Fight Back Against Seasonal Affective Disorder

The United States is slowly but surely becoming more aware of the importance of mental health and how it affects people. Now that the baby boomers are slowly dying off, we can begin to see more compassionate and sensical people take the reins in addressing important issues like mental health in our country today. The great thing about the addition of medical marijuana programs in various states is that it allows for better treatment of certain mental health disorders. 

Mental health disorders are in the rise in the United States, and marijuana has become a great means of alternative treatment. Many studies and clinical research suggest the effectiveness of cannabis for treating things like stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more. Moreover, medical marijuana can begin to replace more traditional, and potentially harmful, methods of treating these conditions like prescription medications. 

While some prescription medications do help treat anxiety and depression, many synthetic medications do more harm than good in the long run. Of course, the most effective treatment for any mental health disorder is therapy, but therapy often works best in conjunction with other forms of medication. Why shouldn’t it be medical marijuana? If you want to read and learn more about this subject, make sure that you keep on reading. Today I wanted to talk about seasonal affective disorder and how it can be treated with some good old fashioned marijuana. 

So what is seasonal affective disorder? Well, it is actually a form of depression and is a clinical condition listed in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders. Not everyone believes that seasonal affective disorder is a real thing, but in many ways, it affects millions of people in the United States each year. People that have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder often struggle with a few select symptoms, including but not limited to insomnia, headaches, body aches, mood volatility, and low energy. Depression can also cause one to lose or gain more of an appetite, causing further weight loss or gain. Anyway you slice it, depression is no joke. 

Oftentimes, seasonal affective disorder occurs during the winter, especially in more northern states that spend longer days in the dark and see the sun much less. However, this type of depression can occur for anyone during any season. The sad thing about seasonal affective disorder is that not many people actually seek treatment or even realize that they are depressed. They simply go on with their lives hoping to find some hope of joy in the future. People with this type of depression can go long periods of time without treatment or support, and this is a really sad reality that too many people are facing each year. So what can marijuana do to treat this type of disorder? Well, I’ll tell you right now!

If you have never used marijuana before, you may have a lot of concerns about using it to treat a disorder like depression. How does it actually work? Does it have side effects? What if my depression gets worse? Do I have to be stoned out of my mind each night for it to work? While I understand that it can be overwhelming to look into using medical marijuana for the first time, I hope that I can clear a few things up in this post. When using medical marijuana, getting super high is not the goal. You want to work with your healthcare provider to find a dosage, strain, and product type that works best for you and allows you to manage your symptoms without inhibiting your way of life. After all, isn’t that the purpose of using drugs and medications?

Can marijuana help with Tinnitus symptoms

 Tinnitus is a ringing of the ear, and it can be super annoying, even devastating. While current science has looked into managing this, there is no cure out there so it’s important that, if you have this, you look at the different ways to treat this. 

What tinnitus is 

This is basically ringing or bursts of sounds that last a couple of seconds before going away. 

Those who have tinnitus though have the non-stop ringing, and they may feel like they’re going insane because of this. It’s something that may seem like a rare condition, but more and more are dealing with this,, and healthcare professionals are working to create treatment plans for each of these problems. The severity does depend, but usually it’s how strong it is, and how long it goes. 

The cause of this does vary. Sometimes it’s due to a buildup of earwax, sometimes it’s something that is caused by the damage to parts of the ear, which can change. 

Some other theories say that if you have hearing loss, head trauma, neck trauma, a benign tumor in that area, drugs that cause anti-inflammatory symptoms, and even thyroid and other conditions may be the reason for this, but there is no specific cause, since it’s something that is different for everyone, and every situation. 

Can cannabinoids help? 

There are a ton of different treatments for this, including various therapies, earwax removal, and also invasive surgeries to help with this. However, this is not very effective, and some patients don’t get better because of this. Currently, with the legalization of cannabis for a lot of conditions, you may wonder if there  is a chance that this could possibly help with this. 

Well, THC may be used to help with structuring the ECS, which plays a big part in the regulating of the body, so in a way, it does regulate the hearing of the system. 

Right now, current research looks at the ECS in general, but we haven’t really done a ton of research on the auditory system and all of this. While there is some promising research, since it can be caused due to hyperactivity in the cochlear nucleus, which is seen as a type of epilepsy, so scientists are considering cannabis for this, since it does have properties which are antiepileptic. 

But otherwise, there is not much surrounding it. The research is still very early on, and there haven’t been any human trials which are randomized to figure out if cannabis can help with this, so currently though, we’ve gathered a bit of evidence via surveys to help with this. 

