Tag: medical marijuana

Alzheimer’s diseases, in any of its many forms, is devastating for both the patient and their loved ones. Dementia, the most prevalent type of Alzheimer’s diseases, is one of the many neurodegenerative disorders that are seeing a surge in medical cannabis study.

The knowledge you will gain from Chronic Therapy on how to maximise the benefits of medicinal cannabis is invaluable. If you are a medical professional with a patient who would benefit from Chronic Therapy, you are welcome to refer them.

Researchers are exploring how medicinal cannabis may help people with dementia due to the cannabinoids’ potential as powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuro-protective agents.

Alzheimer’s and the endocannabinoid system

In humans and the vast majority of other animals, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in regulating and affecting vital biological processes. The ECS is made up of messengers and receptors that activate physiological processes, much like the nervous system. The ECS affects everything from one’s state of mind and diet to their immunity and sleep patterns.

Alterations in the ECS are closely correlated with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and disease progression. Emerging evidence in this field shows that illness progression is associated with shifts in ECS receptors and the availability of endocannabinoids like anandamide.

Dementia is characterised by abnormal or faulty signal transmission and brain inflammation, both of which are regulated by endocannabinoids and their receptors.

Researchers want to find strategies to alter or support the ECS to enhance therapies for Alzheimer’s patients by better understanding the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and ECS functioning.

Preliminary studies on the effects of medicinal cannabis on Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Plaques and tangles form when neurones die off from too much activity, leading to memory loss, mood swings, and other symptoms of dementia.

Prior studies of the therapeutic effects of cannabis on Alzheimer’s patients have mostly concerned themselves with ensuring the drug’s safety and ameliorating their symptoms. Improvements in delusions, agitation, hostility, and irritability typical of Alzheimer’s disease were observed in a small study of 11 Israeli patients.

Even though these individuals were taking many neuropsychiatric drugs, only 3 of the 11 reported experiencing negative side effects that went away when their THC dose was decreased or weren’t related to the drug at all.

The resistance to care, as well as hostile and agitated behaviours, were significantly reduced in another research evaluating Dronabinol’s effects on 40 adults with different forms of dementia.

These studies typically utilise modest doses of THC (2.5mg – 7.5mg twice daily) that are unlikely to produce psychoactive symptoms characteristic of cannabis usage.

This dosage appears to have some favourable effects; trials with smaller dosages have not found the same degree of improvement in mood and behaviour.

Better sleep improves quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s disease.

Lack of sleep is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Nighttime waking, roaming, and emotional outbursts in the evening are frequent and challenging behaviours for caregivers to handle, especially in the home.

There has been a lot of focus on the advantages of medicinal cannabis for sleep problems, and this study collected data from caregivers to add to that body of knowledge.

A research found that nurse practitioners were apprehensive to participate in medicinal cannabis trials including their dementia patients. Nevertheless, the nurses reported that their patients seemed more at ease and less agitated following therapy.

Cannabidiol helps patients eat more

The decline in metabolism and digestive capacity that comes with ageing often results in a diminished appetite, especially in the elderly. Appetite and weight gain in underweight Alzheimer’s patients have been shown to improve in clinical trials of both synthetic cannabinoids and plant-based medicinal cannabis.

Especially in cases of anorexia and cachexia caused by cancer therapies, it is well recognised that medicinal cannabis improves appetite, food intake, and body mass index. In order to further enhance the quality of life of patients and caregivers, more long-term study is needed into how medicinal cannabis might increase food and nutritional intake while concurrently lowering negative mood and behaviours in Alzheimer’s.

CBD as a treatment for Alzheimer’s

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is commonly used in medicinal marijuana. The neuroprotective properties of CBD caused it to get widespread attention for its potential to lessen seizures in epilepsy sufferers.

CBD’s neuro-protective properties and its ability to stimulate the growth of new brain cells are currently the subject of intense study in the setting of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Researchers in Australia compiled data from multiple in vitro and animal studies in 2017 and came to the conclusion that CBD can inhibit neuro-inflammation and stimulate neurogenesis. There is promising evidence from studies in animals that suggests medical cannabis might help those who are experiencing difficulty remembering the faces of loved ones.

Health risks associated with using medical cannabis in the elderly

Not everyone will benefit from medical cannabis treatment, as is the case with any drug. It is very vital to ensure the safety of any new medicine for our elderly population, both individually and in combination with existing medications they may already be on.

There is a lack of long-term evidence on the safety of cannabinoid treatments in older persons, despite the fact that preliminary research into the advantages of medicinal cannabis in Alzheimer’s disease is encouraging. Medical cannabis has been shown to help reduce the need for pain and other prescriptions, but there are worries about adverse effects in older persons.

To know more about where to buy medical cannabis in Australia and other medical marijuana resources, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.

Cachexia is a disorder that is characterised by a loss of body mass connected with an underlying medical condition such as HIV, TB, autoimmune illnesses, cancer, and cancer therapies, to name a few. Cachexia is also known as wasting syndrome.

