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How Does Medical Marijuana Stimulate Appetite?

How Does Medical Marijuana Stimulate Appetite?

Uh oh! Looks like someone has the munchies! With your appetite buzzing and stomach rumbling, it comes as no surprise that you’ve got food on the brain. So what are you going to eat? Are you going to buy something savoury or make something sweet? Or do you plan to skip out on the snacks altogether, using your willpower to prevent that fridge from opening?

While some who use medical marijuana might dislike the munchies for fear of gaining weight, others may find those very same appetite-boosting qualities both desirable and necessary. A considerable number of physical illnesses and mental ailments affect appetite, in some cases severely. This includes diseases requiring extreme treatments like radiation and the wasting-syndromes that affect individuals with cancer, HIV, or AIDS.

Whether it is encouraging you to demolish an entire plate of chocolate chip cookies or allowing you to enjoy your first meal in a while without nausea, cannabis is good at what it does. But how exactly does cannabis affect appetite?

Read on to learn about the science behind medical marijuana’s hunger-stimulating aspects. Plus, discover some of the top appetite-boosting strains, so the next time you order medical marijuana online, you’ll be able to find the ideal strain for your needs.

How Do the Munchies Work?

There are libraries of research already published on the topic of cannabis, with new studies into the hunger-boosting effects of cannabis are underway. Of course, the idea of munchies is nothing new. Jokes on the topic have been popular since the days of Cheech and Chong, if not much earlier.

In our current age, food products and restaurant corporations advertise directly, though often subconsciously, to couch-bound stoners. Just consider the click-of-button ease all those delivery apps offer.

Although not everything is known in regards to the craving-driving force of marijuana, some effects have been confirmed. One of the most well-known aspects of cannabis is one of its most prominent cannabinoids: THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol is a powerful, psychoactive cannabinoid known for eliciting a number of mind-altering effects and physical sensations.

So how does this work? When cannabinoids enter the body, whether through inhalation, ingestion, or applied as a topical, they interact with the endocannabinoid system, a natural system found in mammals that regulates immune response, metabolism, and appetite. The endocannabinoid system includes two main receptors, CB1 and CB2.

The CB1 receptor is found in various systems throughout the human body. Some of the key systems containing CB1 include several parts of the brain: the basal ganglia, hypothalamus, limbic forebrain, and rhombencephalon. When triggered, pleasure and flavour are greatly enhanced, while the ability to regulate food intake may become impaired.

THC can lead to an increase in the production of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone common in both the stomach and small intestine. It also has the ability to slow the production of PYY, an amino acid that regulates ghrelin-levels.

On a neurological level, THC can activate certain pathways, one being the mTOR pathway, which, again, increases ghrelin production. Furthermore, THC can activate POMC neurons, a specific kind of neuron influenced by the CB1 receptor. When affected by THC, POMC neurons have the ability to open or close specific pathways that either increase or decrease appetite.

Other factors amplified by cannabis that might inspire consumers to continue eating include lowered inhibitions and slowed reaction-time. With such a distinct spectrum of effects, it’s always best to do your research and read up on your strain of choice before you order medical marijuana online.

Why Would You Want the Munchies?

For a large portion of our population, the munchies are a nuisance. Between the extra calories and rapidly dwindling snack cupboard, it isn’t a surprise that the average joe might find a bolstered appetite more negative than positive.

But if you are living with a chronic physical or mental illness that affects your appetite, those so-called munchies could be a life-saver. Rather than seeing inflated hunger and the potential for weight-gain as a detriment, many actually require something to stimulate their appetite, subsequently allowing them to gain weight.

Some of the more well-known illnesses that can cause severe and unintended weight loss include cancer, kidney disease, HIV, and AIDS, just to name a few. Aside from the general exhaustion associated these ailments comes the potential for life-threatening deterioration of tissue, bone, and muscle known as cachexia. More commonly known as wasting syndrome, this not-yet-fully-understood occurrence changes the characteristics of one’s body, influencing function and affecting organs.

While scientists are still working towards discovering the exact cause and potential cures for cachexia, studies involving cannabis show promise. In addition to cachexia, a number of other cancer symptoms and side effects of treatment can result in a loss of appetite and increased weight loss.

Inflammatory cytokines, which can both cause cancer and increase susceptibility to cachexia, also have the potential to speed up metabolism. Fast metabolism means you are burning fat and spending calories necessary to fight debilitating diseases.