The study that’s been published in the Frontiers in Neurology discovered that the CB1 agonists may actually cause more tinnitus, but another study found that the rats who had tinnitus were able to lower the expression of the CB1, so it may help with the processing of the auditory systems, and reducing tinnitus as well. 

Right now, animal studies are not very useful for understanding tinnitus, but some do suggest that it may cause the condition to worsen. While there are other studies which have factored in the CB1 agonists, other studies may look at the agonists, and the inverse agonists as well to see if it’s possible that this might be something worth mentioning. 

Currently, there is still a lot to learn, so whether or not cannabis can help with this or not is still up for debate, since there are indeed a lot of factors you have to consider when looking at using this to help you too. 

The right dosage for Edibles

Edibles have a ton of benefits for those that deal with chronic pain and anxiety, and they are growing even more than ever before. But the big thing to understand is that sometimes, too much of a good thing does happen with edibles, so you want to make sure you don’t eat too much of this, since too much THC can have the opposite effects. 

Start Slow 

If you’re just starting with edibles, going slow and steady is the best way. This is because lower dosages of this are good for people, and if you want to just take something small, this is the best way to do it. The best amount to start with is 2.5 mg, which is what some of the smallest edibles come in. you should wait about two hours for the edible to kick in and make you feel things. If you don’t feel it after two hours, you should eat a snack. If you’re still not feeling it, increase it up to 5mg.  if you do use this, try to keep it around 5 mg since that’s what most beginners use. 

Chronic Pain Dosage 

If you do use edibles for chronic pain or insomnia, this is something you also want to try small before you begin with this. Anywhere from 2.5-15 mg is the best way to dose yourself. Remember, the higher your dosage is, the bigger the relief. For those who use this though, there is a specific tolerance level “sweet spot” for you to try, and this is something that you’ll want to be mindful of. Too much, and you might feel a little bit anxious or riles up, and too little, you’ll feel the pain still. Remember as well that building a tolerance to this is quite common, so you might need to adapt the dosage as needed too. 

Improving sleep 

When you’re going to use this for sleep, keep it around 2.5-15 mg for best results, and take it about an hour or two before you go to bed. This will help with you getting enough sleep. You should always read the packaging on this before you take it, since different brands and types of products also have dosages that are based on the formula rendered, along with serving size too. 

High Tolerance dosage 

For those who have a higher tolerance, it may mean that you have to take a bit more. about 10-15 mg is the best amount if you have a high tolerance. For those wo take this, you may need to take up to 20 for better GI absorption too. Those cancer patients who have a very high tolerance may consume up to 100 mg of this, and this is something that can be very high. If you do have this amount, always make sure that you’re used to it. 

When you’re consuming high dosages though, realize that there are negative effects of this, and you should always work slowly up to higher dosages. If you do start to feel more anxious or may have elevated heart rate, that’s a sign of too much. Usually, if it’s above 20 mg, you feel this, but for those with low or no tolerance to cannabis, they may feel it at a lower level. 

With that said, it’s vital to make sure that if you do dose edibles, you’re always mindful of how they make you feel. Make sure you understand how to use this before you consume it and check the back of the container to find out the dosage for this and to make sure it’s the right amount.

Dabbing or Vaping - Which is the Way to Go?

When it comes to using marijuana, we really have ourselves a lot of options nowadays. Most people are familiar with the standard, tried, and true method of ingesting cannabis - smoking flower. Smoking weed is a classic and time-tested form of enjoying the marijuana plant in a variety of ways. To this day, smoking remains the most popular and common form of cannabis ingestion, even amidst all the other options that we have now. However, cannabis extracted into the form of wax has become increasingly popular over the years, and for good reason. The chemical compounds that are found in the cannabis plant can be extracted, isolated, and concentrated into a form of wax or oil. 

These processes are quite difficult and involve a lot of fancy science things, stuff that I do not get paid enough to explain in depth. At any rate, cannabis concentrates are starting to become more widely used throughout the United States, and I think there are a lot of good things to say about them. However, it is important to keep in mind that vaping or dabbing is a lot different than just smoking weed with a pipe or bong. Dabs and vapes can be incredibly potent, and are often too much for inexperienced users to handle. So before you go out and try a few hits off your friends vape, make sure you read the rest of this article to figure out what you need to know about marijuana concentrates. 

