Cannabis Inhaling Vs. Ingesting: What Should You Choose?

Cannabis Inhaling

Cannabis is everywhere, from what we put inside our bodies to what we put on it, the market is filled with varieties that we can’t wait to test and experiment with. But just because these products are out there does not mean they’re good for us. Whether the product you’re willing to try is a recreational gummy or a high potency medical vape you bought with a medical marijuana card NY, it’s necessary to be aware of all related implications.

Both inhalation and ingestion are the two most common ways of consuming cannabis. Both, however, have their own set of pros and cons.

In this article, we will pay attention to what these methods of cannabis consumption mean. How effective and convenient they are. And how they affect our health. By the end of the article, you should be able to decide the right method of consumption for yourself.

Cannabis Inhaling: Smoking and Vaping

Inhalation is definitely the most preferred method of administration when it comes to cannabis. Why? Because of how quickly it gets working. 

Smoking and vaping can get you feeling the effects the fastest, delivering the cannabis directly to the lungs, where it enters the bloodstream. You’re sure to start feeling the effects within a minute, that’s how efficient the method is. 

But the method isn’t without cons. Both smoking and vaping can have a negative impact on your lungs, leading to a bunch of other medical conditions. This is why a pro- medical marijuana New York doctor would not recommend this method of administration for an asthamatic patient or one prone to lung infections. 

Smoking is the most dangerous method of consumption, closely followed by vaping. While these methods aren’t as awful as nicotine smoking, they aren’t the most healthy form to get your dosage. 

Cannabis Ingesting: Edibles and Drinks

Anything cannabis that goes through your digestive tract before entering your bloodstream is ingestible. These could be your favorite CBD rich brownies, your Delta 8 energy drinks or broad spectrum gummy rings. It could even be food infused with CBD or your favorite lemon drink with peppermint CBD oil drops added to it. 

In other words, you’ll find the most diverse set of product bundles for ingestibles. 

What’s better, these are easier to dose. Gummies, capsules, chocolate bars, or other edibles, all come with easy dosage directions that you can follow. It’s always preferable to reassure yourself by reading through the certificate of analysis of the product. 

Here’s the thing- every ingestible has to be digested and metabolized by the liver before the CBD and THC can start showing their effects, making this one a slower process. At the same time, this method leads to stronger and long lasting effects as opposed to other fast acting methods. 

Unfortunately, there are a bunch of other factors that decide how you react to these doses. It could be what you’ve eaten or how much, how sensitive you are to the cannabinoids, if you’ve taken the right dosage etc. 

Making the Differences Clear

Difference Inhalation Ingestion
Fast Acting Smoking and vaping take between a few seconds to minutes in taking effect. All products that are digested first take somewhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. 
Long Lasting The effects are quick but short lived. You can take a few puffs after a few hours.  The effects take longer to appear but stay for much longer as well. You need to wait a few hours before ingesting more. 
Easier Dosage It can be difficult to measure how much you’re consuming in puffs.  For packaged goods, doses are predefined so you can easily administer as per directions. 
Safer Administration Smoking and vaping can be harmful for the lungs.  These do not harm any organ specifically. 
Intoxication  Since you feel its effects early on, it’s not prone to over intoxication.  The effects can take a few hours to show, leading users to consume more doses that can lead to over intoxicity. 
Taste The flowers have a natural earthy flavor but you can opt for alternatives with added flavor.  The capsules have no flavor, while the gummies, and drinks are available in multiple flavors. 

Making the Choice

We’ve already discussed what comes with both inhalation and ingestion of CBD products. Now all that’s left is for you to make the choice. 

Picking the right type of product can be pretty easy, if you just keep these questions in mind.

  • Do you need quick effects or long lasting effects?
  • Are you capable of managing your own doses or do you prefer easy dosage?
  • Are you willing to put your lungs at risk or do you prefer a safer method of consumption?
  • What type of consumption does your medical marijuana NY doctor recommend? 

You can also go as far as experimenting with different products and modes of administration till you find the right one. In any case, if you’re a first time user, always opt for smaller doses and lighter potencies. 

For medical marijuana users, a piece of advice from your MMJ doctor can be extremely helpful. They can advise you against any strains, potencies, or modes that might interfere with your prescription medications. 

Once you’ve decided the type of product you want to consume, question yourself about the following.

  • What is your preferred CBD potency?
  • Do you need a full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate CBD product?
  • If broad spectrum, what THC concentration are you comfortable with? (With recreational products you cannot access a potency beyond 0.3%, but products bought with a medical marijuana card NY, you can get high concentrations of THC)
  • What other cannabinoids, terpenes or flavonoids do you want in your products?

There are other modes of administration too that you can opt for. Sublinguals and topicals are also extremely effective and can be found in a wide variety of products. Depending on your suitability you can choose the product that is most beneficial for you. 

It is always better to consult a medical marijuana New York doctor and get their opinion on the most suitable method of consumption for you.

Synthetic Marijuana: Another Name for Poison

Synthetic Marijuana

Synthetic marijuana has been, for the longest time, a dreaded ‘alternative’ of naturally occurring marijuana. Unlike other cannabinoids that are extracted from marijuana or hemp sources, these ones were once synthesized for the sole purpose of research. 

However, the widespread distribution of these toxic alternatives across different channels and amongst the citizens of NY has necessitated the use of marijuana products you can access with a New York medical card

While you can get these toxins from any shady vendors and drug dealers, medical cannabis can only be obtained from a licensed dispensary, making it legal and safe. 

But before we get into why you should choose medical cannabis over synthetic, let us learn a little more about synthetic marijuana. Why it is feared, its side effects and why we should move to better, cleaner and naturally occurring alternatives. 

What is synthetic marijuana?

As the name states, these cannabinoids have been synthesized in laboratories rather than being sourced out from natural hemp or marijuana sources. 

