Category: Medical Benefits

You can keep a cannabis journal for several reasons. Not only does journaling your experiences make you more mindful, but it also helps identify and achieve your goals regarding consuming cannabis. This is especially helpful for medical cannabis patients.

Overall, every human body is different. That means everyone will react differently to the same or similar products. You may even respond differently to the same product if taken on a different day.

Journaling your experiences makes it easier for yourself and your patient consultant to identify which products can reproduce the perfect experience. Keep reading to learn more about cannabis journaling and how it can help you achieve all your cannabis goals.

How To Cannabis Journal

Cannabis journaling isn’t very difficult. The most challenging part is ensuring that you record your experience each time you use cannabis. By being consistent, you’ll find it easier to determine patterns that can help you maintain successful sessions.

Follow the steps below to learn how to cannabis journal:

What Type of Journal Are You Using?

Do you prefer writing longhand or simply using a memo app on your cellphone? Pick a version that will allow you to keep up with it daily.

If you prefer to write out your experiences by hand, you can purchase physical strain journals like Goldleaf’s Patient Journal. Please keep them in your house where you won’t forget about them.

Journaling the old-fashioned way, while not the most convenient method for some, has its benefits, as studies show that it keeps your mind sharp and helps you retain information. However, keep in mind that journaling is supposed to be stress-free. So, do what feels right for you.

Before Dosing

Now that you know what type of journal you want, you can get down to business. First, you’ll want to assess your baseline. Include the basics, like:

• Date
• Time
• Cannabis product name and where you purchased it
• Delivery method
• Symptoms (pain, insomnia, nausea, anxiety, etc.)
• What other medications you’re on
• If and what you’ve eaten/drank before your session
• Overall mood (powerful emotions can influence your experience)

After Dosing

Depending on your delivery method (smoking, edibles, etc.), you may feel the effects immediately, or it may take a while (sometimes up to two hours). Allow your body to fully experience the cannabis before recording your findings.

You should note:

• Dosage consumed and be specific (“one half-gram pre-roll” is better than “smoking a joint”)
• How you feel
• How long the effects lasted
• Symptom relief (if any)
• Side effects
• Current state of mind (did the session change anything?)

It’s paramount that you are specific about the outcomes and symptom relief that you feel.

Why Should You Keep a Cannabis Journal?

You should keep a cannabis journal for many reasons, especially if you’re a medical cannabis patient. Some of the reasons you should keep a cannabis journal include:

It Helps Your Caregiver or Patient Consultant

It’s impossible to ask yourself to keep up with the latest trends in cannabis research, products, and genetics. To do that all is a full-time job! Instead, as a medical cannabis user, you should rely on your caregiver or patient consultant.

Providing a detailed log of what products and delivery methods have worked and haven’t worked is the best way to ensure your caregiver or patient consultant has all the necessary information to succeed you succeed in your treatment plan.

It Helps Repeat Successes

If you want to repeat the successful sessions, you must have the ability to remember which cultivars, dosages, and delivery methods work best for you. It can be difficult to remember everything from one session to the next. (A cultivar is a plant that has been selectively bred to have distinct, desirable characteristics)

By having a physical journal, you don’t risk losing any of your valuable information to technology that’s gone haywire.

Writing Is Good for The Mind

Writing does terrific things for your memory and comprehension. By writing out everything you experience while taking cannabis, you’ll be more likely to thoroughly understand your own body’s response to cannabis, which will help you make more informed decisions.

Journaling Promotes Mindfulness

Writing, especially with a pen and some paper, helps the mind slow down and induces a certain level of focus. It’s almost like meditation. This focus is called mindfulness.

Mindfulness helps you to leave worrying emotions, like anxiety, at the door so you can better focus on the task at hand. You’ll be more attentive to your symptoms and treatment by being mindful.

You Get A Complete Picture

A journal is open-ended, meaning that you can add other essential factors along with writing down the obvious entry points like cultivar, dosage, and delivery method. These could include:

• Sleep quality
• Water intake
• Food intake
• Other medications/supplements you may be on
• Coffee intake
• Alcohol intake

Keeping detailed notes on the seemingly ordinary parts of your life can expose why you react to specific cultivars, dosages, and delivery methods the way you do. Even a stressful day at work can affect how you respond to cannabis. So, no matter how trivial something may seem, don’t think twice before writing it down.

