The Savikalpa Journal

Medical cannabis comes from the plant cannabis sativa and affects the body by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoids and their impact on rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other functions, happen by interacting with the ECS.

Imagine waking up one day to an unusual stiffness in your fingers, something you’ve never noticed before. You brush it off, thinking it’s due to endless scrolling on your mobile phone or an awkward sleeping position. But as days go by, the stiffness lingers, your joints feel tender, and even simple tasks like opening a jar become difficult. This could be an early sign of arthritis and, if ignored, might turn into persistent, debilitating pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mistakenly causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy joint tissue. Unlike regular arthritis that results from wear and tear, RA causes inflammation in the lining of your joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and, over time, joint damage. 

Many people with arthritis avoid exercise due to pain or fear of worsening symptoms, but staying active is essential for maintaining joint function, reducing stiffness, and strengthening muscles. The key is to choose the right type and intensity of exercise.

Arthritis, including osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), significantly affects daily life by causing joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. In Ayurveda, arthritis is considered an imbalance of Vata, the dosha responsible for movement in the body.

While some types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or those with a genetic origin cannot be entirely prevented, certain lifestyle measures can help reduce the risk of developing or worsening arthritis.

Managing rheumatoid arthritis requires different approaches to reduce inflammation and improve the quality of life. While conventional treatments like medications and physical therapy are commonly prescribed, natural remedies can complement these methods effectively. 

When it comes to cannabis and insomnia, there is a long history of people utilising cannabis for better sleep. Since ancient times, people have noticed the sedating effects that come with some types of cannabis and have utilised it as a sleep aid.

While many health conditions can be treated with more traditional pharmaceuticals, plant-based products may be a safer and healthier option, or at least a safe health supplement. For instance, when it comes to pain relief, THC and CBD are safer than opioids.

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) helps in maintaining equilibrium amongst many of the different functions and systems within the human body. The ECS consists of a network of receptors that are activated by cannabinoids.

What is titration? If you or someone you care for has recently been prescribed cannabinoid medicine, you’ve likely been introduced to the concept of titration. This might have been done through a cannabis dosage guide, or by your doctor providing dosage instructions that are perhaps a little more complicated than usual, considering cannabis tolerance is a little more complicated than usual.

Cannabis is a popular alternative to standard medication, especially for chronic conditions resistant to standard treatment. One such condition is psoriasis, an inflammatory autoimmune disorder affecting the skin, for which one might get psoriasis relief with CBD oil or other cannabis products. 

Cannabis interacts directly with a system in our body, called the endocannabinoid system, that helps regulate our immune responses and we know that it can help treat autoimmune diseases.

Research on cannabis-based treatments for diabetes and the endocannabinoid system and diabetes shows a strong connection between an overactive endocannabinoid system and the incidence of diabetes and obesity, and using cannabinoids tends to stimulate this system.

Cannabis oil is the resulting product created when cannabis extraction methods of chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant (Vijaya, full-spectrum cannabis extract) activate and are then infused with a carrier oil, such as medium-chain triglyceride (MCT).

It’s true that 2-AG itself has anti-inflammatory actions within the brain, especially by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors. However, that isn’t the only role it plays in the inflammatory pathway.

There is scientific evidence suggesting that cannabis can reduce inflammation and may be able to help treat conditions that are either caused by inflammation or have it as a key symptom, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and hepatitis.

Chronic pain is as real an ailment as any and is characterised by persistence. Defined simply, chronic pain is pain that is ongoing and lasts longer than 12 weeks.

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in recovery. Rehabilitation exercises help restore mobility, rebuild strength, and improve flexibility, all of which are essential in preventing re-injury.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a role in how the body regulates food intake and body weight. Studies have shown that individuals who consume cannabis have lower rates of obesity than those who have never consumed cannabis, as well as lower rates of diabetes.

Medical conditions can significantly contribute to insomnia, often creating a cycle of poor sleep and worsened symptoms. Understanding the connection between these conditions and insomnia is crucial for addressing sleep challenges effectively.

Dysmenorrhea impacts nearly half the population of women, and in 10% of cases, symptoms can escalate to the extent of interfering with daily activities. 

Which is better, CBG or CBD? The answer depends on what you’re trying to achieve. CBG binds to various receptors, which can produce a range of effects in the body. For some conditions, like hypertension, CBG shows benefits that CBD doesn’t. In other cases, like controlling seizures, CBD is helpful, while the medical use of CBG isn’t.

Mature cannabis plants contain unique compounds called ‘cannabinoids’ that are utilised for their therapeutic and medicinal value.

Most often, drugs operate on one or two molecular targets in our bodies, creating a specific effect. A multi-target effect means plant compounds can operate on many targets. In cannabis, a popular example would be the interaction of THC with CB1, CB2, GPR18, GPR55, TRPV2, TRPV3, and many other receptors.

The meaning of full-spectrum cannabis refers to products, like full spectrum CBD oil, manufactured using an extract that contains the entire spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes in cannabis, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals contained in cannabis compounds within the cannabis cultivar(s) used to create extracts.

There’s no cure for migraines, but various treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. These include home remedies like consistent sleep, hydration, and managing environmental factors, as well as medications such as pain relievers, triptans, and alternative therapies. Lifestyle changes and consulting a physician are recommended when choosing a treatment plan.

