Cannabis Learning EDU
How To Use Cannabis As A Medicine
Topicals, The Cannabis Patch, And Suppositories
Medicinal Topicals concocted with cannabis herbs is actually not a new thing, and as has been stated before, many cultures throughout history actually utilized the cannabis plant in many medical remedies including using them topically! There are many benefits to cannabis topicals and one of the major facets to them is that it is virtually impossible to receive a psychoactive effect or even THC toxicity as these compounds are not being ingested. (Should the topical be eaten...that would be a different story). Specific CB1 and CB2 receptors on the surface of the skin or under the skin (transdermal) are activated when a cannabis topical is applied and relief occurs from issues such as inflammation, surface pain from burns, cuts and bruises, and with helping to prevent or combat skin dryness (eczema), infection, irritation, and more. Underlining the versatility of topicals, they can be applied in large doses without worry of getting “high.
The Cannabis Patch
The Cannabis patch is a newer product developed only in the last 20-30 years, with testable patches only recently hitting shelves. They have been formulated to help with a number of pain related ailments such as Fibromyalgia, MS, nerve pain from Diabetes and more. These have been met with mixed reviews, as some users swear by them, while others report little to no relief. As such, further testing and use by patients will only tell the efficacy of these topical patches.
Medical Application of Topicals and Dosing
Topicals definitely have a useful place in the medical cannabis arsenal and only help to represent the amazing versatility of this potent herb. Oftentimes, topicals are combined with many other herbal ingredients and remedies to make powerful concoctions useful for treating a number of ailments and their respective symptoms. It is not uncommon to see other herbs such as St John’s Wort, Arnica, Chamomile, and Lavender to name a few, emulsified and combined with cannabinoids, terpenoids, in a beeswax or cream lotion. The resulting product would be a versatile multifaceted topical remedy. There are indeed many and varied products available on the market, but to generalize, a small list topicals can be used for includes but is not limited to:
Inflammation (eg. Gout, or irritated body parts)
Eczema and dry skin
Melanoma (Skin Cancers)
Helping to Prevent or Treat Bacterial Infections (eg. Staph infection)
Stiff Joints and Fingers
Relieving Bruises, Cuts, Burns
Muscle Pain, Nerve Pain
Dosing with topicals is a little easier than other modes of consumption, although many times non-specific. Products will typically have their cannabinoid contents listed, and herbal combinations will vary from product to product; but it is often recommended that users apply the medicine liberally until they find relief. Due to the lack of psychoactivity, users can also apply topicals as often as they prefer!
Suppository
Suppositories offer a mode of consumption and access to medical cannabis for those who cannot smoke or even ingest medicine. While the common person may see suppositories in a comedic light, and there are countless “up the butt” jokes related to the subject, it is important to recognize that there are cancer sufferers, patients without stomachs, patients who have difficulty inhaling smoke or even swallowing pills, and more individuals who legitimately need to medicate, lest their quality of life significantly suffer, or worse, be cut short because of an inability to consume medicine.
Suppositories, which are cannabinoid suspensions in a capsule and are meant to be inserted and held inside one’s rectum, actually provides faster relief than edibles, and sometimes, due to the lack of having to be processed in the stomach, a more potent therapy as the capsule melts in the anal cavity. The effects of suppositories have been likened to taking an edible but with a much faster and more potent experience.
Medical Application of Suppositories and Dosing
Suppositories will typically be made with an ailment in mind to tackle - most common would be colon and prostate cancers. Doses will be labeled per suppository capsule, and users will typically utilize these medicines on a scheduled regiment. Again, suppositories were designed in order to tackle any ailments and diseases not normally targetable when a patient cannot ingest or inhale the intended medicine.
This article and page continues further in the following subsections:
Main Page - The Medicine In Cannabis
Flower and Plant Material - Raw Juicing and Smoking and Vaping
Concentrates - Smoking and Vaping