You’re Creating A Database

If you’re a cannabis user, you must know how difficult it can be to compare one cannabis product to another. The lack of unified regulation on plant genetics, concentrations, grow practices, and more means that even the same strain can vary significantly in effects from dispensary to dispensary.

To try and replicate successful therapies, make notes of “where the product was acquired” or “how it was grown.”

Final Thoughts

For those looking to get the most out of our cannabis, keeping a cannabis journal is one of the best measures we can take to ensure we do just that. Your cannabis journal will help you discover and remember your preferences by having you log your experiences and usage.

A cannabis journal can help you discover patterns that can improve your symptoms, avoid products you dislike and find the most effective time of day to consume your cannabis.

Overall, cannabis journals can do wonders for your cannabis experiences and mental health. If you haven’t started one already, we highly recommend that you do!

North Dispensaries

At North Dispensaries, we care about the experiences of our customers. As a medical cannabis provider, we want our customers to find the perfect solution to their symptoms. That’s why we offer a wide variety of high-quality products.

From flower to edibles and everything between, we have exactly what you’re looking for; we guarantee it!

Check our menus for our Pevely and Hillsboro locations today. If you see something you like, stop by or order online and have it delivered right to your door. We can’t wait to help you!

There are countless anti-nausea medications available for use. From prescriptions to over-the-counter medicines like Dramamine and everything else between, there seems to be plenty of options for people in dire need of nausea relief. Unfortunately, many medications have adverse side effects like lightheadedness, drowsiness, headache, tiredness, dizziness, or constipation. And, even after enduring these side effects, sometimes the traditional anti-nausea medication doesn’t work well enough for patients.

Doctors realized early on that there had to be some alternative that worked better than these medications. That’s why they turned to cannabis. Since the late 1970s and early 1980s, doctors have studied the effectiveness of cannabis and synthetic cannabis on nausea and vomiting. Today, with promising results, many people turn to cannabis to seek relief from nausea.

What Is Nausea?

Nausea is stomach discomfort that usually occurs before vomiting. There are many different causes of nausea. Some people experience something as simple as motion sickness, while others may experience severe nausea from a particular medication or medical condition. Essentially, nausea and vomiting are the body’s way of expelling toxins from itself.

The Beginnings of Medicinal Cannabis & Nausea

One of the many reasons an individual may choose to take medicinal cannabis is that they experience chronic and severe nausea. This is commonly seen in cancer patients as a side effect of chemotherapy. In fact, nausea caused by chemotherapy has a name: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This type of nausea and vomiting occurs within six to 24 hours of receiving chemotherapy. Patients have described it as overpowering and extreme. In scientific terms, this is called emesis.

In 1995, Abrahamov et al. evaluated the anti-emetic effectiveness of Δ⁸-THC, a close but less psychoactive relative of Δ⁹-THC, in children receiving chemotherapy treatment. After a total of 480 treatments, the only side effects reported were slight irritability in two of the youngest patients (3.5 and 4 years old). However, the treatment controlled both acute and delayed nausea and vomiting. However, this study observed the effects of synthetic cannabis. It wasn’t until 2021 that a study focused on the anti-emetic effects of natural cannabis.

Medicinal Cannabis & Nausea in 2021

In the 2021 study, “The Effectiveness of Common Cannabis Products for Treatment of Nausea,” researchers observed that most patients using cannabis to treat nausea experienced relief. More than 96% of the study sample reported nausea relief within one hour.

Researchers did see a difference in nausea relief depending on the product characteristics with flower and concentrates outperforming tinctures and edibles. This study also determined that Cannabis sativa and “hybrid” products exceeded Cannabis indica products.

Researchers found that joints resulted in more significant symptom relief among combustion products than consuming via a pipe or vaporizer.

While this study couldn’t completely describe the mechanisms behind cannabis’ ability to reduce nausea rapidly, it was able to assume that it likely involves the plant’s ability to activate CB1 receptor responses to other stimuli in the central nervous system. This includes the insular cortex, which is involved in conscious awareness of internal bodily states.