The first thing that we will talk about is vaping. Vaping is probably the most popular method of inhaling cannabis concentrates, and it is my personal favorite way to consume weed (second place to smoking flower, of course). Vaping is great for a few different reasons. The first reason is variety - there are so many different vapes, accessories, coils, temperature settings, and a whole lot more that allow you to really dial in your concentrated vaping experience. You can customize your own rig or simply rely on disposables like I do. Either way, you also have access to a huge variety of strains and potencies that come with cannabis concentrates. Vapes are basically just like e-cigarettes, except instead of smoking nicotine, you are using marijuana concentrate. 

Vaping involves placing the wax or oil inside the hearting chamber of your device, igniting it with a button (or in some cases, just by breathing in), and then inhaling the vapor that comes out the end into your mouth. It is super easy and basically anyone can do it. The great thing about vaping is that it allows you to use marijuana very effectively and easily. You don;t need to worry about grinding your weed, rolling it, or setting up a fancy bong rig - simply put your wax in and hit your vape. Plus, weed vapes are usually much more discreet than smoking flower and they are also extremely portable. Simply put your vape in your pocket on your way to a concert or event, and you can be puffing on that thing in no time without anyone knowing that you’re in the clouds with some THC my man.

Dabbing, on the other hand, is a bit more complicated than vaping, but they are still within the same wheelhouse. In order to use a dab, you are going to have to buy a dabbing rig similar to how a bong looks. Dabbing involves heating the area that you are going to place the cannabis concentrate before you actually put it there. All in all, vaping and dabbing are pretty similar, but when it comes down to it, it’s all about your specific preference.

How Cannabis Helps to Fight Back Against Opioid Addiction

One of the more serious problems in the United States is related to drug overdose deaths. Did you know that, recently the United States hit a new record high of more than 96,000 deaths related to drug overdose in a 12 month period. You would think that, in a society that continues to expand and advance in the medical and health industry, we would have more success in finding ways to prevent such deaths. 

The truth is that these deaths are preventable, and that makes them all the more sad. One of the most successful and effective alternatives to using opioids and other strong prescription drugs is medical marijuana. In fact, part of the reason that states have gone to such lengths to legalize medical marijuana programs has to do with reducing the amount of opioid deaths in the country.

The more we continue to learn about opioids, the more we realize that they are not that effective for a lot of people, and that they can often lead down dark roads of addiction and other problems. Did you know that prescription opioid medications are one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in the United States? Honestly, we should be doing better as a nation at this point. If you are someone who has relied on opioids to deal with various conditions or chronic pain, you may want to consider using medical marijuana. Today in this article I wanted to take some time to write about using medical marijuana instead of other dangerous prescriptions and why you should be doing that.

So what’s so bad about prescription opioids? Afterall, doctors would not prescribe them to patients if they could be so harmful, right? Well, that’s not really the case. We need to remember that, as an American people, pharmaceutical companies are not going to care about our actual health. They are simply interested in taking our money. One of the reasons that opioids are potentially high risk for patients is because they become less effective for pain relief over time. 

In fact, in some cases, patients reported that opioid medications can actually increase levels of pain if not prescribed properly. This is because the body fights back against the opioids ability to numb pain receptors. It does this by increasing the amount of pain that is sent to those same receptors, meaning that just continues to get worse. Then the patient has to use more and more of the same opioid in order to feel the same level of relief. 

Can you see how this might lead to addiction and overdose? It is pretty clear in my opinion. Marijuana works differently. Cannabis has been used for decades now to treat a variety of conditions, ranging from anxiety to chronic pain. While we do not know all there is to know about how cannabis relieves pain, we do know that it does it quite well. 

Otherwise, why would millions of medical marijuana patients in the United States be using cannabis to treat their health conditions? In fact, as the marijuana industry in our country continues to evolve and become more clinically proven, growers and cultivators will be able to produce strains that are unique for dealing with symptoms of pain. In fact, certain strains of cannabis are already notoriously used for treating pain in specific conditions. So if you are someone that has a condition that causes a lot of pain, I heavily suggest looking into using medical marijuana if it is legal in your state. Even if you end up not choosing to use it in the long run, at least you have another option to try instead of turning straight to something like an opioid.

Best Low-Odor Strains

If you’re someone who is sensitive to the smell of cannabis, or maybe you just absolutely hate it, you probably want a strain that’s low-odor.  While you can use carbon filters and whatnot in your growing medium, it can still smell, and if you don’t want to worry about odors, here are some of the best strains out there for you to try. Plus, it also helps those who are sensitive to the smell, and don’t want it in your hair and clothes can benefit from this. You should try this if you still struggle to keep your house smelling fresh, and you have tried to mask this with other kinds of smells, but it doesn’t really work. 

