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Presented by Dr Arien van der MerweMBChB (SA) ASHCP (SA) FRSPH (UK)
Natural, Integrative, Holistic Medicine. Specialist Holistic Wellness Counsellor.
www.DrArien.co.za • [email protected] Tel. 0123622422
Medical CannabisSeparating the Wheat (Weed) from the Chaff
Participating in Nature’s Pharmacy
Introduction
• The Case for Cannabis
• Full circle: Gingko biloba, Echinacea purpurea 1995!
• Historical Healer
• Epigenetics basics
• CB1, CB2
• Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
• Cannabis Health Applications
www.DrArien.co.za o [email protected] o 0123622422
Confusion: legalisation, recreational use, efficacy of medicinal applications - strong opinions or uncomfortably try to ‘flee the scene’
Cannabis: complex, multifaceted subject
One thing clear: not going away anytime soon!
So…let’s sort through some facts
Human body produces its own endogenous cannabinoids (ECS): natural equivalents of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
Whole herb non-patentable main reason continuing struggle for approval from powers that be - pharmaceutical industry - between you and access to this powerful medicinal plant.
All medicinal herbs!
Any natural substance that supports our innate ability to heal faces adamant opposition – no promise of profit.
US government deplorable in dishonesty about medical marijuana, clinging to patents for medical use while at same time claiming it has no medical value. For a government that loves denying weed’s medicinal uses -abundance of scientific studies about health benefit. Prime research database, PubMed (>16,000 references come up under term ‘cannabis’).
SA Traditional Medicine safeguards SA!
One thing certain: notion that marijuana has no medicinal benefits completely absurd!
Cannabis freely growing herb coveted throughout human history - multitude uses: food, healing agent, industrial, textile, etc. 12 000 BC – records exist
Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Highly important physiological system in the body
Purpose: regulate functioning all physiological system of body. Fine tuning, harmonic balance/homeostasis, impacts all endocrine systems
Vast network chemical compounds and receptors regulating everything from appetite, immune system, inflammatory response, ageing, memory.
Found in all mammals – pets!
Name comes from Cannabis sativa plant, because scientists found that the body makes its own chemicals called endocannabinoids that produce a relaxing sensation similar to smoking cannabis.
Produce our own cannabis
Chemicals in cannabis, called cannabinoids, fit snuggly into body’s receptors, eliciting therapeutic benefits - anti inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-epileptic.
Benefit from boosting/balancing ECS
Imbalanced ECS could explain the onset of many conditions such as fibromyalgia, IBS, depression, MS, Parkinson’s, migraines
Cannabis expert Dr Dustin Sulak:
“The endogenous cannabinoid system, named after the plant that led to its discovery, is perhaps the most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health. In each tissue, the cannabinoid system performs different tasks. But the goal is always the same: homeostasis, the maintenance of a stable internal environment despite fluctuations in the external environment.”
Two main types cannabinoid receptors:
CB1: brain, nervous system – mediate many of cannabis psycho-active effects.
CB2: rest of the body, especially immune system.
Many interactions: limbic system (area of brain involved with survival emotion (anger/fear), behaviour (fight-flight), long-term memory), mesolimbic pathway (reward center), brain structures responsible for pain perception.
Biological effects - therapeutic and psycho-active - result from cannabinoids’ activation of various receptors (e.g. melatonin - pineal, serotonin) – explains why its effects so diverse.
INDICAIndica plant: body (inflammation, immunity), calming, pain, sleepStimulates CB2 (gut) - serotonin
SATIVASativa plant: brain and nervous system: focus, clarity, concentration, creativityStimulates CB1 (brain)
Indica/Sativa blendThe mind-brain-body cause disease addressed –balance/homeostasis
Cannabinoids, Flavonoids, Terpenes
Bud (female plant): coated with sticky sugar-like crystalline resin - contains hundreds of therapeutic compounds including cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids.
Different strains created – traditional breeding techniques- characterized by own particular blend of compounds -
chemical fingerprint
Cannabis contains > 480 natural compounds – only 66 classified as cannabinoids
Cannabidiol (CBD) most abundant -40% of the resin.
Strongest psycho-active compound THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol Δ9-THC)
Terpenes primary chemicals essential oils in plants, > 100 identified in cannabis.
These compounds in different concentrations and combinations give each strain its own distinctive flavour, aroma, healing properties
Cannabinoids & terpenes interact, modulate each other’s effects –synergism one of many examples nature’s divine wisdom
CBD tempers psycho-activity of THC
THC supports therapeutic action CBD
Terpenes modify overall effects – e.g. amount THC passes through blood-brain barrier.
Adding to plant’s complexity: rivals broccoli, green tea, and cacao - rich bioflavonoid content.
Healing interplay various compounds: entourage effect
Whole plant medicine harnesses full spectrum plant’s therapeutic agents. Lost when used in isolation -pharmaceutical industry with cannabis-based drugs.
Even Low Doses of Synthetic Cannabinoids Can Impair Cognitive Performance. New Rochelle, NY, March 19, 2019. New study: inhaled doses of as little as 2 mg synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 can significantly impair critical thinking and memory, slow reaction times, increase confusion and dissociation. Placebo controlled, cross-over study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, peer reviewed journal
Raw cannabis no THC - produced when cannabis is heated.