These are often a combination of naturally grown plants that are sprayed with chemicals that imitate the effects of THC, but at a much greater potency. These chemicals lead to extreme psychosis in humans due to how potent they are. 

These illicit drugs have a bunch of street names: K2, Spice, Smacked, AK-47, Ninja, Wicked, Skunk, Atomic, XXX Ultra and many more. 

Why were these synthesized? For research. 

John W. Huffman was the scientist who first started synthesizing cannabinoids to learn about the endocannabinoid system in humans in 1984. He worked to create terahydrocannobidol (THC) like cannabinoids- in other words, components capable of creating a psychoactive effect. 

However, the publication of all that he researched and concluded was made available to the public which has led to the present hijacking of basic research. 

At present, these synthesized cannabinoids can very easily be found circulating the market, being smuggled around and sold to college graduates. This blind circulation makes the drug even more dangerous than it already was.

The major issue lies here:

  • These synthetic cannabinoids are falsely labelled as legal and natural when being sold to ignorant customers, often marketed as incense, potpourri or herbal mixtures
  • A majority of these cannabinoids are actually controlled substances (either illegal on a federal level or banned by different states)
  • There aren’t any limit to these cannabinoids, these seem to be multiplying every year
  • The cannabinoids have unregulated psychoactive effects that can lead to major impairing symptoms and eventual death
  • Not a lot is clearly known about their effects, especially in the long run, due to their unregulated character
  • These are highly intoxicating and addictive, and can lead to very serious withdrawal syndrome symptoms
  • Use of the drugs at an early stage can be a leading cause of mental health issues and psychiatric disorders in adults
  • Unlike naturally occurring marijuana which is difficult to overdose on, synthetic marijuana overdoses can lead you to the emergency room or poison
  • These cannabinoids can be upto 100 times (or more) more potent than marijuana, leading to psychoactive effects that are beyond our control
  • These cannabinoids are created to learn their effects on human receptors. It’s purpose is to fully activate the CB receptors, while THC does it only partially
  • Some symptoms of synthetic cannabinoid use are agitation, hallucination, paranoia, tremor, seizure, vomiting, chest pain, cardiac arrests, tachycardia, hypokalemia, kidney damage, psychosis, brain damage and even death
  • Bruising and random bleeding are common reasons for emergency calls after the consumption of these cannabinoids.

Alternative to Synthetic Marijuana: Choose Your High Wisely

Synthetic cannabinoids are NOT meant for your consumption and should strictly be restricted to their academic purpose. Rather, you can always opt for a safely sourced marijuana strain that has been extracted for consumption. 

A majority of states have legalized the use of cannabis to varying degrees, allowing citizens to consume high quality and safe products. New York, for one, has legalized both medical and recreational (quite recently) use of the herb. This legal availability of the herb should end the consumption of any synthetic cannabinoid. 

But out of the two, which one should you opt for? 

Medical marijuana is definitely the better option. If you qualify for the medical conditions stated by your state authorities, you can apply for a medical marijuana new york card, that’ll allow you to possess, consume, travel with (inside state borders) and grow your stash without any legal loopholes. 

With a medical marijuana card, you get high quality, high potency products that won’t cause an unregulated high as synthesized marijuana does. These strong doses do not lead to similar levels of addiction nor are they responsible for all the side effects associated with synthetic cannabinoids. 

Any cannabis product can lead to some level of nausea, insomnia or anxiety if not consumed in regulated doses, or when a high dose is administered at an early stage. However, you aren’t prone to bruising, bleeding, strokes, seizures, or brain damage with marijuana use. 

Disclaimer: Some states like Oklahoma, don’t even have a set list of state approved medical conditions that qualify for the use of cannabis. In these situations, you can directly consult your physician to get a medical card. 

To apply for a New York medical card, you must qualify for the following medical conditions:

  • Cancer
  • HIV/ AIDS
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Chronic Pain
  • Severe Debilitating or Life Threatening Condition
  • Cachexia or Wasting Syndrome
  • Severe and Chronic Pain
  • Severe Nausea
  • Seizures
  • Persistent Muscle Spasms
  • Opioid Use Disorder 

Even if your condition doesn’t qualify for medical marijuana recommendations, you can still use cannabis recreationally. While this limits the consumption to less variety of products and lower potency, these are safer options as opposed to unregulated synthetic substitutes. 

To ensure the the product you’re buying is of high quality, you should only buy cannabis products (CBD oils, edibles or flower with less than 0.3% THC) from licensed vendors. To verify if a retailer is legit, you can check the product specifications, read through the labels and ingredient list, and closely evaluate the certificate of analysis (COA). The absence of a COA should be the first red flag, and the only one you need. 

Conclusion

Synthetic Marijuana is a highly intoxicating drug that leads to more negative effects than positive. With most of these cannabinoids being federally illegal, their consumption should be avoided at all costs. 

Cannabis Tolerance Break: Meaning and Benefits

Cannabis Tolerance

Before we head towards the concept of a cannabis tolerance break, let’s first understand what is a tolerance. Tolerance is a state when a body becomes resistant to a medication or any substance when consumed on a regular basis. The tolerance leads to a stage where an individual requires a higher dosage of the substance to get the original effect. 

Same is the concept of cannabis tolerance. It simply means when you need a higher amount of cannabis to achieve the same desired results which you were getting earlier in a considerably lower dosage. Now, a cannabis tolerance break is when you need a break from your daily marijuana consumption as it makes you dependent. 

Medical marijuana may not make you as dependent as recreational usage can do. States like New York, California have a major chunk of cannabis users who go for tolerance breaks. Medical marijuana New York is easily available, being one of the reasons for the rising marijuana consumption and the need for tolerance break. You just need a medical marijuana card NYC or new york medical card and you can access legal cannabis. Coming back to our main topic, in this blog, we will be discussing cannabis tolerance break, its benefits, side-effects, etc. 

