Understanding Cannabis-Based Therapy: A Guide for Beginners

By Your Health Magazine

Your Health Magazine

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Understanding Cannabis-Based Therapy: A Guide for Beginners

Thinking about cannabis-based therapy? You’re not alone.

More people are turning to cannabis-based products for therapeutic reasons than ever before. The industry has grown exponentially over the last several years, and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Fortunately for newcomers, getting started with cannabis therapy is pretty straightforward.

What you’ll learn…

• What Is Cannabis-Based Therapy?
• How Cannabis Therapy Products Work
• Types of Cannabis Therapy Products
• How to Get Started With Cannabis Therapy
• Safety Tips for Beginners

What Is Cannabis-Based Therapy?

Cannabis-based therapy involves using cannabinoids found in cannabis plants to provide therapeutic benefits.

There are various different ingredients within cannabis plants that bind to receptors within our body’s endocannabinoid system.

The two main active ingredients are THC and CBD.

• THC, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive ingredient that produces the “high” that most people associate with cannabis.
• CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid found in cannabis that doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects.

…but what sets cannabis therapy apart?

Cannabis products come in many different forms. Instead of taking one medication for an ailment, patients have a variety of cannabis therapy products to choose from.

How Cannabis Therapy Products Work

Inside every human body is a system called the endocannabinoid system. This system regulates a number of different things such as pain, mood, appetite, and sleep.

There are cannabinoid receptors located throughout our body that bind to cannabinoids found in cannabis products. This allows the active ingredients to pass through the body and work their magic.

It’s kind of like a lock and key mechanism…

Our bodies have different receptors (the locks) that cannabinoids from cannabis products (the keys) bind to. The effects you experience depend on the products you use and the dosages you take.

When you purchase cannabis-based therapy products from a provider like Cannatherapy, you can expect to receive high-quality formulations along with the guidance you need to make informed decisions. This is important because you don’t know what you’re getting with poorly-made cannabis products.

Researchers are still learning more about how cannabis therapy works every day. Recent findings published in the White House report on cannabidiol show that one out of every five adults in the United States reported using CBD in the last year alone.

Breaking it down even further…

The human body has two types of cannabinoid receptors:

• CB1 receptors are found predominantly in the brain and nervous system.
• CB2 receptors are found mostly in our immune system and other peripheral tissues.

Depending on the cannabis therapy products you use, cannabinoids either bind to CB1 receptors, CB2 receptors, or both.

The Different Types of Cannabis Therapy Products

Cannabis-based products can be sorted into three general categories.

CBD Products

Typically, CBD products will contain little to no THC. CBD products are a favorite for beginners because they don’t produce a “high” feeling like THC products do.

Some common CBD products include:

• CBD oils and tinctures
• CBD capsules and softgels
• CBD topicals
• Edibles and CBD gummies

THC Products

As mentioned before, THC products contain the psychoactive cannabinoid that produces a “high” feeling. For this reason, many beginners tend to avoid THC products or start with very low doses to test the waters.

Balanced Products

These products contain a balance of CBD and THC. Combining the two has been shown to provide benefits that neither provides on their own.

Now that you understand the different types of cannabis products available. You’re ready to get started.

Getting Started With Cannabis Therapy

Newbies don’t necessarily have to dive right in when it comes to cannabis therapy. Patients who rush into cannabis therapy without doing their research often end up having a bad experience.

To avoid this…

Consult with a healthcare professional

Before you go out and purchase the first cannabis therapy product you come across, it’s best to talk to your doctor. Cannabis has the potential to interact with certain medications. Your doctor can advise you on any possible drug interactions as well as recommend starting doses.

Start low, and go slow

This is probably the most important step for beginners to understand. Start with the lowest possible dose and slowly work your way up until you discover what works best for you.

If you’re going to be trying CBD products, starting with a dose of 5-10mg per day is recommended by many experts. If you plan on using THC products, start with a dose of 2.5mg or less.

Keep a journal

Just like starting any new treatment or medication, you should track your responses and keep a journal. Write down what product you used, how much you took, when you took it, and what effects you experienced.

Studies show positive results…

According to data published by the National Institutes of Health, two-thirds of patients using cannabis for chronic pain said pain-relief was their primary reason for using cannabis. Everyone’s body is different, but many users experience some form of pain relief from cannabis.

Choose a quality product

Not all cannabis therapy products are created equal. In fact, some products contain little to no cannabinoids at all. Here are a few things you should look for when trying to decide on a quality product.

Safety Tips For Beginners

Cannabis therapy isn’t always safe for everyone to use. Certain pre-existing conditions, medications, and even pregnancy can cause cannabis to have unwanted effects.

Side Effects

While cannabis is known to have a wide-range of benefits, there are some documented side effects including dry mouth, fatigue, and increased appetite. THC can cause anxiety and paranoia in some individuals.

Drug Interactions

As previously stated, cannabis can interact with certain medications. Antidepressants, blood thinners, and sedatives can be affected by cannabis use. Always consult with your doctor before using cannabis products if you’re taking prescription medication.

Legal Status

Just because cannabis has been legalized in your state doesn’t mean you can freely purchase cannabis products. Cannabis regulations vary from state-to-state and city-to-city. Make sure you know your area’s cannabis laws before purchasing or using cannabis products.

Quality of Product

With cannabis laws still being unclear in many areas of the United States, there is little to no regulation on cannabis businesses. This is why it’s incredibly important to only purchase cannabis-based products from reputable companies.

The moral of the story?

If you take proper precautions and only use high-quality cannabis products, you should experience minimal issues.

Wrapping Up

For millions of people around the world, cannabis-based products provide them with relief they couldn’t find anywhere else. Cannabis therapy is constantly growing as more and more research is discovered.

Here are a few things to remember as you embark on your cannabis therapy journey.

• Talk to your doctor before using cannabis products.
• Start with a low dose and work your way up.
• Keep track of your responses.
• Only buy high-quality products from trusted sources.
• Know your laws!

Cannabis-based therapy products aren’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a chance. Research the different products, talk to your doctor, and do what’s best for you.

Take these tips and use them to your advantage. Before you know it, you’ll be a cannabis therapy expert yourself.