The insular cortex is also an example of a brain region naturally controlled by endocannabinoids that naturally develop in the human body. Therefore, it’s not surprising that phytocannabinoids that develop in the cannabis plant also stimulate similar brain regions.

Synthetic Cannabis

In 1985, the FDA approved dronabinol and nabilone, synthetic cannabinoids, not to be confused with K2 and spice. Both are available in oral and inhaled solutions and are authorized to treat CINV. While these are available for use, they’re typically considered secondary medication options. A patient must show that they are non-reactive to other anti-nausea medications.

Since being approved by the FDA, researchers have conducted more than 30 clinical trials that show that synthetic cannabinoids are superior to traditional dopamine receptor antagonist medications for CINV.

However, a review of research literature has concluded that cannabinoids effectively control cancer-induced nausea and vomiting, and oral THC and smoked cannabis have similar efficacy.

Synthetic cannabinoids indeed have side effects that differentiate them from natural cannabinoids. For this reason, we recommend that if you can get and utilize a medical cannabis card, you try different cannabis methods that suit your nausea symptoms.

Is Medicinal Cannabis Right for Your Nausea?

Cannabis can help treat many different types of nausea. There are plenty of consumption methods, so there’s no shortage of options for your specific needs. If you are interested in treating your nausea with medical cannabis, head North!

North Dispensaries offers high-quality products that help you with any of your medical cannabis needs. Our patient consultants will help you find the perfect solution for you. We even offer delivery for our patients that can’t make it in person. Don’t let your health sit on the back burner. Be proactive and visit one of our locations in Pevely or Hillsboro today.

If you’re someone who suffers from migraines, you know that they can produce intense and debilitating symptoms. They typically start with visual auras, like halos and flashes of light in your vision. This transitions into a throbbing or pulsating headache that’s often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Migraines can also make you extremely sensitive to light and sound and last anywhere from a few hours to days. Migraines are so common and debilitating that they’re the second leading cause of disability in those younger than 50 years. While multiple prescriptions are available for migraine suffers, they don’t always work. This inconsistency in effectiveness has people searching for other, more natural alternatives, like cannabis. Keep reading to learn how cannabis may be able to treat your migraine symptoms.

How Does Cannabis Work?

According to a review of 34 articles about cannabis use and migraines by the National Institute of Health, the active ingredients in cannabis that modulate patients’ perceptions of their conditions include THC, CBD, flavonoids, and terpenes. These compounds work to produce effects within the endocannabinoid system to decrease symptom frequency.

THC and CBD play significant roles in medical cannabis formulation. Scientists have deduced that both THC and CBD stimulate cannabinoid (CB) receptors throughout the human body. The current theory on how cannabinoids can affect migraine symptoms suggests that the CB system mitigates migraines through several pathways (serotonin, opiate, inflammatory, glutamine), both centrally and peripherally. Cannabinoids also have dopamine-blocking and anti-inflammatory properties.

Relevant Studies

In a 2020 cross-sectional study, Aviram et al. looked at 145 people who had medical cannabis authorization and were self-treating with cannabis. The trial showed that 61% of the group reported a 50% or more reduction in monthly migraine attacks. The survey also suggested a long-term decline in migraine occurrence and medication intake.

In 2019, Cuttler et al. focused on the effects of inhaled cannabis on reducing migraine severity and frequency. They also looked at the factors that affected the dosage used. This study found that migraines decreased by 49.6% and that more women than men reported a more favorable reduction in migraines. However, they did find that the effectiveness of inhaling cannabis to reduce migraines did diminish over time as the patients built a tolerance.

Salazar et al. conducted a cross-sectional survey to observe and make conclusions based on self-reported reasons for recreational and medical cannabis use in the southeastern United States. 35.5% of the patients that partook in the survey used it for headaches and migraines. The survey concluded that cannabis had an 86% efficacy in pain relief for those patients and that the effectiveness of the cannabis depended on combustion methods and the age and gender of the patient.

By reviewing the 34 studies, the National Institute of Health found that despite the side effects of cannabis products, patients had an overall favorable view of using cannabis because it was reported to decrease the frequency and duration of migraines. For those who used cannabis to treat their migraines, the primary method of use was smoking, followed by vaporization and dabs. The review also found that patients with headaches were more likely to choose a hybrid strain of cannabis (a mix of Indica and Sativa) than chronic pain patients. Women also tend to rank edibles, tincture (oil), and topical cannabis as first-line methods for conditions like migraines.