It is essential to acquire the knowledge necessary to provide your patient with the most possible benefit from cannabis treatment. If you are a medical professional and have a patient who would benefit from Chronic Therapy, you are welcome to refer them.

Medical Cannabis use for the wasting syndrome

Patients who are suffering from cachexia, regardless of the underlying disease, have a heightened rate of energy metabolism as well as a significant loss of appetite. Because of this, individuals have a difficult time obtaining the proper amount of calorie intake, which has the knock-on effect of depriving their bodies of critical nutrients. This, in turn, causes feelings of exhaustion, sadness, and a lower quality of life.

Cachexia is characterised by a progressive loss of body fat in addition to skeletal and smooth muscle, which can have a severe impact on the patient’s overall health. Symptoms might be exacerbated by increases in inflammatory responses, changes in protein synthesis, and alterations in energy metabolism, all of which can have a severe influence on the underlying illness.

Cancer-related anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS)

CACS, which stands for cancer-related anorexia and cachexia syndrome, or cancer Cachexia-anorexia (also known as CCA) can be caused by the negative consequences of cancer treatment or by the illness itself, which modifies metabolic and hormonal processes that have an effect on hunger and appetite.

Although there is growing evidence supporting the use of medical cannabis for medicinal purposes in the treatment of anorexia nervosa, the anorexia that is being discussed in this context refers to the symptom of an acute lack of appetite rather than the mental disorder itself. Cachexia is a term that describes the alterations in metabolic processes that are responsible for a reduction in body mass.

The two conditions of cachexia and anorexia collide in CACS, resulting in a maelstrom of increased metabolic rate due to high levels of inflammatory chemicals in circulation and extreme lack of appetite, which causes patients to appear to be “wasting” away. Cachexia and anorexia are both symptoms of the CACS syndrome. In addition, malnutrition can have an effect on the effectiveness of pharmacological therapies, rendering patients more vulnerable to the adverse effects of chemotherapy.

If you are suffering from this condition or you have anyone close to you who needs treatment or more solutions to this ailment, you can schedule a consultation session with specialist at Chronic Therapy to get into the details of your diagnosis and to look on the possibilities of using medical cannabis treatment for your condition.

Medical Cannabis Use as Treatment for Cachexia

One of the most well-known side effects of cannabis is probably how it affects one’s ability to control their appetite. Therefore, research into its effects on appetite has been extensive, although the results have been inconclusive so far.

Certain studies have demonstrated that when the various cannabis preparations, THC-only preparations, and placebos are evaluated, there is very little difference in the effectiveness of each. According to the findings of other studies, the medicinal use of cannabis has not been any more beneficial than its more traditional alternatives.

In contrast to the findings of the aforementioned research, the effects of vaporized medicinal cannabis were found to have positive effects on both hunger and quality of life. There have also been successful results to be considered when cachexia is discussed in the context of HIV.

In the world of medicinal cannabis, there is a lot of room for efficacy disagreements. Specifically, this might be the result of dosage regimes not taking into account the differences between people or the requirement for individual dose titration in the event of cachexia-anorexia. Cachexia may be treated with medicinal cannabis, however factors such as age and metabolic rate may play a significant role in the treatment process.

For a wholistic approach to this ailment, we will advise that you schedule a consultation session today with our specialist to help you look into the possibilities of how medical marijuana resources can be of help in your own case. 

The function of the body’s natural cannabinoid system

The endocannabinoid system, often known as the ECS, is a physiological system that works similarly to the immune system and the neurological system. Endocannabinoids are responsible for a variety of different behaviours, some of which include interacting with and regulating human immunity as well as impulses received from the central nervous system.

It is well established that the ECS possesses receptors in the gastrointestinal system as well. Cannabinoids and endogenous cannabinoids, including anandamide, have the ability to interact with cannabinoid receptors in this region, which in turn causes the hypothalamus to receive signals. The hypothalamus is the region of the brain that is responsible for regulating hunger and initiating the hormonal cascades that inform us whether or not we have had enough to eat.

There is a significant possibility of manipulating systems underlying hunger that are compromised in CACS by activating the ECS with cannabis medications or antagonists for cannabinoid receptors.

To know more about where to buy medical cannabis in Australia and other medical marijuana resources, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, both autoimmune illnesses, are the most frequent manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), a catchall name for ailments characterised by persistent inflammation of the colon.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one type of autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system destroys healthy tissues and microbes in the digestive system.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have several causes, including genetics, immune system malfunction, and a list of environmental influences, many of which are still being unravelled. Lifestyle factors (such as food, smoking status, and alcohol use) and comorbid conditions (such as diabetes, MTHFR gene mutation, and cardiovascular disease) can have a significant influence on the severity of symptoms. Click here to get more about medical cannabis treatment for cardiovascular disease.

