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Are brain fog, sleep, and pain improved by Cannabis?

Are brain fog, sleep, and pain improved by Cannabis?

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Cannabis, according to researchers, may be able to lessen the negative effects of chemotherapy as well as cancer discomfort. In a recent study, cancer patients said that using cannabis helped them feel less pain, sleep better, and think more clearly.

According to experts, federal rules need to be altered so that more studies may be done on cannabis’ advantages and impacts on medical ailments.

According to a study conducted at the University of Colorado at Boulder and published in the journal Exploration in Medicine, people with cancer who use cannabis to alleviate symptoms experience less pain, sleep better, and have clearer thinking.

This is one of the first observational studies to examine the potential effects of cannabis products obtained from a dispensary on chemotherapy side effects and cancer symptoms.

University researchers are only permitted to possess and distribute cannabis products that are authorized by the government or that meet pharmaceutical standards in the United States, which makes it challenging to conduct studies on dispensary goods.

The researchers at the University of Colorado, however, developed a novel strategy. When 25 cancer patients bought their products, they watched how they responded.

During a baseline visit, the researchers evaluated the patient’s pain tolerance, sleep quality, and cognitive function. After that, the participants went to a dispensary and bought a cannabis edible product of their choice. They selected several different products, such as:

  • Chocolates
  • Gummies
  • Tinctures
  • Pills
  • a baked good

Additionally, the THC and CBD potencies varied widely.

Information from the cannabis and cancer pain study

The researchers traveled to each person’s residence in a mobile lab.

Before being asked to consume the cannabis product they had chosen at home, each person had their physical and mental capabilities evaluated in the van. After consuming medical marijuana, they completed another test.

Within an hour of using the items, the patients claimed that their pain levels had greatly decreased. Additionally, it made them feel “high” and affected their cognitive function. They claimed to feel higher the more THC was present.

After two weeks of consistent use, the individuals underwent a follow-up examination. At that time, the patients indicated that their pain, sleep, and cognitive abilities had all decreased. Improvements were evident in various cognitive domains, including reaction times, according to objective measurements.

The researchers found that lower levels of pain led to an improvement in cognitive performance. The improvement in cognition increased as the discomfort decreased.

Patients who consumed more CBD reported significant reductions in pain and better sleep. CBD reduces inflammation. The authors of the study point out that while cognition was temporarily reduced, it can be enhanced by treating pain.

How cannabis might benefit cancer patients

Some dosages and cannabis types, according to experts, may be beneficial for persons receiving cancer therapy.

Dr. Wael Harb, a hematologist and medical oncologist at Memorial Care Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Centre in California who was not involved in the study, said, “This study adds to the growing body of research that examines the potential benefits of cannabis use in cancer patients.”

According to Harb, “the results highlight the potential for cannabis to reduce pain, enhance cognition, and improve the overall quality of life for patients.” These findings have important therapeutic ramifications since they imply that cannabis may be used as an auxiliary or alternative therapy for cancer patients, particularly those who are in pain or have cognitive deficits.

However, “it is important to note that the study has limitations, such as a relatively small sample size, which may not represent the larger population of cancer patients,” the author continued.

The study also uses self-reported information, which is prone to bias. To validate these results and investigate any potential hazards or negative consequences related to cannabis usage in cancer patients, additional research with bigger, more diverse samples and more objective assessment technologies is required.

What do you need to understand about medical marijuana?

The director of the UCI Centre for the Study of Cannabis, Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., stated that “this small study supports what oncologists have known for a long time: many cancer patients (half of them, according to some surveys) use cannabis to cope with nausea, pain, and sleeplessness caused by cancer drugs“.

He informed us that the National Cancer Institute, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is aware of this and that urgently required larger investigations are about to begin.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the cannabis plant has two major compounds (cannabinoids) that are employed in medical procedures. THC and CBD are these.

These have not been given use approval by the Food and Drug Administration. The group has, however, approved a small number of drugs that do:

  • Cannabidiol (Epidolex)
  • Dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros)
  • Nabilone

Currently, marijuana use is either decriminalized or legal in 46 states. Anyone considering using medical items should first examine the regulations in their locality as each state has different legislation.

Dr. Olivia Seecof, clinical assistant professor of medicine and attending physician in supportive oncology at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Centre in New York, said she was “very excited” about the study because it was “one of the first studies to address some of the issues surrounding recommending medical cannabis products in an evidence-based way.”

During outpatient supportive oncology appointments, I do certify patients for medical cannabis. I had to enroll in the New York State Medical Cannabis Programme and complete further training/certification to be able to do that,” she explained to us.

The market for medical marijuana is expanding.

Its US market value in 2021 was close to $27 billion. Market Research Future estimates that by 2030, it would reach $248 billion.

According to a Reuters article, some proposed measures in Congress would decriminalize or legalize marijuana.

It would be decriminalized under one statute, leaving state regulation to their discretion. More research will be possible thanks to the regulation reform, giving doctors and other healthcare providers the data they need to treat patients.

Because of cannabis’ murky legal status and negative connotations, many doctors are still uneasy about marijuana, according to Piomelli. “But the profession can no longer bury its head in the sand with so many patients using it. To better meet the requirements of their patients, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals need to have more knowledge about the advantages and drawbacks of cannabis.

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Can Weed/Marijuana results in Erectile dysfunction?

