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/

Montel Williams Supports Medical Marijuana

Television personality Montel Williams has many reasons to support medical marijuana use. With past military service, Williams is an advocate for Veterans for Medical Cannabis Access. (Source) He's a spokesman for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) which emphasizes the desire for access to medication to all. Montel Williams also suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses medical marijuana for treatment.

In 2011, Montel Williams helped start a marijuana dispensary in Sacramento, California. He advocates for regulation, quality, and safe dispensary of medical marijuana. His efforts focus on people who medically need cannabis, not those who use marijuana for recreational use.(Source)

Montel Williams was a daytime talk-show host for seventeen years but his advocacy for medical marijuana did not begin until after the show. He was arrested in 2011 for possession of marijuana and subsequently released. He recognizes marijuana as an integral part to his treatment for multiple sclerosis:

"For immediate cessation I smoke it," Williams says. "Most of the time I eat it at night because I suffer from extreme tremors in the evening and I also suffer from extreme neuralgic pain in my feet. If I eat it in the evening it takes [the pain] from a six to about a three. When I pop out of bed, I'm normally at my best, so that's when I work out and I try to get as much work done early in the day. As I get later on in the day, my feet start to go on fire. When they start to hit the fire mark I'm easing my pain, it's just that simple. I've been speaking to politicians all around the country and all around the world on this issue and you'd be surprised that more people understand and back it and believe in it." (Source)

Source:

http://www.veteransformedicalmarijuana.org/endorsement/montel-williams

http://www.thefix.com/content/montels-high-marijuana-12600

http://www.celebstoner.com/celebstoners/profile/montel-williams/

The Terpene β-Caryophyllene in Cannabis

The Terpene β-Caryophyllene is the Only Approved Cannabinoid

The terpene caryophyllene gives a spicy peppery scent to some cannabis strains. It is also found in black pepper, cloves, cotton, hops, oregano and rosemary. β-Caryophyllene is a unique terpene categorized as a cannabinoid (BCP). This classification is from the way it effects the CB2 receptor. The relation with the receptor helps with anxiety, perception of pain and depression.(Source) Studies have also shown it to act as a neuroprotectant and reduce alcohol consumption.(Source)

Caryophyllene has been shown to help anxiety, arthritis, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, multiple sclerosis symptoms and gastrointestinal problems. Studies with β-Caryophyllene are promising for how it works as a cannabinoid without any psychotic effects. This is due to how it effects the CB2 receptors without effecting the CB1 receptors which give the marijuana high.(Source)

Strains that are high in caryophyllene include Super Silver Haze, Nevilles Haze and Hash Plant. Marijuana sniffing dogs are trained to look for the smell of Caryophyllene.(Source) Β-Caryophyllene is the first FDA approved cannabinoid.

Source:

http://www.leafscience.com/2014/07/08/b-caryophyllene-terpene-anxiety-depression/

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938414003400

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

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091305714001956

Beta Myrcene is the Most Common Terpene in Cannabis

Beta Myrcene is the most common terpene found in cannabis. It has a spicy herbal scent that is known to aid in treatment to pain, inflammation and muscle relaxation. This terepene is also found in bay leaves, eucalyptus, hops, lemongrass, mangos, parsley and thyme. The high amount of β-Myrcene in Indica strains are what give the “couch-lock” sedative effect.(Source)

Myrcene, or β-myrcene is a monoterpene which is a volatile compound that evaporates quickly with exposure to air. It is known as an essential oil for its fragrance and is used for menthol and citronella products. Cannabis strains that contain high amounts of Beta Myrcene are White Widow and Neville's Haze.(Source)

The benefits of Beta Myrcene are found in it's analgesic, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, sedative and ability to reduce muscle spasms. Lemon grass tea is known for it's pain relieving effects due to it's high content in β-myrcene. Studies with high content of Myrcene in mice have shown a sedative quality. The terpene has a unique ability to intesify the effects of the CB1 receptors in the body which helps in inflammation and pain relief.

Myrcene lowers the resisistance across the blood brain barrier. This effect makes other chemicals like THC to absorb and take effect more quickly. Indica strains in cannabis offer a .5% or greater potency in myrcene allowing for better delivery of THC and it's effects. Sativa strains typically contain less than .5% which allows the effects to be more subtle. It has been found that eating a mango a half hour before smoking cannabis increases the psycho active effects for it's high content of β-Myrcene.

Source:

http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/31253?from=summary

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

http://steephilllab.com/resources/cannabinoid-and-terpenoid-reference-guide/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24956819

http://www.marqaha.com/#!under-microscope/c1cbz

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/

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.

