 By: Gleason Center Editors, Dr. Daniel Gleason DC Now that marijuana is legal in Michigan, our team is receiving questions about what it does and how to use it. In this month’s newsletter, Dr. Gleason discusses everything you need to know about Marijuana, CBD, & THC. Cannabidiol (CBD) In the United States, CBD is classified as a compound from cannabis that contains no more that 0.3% THC by dry weight. There have been several anecdotal reports over the years on the use of these cannabis products. As of 2018, clinical studies were conducted on CBD for anxiety, cognition, mood disorders, and pain. A simple web search will produce tens of thousands of reports of success using CBD, treating a myriad of disorders. Many pet owners are even using these herbal formulas on their animals. Our office is receiving reports of success with CBD including:
Cannabidiol (CBD) is the psychoactive part of the cannabis plant that does not produce a high. THC is the psychoactive part that does produce a euphoric high. There is some overlap in what CBD & THC can treat, but THC is particularly effective in relieving anorexia, insomnia, and nausea. Products containing both CBD & THC often work when the individual cannabinoids themselves aren’t as effective. Hemp is defined as the parts of the cannabis sativa plant that contain less than 0.3% THC. Marijuana is defined as the parts of the plant whose THC exceeds that amount. CBD extracted from marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug and is not approved as a prescription drug or dietary supplement or allowed for interstate commerce by US federal law. Therefore, nearly all of the CBD currently available is derived from hemp. How It Works CBD affects the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the brain. This system is composed of a group of neurotransmitters and receptors found in all animals with vertebrae. The ECS affects nerves throughout the brain and peripheral nervous system. The ECS regulates a variety of processes including: memory, mood, appetite, pain, and fertility. Mediating the effects of other cannabinoids and THC. The ECS is also involved in physical movement and is responsible for the phenomenon known as a “runner’s high”. In 2018, the FDA approved the CBD drug Epidiolex for epilepsy. This drug’s side effects with regular use include sleepiness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, and sleep disorders. Those who use CBD may experience some of these same symptoms. These side effects nearly always go away with discontinued use. Now that it is legal in Michigan, many people will try THC in the form of cannabis for recreational purposes. I suspect even more will experiment with it for its medicinal effects. There are promising reports of using a topical formula called Rick Simpson Oil for pain. Purchasing & Using CBD is now widely available. The good news, CBD has no lethal dose or known serious side effects. The bad news, numerous products are marketed as containing CBD but in reality contain little or none of the active ingredient. If you try CBD and don’t get the results you are looking for try another product. It’s best to buy from a known source that uses independent testing labs to assure label potency. There’s also a wealth of information online about how to dose CBD. You can find charts for micro, standard, and macro dosing based on your weight. A loading dose of 3-4 times the regular dose may be needed when first using CBD. If you’re buying from an experienced provider, they can be of assistance in suggesting how to use CBD. CBD comes in both liquid and capsule forms. It can be used topically, orally, or sublingually. Some people are also using it in a vapor form or in an infuser. It has a half-life of 18-32 hours, which means that your liver and intestines excrete half of it within that period of time. Meaning, it’s somewhat time-released and patients may only need to use it every 12-24 hours. What’s Ahead Cannabis is an herb that’s been safely used for thousands of years, in many parts of the world. It’s also been criminalized for nearly a hundred years here in the US. The laws against the use of this relatively harmless plant have been particularly discriminatory toward minorities and those in poverty. It’s inspiring that everyday citizens, by petition, made CBD legal in Michigan. Hopefully in the near future, our federal legislators will do the same so additional research can be conducted and more patients can be helped. If you like this post, you might also enjoy: Real Answers for Fibromyalgia 
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