What Is a Cannabis Tolerance Break: Meaning 

As mentioned earlier, a cannabis tolerance break is a deliberate break from cannabis for a particular period of time in order to reduce the number of cannabinoids in the brain and body. 

Studies show that the chemicals in cannabis can build up to a level that may reduce its effects over time. People prefer taking tolerance breaks when they feel the need to consume more cannabis to get the same results they had experienced before. 

Importance of a Tolerance Break? 

Our body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), crucial for homeostasis, that is maintaining balance in the body. Its different functions include sleep, pain regulation, digestive system, stress and others. CBD and THC, the most prevalent compounds of cannabis are known for improving the endocannabinoid system. 

But the thing to be noted is that THC directly interacts with cannabinoid receptors which could be a bit dangerous as it may lower the amount of cannabinoids your body produces naturally. So, tolerance break is necessary as THC should be used to improve and not cause any form of dysfunction in the ECS. 

Also, people who have very little or no knowledge about marijuana think that break is important as tolerance is bad for health, but again that’s a misunderstood concept. 

Benefits of a Cannabis Tolerance Break 

Now, why do people take cannabis tolerance breaks? What are the benefits? Well, tolerance breaks offer a wide range of benefits. Taking regular breaks ensures your system doesn’t take too much THC, which could be problematic. THC interacts with CB 1 receptors in the brain which can trigger the neurological responses, increasing the probability of a person to crave that particular effect again.

 And it is said that there’s nothing wrong with cannabis being a rewarding substance but rewards can always be abused. Excessive consumption of THC could cause cannabis use disorder (CUD) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome. A tolerance break can help not get any of these disorders. 

Are There Any Side-effects of a Tolerance Break

The side-effects of a tolerance break may vary from person to person, their dependency on cannabis, and health conditions. Initially, a person will feel some physical and psychological discomfort such as restlessness, sweating, problem sleeping, etc. Below are some of the common side-effects of taking a tolerance break- 

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Changes in mood
  • Appetite change
  • Stomach aches 

Tips for a Successful Tolerance Break

  • Be Mentally Prepared

First and foremost, make up your mind. Talk to yourself and figure out why you want a tolerance break. What are your priorities. Write them out. As lame or silly as it sounds, it’s as effective as anything else. 

Clearing up your head and finding a purpose behind everything gives you courage to move forward with what’s best for you. Once you are mentally prepared for your break, slowly and steadily reduce your dosage and then gradually you would be able to take a complete break. But don’t go cold turkey as it might leave you with some serious side-effects. 

Another thing you could do is to make sure that any form of cannabis which you were consuming, is not anywhere near you. Most people take a break from smoking, so ensuring that your place doesn’t have any vaporizers and other smoking devices is necessary. 

  • Exercise  

Exercise is a great tool for keeping yourself away from THC and it’s dependency. Research suggests that intense cardio workouts can help you take out THC out of your body and feel much better. Any form of physical activity would help your body not crave much about cannabis. Whether you want to do yoga sessions, take dance classes, do zumba, anything you like, just stay consistent with it and gradually you will notice a big change. 

  • Stay Busy

Staying busy is probably one of the major things you can focus on while being on your tolerance break. See what you enjoy and choose your activities for the day accordingly. You can hit the gym if you want. Do not skip your work days and try to work with full concentration. Hang out with your family, friends or even meet new people, if that helps. There are a lot of things you can do in order to keep your attention away from cannabis. 

Final Thoughts 

Tolerance breaks are an imperative part of any treatment regime, especially when you feel you are no longer getting the same effects. Before you go on a tolerance break, you need to take care of some things.

If you are a medical cannabis patient and use marijuana for any of your health conditions, then make sure you first consult with your doctor and measure all pros and cons. Taking a break surely sounds cool but it’s not that easy, so make sure you do your proper research first.

Can Marijuana Be The Source Of Your Paranoia? Here’s What You Need To Know!

Paranoia

Marijuana has, for the longest time, been associated with mental disorders and paranoia, but in vastly varying degrees. While some studies have shown positive effects of marijuana on patients suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even conditions like schizophrenia and alziemers, there are a bunch of studies that advise against it. 

But it all comes down to your source of marijuana, your concentration of THC, if you’re biologically receptive to the drug, what age you begin using marijuana, and the other medications you might be using. 

This is why, when buying marijuana, you should always go for a medical consultation from a certified cannabis doctor, and only buy recommended products or doses with your New York state medical marijuana card. The NY marijuana laws have made it easy for all adults to get their hands on some high quality & potent marijuana products as long as their condition requires its use. 

Now, let’s dig deeper into what part of marijuana can lead to paranoia in patients and medical marijuana users.

What is your Strain Made Of?

Cannabis or marijuana have a bunch of cannabinoids that work together to give you a relaxing, relieving, and euphoric experience. However, what your strain has more of, could decide how your trip goes. 

CBD, one of the two most researched cannabinoids found in the herb is known to give a relaxing and relieving experience to users. Whether on a recreational level or a medical standpoint, high CBD potent products are usually recommended for patients of anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, epilepsy, AIDS, and multiple other conditions. 

THC, on the other hand, is the most talked about cannabinoid, responsible for the psychoactive effects that you might refer to as intoxication or the ‘high’. While THC is also responsible for alleviating a lot of the symptoms that come with the conditions stated above, it is also known to create an atmosphere of psychosis. 

High THC consumption over longer periods can make a person more prone to paranoia. Since THC consumption is also linked with hallucinations, one should be careful while consuming THC potent products. 

As a patient suffering from anxiety, or any mental disorders that make you more susceptible to paranoid episodes, it is not recommended to get a strain with high THC concentrations. 

Your cannabis doctor can recommend any broad spectrum or CBD isolates to help you calm your nerves and get the benefits of cannabis without the unwanted high and paranoia.

Are you naturally at a disadvantage?

If you’ve always been more of an overthinker, making anxiety your everyday pal, cannabis use(with high THC levels) isn’t the best option for you. In cases like these, you should depend on higher CBD dosage.

