Every day, more and more people are turning to cannabis. Some may use this medicinal plant for relief and others for overall wellness. If you are curious how it may benefit you, here are four ways to incorporate medical cannabis into your life in a mindful way. 

1. Combat symptoms from a diagnosed condition 

The number one way to mindfully use medical cannabis is by appropriately using it to combat symptoms from a diagnosed condition. Cannabis can work wonders as a “fire extinguisher” for unwanted symptoms! 

Our bodies are made up of an entire endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate homeostasis. The human body produces chemical compounds similar to the active ingredients in marijuana, called endocannabinoids. Just like your body’s own endocannabinoids, THC and CBD naturally interact with your ECS to bring about a range of effects on our body, mind, and overall wellness.   

Here are just a few examples of symptoms that may be improved with medical cannabis: 

• Chronic pain
• Symptoms from cancer and cancer treatments 
• PTSD (and depression and anxiety, which may fall under this category) 
• Cachexia or wasting syndrome (cannabis can help improve appetite!) 
• Seizures

There are many more symptoms that can be improved with a medical cannabis plan and we are here to help you! 

See qualifying conditions for Florida here. 

See qualifying conditions for Mississippi here. 

2. Daily Supplementation/Therapeutic Dosing 

Another great way to use cannabis mindfully is in a day to day fashion to get your body acclimated. Pharmaceuticals have been used for YEARS to combat unwanted symptoms and we have just begun to scratch the surface of how cannabis can be used in place of, or alongside, certain prescription drugs. 

You can microdose with medical cannabis daily to help balance your body’s own endocannabinoid system or if there is a specific pharmaceutical you are looking to use cannabis alongside, we can help you find a plan that works for you.

3. Sleep Regulation

Sleep is a vital part of your health and wellness. It can affect almost every system in your body. Unfortunately, a large portion of the United States population is impacted by sleep issues. With that in mind, more and more people are turning to cannabis to help them improve their sleep, and rightfully so! 

A study was conducted in Canada on 38 patients to assess the correlation between medical cannabis and the improvement of sleep disorders. Here’s what they found: 

• 39% of patients were able to reduce or discontinue prescription medication for sleep. 
• 71% reported a subjective improvement in their sleep. 

Cannabis can be an incredibly useful tool in regulating your sleep patterns. It can help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and regulate your circadian rhythm. Results differ patient to patient and based on ingestion method. That is where having the proper education and plan in place will be helpful. 

4. Focus

Having a hard time staying focused? Cannabis may be able to help you zone in! For one, sativa strains specifically can be uplifting and help you feel more creative and focused on your tasks. Additionally, if you are chronically stressed, you may find that cannabidiol (CBD) helps to increase focus and reduce inflammation. 

When looking for a sativa strain to help with focus, you will want to look for specific terpenes to ensure the best possible result. Terpenes have been shown to have an impact on our experience when using cannabis. Some help with things like feeling sedated and calm, while others can help improve your mood and give you energy. 

Here are a few terpenes that are known for being uplifting and energizing: 

• ‌Limonene: You’ll find this terpene to smell citrusy as it also gives citrus fruits their distinctive smell. It can be energizing and refreshing.
• ‌Pinene: This terpene will smell similar to pine and fir trees. It’s believed to be reinvigorating! 
• ‌Caryophyllene: Caryophyllene can have a spicy smell and flavor. It can be energetic and peppy! 
• ‌Terpineol: This unique compound smells like lime blossoms and lilac. It’s known to help with stress and anxiety.

If you look for strains that contain these terpenes, you may experience the focused and uplifting feeling we described above! If you need guidance in how to implement medical cannabis into your routine, we are here to help you make a plan. Request your appointment today!

Author

Kaya Life Live Well. Be Well. Live the Kaya Life.