You may be interested in using cannabis as a treatment if you have one or more autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this guide is to assist. In the sections that follow, we’ll look at how autoimmune patients use cannabis to manage their symptoms, integrate it with more conventional therapies, and get all-natural support during the diagnostic process. Additionally, we’ll explore how obtaining an Online Medical Card can simplify access to medical cannabis for those in need.
For many patients, autoimmune diseases present practical difficulties. Here’s how cannabis can help you find relief, though.
Effective Strategies for Symptom Management
The immune system targets healthy cells as easily as it does toxins and invasive substances in people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, to mention a few. This can result in symptoms like insomnia and chronic pain, which medical marijuana frequently alleviates.
Pain Relief
For those who suffer from autoimmune diseases, chronic pain is an unfortunate reality. According to a number of researchers, pain and autoimmune activity feed off one another in a vicious cycle that is challenging to escape:
- Pain may result from inflammation brought on by your immune system attacking your body’s own cells.
- Your immune system is only further alerted by inflammation and irritation; autoimmune attacks and the inflammation-attack cycle both persist.
Fortunately, medical cannabis is a plant-based alternative for autoimmune patients who are nearing the end of their rope.
Numerous studies and innumerable anecdotal reports have repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating both acute and chronic pain. In what ways does cannabis alleviate pain?
- The body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS) is influenced by cannabinoids and other substances present in the Cannabis sativa plant.
- The ECS’s two primary receptors, CB1 and CB2, are involved in inflammation, pain, and many other physiological processes. Both the external cannabinoids that marijuana introduces into your body and the naturally occurring cannabinoids interact with these receptors.
- Through their interactions with CB1 and CB2 receptors, cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds (such as terpenes and flavonoids) can alter signaling processes to lessen inflammation, pain, and other symptoms.
Even though scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how the ECS functions, one thing is for sure: medical cannabis treatment has helped countless patients with their pain.
Inflammation Management
Let’s take a closer look at inflammation, which we discussed above.
Autoimmune diseases are not caused by inflammation, but they frequently coexist:
One common immune response is inflammation. One aspect of immune activity is inflammation, which can occur when your body is responding to an allergen or fending off a cold.
Regrettably, inflammation frequently causes pain. These areas become inflamed because your immune system is focusing resources there to combat an invasive substance (or your own cells, if you have an autoimmune disorder).
Since the immune system contains the majority of CB2 receptors, the ECS is somehow linked to the body’s inflammatory response. Numerous patients can attest that cannabis helps reduce inflammation (and, consequently, pain), even though researchers are still unsure of how CB2 functions in immune signaling.
Nutritional Support
Numerous medical theories exist that explain how nutrition and autoimmune disorders are related. The truth is that individuals with autoimmune diseases frequently find it difficult to meet their nutritional needs, regardless of the exact cause.
Indeed, research has linked deficiencies in autoimmune diseases to
- Vitamin D
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
Additionally, eating can be extremely uncomfortable for people with certain autoimmune digestive disorders, such as autoimmune gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease.
Here comes medical cannabis, which is essential for many patients with a range of ailments to maintain a healthy diet.
In particular, cannabis can:
- Stimulate hunger and thirst
- Reduce nausea
- Relieve digestive pain
People with autoimmune diseases can repair any deficiencies and reach their dietary goals with the help of each of these effects.
Sleep Hygiene
People who want to get more restful, rejuvenating sleep have found that medical cannabis works wonders. If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, you probably have trouble sleeping.
Nevertheless, inadequate sleep can lead to:
- Fatigue: Similar to chronic pain, autoimmune patients frequently report feeling tired, and sleep disturbances only serve to drain your already meager energy reserves.
- Mental health challenges: Research indicates that anxiety symptoms and other mental health issues can be exacerbated by sleep deprivation.
- Pain: A 2022 study found that autoimmune patients who don’t get enough sleep have higher levels of systemic inflammation and pain sensitivity.
Fortunately, there are a number of medical marijuana products that can help you sleep well at night:
- Indica strains: Patients who consume indica strains of the Cannabis sativa plant typically experience a calming and drowsy effect.
- CBD-forward products: Products that contain CBD, such as edibles, tinctures, oils, and smokables, can help patients unwind before bed.
- Soothing beverages: Some dispensaries sell calming teas that have been infused with cannabis, but it’s also simple to make at home.
To establish your ideal sleep schedule, try a variety of products, dosages, and administration times.
Combining Medical Cannabis with Prescription Medications
Numerous medications are frequently prescribed to patients with autoimmune diseases, including:
- Immunosuppressants (including steroids)
- Biologics
- Cytokines
- Small molecule targeting formulas
Cannabis may still be a part of your health journey even if these drugs are assisting you in achieving your objectives. How?
Discuss the following with your provider:
- Including cannabis in your prescription regimen: Is it possible to obtain a medical card for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis? Yes, in certain states, but a recommendation from a medical professional is required. To find out if medical cannabis could help you manage some of the side effects of your prescriptions, support your mental health journey, or enhance your general quality of life, your provider can also discuss any possible interactions with your current medications.
- Transitioning to cannabis care: Although this isn’t the best option for everyone, some patients might discover that cannabis’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties satisfy all of their medical requirements. If this describes you, your physician can assist you in switching from medication to a cannabis-only regimen.
Crucially, we advise against altering your medication regimen without first speaking with your doctor. Telling your provider about your desire to incorporate cannabis into your routine or transition to an all-natural care approach is important because they can assist you in taking precautions to safeguard your health during these changes.
Because autoimmune disorders are notoriously hard to diagnose, it’s possible that you and your healthcare provider don’t yet have a clear picture of your entire health profile.
But whether or not you have a diagnosis, you deserve to recover and feel better. Consider using cannabis to manage your symptoms while you wait for your provider to respond.
While navigating the diagnostic process, if you choose to try medical cannabis, keep in mind:
- Consult your provider first: Discuss your symptoms with your provider, let them know why you believe medical cannabis treatment would be a good fit for you, and rely on their experience.
- Take care with testing: Find out if cannabis could affect any diagnostic tests your doctor orders. Even though it might not happen, you don’t want to take the chance of making a test invalid.
- Modify your treatment plan as necessary: Over time, you can modify your medical cannabis treatment to better suit your evolving needs as you uncover more diagnostic answers.
To put it briefly, you can get the relief you need right now without having all the answers before you start using medical marijuana.
Online Medical Card: Connecting Patients with All-Natural Care
You might need a referral from a medical professional before you can visit a cannabis pharmacy or dispensary in your area. Presenting Online Medical Card, the top medical marijuana card service available online right now.
When it comes to autoimmune issues, mental health issues, trauma recovery, and pretty much anything else, our providers are here to help. We want to connect you with the plant-based relief you deserve because we have personally witnessed the potent healing potential of cannabis. Plus, if you’re in California, you have the unique opportunity to grow 99 plants in CA for your personal use, ensuring a steady supply of natural support.
Contact Online Medical Card to schedule an appointment and begin your medical cannabis journey.