Research also shows a great compatibility between the psychosis caused due to cannabis use and people with a specific variant of SKT1 gene. The gene is responsible for governing an enzyme that controls the dopamine levels in the brain’s stratum. And do you know what condition is associated with fluctuations in dopamine levels? Schizophrenia. 

When Did You Start Using Cannabis?

Adolescent use of cannabis has been closely related to mental health issues going into adulthood. It has shown decline in performance, and basic coordination and eventual long term use may lead to addictive behaviour. The use of the drug at an early age (which is illegal) would require teens to get it from an unreliable source. This could mean that the THC levels would be unregulated, leading to potential side effects. 

Teens with a family history of psychosis are also at a high probability of showing similar symptoms after unregulated use of cannabis at an early age. 

When combined with the previous point discussed, early use of the drug and a natural vulnerability to its effects can turn out to be the perfect recipe for a psychiatric condition. 

Reasons like these can make the use of recreational marijuana dicey, especially with unreliable vendors. NY marijuana laws make it easier for you to not go down that path. 

You can easily apply for a new york state medical marijuana card if you think your condition requires marijuana use. All you need to do is fill a form with all your details, sit through an online consultation, and if your condition is MMJ use approved, you can get your recommendation via email the same day. You only have to follow it up by registering with your state authorities. 

Are You On Any Medication? 

Cannabis interactions with other medications or even other substances like alcohol can be very dangerous for you. These can alter the way a medication is supposed to be broken down by the body, leading to alterations in effect. Some can even lead to extremely low heart rate to the point that you have to be carried to the emergency room. This isn’t hypothetical, it actually happened! 

In other cases, this can lead to high blood pressure, elevation of THC effects like hallucinations and paranoia. It is always recommended to be completely honest with your cannabis doctor, when it comes to the medications or substances you might be indulging in. 

You also have to take the physician’s guidance very seriously when it comes to mixing your medications with other substances. 

Conclusion 

The whole idea of whether cannabis can reduce your paranoia or increase it is relative. Relative to what kind of product you consume and if it has higher THC levels or CBD levels. It depends on what age you start consuming cannabis and whether you and your family are naturally receptive to the drug. As long as you’re crystal clear with your physician about your conditions, you’ll get a recommendation that creates the right balance for your symptoms. 

Can Medical Marijuana Help in the Treatment of Eczema?

Eczema

When a question inquiring into the medical effectiveness of marijuana for a particular disease or disorder is asked, many eyebrows are raised. This is because not every person is open to the suggestion of new and unconventional forms of medications and would rather go for traditional and regressive medicines to treat their health issues. However, many MMJ doctors like the medical marijuana New York doctors are constantly advocating the use of medical marijuana as a valid treatment for not only pain and inflammation but also for serious skin conditions like Eczema. How exactly? Let’s find out.

What Is Eczema? 

Eczema, also referred to as atopic dermatitis is a skin condition classified as an autoimmune disease that makes the skin red, inflamed, itchy, and flaky. Other physical symptoms that are commonly noticed in the people who are suffering from this condition are red to brownish gray patches of skin; small, raised bumps which leak fluid or pus that turn to crust when scratched, and extremely red sensitive and swollen skin all over their hands, feet, chest, eyelids, etc. This skin disorder mainly affects children around the age of 5 and persists throughout their adulthood stage but for some people it flares periodically and might sometimes even skip years to show its symptoms.

The main triggers of this disease include hereditary genes, allergens, common irritants, and poor blood flow in the veins. This is especially caused when the afflicted area starts itching badly and is continuously scratched on by the people. As of yet, there is no cure that can treat this skin disorder.

How Does Medical Cannabis Help Eczema? 

As per reliable sources, CBD the phytocannabinoid that is extracted from the cannabis plants is a valid antimicrobial component and can kill Staphylococcus aureus, the bacteria known to cause flare ups in people who suffer from Eczema. Similarly, there are a lot of other factors that hint at the important properties of medical marijuana in the way of treatment of Eczema. Let us go through each one in detail.

Anti-itching Effect

The Endocannabinoid system in the bodies of normal humans enable the reception of cannabinoid solutions almost perfectly. And due to this reason, alone cannabis becomes highly effective in treatment of various disorders in people. This aspect is then taken full advantage of by the doctors with the introduction of cannabis as a medication which will react with the receptors and reduce the symptoms and appearance of Eczema. 

Antimicrobial Effect

As mentioned before, the antimicrobial properties of cannabinoids help in fighting off the staphylococcus aureus strains which are main instigators of this skin disorder. This again highlights how effective cannabis solutions are for the people suffering from Eczema. 

Anti-inflammatory Effect

The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and other derivatives of cannabis plants are quite well known. Hence, a lot of topical application medical marijuana products can be made use of to help inhibit mast cell activation which will then prevent the release of histamines. Histamines then further help in getting rid of painful itching and other such issues caused by Eczema. 

For instance, in the state of New York if someone is suffering from this painful skin condition and if they are in possession of a medical marijuana card NY, they can simply consult with their MMJ doctors and ask them to prescribe certain topical skin products which will help with their symptoms.

Pain Relief

Known for being one of the best solutions of pain relief, it makes sense for cannabinoids to also be used to relieve a person of pain that will affect the person suffering from Eczema. It not only reduces pain but is known to give immediate effect which again emphasizes the healing and restoring properties of medical marijuana as a treatment.

Relaxation

There is also the inclusion of relaxing benefits that MMJ products are sure to give the users. All the itch and discomfort that affects the patients can be relieved by using these 420 solutions.

Why Are Doctors so Supportive of Medical Marijuana Solutions?