Overall, the current research shows beneficial long and short-term effects of medical cannabis. Some patients even experienced a prolonged improvement in their health (both physically and mentally) after long-term medical cannabis use. Patients also reported more positive than adverse effects with medical cannabis use.

Is Medical Cannabis Right for You?

It’s estimated that about 1 billion people worldwide experience migraines. If you are one of these people, medical cannabis may be the answer you’ve been looking for. For many, over-the-counter migraine and pain medication simply isn’t enough; even prescription medication can be useless. Medical cannabis can leave you feeling much better. If you’re worried about the psychoactive effects of THC, don’t be. In treating migraines, researchers found that less is more when it comes to THC. You’ll want to use a small amount of THC and combine it with CBD, which has natural pain-relieving capabilities. CBD will also counteract the psychoactive properties of THC. So, you’ll be good as gold.

Shop North Today!

Head to North Dispensaries in Hillsboro or Pevely today! Our high-quality products will help you feel your best in no time. We offer a wide variety of products for a wide variety of patient needs. We work hard to ensure you receive the best service, so all you have to do is purchase and enjoy. If you are anyone you know needs medical cannabis but have yet to obtain a medical cannabis card, follow this link, and we’ll help you take that next step to a happier and healthier life.

The growing legalization of medical cannabis raises many questions to researchers about the effectiveness of the different cannabinoids on medical conditions. One cannabinoid in the spotlight is cannabidiol (CBD). Preclinical evidence suggests that CBD is an effective therapeutic substance that can provide relief to multiple conditions, including various anxiety disorders. Keep reading to learn more about how CBD may benefit your anxiety.

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is your body’s natural defense mechanism. Think of it as your fight or flight response. It’s generally a feeling of apprehension or fear about the future. However, if your feelings associated with anxiety become extreme, last longer than six months, and begin to interfere with your everyday life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders are prevalent and can happen to anyone and at any age. If you constantly feel that feeling of fear to the point where it affects your everyday life, you may have an anxiety disorder.

There are several different types of anxiety disorders, including but not limited to:

• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Panic Disorder
• Phobia
• Social anxiety disorder
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Separation anxiety disorder
• Illness anxiety disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

So, why is it so important that we find a suitable treatment for anxiety disorders? According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, more than 40 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. With that many people suffering from a crippling illness, it’s paramount that we find safe and effective ways to treat these conditions.

What is Cannabidiol (CBD)?

CBD is one of the chemicals in the cannabis sativa plant. Many producers extract their CBD from hemp plants, where THC levels are known to be very low. This means that CBD will not cause you to feel intoxicated as THC will. CBD is thought to interact with two different receptors within the human body. These are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. It’s not precisely known how CBD interacts with CB1. However, evidence suggests that it may alter serotonin signals. While low serotonin levels are typically associated with depression, they can also cause exaggerated anxiety. Conventional treatment for anxiety disorders typically includes using an SSRI or a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. These are only available through prescription and can come with several side effects. People looking for alternative options may be able to manage their anxiety with CBD instead.

What Do the Studies Say?

Two 2011 studies found that CBD can reduce anxiety symptoms in people with social anxiety disorder, while a 2015 review of 49 studies found evidence that suggests CBD could help with various other anxiety disorders including, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

In one 2019 study, researchers used 300-600mg of CBD on participants and found it significantly reduced anxiety symptoms. This particular study pointed out that the dosage a person takes to relieve anxiety depends on the CBD product and how it is administered.

Another 2019 study utilized smaller doses of CBD (25mg, 50mg, and 75mg) because researchers believed the higher amounts of CBD would be too expensive for the typical patient to maintain. Overall, anxiety decreased within the first month and remained low. Sleep quality also appeared to improve. Although, it did fluctuate more than anxiety. Only three patients recorded side effects.

A 2020 study evaluated 397 adults in New Zealand. The participants received a CBD prescription for a variety of ailments including, non-cancer pain, cancer-related symptoms, neurological symptoms, and mental health symptoms. All groups, including those suffering from mental health problems, reported improved quality of life after three weeks of treatment. Those who received CBD for anxiety and/or depression experienced improvements in their abilities to perform daily tasks and reduce pain and symptoms. Only 9.9% of participants experienced adverse side effects, such as sedation or vivid dreams, and 0.8% reported worsening symptoms.

