Patients Are The Proof is a web series offering insight into life as a cannabis patient. Cannabis remains listed as a prohibited substance in many areas with governments claiming there’s no medical value. At the same time, medical marijuana patients around the world are experiencing REAL health benefits. These Patients Are The PROOF that cannabis is medicine. Hear them share their stories in their own words.

READ: How to Use Marijuana for Pain Relief

Episode 3: Pain with Danny Sloat

Danny Sloat is the co-founder of AlpinStash. AlpinStash is a unique craft cannabis company in Colorado. They specialize in high-quality cannabis grown with a conscious. Danny began using cannabis for pain. Watch as we chat about his journey with medical marijuana. Find Danny on IG. Find Danny on YouTube.

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Cannabis Is Unpredictable at First

Figuring out how to use marijuana for pain relief requires a little trial and error. Start small. Be patient. Keep trying, because, in the end, many patients find it a better alternative to prescription medication.

Don’t “Just Go Smoke a Joint”

I’ve been told by more than one patient, that their doctor advised them to “just go smoke a joint” and see if it helps their pain. This is not good advice!

Unfortunately, many healthcare professionals are still misinformed about cannabis. Pain treatment with medical marijuana is more complicated than picking up a random joint and smoking it. You really need to know exactly what–as in, which strain–you are consuming, and you need to be cautious about how much and the method in which you consume it.

An entire joint is waaaay too much for new patients-especially if it’s a high-THC strain. This can cause a panic attack. Then new patients believe the anxiety is from cannabis and refuse to try it again. The dosage of marijuana, like all medications, is very important. Too much is not good.

Cannabinoids – Important Components in Cannabis

Most people recognize the most famous cannabinoid, THC. THC is the main cannabinoid in marijuana that makes you feel high. You may have also heard of CBD. CBD is being widely researched (Did you know the US government owns a patent on CBD?–True story!), and like THC, CBD has powerful health properties. But cannabis contains over 113 different cannabinoids and some don’t even have names yet.

Not All Marijuana is the Same

Additionally, cannabinoids interact with other components in the plant, such as terpenes to produce what is commonly referred to as the “entourage effect”.

There are thousands of different chemovars, commonly called “strains” of marijuana.

1. Everyone responds differently to different cultivars. Sour Diesel gives me anxiety; for you, it may be blissful.
2. Each individual plant contains different types and varying amounts of cannabinoids, terpenes and other components that have a collective medicinal effect.

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Choosing Cannabis Products Can Be Complicated

Historically, there were two types of cannabis: Sativa and Indica. Now, all chemovars (strains) available are hybrids–or combinations of the two. The classifications mean very little in today’s market.

Historically, indicas were considered to be sedating, while sativas were considered to be invigorating. Again, in today’s market, these categories mean very little, because it’s very difficult (probably impossible) to find true sativas or true indicas. All strains available now are hybrids, or mixes of the different types.

To make it more complicated, each strain of cannabis can cause a different physical reaction, and those reactions, vary from person to person.

Read this post to learn more about strains: Strains of Cannabis Are All So Different

Remember, chemovar reactions are highly individualized. Also, keep in mind that there are no regulations for cannabis strains and there’s no accepted nomenclature. Which means, a strain available in CA named “Bubba Kush” does not mean it’s the same exact strain as the “Bubba Kush” being sold in NJ.

How to Choose a Chemovar

Like most experts, I encourage friends and families to start with high CBD strains. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a powerful anti-inflammatory with few side effects. Reducing inflammation can significantly reduce pain levels. Low-THC strains can be great for daytime use. A product with a 1:1 CBD-to-THC ratio is often a great place to start.

High-CBD strains are particularly appealing for cannabis-naive users. CBD can help reduce the risk of anxiety because CBD mitigates some of the intoxicating effects of THC.

Read: Can Cannabis Help Anxiety?