Well, marijuana has surpassed all expectations in the field of medicine by emerging as one of the most effective forms of treatment for people suffering from a number of health conditions by helping them recover and alleviate many severe symptoms. The simply wondrous therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana that a user experiences are not without credit in spite of the fact that not all consider it to be a reliable form of treatment. Whatever may be the reason for people to not give as much of a warm reception to medical cannabis as is given to any other average form of medication, there is no scientific research that establishes any long term side effects of these MMJ solutions. This makes it one of the most valuable forms of treatments in the world of medicine today.

New York MMJ doctors especially are in strong support of medical marijuana as a valid solution for many health issues and for this reason consistently recommend their patients to choose MMJ products for their treatment. After getting a New York medical marijuana card it becomes super easy for these patients to buy high quality products at reasonable prices for long term use to treat their chronic health issues. What could be better than that? 

Try cannabis topicals for your skin disorder today and enjoy the amazing benefits.

Does Medical Marijuana Help With Back Pain

Back Pain

As per reliable reports, Low Back Pain (LBP) is the second most common cause of disability in US adults and around 149 million days are lost each year due to extreme cases of it. Back pain is without a doubt one of the foremost reasons for people to skip work and visit the doctors. This also makes it quite a costly health condition with total loss costs coming around
100 to 200 billion dollars annually, mainly due to decreased wages and reduced productivity.

Medical marijuana became the ultimate solution for this problem and many countries supported this intervention. The doctors played a major role in guiding such movements from Medical marijuana New York doctors to health professionals in other states, it was a joint effort which led to the popularization of naturally derived cannabinoid solutions for intense back pains. It became an alternative form of treatment for back pain as opposed to the allopathic treatment and provided a significantly cheaper option. The naturally occurring cannabinoids were non-addictive for the user and also gave few to no side effects at all. This led to a revolution of cannabis usage, where patients are now openly embracing the use of it and getting the benefits.

In regards to the pain relieving quality of MMJ in cases of back pain, let us closely read through every aspect that makes it a good option for people.

How Is Medical Marijuana an Effective Treatment for Back Pain?

As conventional medicines give the users many side effects ranging from nausea and upset stomach to ulcers and gastric bleeding, an obvious need to come up with a better alternative solution to treat back pain without experiencing side effects was realized. Medical marijuana due to its stunning pain relieving possibilities thus became the one option people turned to. But is it effective in treating back pain and if it is, how exactly? Yes, MMJ is the perfect solution for people for treating their back pains and mainly due to the following reasons.

  • It makes the pain bearable by reducing the intensity of pain.
  • While helping with the intensity of the pain, it allows you to be free from potentially dangerous and addictive allopathic medications.
  • Depression, anxiety, and other mentally exhausting problems that arise from severe back pain can also be solved by the consumption of medical marijuana.
  • It overall increases the quality of life and promotes a healthier life as it uses only plant derived compounds with absolutely no chemicals in it.

What Are the Symptoms of Back Pain and How Does Medical Marijuana Help Treat Them?

Being a strong and effective treatment for chronic joint pain, cannabis or medical marijuana is an established way of relieving pain and helps with reducing many symptoms of lower back pain, let’s see how.

Pain and Muscle Spasms

Many valid studies have promised that the consumption or application of medical marijuana can calm down muscle spasms. Pain and muscular spasms are the most obvious symptoms of back pain and have to be consoled well to help the patient in getting rid of their intense back pain episodes.

Nausea and Vomiting

Medical marijuana also helps the patients in getting rid of the nausea and vomiting that the traditional medicines like opioids caused for the patient. It also induces sleep and reduces the chances of getting depression.

For instance, a person can consume medical marijuana in New York only when they are suffering from a specific issue from a list of health conditions. In this particular list, severe nausea is one of the health issues which warrants the use of medical marijuana. Any patient looking to get a medical marijuana card to treat their nausea in New York can simply find a legit MMJ doctor near them, hop on a call and get their card within a few minutes.

Inflammation

Marijuana has high anti-inflammatory properties and that is why it is used to treat many issues like arthritis, degenerate issues in the spine etc. Most of the neck pains and back pains are a direct result of degenerate changes in the spine and thus MMJ becomes the perfect solution.

Method of Consuming Medical Marijuana for Back Pain

Medical marijuana can be used in a number of ways depending on the product you’re using to get rid of your back pain.

Inhalation

This is probably the fastest method of consuming marijuana to treat your pains. You smoke or vape your pain away.

Drinking Liquids

Here, the medicine can be incorporated in the diet of the patient. It will reduce the pain without giving any psychoactive effects.

Sublingually Using Tinctures

Another fast method of consumption, tinctures are indeed effective in alleviating pains in the patients of back pain when a few drops are put under the tongue of the patient.

Via Edibles

The pain relieving effect will take a few hours to be felt by the patient depending on the potency of the product and also the problem to be treated. This is advised for all chronic pain patients as they have to regularly consume marijuana.

Externally Applying Topicals

Topical application is when the afflicted area of pain is rubbed with an MMJ gel or cream giving the user the soothing effects via the method of absorption. The desired effect will depend on the application and the duration of use.

Conclusion

Since there is no end to the back pain problems that keep cropping up due to the sedentary lifestyle that people are living, the quest for a permanent solution was very much needed. Especially in the recent years when the cases of severe back pains have skyrocketed, medical marijuana became a blessing in disguise. The shocking revelations of each individual getting affected by back pains at least once in their lifetime called for a new age of medicine where marijuana could be used openly for the treatment of certain problems and it got one. Let’s be a part of this change and promise to always go for natural solutions for our problems.

5 Reasons CBD Is Not Working for You!

CBD

Why is CBD not working for me? Does it even show any effects? If you have questions like these, you are not alone and we understand you. CBD is the most talked and used term in cannabis culture. Though it is used by a wide range of patients, it might not work for you sometimes. And just because CBD is not working for you, it does not necessarily mean that the whole health industry is fraud. There might be some reasons why CBD is not working for you. Before jumping into the reasons, let’s understand what CBD is and what role does it play-

CBD or cannabidiol is one of the most active components of the cannabis plant. Unlike THC, that gives you a mind high, CBD has some really amazing therapeutic properties. A lot of patients across the US state use CBD as a treatment for the following conditions – 

  1. Chronic Pain 
  2. Anxiety
  3. Depression
  4. Arthritis
  5. Inflammation
  6. Cancer
  7. Wasting Syndrome
  8. Seizures, etc. 