Overall, many studies suggest that CBD is an effective treatment for multiple forms of anxiety disorder. However, more research is needed to help us better understand what doses and forms of CBD are the most effective while causing the most negligible side effects.

CBD Side Effects

CBD is known to cause very few side effects. Some patients treated with Epidiolex (100% pure CBD) experienced side effects such as drowsiness, fatigue, decreased appetite, insomnia, and diarrhea. CBD may also interact with different medications, like antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, opioids, antipsychotics, and calcium channel blockers. However, more research is needed to know to what extent CBD interacts with these types of medications.

If you’re worried about CBD becoming habit-forming, have no fear. The World Health Organization has stated that CBD does not appear to be habit-forming and to cause any dependence as seen with drugs of abuse. However, it is pertinent to remind you that some CBD products may contain small amounts of THC.

Should You Try CBD For Your Anxiety?

There is a lot of supporting evidence that CBD does help treat anxiety disorders. However, it’s essential to take all medical advice that’s not from your doctor with a grain of salt. If you are interested in what CBD can do for you, we recommend that you talk with a trusted health professional about the use of medical cannabis and if it’s right for you.

Shop North Today!

Are you looking for a trusted source of amazing CBD products? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Here at North Dispensaries, we pride ourselves on the high quality of our products. We serve our community with various medical cannabis resources because we know just how important they can be to someone’s quality of life. If you suffer from chronic anxiety, depression, pain, etc., talk to a doctor today about obtaining a medical cannabis card. If you don’t know where to start, that’s okay. Follow this link to help you get started on your wellness journey.

For years now, patients suffering from the symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment have turned to alternative medicines to help alleviate pain and nausea, induce hunger, and help curb the symptoms of insomnia.

Currently, only two drugs associated with cannabinoids are approved by the FDA to help with pain and nausea. These are Dronabinol, a pharmaceutical form of THC, and Nabilone, which is a man-made cannabinoid.

While whole or crude cannabis is not approved by the FDA for any medical use, the use of cannabis to treat some medical conditions is legal under state law in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Overall, cannabis can provide some interesting side effects when it comes to treating cancer and cancer treatment symptoms.

THC can help reduce pain, nausea, and inflammation, and can act as an antioxidant, and CBD can help treat seizures, can reduce anxiety and paranoia, and can counteract the “high” caused by THC.

Perhaps the most interesting side effect noticed in studies (conducted on animals) has shown that THC and CBD could potentially halt the spread of cancer cells. It’s also been found that cannabis compounds can also prompt the death of some types of cancer cells either by triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death) or by starving the cells via the prevention of blood vessel development.

Although there is still much to be learned about medical cannabis and the positive effects it has on cancer patients, it’s safe to say, that while overlooked by a medical professional, cannabis can provide some serious relief. In the rest of the blog, we will be discussing the different types of strains best suited for the needs of cancer patients.

Cannabis and Cancer Treatment General Information

A general rule of thumb is that for just nausea and pain relief, we recommend an Indica or Indica dominant hybrid strain, in which a tincture (1:1 THC:CBD) can address pain, inflammation, and nausea while helping you fall and stay asleep. It’s also important to consider the negative side effects of cannabis and how to control them. You can avoid disorientation, lightheadedness, and paranoia by controlling the dose and how said dose is administered.

Before looking at how to pick the right strain for cancer patients, we must look at the demographics. A 2016 study found that, from the limited sample of patients they surveyed, about 25% of the patients considered themselves active cannabis users. Reasons for the patients’ use included:

• Pain, nausea, and loss of appetite (75%)
• Neuropsychiatric symptoms (63%)
• Recreational use/enjoyment (35%)
• Treatment of cancer (26%)

This study gives us enough information to narrow down which strains may be helpful. From this study alone you may deduce that cancer patients are looking for a relaxing strain with mild euphoria, a clear head, appetite stimulation/ nausea reduction, and moderate pain control.

