Cannabis Medicine
Cannabis medicine comes from a plant of the genus Cannabis and is used to improve symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and a diverse list of other illnesses and disorders. At iHealMed our medical professionals can tell you if medical marijuana fits into your individualized integrative health care plan. Schedule your cannabis medicine appointment over the phone or book one online today.
What is cannabis medicine?
Cannabis has a long history of medical use as an analgesic (pain reliever) and antispasmodic agent. The discovery of the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the 1960s, as well as the discovery of a system of endogenous cannabinoid receptors and ligands in the late 1980s and early 1990s, promoted inquiry into the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its extracts and derivatives. This work revealed that cannabis can provide relief from certain types of conditions, such as severe chronic pain, and led to the development of various herbal medical cannabis products.
Research shows a growing list of conditions that can benefit from cannabinoids which are a safer and less addictive alternative to opioid pain medications. iHealMed providers may include cannabis medicine in your treatment plan alongside other approaches, such as exercise, therapy, nutrition, or coaching and wellness. They also help you choose how to consume cannabis medicine from options like:
- Gummies
- Pills
- Vaporizers
- Tinctures
- Dried leaves
- Topicals
You may need to try these various options of cannabis medicine before finding the plan of care that works best for you.
What are the active components in cannabis medicine?
The Cannabis sativa plant produces many chemical compounds, including two that give you the therapeutic benefits characteristic of cannabis medicine. They are:
- ● Cannabidiol (CBD) : CBD is a component in marijuana that does not produce psychoactive (mind-altering) effects. CBD is known to improve chronic pain, symptoms of mental health disorders like depression, and conditions that cause seizures, like epilepsy. CBD products with 0 to .03% THC are legal under federal law and widely available.
- ● Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) : THC is the component in marijuana that causes psychoactive effects, the feeling of being “high”. Cannabis medicine can contain THC only or both THC and CBD.
Who can benefit from cannabis medicine?
Cannabis medicine has promising benefits for numerous mental and physical health conditions affecting individuals of all ages. We at iHealMed educate you on the benefits of cannabis medicine in relation to your specific condition and can help you decide if you want to include cannabis medicine in your treatment. Patients are able to benefit from cannabis medicine if they are experiencing:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Epilepsy
- Chronic pain
- Inflammatory bowel syndrome
- Insomnia
- Opioid dependence
- Movement disorders
The above list is not comprehensive, and there is ongoing research supporting benefits of using cannabis medicine for many other conditions.
To learn more about the benefits of cannabis medicine, call iHealMed or book an appointment online today.
