You may find yourself just starting out with cannabinoid therapy or looking into it for yourself or a loved one. And despite legalization in certain states, the years of research, and debunking myths, a certain stigma remains. Because of this it may be difficult to explain to someone in your life why you chose cannabis. Here we aim to help you start these conversations with definitions of the terms often used and research-backed information to support medicinal use.
Terminology and Definitions
Cannabis Sativa L. (“cannabis”) refers to the actual plant. “Marijuana” is a legal definition for a cannabis plant containing over 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC) and “hemp” is the legal definition for a cannabis plant with 0.3% or less delta-9 THC. “THC” and “CBD” are two of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Because THC and CBD are found in such large quantities, they are considered major cannabinoids. Minor cannabinoids, or those found in lesser quantities in the cannabis plant, are becoming more recognized for their benefits as new research emerges. These include CBG, CBN, CBDA, and many more as there are over 100 naturally occurring compounds in the plant. In addition to cannabinoids, the cannabis plant also contains terpenes and flavonoids that all interact with our Endocannabinoid System (ECS).
Legitimizing the Therapeutic Benefits with Research
Proof of cannabis use for medicinal reasons dates back thousands of years. Research for specific conditions and diseases grows by the day. Some of the more recent, specific benefits from newly published research include:
- CBDA and CBGA prevent entry of coronavirus into human cells
- CBD as a therapeutic tool to ease withdrawal symptoms of nicotine addiction
- CBD for alleviating symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
- Cannabinoid therapy as a helpful adjunct to standard palliative care strategies
- Cannabis benefits for menopausal women
- Terpenes found in cannabis to fight insomnia
- Anti-cancer effects of CBD, THC, and CBDA
- CBD as a more efficient and better tolerated alternative to standard PTSD treatments
- Antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of medicinal cannabis use observed
Legitimate research to understand the medicinal benefits of cannabis allows for an opportunity to truly de-stigmatize the plant. This is why Realm of Caring runs our own observational study to understand the benefits of cannabis for specific conditions and to legitimize this as medicine. Our most recent published paper in July of 2022 concluded that most participants reported benefits from cannabis use for a variety of conditions where traditional treatments were ineffective or unacceptable.
Navigating the Legal Landscape
The legal landscape of cannabis is constantly changing. From legalization to age restriction on specific products (yes, even for CBD), it is good to know where your state stands. Norml is a great resource for navigating the legal landscape state to state.
Finding Someone to Talk to
When looking to cannabis for medical conditions, we always recommend speaking with a healthcare professional. However, if you are in need of support while on your journey we are here to help. From product selection to dosing guidance to answering questions your family has about your decision to choose cannabis – we are here every step of the way. Send as an email to info@realmofcaring.org, call us at 719-347-5400 or chat with us at realmcaring.org.