Unfortunately, high-CBD, low-THC strains are not always the most effective at eliminating pain. Many pain management patients require medium-THC to high-THC strains to effectively manage their pain. Most patients utilize a variety of chemovars and products in their plan of care. Personally, I love Juanita La Lagrimosa, (a high-CBD strain), The Hog (a medium-THC strain), and Death Star (a very high-THC strain).

The only way to know which product work best for you is to try the different options.

The dispensary staff (depending on the dispensary) can offer guidance to help narrow down your options. Dispensaries with a medical focus tend to be more familiar with symptom management. Budtenders have access to local patient feedback about the specific strains available in their dispensary. They can often tell you what works for other patients.

Remember – everyone is different. I could function all day on the strain Death Star, while others might feel anxious and paranoid with one inhalation.

Shop in my Pretty Pipe Shop.

Will I Feel High All The Time?

Many patients are afraid to try cannabis because they worry about feeling high all the time.

In the beginning, new patients who have never tried cannabis before may feel significantly altered. This wears off because tolerance to THC builds quickly.

Many cannabis users can find a product, dosage, and a method that helps ease their pain without causing significant side effects. At the same time, patients should keep in mind that this is a medication and all medications can cause side effects.

Have you ever gotten a prescription medication with a warning that said,”don’t operate machinery until you are familiar with this medication”? The same should be said of cannabis. You never know how significantly a product will affect you until you try it.

To Vape, Smoke, or Eat?

You should expect different physiological results depending on the method of cannabis administration you choose.

It’s important to remember, oral consumption is usually must stronger than vaping or smoking. Even for experienced users.

The most common ways to administer medical marijuana:

• Vaporize – I like the Pax 3 or the Crafty
• Smoke – Read: Smoking vs Vaporizing 
• Oral – Make your own edibles.

Watch How I Make ABV Coconut Oil in the Crockpot [VIDEO]

Start Low, Go Slow

Whichever products you choose, start with very small doses and increase your dosage slowly.

If you’re vaping, take one inhalation and wait 20 minutes. If your pain isn’t addressed and you don’t feel too foggy, take another. (Again, do not “just go smoke a joint” that’s usually waaaay too much at first!!)

If you’re consuming orally, it’s often recommended that you eat a very small dose containing around 2.5 mg of THC. Keep in mind, eating is much more potent than smoking or vaping.

There are no hard rules when starting medical cannabis, except to start low and go slow. Medical marijuana as a pain treatment is not about getting high, it’s about eliminating pain, so pay attention to your symptoms and consume responsibly.

Don’t give up after one try. If your first attempt with medical marijuana doesn’t help, consider trying a different product or another method of consumption.

Stay Ahead of the Pain

When treating chronic pain, it’s often wise to get ahead of the pain. Pain can behave like a snowball tumbling down a mountain. Stop it immediately or it can quickly grow unmanageable.

When treating pain with pharmaceuticals, healthcare providers usually prescribe a baseline pain medication to manage the constant pain. They also prescribe a stronger medication for “breakthrough pain”. I mimic this with cannabis.

I microdose, or take small doses of cannabis frequently throughout the day. I either consume approx 2.5-7 mgs of full-spectrum THC oil at regular intervals, or I vape every few hours. When my pain levels are high, I reach for higher doses and higher-THC chemovars.

In addition to medical marijuana, I also take 25-100 mgs of full-spectrum CBD hemp oil every day. I encourage my loved ones with health issues to take at least 25 mgs a day of full-spectrum CBD. Pleaes be careful when choosing a CBD supplement, there’re tons of low-quality products on the market. NurseGrown is the CBD brand that I use.

Addressing pain can be tricky, even with traditional pharmaceuticals. It’s best to stay ahead of chronic pain.