How Cannabis Treatment Reduces Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Cannabis and Multiple Sclerosis

Inflammation in multiple-sclerosis (MS) show positive results with cannabis. Symptoms benefiting from cannabis treatments are muscle spasms, pain, sleep, interocular pressure and incontinence.(Source) MS is a long-term disease that effects the brain, central nervous system and optic nerves. This disease makes the immune system attack a fatty material called myelin. This fatty tissue wraps around the nerve fibers to protect them. The scar tissue of myelin called sclerosis causing inflammation.(Source)

Cannabis has shown to prevent inflammation in the central nervous system. Dr. Ewa Kozela of Tel Aviv University, Israel says "Inflammation is part of the body's natural immune response, but in cases like MS, it gets out of hand". In the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology he shows how cannabis can regulate inflammation.

In Dr. Kozela's study the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) found in marijuana reduced inflammation associated in MS. The cannabinoids when administered reduced the inflammatory molecules, notably interleukin 17 (IL-17). The researchers say the inflammatory molecule "is strongly associated with MS and very harmful to nerve cells and their insulating covers,". They concluded:

"The presence of CBD or THC restrains the immune cells from triggering the production of inflammatory molecules, and limits the molecules' ability to reach and damage the brain and spinal cord." (Source)

Source:

http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/guide/what-is-multiple-sclerosis

http://www.neurology.org/content/65/6/812.abstract

http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000884

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/267161.php

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

Did Jesus Use Cannabis

OUTCO welcomes all religions and we hope to continue to investigate the history of the usage of cannabis throughout many religions and different time periods playing a role in society.

Lost in translation has kept many historians from having a definitive explanation of the biblical passages that may have been talking about cannabis. There are reasons to believe that cannabis was the healing and anointing oil rich in CBD that is talked about in the Bible. There is also skeptics who believe that the translation was correct, and cannabis was not referenced in the Bible. Hemp has been grown since 6000BC and was around and prevalent in the time of Christ. Some of the miracles Jesus preformed are also similar to treatments for cannabis including skin diseases, glaucoma, neurodegenerative conditions and multiple sclerosis.

An error was thought to have occurred in the third century BC oldest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. The translation put the word as calamus, which Benet believes is a common marsh plant with no value and doesn't go along with the importance it was given in the Bible. This word calamus was mistranslated five times in the Old Testament, Exodus, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Song of Songs.

In 1936 Sula Benet, a Polish etymologist proclaimed that the word cannabis is much older than the first thought Scythian origin, and believes it to be from Semitic Hebrew language, appearing throughout the Old Testament. Benet points out that in the testament it is described as incense, part of religious celebration, and an intoxicant. Benet went on to show that the word in the Old Testament, Kannabus or kaneh-bosm, broken down where Kan meant “reed” or “hemp” and bosm meaning “aromatic”.(Source) 

Exodus 30:22 – 25 talks about the recipe Lord gave Moses for healing oil:

“Moreover, the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.”(Source)

Another theory to speak to the importance of the anointing with oil for the religion is brought out in the Book of Philip, which is a book that is part of The Nag Hammadi Library not recognized by the Roman Catholic Church. One of the passages states:

“The chrism is superior to baptism, for it is from the word "Chrism" that we have been called "Christians," certainly not because of the word "baptism". And it is because of the chrism that "the Christ" has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us. He who has been anointed possesses everything. He possesses the resurrection, the light, the cross, the Holy Spirit. The Father gave him this in the bridal chamber; he merely accepted (the gift). The Father was in the Son and the Son in the Father. This is the Kingdom of Heaven.”(Source)

All of this evidence is compelling, including the Lytton John Musselman, a Professor of Botany at Old Dominion University believes the translation has always been correct with the calamus plant. He points out that calamus is used as an herbal remedy. He notes, “In Sri Lanka it is available in any herbal remedy shop and also universally grown in home gardens. (Source) 

Source:

http://www.vice.com/read/did-jesus-perform-his-miracles-with-cannabis-oil

http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gop.html

biblehub.com/exodus/30-22.htm

What is Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

When Cannabis is dried and then heated it does a chemical reaction that turns it into Tetrahyrocannabinol popularly known as THC. In this form, it becomes a narcotic psychoactive drug that is used primarily as a pain killer. The visual look is a clear water like solid (white) that when warmed up is sticky.

THC is well known to aid in increased appetite and reduce nausea. It stimulates the hypothalamus by CB1 activity to give interest to food as well as the ghrelin hormones that are in the gastronomical tract that induces the feeling of hunger. This affect helps cancer and AIDS survivors to gain an appetite.

THC has shown very good results in helping with multiple sclerosis symptoms. Studies have shown that especially oral cannabis, and good findings of THC help to reduce rigid or stiff muscles also known as spastic muscles, in reducing pain and spasms, and bladder dysfunction.

With marijuana is criminalized in many places, there is a lack of research and studies for possible more cures due to the legality of it. Studies for Parkinson's, Huntington, Alzheimer's diseases as well as Tourette's syndrome, Cervical Dystonia, and Epilepsy all have inconclusive results from studies from the lack of ability to do research.

OUTCO is San Diego's only legally licensed medical marijuana dispensary offering FREE Delivery and Accepting Debit Cards.

Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinol