Hepatitis C, or HCV, is a viral infection that triggers inflammation in the liver. Unfortunately, hepatitis C poses a risk of severe liver damage and causes symptoms including joint pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. Many patients find that medical marijuana helps them manage these symptoms, as well as the side effects from medications used to treat hepatitis C. 

Medical Marijuana for Hepatitis C Symptoms

While marijuana isn’t a treatment for an HCV infection, it can be used to relieve the symptoms of this condition, including:

• Nausea 

Cannabis contains cannabinoids that interact with CB1 receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system, the results of which can quickly relieve nausea.

• Joint pain

Marijuana also contains cannabinoids that reduce inflammation and pain signals, providing relief from joint pain.  Continue reading

In Florida, medical marijuana use is legal for patients with qualifying health conditions. But, to legally obtain cannabis, patients must have a medical marijuana (MMJ) card. The Office of Medical Marijuana Use in Florida regulates MMJ cards, ensuring that patients have a doctor’s recommendation before using medical cannabis.

The Process of Getting a Florida MMJ Card

To obtain a Florida MMJ card in Florida, the first step is making sure that you qualify. The conditions that qualify for a Florida MMJ card include:

• Seizures
• PTSD
• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• HIV/AIDS
• Cancer
• Chronic muscle spasms
• ALS
• Any similarly severe medical condition

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Depression and anxiety are increasing in prevalence in today’s world. Unfortunately, these mental health conditions can make it difficult to get through the day and enjoy life to the fullest. 

Many people find that medical marijuana helps ease feelings of depression and anxiety, leading to greater overall mental wellness. Cannabis can provide relief from feelings of stress and tension, as well as provide a valuable boost of dopamine, to alleviate these common mental health concerns.  

Medical Marijuana for Depression

A study published in September 2021 in the journal, Frontiers in Psychiatry, found that patients with diagnosed clinical depression who use medical marijuana have lower depression scores (along with better quality of life, improved sleep, and less pain) than patients not using marijuana. Additionally, patients in the study who started to use medical marijuana in a follow-up period experience decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Continue reading

Approximately 70 million Americans experience chronic sleep issues, making it a prevalent problem in the country today. Sleep is crucial to your overall health, and without enough of it, people can’t function at their best and are even more susceptible to getting sick. 

Many people who struggle to sleep at night have found medical marijuana to be an effective sleep aid. Its ability to calm the mind and body can positively affect your sleep cycle. 

How Medical Marijuana Affects Sleep

The cannabinoids in marijuana are thought to help with sleep because of how they interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. When cannabinoids attach to these receptors in the brain, they stimulate higher adenosine levels, which leads to sleepiness, and curb the arousal system in the brain. Together, these effects can make individuals fall asleep (and stay asleep) more easily. Continue reading

Medical marijuana is legal in Florida as a treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. As an accepted and effective treatment for these conditions, many patients ask if medical cannabis is covered with health insurance. Here, we’ll explore the topic of insurance coverage for medical marijuana and what patients who are beginning treatment with medical cannabis can expect. 

Health Insurance Coverage for Medical Marijuana

Currently, although cannabis is legal in Florida for patients with medical marijuana cards, it’s not covered under health insurance. So, if you apply and receive a Florida medical marijuana card for a qualifying condition, you’ll have to cover the full cost of the cannabis out of pocket. This also goes for employer-supplied health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Continue reading

THC and CBD are cannabinoids found in medical marijuana. These cannabinoids are responsible for many of the physiological effects of cannabis use. THC and CBD, however, provide different effects for marijuana users. Medical marijuana with THC and CBD products are both available for a wide range of medical conditions. By understanding the difference between these cannabinoids, you can more effectively select marijuana products for your specific needs. 

THC

As mentioned above, THC and CBD are both cannabinoids. This means that they both interact with cannabinoid receptors in the body, leading to various physiological effects. THC is the main psychoactive component in cannabis, meaning that it’s responsible for the high associated with marijuana use. The cannabinoid receptors that THC binds to are mainly in the brain, leading to differences in mood, pain, and other sensations. Continue reading

Medical marijuana has emerged as an alternative, holistic treatment option for lupus symptoms. Read on to learn more about how lupus patients can benefit from medical marijuana use. 

What is Lupus?

Lupus is a debilitating long-term condition that impacts an estimated 1.5 million Americans. Unfortunately, conventional treatment for lupus mainly consists of drugs including immunosuppressants, antimalarial drugs, and corticosteroids. These drugs may lead to harmful side effects, and the risks increase with long-term use. 

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation anywhere in the body, from the joints to the skin and even vital organs. With lupus, the immune system can’t differentiate between antigens, which are harmful or foreign intruders in the body, and healthy tissue. So, it attacks healthy tissue throughout the body, leading to symptoms including pain, fatigue, fever, and often a facial butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks. Continue reading

Yes! Marijuana comes in many different forms and can be used for a variety of purposes. Topical marijuana is one such form that’s rapidly gaining popularity. It can be used as a holistic treatment for numerous health concerns and is now widely available. 

What is Topical Marijuana?

Topical marijuana generally comes in the forms of creams, lotions, balms, oils, sprays, and salves. This form of marijuana is applied on top of the skin, allowing for localized application. Topical marijuana products are often developed for different needs and conditions, from skin concerns to joint pain and even insect bites. Continue reading

ADHD is a common mental disorder that can impair your ability to work, socialize, and get through your daily schedule. Many kids suffer from ADHD, which can cause problems throughout their schooling and in their relationships. While there are various prescription medications available to manage ADHD, many people find that the side effects of these medications ultimately outweigh the benefits. 

Marijuana has been reported by many people with ADHD to help ease symptoms without the side effects of traditional ADHD medications. Let’s learn more about medical marijuana for ADHD and how it may be used as an herbal alternative to conventional treatment routes. 

ADHD and Traditional Treatments

ADHD, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, causes an inability to keep focus, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This condition is among the most prevalent mental disorders in children, but it also impacts many adults. Continue reading

Neuropathic pain is a condition that impacts approximately 1 in 10 adults aged 30. It’s typically chronic, leading to persistent pain that can be disruptive to your day-to-day activities.  

People with neuropathic pain have reported that marijuana use is helpful in reducing their pain, as well as improving their quality of sleep and mood. Here, we’ll explore medical marijuana use for neuropathy and how you can learn if this treatment option is right for you.  

What is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is nerve damage, and it can stem from a broad variety of conditions. It may also result from certain treatments, like chemotherapy. Symptoms of neuropathy include:Continue reading