Irritable bowel disease affects 1 in 250 Australians, and its varied symptoms can be challenging to treat. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms are listed below. The geographical location is the key distinction between the two states: While Crohn’s disease affects mostly the small intestine, ulcerative colitis can strike anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

Some people may suffer numerous symptoms to a modest degree, while others may experience fewer symptoms to a severe degree; this is because they are complicated illnesses that can progress to damage other bodily systems if left untreated.

The Problems and the Potential Treatments

Oral steroid medicines, thiopurines (which inhibit the immune system by disrupting T-lymphocyte activities), biologic anti-tumor necrosis factors, and intergen treatments are all used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.

In contrast, the latter two biologic therapies inhibit inflammatory pathways by inhibiting proteins and specific white blood cell activities. Unlike oral drugs, these treatments are most effective when given intravenously, and they may not even help certain patients.

Normal medical care has drawbacks that can make you more vulnerable to infections, reduce your bone marrow’s ability to generate new cells, and impair your liver’s ability to operate properly. Imbalances in liver homoeostasis can have far-reaching effects on the body as a whole.

Instead of or in addition to conventional pharmacological therapy, some patients opt for a more holistic approach, which emphasises adjustments to one’s nutrition and way of life. Nonetheless, therapeutic treatment requires very dramatic adjustments to food and lifestyle, which can be challenging for many people to sustain over the long term.

The endocannabinoid system has been the focus of a lot of pre-clinical research.

Several research have suggested the endocannabinoid system (ECS) as a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), based on results linking the ECS to other autoimmune disorders.

A higher number of ECS receptors and anandamide levels have been seen in mouse models of induced inflammatory bowel disease. In this investigation, three therapies were tried out on rats and human colon biopsies. The findings of this study lead to an increase in anandamide as a potential first step in a strategy to reduce colon inflammation in people with inflammatory bowel disease.

Intestinal wound healing is another area where anandamide is demonstrated to have a small but clinically important impact. Patients with Ulcerative Colitis, who have trouble healing intestinal wounds, may find that modulating cannabinoid receptor 1 has a vulnerary effect.

What part does the Entourage Effect play in inflammatory bowel disease?

The results of studies conducted so far on animals reveal that THC and CBD have mixed efficacy in treating IBD. The positive effects shown have been dose-dependent, and it is believed that the entourage effect plays a significant role in this context, with isolated cannabinoids often being less potent than whole plant formulations.

Even though the entourage effect has been shown to be quite useful in animal studies for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the varying results suggest that there is still a lot of work to be done before the connection between phytocannabinoids, the ECS, and the gut is fully understood.

CBD oil: a potential anti-inflammatory remedy?

Biopsies of human colon tissue from people with remission from Ulcerative colitis and those with the active illness indicated that CBD oil was an efficient anti-inflammatory agent on both tissue samples, suggesting the potential of CBD oil as a therapy and potentially preventative medicinal.

Human studies of medical cannabis have shown encouraging results.

Cannabinoid medicines, such as medicinal cannabis, have demonstrated a good therapeutic response in recent human research. Medical cannabis for Crohn’s disease has only been the subject of one randomised, placebo-controlled research thus far, which took place in Israel in 2013. Ten out of eleven patients had a favourable clinical response, and five of those patients went into full remission.

While this study had some limitations due to its small sample size and unconventional methods of administering medical cannabis, it did find some encouraging results, such as a decrease in subjects’ reliance on steroid medication (in three of the people studied) and widespread reports of enhanced appetite and sleep.

While complete remission has not been reached in all of these trials, favourable outcomes in patients’ quality of life and intensity of symptoms support demands for more medical cannabis research with varying titrations of cannabinoids like THC or CBD and various delivery modalities.

Medical Cannabis in Australia for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment 

Recent surveys on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and medical cannabis were released by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney. They feature discussions between patients and gastroenterologists about the benefits of medicinal cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease.

Ninety-seven percent of former and current medical marijuana users said that marijuana aids in the control of their symptoms, most commonly those associated with the digestive system (abdominal discomfort, stress, insomnia, cramping, and anxiety). Although there are legal options for obtaining medicinal cannabis in Australia, only 3% of patients said they did so; the remainder said they obtained it illegally (from a recreational dealer, a family member, or a friend).

Over a third of doctors are aware that patients are taking medicinal cannabis as part of their treatment regimen, as shown by the poll of gastroenterological experts. Only a few of these doctors were in favour of prescribing medicinal cannabis for IBD (21%), and even fewer said they would do so (28%). This looked to boil down to insufficient familiarity with available avenues of access, which is in line with patients’ reliance on primarily illegal drugs, and to doubts about the reliability of available evidence, which is in line with the scarcity of data from human studies.

However, it is encouraging that more than half of the questioned doctors would urge their patients to join in future clinical studies of medicinal cannabis for IBD, especially given that Australian medical authorities anticipate an increase in patient demand for medical cannabis.

To know more about where to buy medical cannabis in Australia and other medical marijuana resources, you should book a consultation session with a professional from Chronic Therapy today.