Hemp and cannabis used to have one thing in particular – a rather bad reputation as an intoxicant. When talking about cannabis and hemp, many people first thought of a hand-rolled cigarette that looked unusually bag-shaped, of billows of smoke over their heads and of people in delirium. Bit by bit, the natural product is now maneuvering itself out of this corner into which it was wrongly pushed. Ever since medical professionals discovered the positive effects of hemp, there is a real run on cannabis and hemp products. The following article reveals what capsules, seeds and drops could do and why they work.
History: What is the difference between hemp and cannabis?
Cannabis and hemp are equivalent. Hemp is the German term for the plant, cannabis is the Latin translation. The use of this plant is by no means new, because you can already read something about the use of hemp in the history books. Once ropes were made from the hemp fibers, the seeds of the plant were processed into oil. So much for use, which was by no means frowned upon. But even in the distant past, many people recognized that intoxicants could be made from the dried leaves and flowers. These intoxicating substances then became known under the names marijuana and hashish.
About the effect: What active ingredients does the plant contain?
Why the plant can develop its effect is due to the two active ingredients that rest in it and which have been shown to have completely different modes of action:
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the intoxicating active ingredient of the plant. From a purely medical point of view, THC is said to have a relaxing effect that – depending on the concentration – can be intoxicating, but is also used to relieve nausea, for example.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) has a stronger effect on the psyche and in the body directly. An anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effect could be seen when taking CBD.
These two modes of action are responsible for the fact that cannabis is used more and more often as a support for general medicine. Cannabis doesn’t work quickly; instead, it takes a while for the effects to be felt. In addition, it can lead to a habituation effect, which is known in medicine as tolerance and can mean for the patient that a certain dosage quickly no longer has any effect.
Application: In which clinical pictures is cannabis used?
The most common fields of application in which cannabis was administered as a medical device and under medical supervision are:
- Chronic illnesses associated with severe pain. Here cannabis can have a soothing effect. Cannabis has also been used for diseases that cause inflammation in the body. In palliative medicine and pain management, the effect of cannabinoids is tested selectively. For fibromyalgia, rheumatism and arthritis, the study situation is still very thin.
- Diseases in which seizures and paralysis are symptoms. In this context, cannabis is used, for example, in multiple sclerosis. Cannabis has also been given to people with epilepsy.
- Diseases of the mind and psyche. With a view to diseases of the psyche, the use of cannabis has already been tested for anxiety and sleep disorders; Effects could also be observed selectively when used against Tourette’s syndrome and in people with ADHD. The accompanying use of cannabis for depression was only made selectively in documentation. These cannot yet give a picture of how safe the mode of action of cannabis is in these clinical pictures. However, positive results can be achieved selectively for many clinical pictures, even if these are not yet secured in bulk.
- To alleviate unpleasant side effects. For example, cannabis products can alleviate some of the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea. Cannabis-containing products can also slow down the unwanted weight loss that can be associated with AIDS.
Mandatory studies that prove the effectiveness of cannabis in one or more diseases, according to patient information from the German Medical Association and the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians. However, positive effects could be observed – as well as undesirable side effects. Dizziness, mood swings, heart problems, muscle weakness and other undesirable side effects could also come to light. Until it can be foreseen how the body will react to cannabis consumption, we strongly advise against driving.
About the products: Which cannabis products are recommended?
Cannabis is available in different dosage forms – as capsules, mouth spray, oil or in dried form. No product is specifically assigned to a certain world of symptoms, but there is a basic recommendation for taking cannabis: Ready-to-use drugs are preferable to extracts that you first have to mix yourself. In the best case scenario, capsules and oils should, without exception, be dosed and taken as stated on the package insert. In order to ingest flowers and plants in dried form, patients need more knowledge about how the dried material has to be heated in order to be effective.
14.09.2020