Northern Lights 

Northern lights is one that does have an earthy, spicy smell to this, and it can be fruity as well. The smell is definitely a bit generic though, so it’s great to grow, and you’ll get buds that are resinous too. The THC is very high in this, and it’s good for relaxing. It does have quick yields too, and if you want to use this as a mother plant, it’s one of the best to reduce smells in your growing medium. 

Blue mystic 

This is another one that’s basically the hybrid of northern lights and blueberry. It’s basically got terpenes and flavonoids that smell like blueberry, and it is something that does have a berry smell to this, and it can be great for a lot of people who want a nice, good indica high. This also doesn’t have a very pungent stench, and it doesn’t take long for it to flower. 

Royal Jack Auto 

This is one that you can harvest within 70 days or so, and it’s great because it definitely is a simple, pleasant high. It’s basically one of the Jack Herer varieties that are out there named for the activist who is responsible for the legalization of cannabis in many cases. It’s a high that’s pretty uplifting and simple.  it also has ruderalis genetics within this, which is something that makes it easier to grow, but it does require you to also factor in that it does have a scent that’s more fruity and sweet, almost like caramel but a bit more subtle. It also does have the white Widow genetics too, so you’ll get an amazing high after you’ve ingested this one. 

Royal Ceramic 

This is a great strain all around for those who want something compact, and also offers an odor that’s discreet. This is something that also features white rhino genetics, and it’s something that’s sensational, and it does keep this hidden. It will truly delight the entire senses, and it will also offer you a chance to have this grow quite fast, and really is a great plant for those who want an easy grow. 

Quick One 

Finally, we’ve got quick one, which is a lowrider variant, and is famous for flowering super-fast, and also has a scent that’s absolutely subdued. It does come with ruderalis genetics that will keep this nice and short, manageable, and very discreet too. It doesn’t get that tall, and it can grow super-fast too. This is also a great one that also grows well in climates that are colder too, so if you’re growing in a place that’s a bit chilly, you’ll be able to definitely have it work for you. Plus, it also has a scent that is there, and it’s also fruity, not distinct, and also won’t be something that you can smell if you don’t’ want people to know.

Is High THC a Problem

With more and more people encouraging the legalization of medical cannabis, some parts of the anti-weed group have started to move from straight prohibiting to making sure there is some regulation to this. This is specifically in the capping of THC in terms of both medical and recreational cannabis. Vermont actually did limit the levels for flower, and some other states have also looked into possibly doing the same. With that said, it’s something that may be a problem, since it might have some issues to this. Here, we’ll go over the possible downsides of higher THC levels in some products. 

The concerns 

Most of the justification for higher THC in some of these products are that it can help with various issues. Some have said that there might be a few reasons for justification of this. For starters, the availability may increase the illicit use of this by younger people. It might impair brain development in adolescents. Some believe as well that it may also increase overdoses along with hospitalizations of this. Finally, I may increase chances of psychotic disorders. 

Most studies do say that legal cannabis sourced through healthier outlets are not the main way that users go to grab this.  However, it also is of note to say that  there is no evidence that medical cannabis encourage use among younger people, and it eliminates as well any problems that the youth may have with this, and in some cases, youth use of medical cannabis has actually gone down. 

The biggest concern is the potency issues, since there is some chances that people who do use this end up purchasing some suspicious types of weed on the street. But right now, on the subject of this, it’s been found that marijuana in it as a compound does not mess with cognitive development, and it actually the decline in this during adulthood is because of other factors, rather than blaming it on weed. 

While ingestion of large amounts suddenly doe cause bad reactions, there is no reports of someone overdosing from cannabis, with most records showing that most people who have adverse reactions to cannabis are because they were getting synthetic kinds rather than just regular flower. 

The concerns that the high-THC compounds will cause bad reactions is further countered by a lot of evidence that a lot of people who consume cannabis tend to dos=e themselves with high levels of THC, and products that cause these results. 

Regular users were found that a lot of them didn’t have as many negative effects from this. It also was found when looking at HTC on memory, they found almost no difference in cognitive performance compared to memory when looking at both low-THC along with high-THC cannabis. 

The fears that this can also cause psychosis were based on a study done in 2019 which looked at the associations that were there between using cannabis that had high THC daily, and the increased chances of having a psychotic break compared to others, but there wsa not something that caused a direct causality between this and other disorders. 

It was found though that high levels of cannabis consumption might be a symptom for developing these disorders, rather than a root cause. So in truth, THC is actually the good person, and it’s been vilified for a long time. that’s because THC is responsible for activating the receptors which are used to help treat many conditions, and instead of being something to avoid, it should be taken, as it can possibly help with agonizing the THC and other levels in the body.