Cannabinoid Medicine: An Introduction
Utilizing cannabis for its medicinal properties is hardly a new concept. Historical evidence shows that for thousands of years cannabis has been cultivated and utilized worldwide by various cultures for its therapeutic applications. In India, there is a rich tradition of cannabis use in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda. Classical texts record more than 190 distinct cannabis formulations for application across a host of indications.
Today, ongoing research and product development suggests that we have barely scratched the surface of medical cannabis’s treatment potential and applications. Thus far over 600 chemical compounds have been discovered in cannabis, including over 100 cannabinoids and over 200 terpenes. This growing body of research has informed us not only of the various therapeutic potentials of these chemicals individually, but also of their synergistic effects when working together to create what is referred to as the ‘entourage effect.’ The therapeutic benefits of “whole-plant” medicine are espoused in Ayurveda as well.
Common Uses
A recent and dramatic increase in the number of patients utilizing cannabis treatment worldwide can be attributed to a combination of ongoing research, technological advancements, patient need for alternative treatment options, and a growing global shift in attitudes regarding cannabis prohibition.
In markets where access to cannabis medicine has been made available to eligible patients, common conditions and/or symptoms for seeking a prescription include:
- Acute Pain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Autoimmune Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cachexia / Poor Appetite
- Cancer Related Pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Pain
- Crohn's Disease
- Depression
- Endometriosis
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache / Migraines
- HIV / AIDS
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammation
- Insomnia / Sleep Disorders
- Menstrual Pain/Cramping
- Mood Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscle Spasticity
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Neuropathic Pain / Nerve Damage
- Palliative Care
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Seizure Disorders
- Spinal Injuries
- Stress
Potential effects
The effects experienced when consuming cannabis medicine can vary from patient to patient. For this reason, it is recommended that patients undergo a short period of trial and error in order to correctly identify the most appropriate product(s) and dosage to maximize desired therapeutic effects and minimize potential unwanted side effects. The common rhyme among Health Care Providers and new patients is to ‘start low, and go slow.’ Plant-based medicine requires personalisation, a view also espoused in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, and edible oils based medicine allows for individual titration of dosage under the guidance of a physician.
Research to date has shown that patients may experience any of the following:
- Decreased Blood Pressure
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Heightened Sensory Experiences
- Increased Appetite
- Increased Heart Rate
- Time-Distortion
- Dry Mouth
- Impaired Short-Term Memory
- Increased Anxiety
- Paranoia
A recent and dramatic increase in the number of patients utilizing cannabis treatment worldwide can be attributed to a combination of ongoing research, technological advancements, patient need for alternative treatment options, and a growing global shift in attitudes regarding cannabis prohibition.
In markets where access to cannabis medicine has been made available to eligible patients, common conditions and/or symptoms for seeking a prescription include:
- Acute Pain
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Autoimmune Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Cachexia / Poor Appetite
- Cancer Related Pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Chronic Pain
- Crohn's Disease
- Depression
- Endometriosis
- Epilepsy
- Fibromyalgia
- Headache / Migraines
- HIV / AIDS
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Inflammation
- Insomnia / Sleep Disorders
- Menstrual Pain/Cramping
- Mood Disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Muscle Spasticity
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Neuropathic Pain / Nerve Damage
- Palliative Care
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Seizure Disorders
- Spinal Injuries
- Stress
The effects experienced when consuming cannabis medicine can vary from patient to patient. For this reason, it is recommended that patients undergo a short period of trial and error in order to correctly identify the most appropriate product(s) and dosage to maximize desired therapeutic effects and minimize potential unwanted side effects. The common rhyme among Health Care Providers and new patients is to ‘start low, and go slow.’ Plant-based medicine requires personalisation, a view also espoused in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, and edible oils based medicine allows for individual titration of dosage under the guidance of a physician.
Research to date has shown that patients may experience any of the following:
- Decreased Blood Pressure
- Drowsiness
- Euphoria
- Heightened Sensory Experiences
- Increased Appetite
- Increased Heart Rate
- Time-Distortion
- Dry Mouth
- Impaired Short-Term Memory
- Increased Anxiety
- Paranoia
