unique as they add cannabidiol (CBD) so patients can doubly enjoy their medicine.

Casa Luna controls every aspect of production, from the cocoa bean seed to the final product. The chocolate is 100% organic and made with kosher certified ingredients. Grown on family-owned small farms, the cocoa bean goes through a process of fermenting, drying, and roasting to release the chocolate’s flavors.

A wide assortment of Casa Luna chocolate bars are available at Outliers Collective. Super foods (such as Goji Berries, Maca, and Pomegranate) are infused in the chocolate for an added health boost. Vegan and sugar free chocolate is also available.