Can Weed/Marijuana results in Erectile dysfunction?

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Marijuana is presently legal in 37 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia as a result of numerous marijuana initiatives, with 19 states permitting recreational use.

In 2018, more than 11 million Americans consumed marijuana, according to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In conclusion, marijuana usage, whether for therapeutic or recreational purposes, is very widespread.

Pain management is a common use of medical marijuana in the US. Although marijuana doesn’t have the potency to significantly lessen really severe pain, it does work quite well to alleviate the chronic pain that afflict millions of Americans each year, according to reputable sources like Harvard Medical School.

Similar to the majority of recreational substances, marijuana can have both advantages and disadvantages. The immediate effects of marijuana include pain alleviation, changed perceptions, emotional changes, and some degree of mental and functioning impairment.

The majority of these are brought on by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana. Additionally, marijuana has certain negative impacts on the sex life, such as a higher chance of erectile problems (ED). The scientific evidence for this connection is, however, contradictory, with some studies pointing to a reduction in sexual performance caused by marijuana and others pointing to an increase.

Marijuana and ED

Although a few small studies have suggested that using marijuana for recreational purposes may cause ED, the authors of a 2018 meta-analysis came to the conclusion that there is not enough data to prove a connection. However, it is easy to pinpoint which THC side effects might be to blame for the malfunction. A person may have a larger danger if they combine marijuana and tobacco.

Smoking cigarettes increases the chance of having ED because it inhibits blood flow to the veins and arteries. Similar risks may be associated with marijuana use, particularly when combined with tobacco. The smooth muscle of the penis has cannabinoid receptors. Because of this, it is theoretically feasible that THC will affect penile function, which may result in ED. There isn’t enough evidence, though.

Cannabis use can result in feelings of exhilaration, followed by tiredness and a reduced reaction time, according to NIDA. Less sex cravings may result from these results.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), marijuana use may also have an impact on the circulatory system, raising blood pressure and heart rate. Both of these consequences increase a person’s risk for ED and are more likely to be felt by marijuana smokers.

There is some evidence that regular cannabis usage may make it more difficult for males to experience orgasms or to have them when they want them. There was, however, no discernible difference in the risk for ED between a group that used cannabis and a control group according to at least one study.

Effects of Cannabis

THC enters the circulation through the lungs when marijuana is smoked. It travels through the bloodstream to the brain and other bodily organs.

The reward and pleasure centres of the brain are impacted by THC. Dopamine influences mood and experience by signalling the body to release more than usual. This is the reason why using the medication results in a “high.”

Other immediate impacts of marijuana use could be:

  • sensory perception altered
  • followed by euphoria, sleepiness, and relaxation
  • alterations in coordination and balance
  • higher heart rate
  • issues with memory and learning
  • anxiety

Long-term impacts that could occur include:

  • mental illness issues
  • respiratory infections that recur frequently and a persistent cough
  • loss of memory

Does weed cause infertility?

Current scientific research is contradictory and inconclusive. Cannabis doesn’t seem to have an impact on live births or actual pregnancies, despite the fact that we have shown harmful impacts of the drug in lab trials.

THC in particular, according to laboratory research, may have an impact on sperm quantity, activity, and quality. In a similar vein, laboratory and animal research indicate that cannabis may alter testosterone levels. Again, no human subjects have been used to replicate these results, thus more study is required.

Some specialists believe that cannabis’ impact on hormones and sperm may make matters worse for persons who are already dealing with fertility problems. They advise abstaining from cannabis when trying to conceive.

Marijuana and Medication

The use of marijuana and its components for medical purposes has recently drawn a lot of interest. Cannabidiol (CBD) was approved by the FDA in June 2018 for treating epilepsy that is brought on by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two severe and uncommon diseases.

Marijuana contains certain substances that have therapeutic potential for a number of other ailments. Before these treatments can be approved, however, there is still a lot more research to be done. Many Americans consume marijuana or its derivatives in the expectation that it would improve their health, even in states where it is still illegal to do so. Most dangers associated with doing so are unclear.

Like other drugs, marijuana may interfere with various prescription medications and complementary therapies, such as:

  • Blood thinners: Warfarin, various herbs, and supplements, as well as marijuana, may all have stronger blood-thinning effects.
  • Alcohol: The psychoactive and depressive effects of marijuana may be enhanced.
  • Theophylline: Marijuana may mitigate this medication’s side effects when used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions. Marijuana may intensify the central nervous system depressing effects of benzodiazepines and barbiturates.
  • Psychiatric medications: Medical marijuana may alter the effects of psychiatric drugs.
  • Antiretroviral therapy: Marijuana may reduce the effectiveness of several antiretroviral medications.

Further study is required since there might be other medication interactions. Anyone worried about the effects of using cannabis or its derivatives for medical or recreational purposes should consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can provide you more specific information regarding potential side effects and drug interactions.

Conclusion:

To link marijuana consumption with ED, more data is needed. However, certain of the medication’s negative effects, like cardiovascular issues, may raise your risk of developing ED.

One review’s authors found no conclusive evidence of a connection between cannabis consumption and ED. They did find that drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes raised the risk of ED, but exercise appeared to lower it.

Anyone worried about ED might benefit from increasing their exercise routine and abstaining from alcohol and smoke. Marijuana should only be used in compliance with local regulations and when under a doctor’s supervision.

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