Does Juicing Raw Cannabis Help with Lupus?

 

It is not odd to ask this question; does juicing raw cannabis help with lupus? This is especially the case considering that there is no known cure for systemic lupus which is a life threatening condition. And also, “juicing” seems to be a recent fad with lots of therapeutic potential. It is consequently no surprise to hear the above questioned being asked in many circles.

Well, for sure we cannot claim to have a found a cure for lupus. However, there seems to be a promising link between juicing raw cannabis and the treatment of lupus. We shall discuss this in the paragraphs below.

This is where it all started.

Dr. William Courtney who is a California-based physician and his wife Kristen Peskuski have played a big role in creating interest around the use of raw cannabis juice in treating lupus. Kristen who suffers from lupus went public about using fresh cannabis juice to fight symptom of lupus. The couple has since devoted their time to advocating for this form of treatment for lupus as well as other conditions.

Definitely, Kristen provides anecdotal evidence for the use of raw cannabis juice in treating debilitating symptoms of lupus. Is there scientific evidence to support this?

Before getting to this important question, here is a brief history on juicing.

Why is “juicing” a Popular Fad?

Juicing is the art/ science of making juice from fresh vegetables or fruits. Not only is fresh juice delicious, it is also nutritious and healthy since it is low in calories. Juicing saves on time and ensures that you get as many nutrients in the shortest time possible.

A juice cleanse is a popular fad for those wishing to detoxify and lose weight in the process.

 

Does Juicing Raw Cannabis Offer any Benefits?

Cannabis offers several therapeutic benefits. However, there is some science that you need to understand when it comes to juicing raw cannabis.

The common therapeutic cannabinoids in cannabis are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, these cananbinoids, as well as a host of other beneficial cannabinoids, are not available in raw cannabis. In other words, they are inactive when present in raw cannabis. These cannabinoids are only converted to their active forms through the process of decarboxylation that occurs when the cannabis buds are exposed to heat.

Raw cannabis contains inactive cannabinoids such as CBGa, THCa, CBDa, and CBCa.

For a long time acidic cannabinoids had been relegated to the sidelines with the presumption that they did not have any therapeutic potential. However, recent research has shown that these acidic cannabinoids have therapeutic potential that is different from what they could offer in their active forms. For example, while THC is an appetite depressant, THCA is a strong appetite suppressant.

Raw cannabis juice will provide several benefits that are attached to the raw cannabinoids that are present in the juice. Additionally, since THC is absent in raw cannabis this fresh juice will not have any “undesirable” psychoactive effects aka cause euphoria.

What is Lupus?

This is a systemic autoimmune condition that occurs when your body's immune system begins to attack your own tissues and organs. This is associated with chronic inflammation that may affect your joints, skin, blood cells, and vital organs.

There is no known cure for lupus and treatment is mostly focused on symptom control.

THCA is the Link between Juicing Raw Cannabis and Lupus

THCA which is available in raw cannabis has been linked to the treatment of lupus.

In one study THCA and unheated cannabis extracts were shown to have immuno-modulating effects that are independent of the CB1 and CB 2 receptors.

Another study analyzed the anti- inflammatory effects of cannabis extracts and found that this effect was derived from THCA.

So far there are no studies that have directly investigated the link between THCA and lupus. However, given the anecdotal reports and preliminary findings linking THCA to immunomodulatory and anti- inflammatory effects, there is need for further research in this area.

How to Juice Raw Cannabis

Juicing raw cannabis comes with several benefits. You can easily try this at home once you have the right information at hand.

For starters, ensure that you roll the weed into tight cylinder before throwing it into the juicer. This amplifies the centrifugal force. Secondly, make sure that you go for some high THCA marijuana strains.

Here is a simple recipe to get you started:

What you will need

• A juicer
• 1 green apples
• 3 kale leaves with stalks
• 5 fresh cannabis leaves
• Ginger

Directions

1. Wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly
2. Soak the cannabis leaves for five minutes
3. Dice the fruits and vegetables and throw into the juicer
4. Add all ingredients into the juicer  and run on high speed
5. Once it is well blended stop the juicer and remove the raw cannabis juice. You can store in a cool and dry place for later consumption.

As you may have noticed, the process is quite similar to that of making your regular juice at home.

As much as the scientific evidence on this is thin, there seems to be a strong basis to support the query; does juicing raw cannabis help with lupus?