Cannabis Strains for Cancer Patients

Before jumping into this, the team at North would like to remind our readers that much of the information about these different strains is anecdotal and based on our own professional knowledge. When considering medical cannabis for your ailments, please consult a physician and other medical professionals about the best course of action for your treatment.

ACDC

This hybrid is a super CBD strain (20:1 CBD:THC). A great daily medical strain, it excels at treating nerve pain without the psychoactive effects of higher THC strains. While benefiting from the relief of many negative symptoms of cancer and cancer treatment, patients may also benefit from CBD’s potential to curb cancer cell growth.

Blackberry Kush

Blackberry Kush is a THC-heavy Indica that provides euphoric effects and is great for helping cancer patients catch some sleep. This strain takes effect almost immediately and is great for pain relief. It contains anti-anxiety traits and provides a substantial body high that can elevate mood and stimulate hunger.

Blueberry OG (Blueberry Kush)

This hybrid is a moderate Indica and versatile. It provides users with anxiety relief, moderate euphoria, and appetite stimulation. This strain is best for patients looking to relax and reduce their anxiety but can also benefit from overall symptom control.

Bubblegum

A 50% Indica and 50% Sativa hybrid, Bubblegum is low in CBD and high in THC. Recommended by many doctors, this strain manages pain, nausea, depression, and other common mood disorders. It can also relieve headaches, migraines, back pain, insomnia, and muscle spasms. It is one of the most well-known strains that may often give relief to cancer-related symptoms like appetite loss and depression through its body-numbing and relaxed psychoactive effects.

Cannatonic

Cannatonic, a hybrid, is high in CBD and will leave you feeling uplifted rather than sedated. This strain is great for medical or recreational use. However, it is great for treating muscle spasms and aches, as well as migraines. It is also one of the best at treating anxiety in addition to several other psychological symptoms.

Charlotte’s Web

This Sativa strain is great for use during the day. This pain reliever can also be used to combat seizures. It will leave you feeling relaxed, but with an uplifted mood and increased appetite, while also leaving you clear-headed.

Chemo

This Indica strain was developed by the University of British Columbia to specifically combat the side effects of chemotherapy. It’s harsh to hit, but its properties are well worth it. Chemo combines the body-relaxing pain relief of a heavy Indica with a stomach-soothing element that knocks out nausea and stimulates appetite.

Chocolope

Chocolope is great after chemotherapy. It’s a great way to unwind and uplift. This Sativa strain will leave you feeling energized.

Cookies and Cream

An award-winning hybrid, Cookies and Cream is a cross of Starfighter and Girl Scout Cookies. Its multi-symptom medicinal properties are unique in that it helps patients suffering from insomnia, nausea, and pain. This strain is great for patients looking for long-lasting relief from their symptoms.

Critical Mass

Critical Mass is an Indica strain that is high in THC with a rich CBD profile. This strain is excellent for pain relief. An important component of this strain is its unique cannabinoid content which makes it one of the most promising for the ability to prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Granddaddy Purple

High in THC, this strain helps fight nausea and appetite loss. Developed from combines the Big Bud and Purple Urkle, it will make you relaxed and euphoric at the same time; your mind will wander while your body remains idle. In higher doses, this strain can help you fall asleep and can manage depression brought on by the many different mood-altering cancer drugs.

Harlequin

Harlequin is an excellent hybrid with high CBD levels, this strain is great for use during the day. It offers mild to moderate pain relief with a subtle euphoric effect. Enjoy elevated moods without the feeling of fatigue or lightheadedness. This strain is best for patients who do not need appetite stimulation or nausea control.

Harle-Tsu

This hybrid was specifically bred to yield ultra-high CBD concentrations with a super-low THC content. A uniquely medical strain, Harle-Tsu is one of the most popular CBD-dominant strains among the medical cannabis community. It takes care of both pain and inflammation throughout the day while yielding slim to zero psychoactive effects.

Northern Light

An Indica dominant strain, Norther Light contains high THC and low CBD. This strain is perfect for patients with unique, symptomatic needs. It provides moderate to strong relief in pain and discomfort associated with nausea and provides an appetite boost. There are potentially stronger psychoactive properties that are associated with this strain, so watch your dosage.