CBD is legal in almost all the US states, however you require a medical card to access other cannabis products. Every state follows different guidelines regarding the issue of medical cards. Let’s say you are a New Yorker, then you need a NY medical card to access cannabis near your area and in the state. CBD, however, is easily accessible on online stores and dispensaries. Now, coming back to the main topic, here are 5 possible reasons why CBD is not working for you – 

You are Impatient and Not Giving It Enough Time 

One of the major reasons why CBD might not be working for you is because of your attitude towards it. You might have tried some CBD oil for your chronic joint pain but you did not feel any relief. And all of that is okay as CBD takes time to display its effects on your mind and body. The instant effects from CBD are not that common. It is advised to take CBD for a few weeks and in some cases, a few months in order to get the ultimate effects. So, make sure you are patient with your CBD treatment. 

Check the Right Dosage for You 

Finding the right dosage is a practice that needs time, be it any treatment. Your body may have a different requirement for CBD depending on the unique biology that we all have. And your wrong dosage might be one of the reasons you are not feeling the CBD effects. So, the main question is how do you find the right dosage for you? 

It’s simple. Start off with a low dose and see how it works for you. If you feel you’re not getting the desired results, then you can increase the dosage accordingly. After a few weeks, you will eventually figure out what works for you and what not! Also, make a note of how you have been experimenting with the dosage and then analyse what works the best for you. 

Your Consumption Method 

The next possible reason could be your consumption method. So, CBD comes in different forms including CBD oil & tinctures, edibles, topicals, pills, vapes, etc. The safest and effective method of consuming CBD is CBD oil. We take oil sublingually, which makes it go directly into the bloodstream, showing quicker results. On the other hand, edibles like gummies and chocolates take a maximum of 2 hours to get into your system and show out the effects. This is one of the reasons the majority of the people prefer CBD oil rather than edibles. So, if CBD is not working for you, you might want to change the delivery system. 

Is Your CBD From a Trusted Source?

This has to be the most crucial and concerning reasons behind CBD not responding for you. Where did you purchase your CBD products? Did you check the brand properly? Are you sure it was from a trusted source? 

Well, with the growing demand for CBD, so many CBD products are hitting the health market. Taking advantage of the situation, there are some scammers who are circulating low-quality CBD in the market without proper labeling, in order to make profits. And some of you might be buying that low-quality CBD just because of your lack of knowledge. And that is why your CBD is not showing the effects. So, be aware of the scammers and gain knowledge about how to recognize the trusted brand.

Maybe CBD Is Not for You 

Last but not least, this could be the major reason why CBD is not working for you. Maybe CBD is not the right treatment for you. There are people who are not even aware about their health condition and are taking CBD treatment just because of the hype around the subject. But is that how you should take care of yourself? Absolutely not. Firstly, analyse yourself and see if there’s a problem or not. If there is, then probably consult a doctor and get guidance on whether you need cannabis or not. If yes, then only go on about purchasing CBD. Though CBD is not harmful, it is not an option. 

Bottom Line 

CBD has become a vast topic in the cannabis culture. Owing to its amazing healing properties, an increasing number of people are choosing CBD as the right treatment for them. Having said that, it is extremely vital to first acquire knowledge about CBD and then move forward towards its consumption. As mentioned earlier, though CBD is legal in almost all of the states of America, consulting your primary doctor about it would not be a harmful choice.

New York Weed Laws Every Medical Patient Must Remember

Weed Laws

Ever since the medical community came face to face with the medical potential of cannabis, ‘medical marijuana’ became a hit and a preferred mode of treatment for a number of people. In the state of New York, it started with a very strict medical marijuana program to the approval of the MRTA act which now legalized cannabis (recreational and medical) in the state. 

Now, most medical patients or ones seeking cannabis as a treatment option must have heard about the legal advantages of being a medical patient in a recreational state. From higher legal security to high possession limits, New York weed laws are lenient to those using medical marijuana. But, despite this advantage, there are a few laws that even medical patients cannot break. Let’s take a look. 

Always Carry Your Medical Marijuana Card

If you are a medical marijuana patient, the first and most important thing that you should remember is to always carry your medical marijuana card. Even though the state of New York has legalized cannabis, it does leave some scope for legal problems if you are caught without a medical card. 

For instance, medical marijuana patients can possess and purchase a higher limit than recreational consumers. If you are caught possessing more than 3 ounces of cannabis without a medical card, you can end up in legal trouble. Additionally, a medical marijuana card is necessary in the state as adult marijuana sales haven’t begun yet. So, you can buy cannabis in NY only if you have a legit card. 

Once you consult a licensed health care provider and get a written recommendation, make sure to register with the New York Medical Marijuana Program to get your state issued medical marijuana card. 

Possession Limit

The New York Department of Health imposes a purchase and possession limit on medical marijuana patients too. If you have a valid medical marijuana card, as per the updated New York weed laws, you can possess and purchase a 60 day supply of cannabis at a time.

Being in possession of more than the legal limit can attract penalties even if you are a medical patient. 

Though the possession limit is higher than the 3 ounces limit for recreational consumers, you must stick to your 60 day supply limit. 

Smoking In Public Places

With the MRTA Act, the New York medical marijuana laws expanded and removed previously adapted restrictions such as smoking marijuana. 

Now, medical patients can access smokable cannabis products and use it for their medical treatment without the fear of the law. However, the cannabis smoking laws are somewhat similar to tobacco smoking laws. 

