Cannabis Uses and Varieties

The amount of cannabis uses and varieties there are is astounding. When it comes to cannabis there are so many therapeutic effects and relief associated with the plant.

Cannabis Uses

Cannabis stalks and seeds are used to make paper, rope, food, oils, fabrics and clothing.

The leaves and flowers of cannabis are commonly used for relief in the following forms:

• Medicinal
• Therapeutic
• Spiritual

The plant itself produces trichomes, or gland heads that provide protection from insects by being intoxicating and sticky.

Highly sought after psychoactive and medicinal compounds in cannabis are located in the trichomes. Trichomes contain oil and within the oil there are over 125 different terpenes and cannabinoids. The cannabinoids and terpenes are responsible for the psychoactive effects, smell, and flavor of the cannabis.

Varieties of Cannabis

Some of the most commonly discussed and studied varieties of medical marijuana include:

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the most widely talked about of all the cannabinoids. THC can have a profound effect on behavior, including mood, appetite, sleep, and energy.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is non-psychoactive and has been found to provide relief from:

• Anxiety
• Inflammation
• Convulsions
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of appetite

More and more states are allowing the use of high CBD strains for medical purposes since it has little or no psychoactive effects on the user.

Cannabinol has some psychoactive effects although much less than THC. Has been found to help people suffering from seizures. It is commonly used to help patients with glaucoma since it can decrease intraocular pressure.

Cannabichromene has a calming effect and helps people who suffer from chronic pain.

Cannabigerol (CBG) helps lower intraocular pressure, provides a calming effect, and is mainly found in strains of cannabis with a low amount of THC. CBG, along with CBD, is being widely studied currently for its ability to help counteract the spreading of cancerous tumors.

Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) is currently being used in clinical trials for relief for those inflicted with Type 2 diabetes.

Cannabis Strains

Sativa: Tall, long thin serrated leaves, widely spaced branches

Indica: Short, bushy, faster to finish growing than Sativa.

Hybrids: Hybrids are the most commonly found type of cannabis today in North America. Hybrids are crosses between Indica and Sativa strains, and sometime ruderalis as well.

Cannabis Ruderalis: Not as commonly found as Sativa and Indica. Grows naturally outdoors in cold climates in many areas of the world.

Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis Strains

Cannabis sativas are typically used for daytime use since they can cause energizing feelings. They are also loved for their ability to increase ones mood, as well as help tap into the creative part of the brain. Sativas also decrease depression, provide relief from headaches, ease feelings of nausea, and helps those who are having trouble eating due to a decrease in appetite.

Cannabis indicas are well known as relaxants, and therefore are commonly used at night as a sleep aid. Indica strains also cause a decrease in anxiety, help handle and alleviate chronic pain and inflammation, and assist with relief from intraocular pressure for those with glaucoma.

There are literally thousands of medical conditions that cannabis has been proven effective for. Cannabis is even more widely effective than aspirin, and without any of the associated side effects.

Here is a brief list of the most common conditions that cannabis can help alleviate the symptoms of:

• Alzheimer's Disease
• Anorexia
• AIDS
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Brain Injury
• Cachexia
• Cancer
• Crohn's Disease
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Epilepsy
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• Hypertension
• Migraine
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nail Patella Syndrome
• Nausea
• Pain
• Spasticity
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Tourette's syndrome

To learn more about marijuana as medicine and other marijuana topics make sure to check out our blog.