Medical Marijuana

[chrissymeg]

Is anyone using medical marijuana for BD? How might it help? If so, which strains are most helpful? Thanks!

[NerdyChristina]

It really depends on your symptoms and how your body handles marijuana. I never smoked until I started struggling with GI bleeding and gastroparesis. Initially I always stuck with Blue Dream, and vaped. It’s a sativa or sativa hybrid. For a while it handled my pain and nausea, but then my nervous system issues worsened and I could no longer tolerate sativas or sativa leaning hybrids.

Currently I’m trying out Grape Ape and Birthday Cake, though a sample of Gorilla Glue was beneficial as well. They’re all indicas or indica heavy hybrids. These don’t cause a jump in my pulse so I don’t have issues with my autonomic neuropathy. Leafly is my go to app and website for sorting out which strains can help me with which symptoms. Indica strains don’t make me drowsy unless I’m already tired and full of sleeping meds, but that’s my body. Friends had smoked the same strains and needed naps. Girlscout cookies is a great example. I felt high (which isn’t my preference since I’m looking to medicate), one friend felt pleasantly relaxed, and another needed to go take an hour to nap it off. Same strain, same method of inhalation, all different experiences.

In my state it’s completely legal (recreational and medical), so it’s been a lot easier to navigate. One issue is that the strains have changed up, A LOT. My Blue Dream example is indicative of that. What I was getting as a hybrid is now fully sativa. My main need is for nausea, so it’s been a little harder to figure out what to use that’s just an indica. Most of the indica strains are great for my pain.

They also have tinctures which taste horrendous, but have high CBD levels. You can get pure CBD or a THC/CBD blend. Because you take it as sublingual drops, it’s discrete for public use, however I don’t get a lot of symptom relief this way. It’s a great way to feel less stiff and anxious, but again, my nausea is my biggest issue.

My last bit of advice is to check out Nugg. It’s a website that connects you with dispensaries in your area for online orders. They can help you get a doctor’s recommendation in your state, all via Skype. They file it and you can order through the Nugg website. Leafly also will show you strains available on your area, but Nugg actual allows you to order.

[chrissymeg in reply to NerdyChristina]

Thank you for all of this information! I want to use it for joint and muscle pain, and also to calm my nervous system (Blood pressure and heart rate up and down). I am in NY and from what I understand the dispensaries aren't as good as the ones out in CA, so the Nugg and Leafly site will be very helpful. I had no idea that the strains can change like that. A friend in CA has been raving about Blue Dream for the past few years, she probably has no idea that the strain has changed! Thank you!

[NerdyChristina in reply to chrissymeg]

I actually had some blue dream today and did okay. I think the key for me is just making sure I’m not dealing with high heart rate prior to using it. I would say that, if you do have anxiety and high heart rate issues, leaning into an indica or an indica leaning hybrid is your best bet. Blue dream is a beast for nausea, and even the sativa full strain does have a much milder impact similar to an indica. Another strain that can be hard to find, is XJ-13. Doesn’t do anything really for my nausea, but it’s great for anxiety. It may help pain, though I’m really not sure. It’s a hybrid, that won’t make you feel stoned, but will just kind of make you feel refreshed and focused

[Mgsy666]

Hi chrissmeg, I use cannabis daily aand I find it helps with a lot of issues including nausea, joint pain and my energy levels. Unfortunately I am in the U.K. so can only access cannabis through black market dealers. This means I have no idea what strain I am getting, u just get what u get!

[chrissymeg in reply to Mgsy666]

Thank you, that is good to know!

[FrancisB]

Hi Chrissymeg, I have experimented with it in the past and found it has helped my symptoms. In fact I had less flares when I was using it regularly. I would also recommend an indica strain and to vape it. I used it as a natural replacement therapy to codiene painkillers I was reliant on to get through painful ulceration episodes of my throat. In comparison to typical prescription painkillers which I find completely numb the pain, with medical cannabis I would describe it as you can still feel the inflamed area but are much calmer and in less discomfort. I also found they were less depleting to my system, I found the painkillers would wipe me out the next day, especially when I need to take them for days on end. I did personally experience the medical cannabis eventually triggered some heighten anxiety but i have always had that relationship with cannabis. Definately worth a shot, there is such a stigma against cannbis in some places in the world but it really is a legitmate natural medicine that has been around for thousands of years. Especially in Chinese and Indian cultures. I rarely take painkillers now but will take them for acute pain. For chronic pain medical cannabis is a great healthier alternative if it agrees with you. Good luck!

[chrissymeg in reply to FrancisB]

Thank you FrancisB, this is very helpful! I will try the indica strain when I get my card! I also used to get anxiety when I smoked pot decades ago, I’ll keep it in mind!