If you are a medical patient who smokes, make sure to do it in a private place. Any public place or area within 100 feet of a public or private school ground is prohibited. If caught, it will be taken as a violation of New York’s tobacco control laws. 

Driving Under the Influence

Cannabis, whether medical or recreational, is a Controlled Substance under federal law. It is psychoactive and can cause mild to severe intoxication. This is why professionals advise you to follow safety tips when using cannabis. One of the safety tips include avoiding driving. 

Since cannabis can cause a high, it is not the best state to be in doing an activity that involves complete alertness. Driving after consuming cannabis risks your safety as well as others. This is why driving under the influence of cannabis is prohibited and if caught will be considered as Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs (DWAI) irrespective of whether or not you have a medical marijuana card.

Just to be safe, make sure that you consume medical marijuana at home and under the supervision of a person you can trust. 

Crossing State Boundaries

You cannot cross state boundaries while in possession of medical marijuana. While New York has legalized cannabis, the laws haven’t changed at the federal level yet. Going by the state law, cannabis is a Schedule 1 Drug and not approved to be a medical drug. The herb is also not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. 

As a result, if you are caught in the federal boundaries while in possession of cannabis, you may have to face legal complications. State boundaries and air space after an airplane takes off are all areas under the federal jurisdiction. 

In case you are traveling to a different state, you can buy and purchase cannabis there if the state has a dedicated medical marijuana reciprocity program and as long as you have a valid medical marijuana card. You must check the reciprocity laws of the state you are traveling to to avoid any legal problems. 

Takeaway

Using medical marijuana in New York as a registered patient offers a number of advantages. From money savings and high possession limits to legal security and easy home deliveries, you can access it all with a valid medical marijuana card. 

However, certain New York weed laws must be followed to ensure that cannabis sale and use is regulated and the herb is not misused. Now that we have discussed the most important weed laws, it is important that all medical marijuana patients remember them when using cannabis to avoid legal troubles and have a safe experience every time.

CBD: The New Beauty Ingredient on the Block

CBD and Skincare

CBD is an extraordinary ingredient with several therapeutic benefits. 

It’s needless to doubt CBD’s remarkable powers. 

To prove what I just said, here’s a factful explanation. 

Have you ever heard of Sephora? 

If yes, you are pretty much aware of the worldwide recognition this brand receives. 

For those who are unsure, let me help you understand why CBD is a huge trend.

Sephora introduced a wide range of CBD skincare products in 2018. 

Since then, it has seen a significant shift in how people buy skincare products. 

Especially those that treat skin care problems. 

And without a doubt, CBD is one component that helps skin junkies deal with several skin conditions. 

To name a few, eczema, acne, dry skin, itchiness, pain, etc. 

Not only this, but according to a report, the  CBD skincare market will be $1.7 worth by 2025

And I think it’s safe to say that the CBD industry has successfully managed to make a significant impact. 

Be it chocolates, mocktails, or clothing, CBD is everywhere. 

So, if you wish to jump on the CBD skincare bandwagon, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. 

CBD Is Considered Safe for the Skin

Owing to the therapeutic benefits, CBD is largely considered beneficial in the treatment of mild to normal skin conditions. 

In particular, those who either have sensitive skin or problems such as dryness, acne, and redness. 

CBD also showcases anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. 

This indicates that CBD can easily help fight the signs of aging while alleviating pain and inflammation. 

To add more, here’s a study that will help you understand the other benefits of hemp or CBD-derived hemp. 

According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, hemp acts as an emollient, cleanser, and surfactant. 

And these properties further allow users to apply CBD in areas that are dry and itchy. 

So, CBD definitely has some potential otherwise, why would you see thousands of Americans buying CBD skincare products from online stores. 

Nanotechnology and CBD 

Let’s not forget that nanotechnology plays a huge role in increasing the absorption capacity of a product. 

One of the biggest reasons why the skincare industry believes in nanotechnology. 

What’s the motive? 

Well, it’s simple – to build effective products with 100% reliability. 

So, in order to meet the customer requirement, more and more brands are leaning towards nanotechnology. 

In fact, some famous brands, such as CBD Living, use nanotechnology to enhance skin retention properties. 

And the best part is that nanotechnology has helped a lot of companies attain the traction they desire. 

While also helping them gain an edge over competitors. 

Hemp-Derived CBD Is Noncomedogenic 

Hempseed oil or CBD oil is one of the two main oils to attain a zero rating on the non-comedogenic scale. 

In contrast, oils such as olive, coconut, and almond are rated very high on the comedogenic scale. 

What does this mean for the CBD skincare industry? 

It simply means that CBD is a good skincare ingredient for people who suffer from acne and sensitive skin problems. 

In addition to this, its non-comedogenic nature allows users to apply oils without having to worry about blocking skin pores. 

CBD Helps Your Skin Produce Its Own Moisture 

There are several skincare products out there. 

Some will lure you into believing that they can help lock moisture.

The others will work for a few hours and cause the skin to dry again. 

But that’s not the case with CBD. 

CBD is a unique component.  

It allows your skin to produce its own moisture.

And the best part is that it does not drive your sebaceous glands crazy. 

CBD locks enough moisture and helps improve skin retention properties. 

Which, in turn, allows you to feel more comfortable in your own skin. 

Hemp-Derived CBD Is Legal

Yes, you hard it right, CBD derived from the hemp plant containing at least 0.3% THC is federally legal.  

All thanks to the Hemp Farm Bill

The bill was passed in 2018, allowing manufacturers, processors, distributors, and sellers to conduct legal CBD businesses. 

However, there’s a twist here.

Because cannabis is still illegal on the federal level, there are certain things that you have to keep in mind. 

For instance, products containing more than the legal THC limit naturally fall under the illegal category

So, make sure that you get a medical marijuana recommendation or check in with the state rules. 

To put things into perspective, here’s an example: 

New York marijuana program allows only patients with a qualifying condition to purchase medical marijuana. 

In particular, products that contain high concentrations of CBD. 