Some therapies aimed at fighting cancer are known to be harsh on the body, damaging cells and causing further deterioration. One of the most notable side effects of both chemotherapy and radiation, is nausea accompanied by vomiting.

An abundance of studies and clinical trials focused on THC’s antiemetic effects in relation to cancer-induced vomiting have confirmed its efficiency, both in adults and in children. Despite breakthroughs of this nature, future research will be required in order for scientists to produce a foolproof THC-based antiemetic for those in need.

Finally, the hunger-boosting powers of cannabis are of great benefit to those experiencing depression, as the effects of the disorder can be debilitating. Some people can’t even get out of bed. Between a lack of appetite and a lack of motivation, depression affects nutrition and weight to a serious degree. Introducing medical marijuana into treatment has been proven to benefit afflicted individuals.

Which Strains Are Best for Stimulating Appetite?

What better way to complete our lesson than with a listicle of some of our favourite strains? Whether you’re prepping your appetite for a holiday meal or in need of some relief from chronic nausea, when you order medical marijuana online look for the below strains to really get those munchies going!

8 Great Appetite Boosting Strains
  1. Blue Dream: A Sativa-dominant hybrid prescribed for a number of physical and mental illnesses. In addition to its appetite-stimulating qualities, it is recommended for individuals experiencing pain, depression, and nausea.
  2. Candyland: An energizing Sativa known for producing a happy, giggly high. Along with its ability to activate your hunger-drive, it can be beneficial for those suffering depression or chronic pain.
  3. GSC: As the cannabis strain formally known as Girl Scout Cookies, this relaxing, euphoric hybrid is recognized for its potent mood-boosting components, in addition to its ability to increase appetite.
  4. Monster Cookies: A calming Indica frequently prescribed to those experiencing pain, as well as severe stress and anxiety disorders. Take note! While it may increase hunger in some, it can act as an appetite-suppressant in others,
  5. OG Kush: One of the most well-recognized strains of all time, this balanced hybrid is as infamous for its ability to give you the munchies as it is for all-encompassing painkilling and relaxing, anxiolytic components.
  6. Pineapple Express: Perhaps most well-known for the eponymous movie, Pineapple Express is an aromatic hybrid that eases pain, stress, and depression while boosting energy and appetite.
  7. Royal Highness: When it comes to stimulating appetite, this is one of the top strains around. Not only can it help treat depression and anxiety disorders, but the degree to which negative side effects are felt is much lower than average.
  8. Sour Diesel: Sativa-dominant with a pungent aroma, Sour Diesel is the perfect balance of calming and energizing, making it a useful strain for those experiencing anxiety, pain, and depression. It is recognized in both medicine and pop culture for its habit of invigorating appetite/producing the munchies, respectively.

Although the above list contains some of our favourites, there is a near-innumerable selection of strains available when you look to order medical cannabis online. We’re all different, with distinct chemical makeups, so what works well for one person might produce uncomfortable side effects in another. Always use cannabis products as prescribed and know your limits to ensure you experience the most benefits or best trip possible!

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Is Medical Marijuana Right for Dementia Patients?

Is Medical Marijuana Right for Dementia Patients?

Many people from the older generations grew up in the era of “reefer madness,” where marijuana was portrayed as an inherently evil, life-destroying drug. Even with the legalization of marijuana in some countries, this opinion still stands strong due to decades of propaganda and opposition. But older generations, whose beliefs may be rooted firmly in the stigma of their times, could be among those who benefit the most from medical marijuana.

Modern research is finding all kinds of extraordinary evidence of the efficacy of marijuana for many health conditions. While it is generally accepted as helpful for such things as anxiety and cancer, studies on using cannabis for dementia are currently underway. Since it’s possible to buy medical marijuana in Canada, this could be potentially life-changing research for many older Canadians.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a general term that describes the deterioration of the brain and its ability to function properly. Memory loss, confusion, difficulty with problem-solving, and language loss are the most common signs. While many of these symptoms are normal signs of ageing, dementia is not. It occurs after damage has been done to brain cells that then interferes with their ability to communicate and leads to the symptoms mentioned above.