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Vaporizers - Pros & Cons

Edibles (Homemade) - Pros & Cons

The Uncomfortable Reality of Cannabis

When my son’s 3rd-grade class learned about drugs, they learned from a very outdated health book.  As the teacher reviewed marijuana’s status as an illegal and dangerous drug, my son interjected, “Hey – my mom uses marijuana!  Marijuana is ALSO a medicine.”

I’m proud.  He’s a quiet boy who shrinks into the background.  It’s not easy for him to speak up.  But he bravely helped fight a stigma by teaching his entire class.

I contacted his teacher to tell her I was proud.  And (ok – let’s be honest) to make sure she knew that I’m a legal patient. She sent me a lovely response promising to reiterate the medical applications during the next health lesson.

Marijuana IS a medicine. The negative stigma nearly prevented me from trying medical marijuana. That would have been tragic because my results are fantastic.  It’s not an easy medication to get or to figure out, but it’s changing the lives of patients around the world.

Step-by-step guide:  How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in NJ

Conclusion

Medical marijuana doesn’t come with an instruction pamphlet that says that take two puffs every three hours. It’s very individualized.

Start low and go slow. There are a variety of methods of consumption and each one makes you feel little differently. Be patient and keep trying!

My goal was to eliminate as many daily pharmaceuticals as possible, starting with opioids and valium. I’ve had incredible success. I haven’t needed an opiate or valium since I started MMJ in November 2015. I hope you have as much success as I have.Trending Now

This might sound bonkers, especially if you still believe the reefer-madness, drug-war propaganda, but in many ways, marijuana and meditation are eerily similar.

I’m not saying marijuana can replace meditation, but I am suggesting it might significantly enhance it.

7 Ways Cannabis is Similar to Meditation

Reduces Activity in the Default Mode Network

You’re brain always has activity, it’s never completely off. And when you’re sitting around daydreaming, activity in your Default Mode Network (DMN) is high.

When we intensely focus on one thing, like during meditation, activity in our DMN decreases. Meditation is a sure-fire way to rest your mind. The physiological benefits of meditation correlate with a reduction in DMN activity.

• Meditation reduces DMN activity.
• Science is limited, but early research shows that cannabis also decreases activity in the DMN.

Read about my high experience on VICE’s Tonic: This is What Happens When You Combine Weed With Meditation

Targets the Amygdala

The amygdala is the “fight or flight” center of the brain. Anxiety and fear are associated with increased activity in the amygdala.

• Meditation is believed to shrink the amygdala.
• Early studies show that cannabis treatment also targets the amygdala.

Reduces Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is an extremely common and silent issue. It’s associated with a staggering number of disorders and illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, MS, Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, migraines, Chron’s disease, and more.

• Meditation reduces inflammation.
• Cannabis also reduces inflammation

Reduces Anxiety

Anxiety can be a serious issue and for many is difficult to control. Traditional pharmaceuticals might help but also come with a variety of side-effects and risk for addiction.

• Regular meditation can help control anxiety.
• Cannabis can help control anxiety.

Reduces Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is life-altering and opiates are addictive and deadly. Plus, for many, traditional medications doesn’t even stop their suffering.

• Meditation has shown to help reduce chronic pain.
• Cannabis also helps reduce chronic pain.

Eases Digestive Issues

Digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome is one of the many issues associated with chronic inflammation. IBS, Chron’s disease, and ulcerative colitis are to be triggered by inflammation in the digestive tract.

• Meditation ease irritable bowel syndrome.
• Cannabis also eases digestive system issues.

Improved Outcome for Cancer Patients

Not only is the disease traumatic, but the treatments are as well. Cancer treatment comes with severe symptoms with patients have to live with, in addition to a deadly disease.

• Meditation has been associated with improved outcomes for cancer patients.
• Cannabis also improves outcomes for cancer patients.

Helps Fight Addiction

Addiction or substance use disorder is a debilitating and life-threatening issue that continues to claim lives around the world.

• Meditation can help fight addiction.
• Research suggests cannabis can also help fight addiction.

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