Pennywise

Pennywise may sound scary, but it’s just the opposite! This Indica strain is high in CBD and is a blend of Harlequin and Jack the Ripper. It’s great for overall cancer treatment, and rather than leaving you sleepy and disoriented, you’ll be feeling relaxed yet clear-headed and focused.

Rick Simpson Oil

The higher level of THC offers combined physical and psychological effects that create a more comprehensive result for a sedative-like approach that leads to increased healing potential. This product is one of the best on the market for treating cancer symptoms.

Super Lemon Haze

This strain is best for days you have to get up and get moving. This uplifting and energizing strain is great for cancer patients’ spirits. Research has shown that a positive attitude is essential to making the most of cancer treatments. So, why not give yourself the boost you need after an energy-zapping chemotherapy or radiation therapy treatment?

Super Silver Haze

Super Silver Haze is a Sativa dominant hybrid that gives people relief in depression and many other conditions. This award-winning strain helps with pain, stress, and tension, all by inducing an energetic euphoria that still leaves you clear-headed throughout the day. 

Head North

At North, we care about our patrons. We’re here for all your medical needs. If you are someone you know is suffering from cancer or any other ailment that might warrant a medical cannabis card, we can help. Follow the steps in this link here, to see what’s next in your journey to find relief. Already have a medical cannabis card, great! Check out our website at  https://north.life/ to see our menus and to learn more about what we offer.

Mental health conditions affect peoples’ thoughts, behaviors, and feelings throughout the U.S. on a daily basis. In fact, one in five adults in our country experiences them each year. One resource in particular that people can utilize for relief is medicinal cannabis. This is especially important to know during the pandemic. One study recently showed that participants “with mental health conditions reported increased medicinal cannabis use by 91% since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic.” So what role does cannabis play when it comes to mental health? Here are a few examples relating to anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and depression:

Calming Anxiety

Anxiety is that nervous feeling you get when dealing with stress and it is completely normal. Persistent anxiety, however, may be the result of a disorder. Research currently shows that while cannabis does not cure people who suffer from anxiety long term, it can help them to calm down in the short term. This depends on a couple of factors including the type of cannabis being used and the dosage. Since THC is a psychoactive compound, a high dose of it could actually worsen your symptoms. A high dose of CBD, on the other hand, can be very relaxing. This is because the endocannabinoid system in our bodies process THC and CBD differently.

Recovering from PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that stems from a horrible event in life, causing nightmares, panic attacks, and fear in general. Those with PTSD can look to cannabis as a way to help them sleep better, remove pain, and calm their anxiety like we mentioned previously. Another recent study completed by Washington State University states that “people suffering from post-traumatic distress disorder report that cannabis reduces the severity of their symptoms by more than half, at least in the short term.” Even short-term results are helpful when it comes to recovery.

Coping with OCD

OCD, or obsessive-compulsive disorder, “causes repeated unwanted thoughts or sensations (obsessions) or the urge to do something over and over again (compulsions).” We already know that the endocannabinoid system affects our anxiety, but it also plays a role in repetitive behaviors. Since cannabinoids like THC and CBD bind with CB1 and CB2 receptors, the obsessions and compulsions in this part of the brain can be reduced.

Handling Depression

If you are suffering from depression then you might notice negative moods, a decrease in your typical energy levels, or even suicidal thoughts. This condition affects one in 15 adults and can happen at any point in your life. Luckily, cannabis can help alleviate these feelings. In 2018, a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders showed that “medical cannabis users perceived a 50% reduction in depression.” It actually only took “two puffs” to decrease depression in this case. Even “baseline symptoms of depression (but not anxiety or stress) appeared to be exacerbated across time.” This proves that cannabis may be right for you if you are experiencing depression.

Research Continues to Gain Traction

While there is still a lot to learn about cannabis’s impact on mental health conditions, research is continuing to discover the important do’s and do not’s of treatment methods. A find like how particular dosages of each cannabinoid can result in completely different effects is a huge step in the right direction. For now, the best advice we can give is to speak to your doctor about medicinal cannabis as you may be eligible to apply for a Missouri medical marijuana card.

North Dispensaries wants to help patients live their best lives through relief that medical marijuana offers. We’re still in the process of opening but for now, check out our website for helpful videos and other informative blog posts. We’re beyond excited to fill your prescription one day soon!