Dosing- More than prescriptions
Salutations
One of the largest questions facing medical professionals regarding cannabis today is, how much is the right amount? In the rush to legalize cannabis- we sometimes forget how much we DON'T know.
I grew up with a lot of anti drug rhetoric in the 80's and 90's. Weed was a drug, drugs were bad, don't do drugs. There was little to no actual information- just a stupid this is your brain on drugs" commercial that would play on Saturday mornings. There was a certain rebelliousness that romanticized smoking in general, but that perspective has shifted.
Smoking is bad. Canada told us this with a huge tax hike and some ghastly warnings on your pack of darts. Cannabis warnings are a bit more realistic- Warnings for adolescent addiction, memory problems and stiff warnings / penalties about driving while high.
There is a cumulative amount of data that supports "dose low- start slow" If you are new to cannabis medication, this should seem pretty straight forward- but what if you are a seasoned wook from the Okanagan valley, is there anything to take away from this new information?
Yes. Why do we "burn out" from higher doses of THC? Why do we develop a tolerance to it over cumulative use? What can we do to optimize our cannabis experience from a physicians perspective?
How do we educate ourselves in this evolving landscape? How can I use cannabis therapeutically, without increasing health risks and still enjoy one of my favorite leisure activities?
Is a critical look at our smoking habits in order? I think that most people, up til now- were happy to get whatever was available at the time- with little thought going into strain selection, other than- How trashed does this get me?
Now we should be asking: what is going to make me feel the best? From a medical point of view- patients have a responsibility to be honest and forthcoming with their health care practitioners. It helps if people are able to start at a bit of a baseline, take a few days off. Let your ECS reset itself a little- and then start getting scientific with your smoking. LESS is the new MORE.
Keep a strain log. Record any data you can get from the LPs as far as terpene profile, THC / CBD ratios and start with just a tiny toke. Write down how you were feeling before, during and after that particular strain. Tasting notes are not important, but can help you remember those easily forgettable details in the future. These notes can go a long way to finding your perfect dose and strains.
Try some other options for delivery method. Cannabis tinctures and oils are the most standardized way to dose and can be very effective for both relief of symptoms or also- feeling pretty buzzed. But always- Start slow- it can be easy to go overboard while waiting for the effects to kick in if you're not familiar with the product. I have been reading a lot of pro's about consuming cannabis rectally, but maybe I'll save that for a new years special.
Keep an eye out for CBD rich strains like, Cannatonic, Boaty McBoatface and Charlotte's Web. There is a lot of data showing that a balanced intake of CBD-THC can alleviate many of the negative effects of either, while simultaneously promoting their healthful benefits. CBD is not a party drug, but it can help you keep partying- And variety is the spice of life, right?
The mechanism for many of the psychoactive effects that are delivered by cannabis are still largely unexplored. There are at least 113 different cannabinoids found in marijuana, with THC, CBD and CBN being the most well known, but the "entourage effect" of all of those cannabinoids working in concert is what makes individual strains so unique and why we all experience those effects differently.
TLDR: Cannabis is very tricky to determine dosing. It is a multiphasic drug, meaning that it works best- the less you have of it. Like drinking booze, you have a sweet spot for intoxication and the more you take, the harder it can be to judge whether you've crossed it. If you're new to THC, "start slow and go low"- Include CBD into your routine if financially possible and always be careful about dosing edibles and concentrates, that shit can get pretty wild.
One of the largest questions facing medical professionals regarding cannabis today is, how much is the right amount? In the rush to legalize cannabis- we sometimes forget how much we DON'T know.
I grew up with a lot of anti drug rhetoric in the 80's and 90's. Weed was a drug, drugs were bad, don't do drugs. There was little to no actual information- just a stupid this is your brain on drugs" commercial that would play on Saturday mornings. There was a certain rebelliousness that romanticized smoking in general, but that perspective has shifted.
Smoking is bad. Canada told us this with a huge tax hike and some ghastly warnings on your pack of darts. Cannabis warnings are a bit more realistic- Warnings for adolescent addiction, memory problems and stiff warnings / penalties about driving while high.
There is a cumulative amount of data that supports "dose low- start slow" If you are new to cannabis medication, this should seem pretty straight forward- but what if you are a seasoned wook from the Okanagan valley, is there anything to take away from this new information?
Yes. Why do we "burn out" from higher doses of THC? Why do we develop a tolerance to it over cumulative use? What can we do to optimize our cannabis experience from a physicians perspective?
How do we educate ourselves in this evolving landscape? How can I use cannabis therapeutically, without increasing health risks and still enjoy one of my favorite leisure activities?
Is a critical look at our smoking habits in order? I think that most people, up til now- were happy to get whatever was available at the time- with little thought going into strain selection, other than- How trashed does this get me?
Now we should be asking: what is going to make me feel the best? From a medical point of view- patients have a responsibility to be honest and forthcoming with their health care practitioners. It helps if people are able to start at a bit of a baseline, take a few days off. Let your ECS reset itself a little- and then start getting scientific with your smoking. LESS is the new MORE.
Keep a strain log. Record any data you can get from the LPs as far as terpene profile, THC / CBD ratios and start with just a tiny toke. Write down how you were feeling before, during and after that particular strain. Tasting notes are not important, but can help you remember those easily forgettable details in the future. These notes can go a long way to finding your perfect dose and strains.
Try some other options for delivery method. Cannabis tinctures and oils are the most standardized way to dose and can be very effective for both relief of symptoms or also- feeling pretty buzzed. But always- Start slow- it can be easy to go overboard while waiting for the effects to kick in if you're not familiar with the product. I have been reading a lot of pro's about consuming cannabis rectally, but maybe I'll save that for a new years special.
Keep an eye out for CBD rich strains like, Cannatonic, Boaty McBoatface and Charlotte's Web. There is a lot of data showing that a balanced intake of CBD-THC can alleviate many of the negative effects of either, while simultaneously promoting their healthful benefits. CBD is not a party drug, but it can help you keep partying- And variety is the spice of life, right?
The mechanism for many of the psychoactive effects that are delivered by cannabis are still largely unexplored. There are at least 113 different cannabinoids found in marijuana, with THC, CBD and CBN being the most well known, but the "entourage effect" of all of those cannabinoids working in concert is what makes individual strains so unique and why we all experience those effects differently.
TLDR: Cannabis is very tricky to determine dosing. It is a multiphasic drug, meaning that it works best- the less you have of it. Like drinking booze, you have a sweet spot for intoxication and the more you take, the harder it can be to judge whether you've crossed it. If you're new to THC, "start slow and go low"- Include CBD into your routine if financially possible and always be careful about dosing edibles and concentrates, that shit can get pretty wild.
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