In humans, maintaining homeostasis is the way our natural systems keep conditions in the body optimal for our health and well-being. As conditions shift, either internally or externally, mechanisms kick into action to make sure that our body doesn’t suffer from the change.

Migraines, often confused with severe headaches, are a complex neurological disorder. A headache is usually just one of the symptoms of a migraine. Other symptoms include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, etc.

Lower back pain is a complex and widespread condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. From non-specific to specific causes, understanding the root of lower back pain is crucial for effective management.

The ECS modulates many of the human body’s most crucial functions — like sleep, energy, memory, hunger, inflammation, and mood, to name just a few — and helps keep them in homeostasis or internal balance.

Sleep regulates our metabolic functions, playing an important role in appetite control and weight management. Sleep deprivation disrupts this delicate balance, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and subsequent weight gain.

What makes the process of cannabinoid receptor signalling unique is that it is presynaptic. This means that, unlike in the case of neurotransmitters that travel from a neuron to a postsynaptic cell, cannabinoids attach to cannabinoid receptors located on the presynaptic neuron and affect ECS (endocannabinoid system) functions.

Cannabis has gained attention as a potential remedy for lower back pain due to its active compounds. These compounds interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, specifically targeting CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Learn the key differences between migraine with and without aura, including symptoms, causes, triggers, and natural ways to manage it.

Utilizing cannabis for its medicinal properties is hardly a new concept. Historical evidence shows that for thousands of years, cannabis has been cultivated and utilised worldwide by various cultures for its therapeutic applications.

In this brief explainer blog, we break down what the current laws governing cannabis are, and their likely evolution in the years to come.

Today’s cannabis medicine professionals choose instead to highlight ongoing efforts in clinical research on treatment efficacy to support the inclusion of cannabis in everyday modern medicine and explore more effective cannabis treatments. The current body of research regarding the possible treatment applications of cannabis medicine has expanded to include a long list of conditions/symptoms.

Cannabis and CBD for stress relief are already a popular option for patients looking to relax, but how much do we know about how it works? Research tells us that the two most prevalent cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), reduce stress and anxiety through their interaction with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Cannabinoid medicines don’t just suppress symptoms. Instead, they help the body return to a state of balance, or homeostasis, by interacting with a wide network in the body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Climbing is a physically demanding sport that builds, as well as requires, strength and balance. While starting off or taking up climbing more regularly, it’s important to listen to your body and take things slow because climbing comes with its fair share of common injuries.

The ECS interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, managing and controlling key reproductive processes like helping eggs mature, pain modulation, the development of the uterus lining, implantation, the development of the embryo during pregnancy and more.

It is well-known that many herbs contain medicinal properties, helping reduce inflammation and pain – symptoms associated with various conditions, including migraine. Some herbs have been used to treat headache-like symptoms, including migraine, for centuries.

In Egypt, medical cannabis use goes back millennia. And while many different early cultures cultivated cannabis, the ancient Egyptians exemplified a truly holistic use of the plant. It’s even possible that cannabis — Egyptian hieroglyphs called it shemshemet — became popular before the Great Pyramids were built.

Using cannabis for several months is associated with a significant reduction in blood pressure among older adults with hypertension, correlating cannabinoids and blood pressure regulation, according to a prospective study published last week.

Cannabis works primarily by modulating a system in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system. This system includes chemicals naturally produced by the human body called endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, which are activated by endocannabinoids, and enzymes which clear the endocannabinoids from the body.

With hundreds of active compounds in cannabis, cannabis has a multiplicity of effects on the human body, including some that are less known and fascinating, such as THC's impact on the body.

Exploring cannabis knowledge and cannabis can be an effective treatment for many different types of pain, including neuropathic pain, arthritis, migraines, and fibromyalgia, among others. There is also a growing body of evidence that cannabis can help with inflammation.

Modern pharmaceuticals, based on rigorous, peer-reviewed research and state-of-the-art development methods, make up the vast majority of the medicine used today. However, they have not managed to eliminate the time-tested plant-based healing and alternative natural remedies that have been trusted worldwide for centuries.

THC is known for providing the controversial, mind-altering, recreational high. However, it is replete with medicinal benefits as well. For example, THC treats pain, soothes nausea, reduces inflammation, and can improve metabolism.

The quality of our sleep is deeply interconnected with nearly every other aspect of our health, and can be substantially influenced by our sleeping environment. Individuals hoping to treat sleep disorders, including insomnia with cannabis, should begin by identifying any relevant factors and predispositions that may be contributing to a poor night’s sleep.

RLS is influenced by various factors. Chronic ailments such as iron deficiency, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, Diabetes, and Peripheral Neuropathy often coincide with RLS symptoms.

Cannabis medicine has gained increased focus and importance in recent years concerning pain management and treatment. Not only is cannabis commonly sought out as an alternative to traditional pain medications, but also as a treatment option for conditions known to be treatment resistant, and more critically, as a tool to be used in opioid use reduction strategies and in reducing opioid related deaths.

Insomnia isn't just about tossing and turning the whole night and being unable to sleep. It manifests through several key symptoms that disrupt the natural sleep-wake cycle of your body.