On the other hand, states like California allow patients to buy CBD over the counter. 

To be honest, it’s best if you consult a doctor and get medical advice before treating a specific medical condition. 

Final Thoughts

Regardless of what the anti-cannabis community may suggest, the wave of CBD is real and trending. 

From New York marijuana to California legal cannabis, we have it all. 

In fact, you can look at the statistical data or approach people who are benefiting from CBD. 

Every data and example points towards CBD’s therapeutic potential. 

And to say the least, the CBD skincare industry has a bright future, especially in terms of skincare. 

So, anyone looking for a skin-soothing ingredient must give CBD a try. 

It may not work as expected, but it will definitely not have any side effects. 

Moreover, CBD will not let you down or make you high. 

Nothing to lose here! 

Marijuana For Cancer – Everything You Should Learn

mmj card ny online

Medical marijuana is legal in many states and is available in many forms today. If you have a medical condition listed in the MMJ qualifying conditions’ list, you can get a New York medical card.

Marijuana’s active cannabinoids provide promising results for patients with various medical conditions such as pain, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, etc. Some medical studies say THC can be helpful in managing cancer chemotherapy side-effects. Read on to learn about how cannabis helps cancer patients, top strains, and more.

Cancer Treatment & Its Side-Effects

Cancer is a disease associated with the growth of cells uncontrollably. Usually, cells grow and spread throughout the body. Over time, the cells grow old & damaged, and new cells take their place. When cancer develops, the damaged, old cells grow and multiply, thus forming tumors.

For cancer treatment, medical doctors usually do surgeries to remove cancer from the body. Chemotherapy can also be used for killing cancer cells by using drugs. However, this treatment also kills or slows the growth of healthy cells, thus causing side-effects, such as-

  • Nausea
  • Hair loss
  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Mouth sores
  • Change in appetite
  • Pain

Marijuana For Cancer Patients

Marijuana has medicinal properties; it can help in reducing pain, nausea, and inflammation. It contains more than 100 chemical compounds (called cannabinoids)—the most studied ones are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that causes high feelings while CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid.

Medical studies have found that cannabis and its compounds can help in easing side effects caused by cancer chemotherapy.

Nausea & Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common among cancer patients after chemotherapy and other treatments. Cannabis can help in managing these issues. In fact, the FDA has approved Dronabinol (Marinol®), a gelatin capsule containing THC, for treating nausea and vomiting. This drug is also helpful in managing the lack of appetite in AIDS patients. Nabilone (Cesamet®) is also approved in the country for nausea and vomiting treatment.

Pain

Research says that smoking marijuana can help in reducing cancer-related pain. Cannabinoids in cannabis work by binding to the receptors in the brain and other areas of the body. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD has amazing anti-inflammatory properties.

Nabiximols (a mouth spray containing 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD) is effective in reducing pain in two placebo-controlled trials. It’s under study in the United States, but available in Canada and parts of Europe.

Loss of Appetite

Some chemotherapy drugs can lead to loss of appetite, thus causing weight loss. Research says that cannabis compounds can help in improving appetite and sense of taste. When you consume cannabis, THC is delivered into the bloodstream, thus stimulating appetite. Marijuana is effective in managing eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.

Neuropathy

Nerve damage is another side-effect of cancer chemotherapy, which can be managed with cannabis. It’s usually associated with burning in the hands & feet, feelings of weakness, numbness, etc.

CBD indirectly interacts with the CB2 receptors in the ECS, thus reducing pain and inflammation THC helps in relieving pain caused by nerve damage by binding to the CB1 receptors.

Anxiety

Cancer patients getting chemotherapy treatment may experience anxiety. Symptoms include restlessness, excessive worrying, trouble concentrating, and irritability. Common medications prescribed by doctors for cancer-related anxiety are—Lorazepam, Diazepam, and Clonazepam.

Medical studies show that consuming cannabis through smoking or other methods can help in reducing anxiety and stress levels. However, dosing is important; higher doses of THC may increase anxiety.

Marijuana can be beneficial in killing cancer cells without affecting healthy ones, found researchers at the University of Newcastle. Dr. Matt Dun and his team tested high-THC and high-CBD cannabis strains against cancer. They reported that marijuana strains rich in CBD delivered better results in killing cancer cells from leukemia and pediatric brainstem glioma.

Some animal studies suggest that cannabinoids may slow the growth & spread of cancer cells in the body. However, more human studies are required to evaluate how exactly cannabis works.

How to Use Medical Marijuana?

The first step is to get a New York medical card. This helps you to legally possess and use cannabis for medical purposes. Additionally, you can save cannabis taxes on buying cannabis.

Visit NY Medical Card to apply for your marijuana evaluation online in just 10 minutes. Here’s the process-

  • Sign up for an account online
  • Talk to a licensed doctor via video call
  • Get your MMJ recommendation letter in PDF

When using cannabis for medical purposes, the type of strains you use has a direct impact. High-THC strains cause you high effects along with easing your symptoms while high-CBD strains deliver sedative effects. Talk to your MMJ doctor & seek professional help regarding cannabis strains that can help you deal with your symptoms.

Related- Best Cannabis Strains For Cancer Relief

Moreover, the amount of cannabis you consume and how you deliver cannabinoids into the body affect the kind of medicinal effects you receive. If you haven’t used cannabis before, start with a low dose.

Smoking cannabis provides immediate medicinal effects. But, it’s associated with lung health issues due to the presence of carcinogens and toxins in the smoke. Edibles, tinctures, oils, and topicals are some alternative marijuana consumption methods to enjoy medicinal benefits of cannabis.

Covering it up, marijuana provides ultimate relief from nausea & vomiting, loss of appetite, pain, and anxiety caused by chemotherapy treatment. For managing your symptoms, use cannabis strains with appropriate cannabinoid levels, and choose the right dose and delivery methods. Get a doctor’s recommendation to access medical marijuana legally.