Dementia is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease (a degenerative disease that accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases), but also includes vascular dementia (mini strokes, or brain bleeds, that lead to cell death) and other progressive brain diseases.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Since dementia is an inclusive term for many ailments, pegging it down can be a challenge. In general, symptoms include:

  • Decline or loss of short-term memory
  • Difficulty remembering words or names
  • Inability to remember daily life tasks (appointments, paying bills, etc.)
  • Mood changes or irrationality
  • Behavioural changes (agitation, shouting, losing things, etc.)
  • Aggression or even violence

Dementia is typically progressive, meaning the symptoms worsen over time. Risk factors for dementia include age and genetics, which are both unchangeable. However, a healthy diet and active lifestyle can help postpone the onset.

Marijuana and the Brain

The human brain is a marvellously complex organ. Therefore it’s ailments are difficult to untangle. Yet research involving the brain and medical marijuana is proving the two to be quite harmonious.

Within the human body is the endocannabinoid system, which regulates the body’s responses to basic cognitive and physiological processes (memory, mood, appetite, pain-sensing, etc.). It does so by producing endocannabinoids, which are very similar to the cannabinoids found in marijuana.

Marijuana has two major compounds, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both of these cannabinoids blend almost seamlessly with the endocannabinoids produced by the body, therefore enhancing the body’s ability to regulate many of the above-mentioned processes. CBD, in particular, is known to have neuroprotective effects, including inhibiting progressive neurological diseases.

Because of these known neuroprotective effects, scientists have theorized that cannabis may be applicable for protecting the brain from long-term deterioration caused by the various forms of dementia.

Marijuana and Dementia

To say it straight, the current position of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada is “[w]hile there is ongoing promising research on the effects of cannabis, there is currently no evidence that cannabis is useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.” However, the fact that they used the word ‘promising’ is promising in itself.

Currently, the greatest hindrance in cannabis studies regarding dementia and other neurological disorders is a lack of organized data. Research is being conducted, but methodological issues are in the way of drawing reliable conclusions.

While a doctor won’t quite yet recommend that elderly citizens buy medical marijuana in Canada, some dementia symptoms have been shown to be helped by cannabis products.

Agitation, aggression, and even violence are some of the most challenging behaviours for family members to manage. These behaviour changes often result in the person suffering from dementia being put in a home for professional care. The medical community is beginning to accept that THC is helpful for these particular symptoms by regulating energy output and brain activity. Clinical trials are ongoing to confirm these findings

Non-human Studies

Human trials are lengthy in nature and complicated to control. Dementia patients need to be studied over the course of a decade or more, so results can be painstakingly slow to acquire. Scientists have turned to testing the effects of THC on mice, and with astounding results. While some disagree with animal testing, mice in one particular study seem to be benefiting greatly from consistent doses of synthetic THC.

The test mice, who are in the late stages of their lives, are steadily administered a tiny dose of synthetic THC over the course of a month. Then they are tested against their non-medicated counterparts in problem-solving skills.

The results show that the slightly stoned mice have significantly more mental capacity for recall (memory), learning, and socializing than the non-medicated control mice. Not only that, but experiments have also shown that older mice who have lost some of their cognitive abilities can actually gain them back when given microdoses of THC.

So, how is this applicable to humans?

Many medications that are tested on mice don’t necessarily translate to human application. Marijuana, on the other hand, has thousands of years of history in human culture. Unlike other prescription drugs, it is known to be mostly benign in terms of long-term negative effects on the human body.

It is multi-fold in its application, covering a variety of ailments with limited side effects. If marijuana can be proven useful for dementia, it could change the lives of tens of millions of people around the world.

Things to Keep In Mind about Dementia and Cannabis

Talking about dementia involves talking about the elderly. Elders deserve our respect and our care, so it’s imperative to be mindful of any recommendations. Before you offer your grandpa a tasty little edible  or a spoonful of CBD honey for his cup of tea, remember that marijuana can have negative effects on memory, balance, and alertness.

These effects may be counterproductive in trying to protect those already suffering from a loss of brain capacity. A poorly judged dose could contribute to an accident and, therefore, a decrease in quality of life.

Ageing brains need all the help they can get, especially if they begin to suffer from the effects of dementia. If it seems like the right fit for the patient, talk with their healthcare provider. Buying medical marijuana in Canada for specific dementia symptoms that cannabis is known to help with, like agitation, aggression, or difficulties sleeping, may be just the helping hand an elderly brain needs.