What is Medicinal Cannabis?
Considering Medicinal Cannabis Treatment?
Since becoming legal in Australia in 2016, medicinal cannabis has fast gained traction as an alternative treatment for many people with poor or unsuccessful outcomes with traditional medicines. Medicinal cannabis is a plant-based natural therapy that is utilised by a growing number of people with acute and chronic medical and mental health conditions.
Medicinal cannabis products are high-quality standardised products that are regulated by the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) and prescribed by a doctor.
Medicinal cannabis comes in many forms. Most commonly dispensed as oil or dried herb through the following methods:
1) OIL
2) NASAL SPRAY DRIED HERB
3) OTHER FORM OF CANNABIS PLANT EXTRACT
Active Constituents
Cannabis has been used in various forms in both ancient and modern times for a vast array of conditions. Medical research into the medicinal use of cannabis is currently relatively limited, however, more and more studies are being performed on the use of medicinal cannabis to treat a number of conditions.
More than 100 different cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis, however, there are 2 main compounds that are medically important: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Medicinal cannabis products have different actions depending on the ratio of THC to CBD. CBD acts to balance out the psychoactive effects of THC, so combining CBD with THC allows a larger dose of THC with limited psychoactive side effects.
THC and CBD have the exact same molecule make-up, with a slight difference in how their atoms are arranged to give a slightly different molecular structure. THC is the main psychoactive compound of Cannabis that produces the 'high' sensation. Although CBD is psychoactive, it does not produce a 'high', instead, it helps with anxiety, depression and seizures.
THC and CBD are chemically similar to normal existing endocannabinoid neurotransmitters in the human body.
THC binds to Cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptors in the brain, producing a sense of euphoria, or a 'high'. CBD binds weakly, if at all, to these CB1 receptions. CBD needs THC to bind to the CB1 receptor and can help reduce some of the unwanted psychoactive effects of THC (such as euphoria or sedation). CBD is very well tolerated, even in large doses.
For further information on medicinal cannabis strains and Turpenes, check this out.
How Do I Take Medicinal Cannabis?
Medicinal Cannabis can be taken in many ways, depending on preference and the variety of prescribed products.
Medicinal Cannabis as a spray or oil is placed under the tongue and left there for 10 seconds, and then swallowed. It is then absorbed through the oral mucosa and gastrointestinal tract, passed through the liver and partially metabolized, and then put into the bloodstream. This form of oral administration takes approximately 20 - 40 minutes for onset, with effects lasting approximately 2 - 4 hours (these times are slightly different for everybody).
Medicinal cannabis as a dried herb is inhaled, preferentially through a vapouriser. Inhaled cannabis products are rapidly absorbed through the lung vascular system, with a quick onset of non-metabolized products over a period of seconds to minutes.
The preferential form of medicinal cannabis administration from a medical professional’s point of view is through oral products, which prevents lung damage from inhalants and leads to a less aggressive sudden onset of any potential psychoactive effects (if any).
Medical cannabis is an ‘as needed’ medication. Some people ‘need’ to take it frequently, for example, every 4-6 hours, and some people ‘need’ to take it more infrequently such as once a month. It really depends on when symptoms are flaring, with treatment directed at these times.
Medicinal cannabis is usually commenced at a low dose and gradually increased (titrated) up to a dose that has the best effects with minimal undesired side effects.
What Effects Should I Expect?
The effects of medicinal cannabis depend on the product, the method of administration and the individual.