When consumed raw, THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) -much milder psychoactivity.
THCA relieves pain and muscle spasms.
Raw cannabis many nutritional benefits, omega-3, -6 essential, fatty acids, essential amino acids, antioxidants
Cannabis sativa bred for high THC - cannabis or marijuanaCannabis sativa bred industrial purposes(textiles, paper, rope, clothing, oils, topical ointments,etc) - hempHemp contains CBD with 0.3-1.5% THC,Marijuana 5-10% THC – may contain up to 24% THC
https://www.organica.co.za/product-information/product-guides/cbd-oil-essential-guide/
Official scientific research: malfunctioning ECS connected to many physiological issues - why cannabis valid, successful treatment for so many conditions, disorders, diseases, such as:
➢ Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia
➢ ADHD
➢ Pain
➢ Cancer
➢ Fibromyalgia
➢ Arthritis
➢ Diabetes
➢ Hypertension
➢ Age related decline. Alzheimers
➢ PTSD
➢ Concussions
➢ Epilepsy
➢ Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
➢ Asthma
➢ Lupus
➢ Autism
➢ Glaucoma
➢ Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
➢ Crohn’s Disease
DEPRESSION
METABOLIC SYNDROME
DYSBIOSIS
Cannabis and cancer
Evidence unequivocal: cannabis anti-cancer effects - esp. cannabidiol (CBD).
Natural chemotherapy, none of devastating side effects of conventional chemotherapy.
Triggers cancer cell death through autophagy, apoptosis, preventing those cells from dividing and spreading,
Prevents new tumours from growing, spreading (metastasise)
CBD shown to inhibit wide range of cancers: brain, pancreas, liver, breast, lung, prostate, colon.
Glioblastoma! Remarkably, cannabinoids selectively kill glioma cells while protecting healthy glial cells!
Researchers: With its lack of systemic toxicity and psycho-activity, cannabidiol is an ideal candidate agent in this regard and may prove useful in combination with front-line agents for the treatment of patients with aggressive and high-grade glioblastoma tumours
How to take itCBD infusion orally as drops. Sublingually - hold there for around a minute before swallowing to allow the drops to be diffused through the mucous membranes - many capillaries –directly into bloodstream - work faster, more efficiently.
CBD capsules - can’t handle taste of CBD. Higher dosages required - less CBD may enter bloodstream - destructive effects stomach acid and delay through digestive system
NB! Cannabis: medicinal/add on – NOT supplement for every day, like Optimal 3
How much?
Ideally, dosage prescribed by a qualified and experienced healthcare professional – herb-drug interaction!
Various brands have products offering different strengths.
Different conditions require different dosages to be effective - need more than others for desired effect.
Start with recommended dose for week, build up weekly - small increments until no further benefit felt. Then, gradually reduce dosage until ideal dosage found for desired effect.
Careful titration – micro dosing
Recommended dose: dependant on condition and individual
www.DrArien.co.za o [email protected] o 0123622422
Reminder & Summary: CBD oil/infusion effective on its own!
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory -bacterial
-viral -fungal
Cardio protective
Skin regenerative
• Almost no trace of the psychoactive properties (THC) marijuana is famous for
• Over last 20 years, some of the world’s most trusted medical institutions - World Health Organisation, Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins Medical Centre –published > 17,000 reports supporting CBD as natural remedy.
Reminder & Summary: CBD oil/infusion effective on its own!• John Hopkins Medical Centre:
cancer cell suicide
• University of Manitoba in Canada: diabetes and uncontrollable blood glucose levels.
• University of Nagoya in Japan: reduces heart attack risk by 66%.
• Studies published by international journal, Advanced Nutrition Publications: relief from joint pain, muscle pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Memory expert, Dr Fiona McPherson: regenerates part of brain - memories.
www.DrArien.co.za o [email protected] o 0123622422
Support: www.DrArien.co.zaGenetic Screening: informs you about situation so that you can manage it!• Consulting: Holistic health
counselling, stress management, drug-herb interactions, how to taper
• Talks, workshops• Books, CD’s, Health
Coaching: real time & online• Nutriceuticals, Herbal
Remedies incl. CBD oil/infusion
Books / Relaxation
CD / Online Health
Courses
• What is the Recommended Dose for CBD?
• While there is no RDA or officially recommended dose for CBD, there are various clinical studies, research papers and resources from which such information can be drawn:
• Preventative: Up to 10mg/day
• Anxiety: 15 – 25mg/day (Source: Reddit Dosage question about help with anxiety)
• Cancer: 500mg-1000+mg/day or 10mg/kg/day (Source: Cannabidiol as potential anticancer drug)
• Chronic Pain: 2.5 – 20mg/day (Source: Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Epilepsy: 200 – 300mg/day or 20mg/kg (Source: Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome)
• Glaucoma: 15 – 40mg/day (Source: Neuroprotective Effect of(−)Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Cannabidiol in N-Methyl-d-Aspartate-Induced Retinal Neurotoxicity)
• Sleep Disorders: 50 – 150mg/day (Source: Effectiveness of Cannabidiol Oil for Pediatric Anxiety and Insomnia as Part of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Report)
• Schizophrenia: 400 – 1250mg/day (Source: A Four-week Clinical Trial Investigating Efficacy and Safety of Cannabidiol as a Treatment for Acutely Ill Schizophrenic Patients)
