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Cannabis is a flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. Humans have been growing and using cannabis for multiple purposes over thousands of years. Medicinal cannabis products are mostly made from chemicals found in the cannabis plant. These are called phytocannabinoids (in Greek, phyto means ‘of a plant’).
There is evidence of Cannabis use in Chinese Medicine around 1800 years ago. It was seen as an aid to help with pain, sleep and for mental illness.
The original text of the Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica ascribes the following properties to mafen: “Flavor: acrid; balanced. Governs the five taxations and seven damages, benefits the five viscera, and descends blood and cold qi; excessive consumption causes one to see ghosts and run about frenetically. Prolonged consumption frees the spirit light and lightens the body. Another name is mabo” (Tao, 1999).
Cannabis contains chemicals called phytocannabinoids (commonly referred to as cannabinoids). There are more than 100 different types of cannabinoids found in cannabis plants.
Natural Cannabinoids are also made by the human body. These are called endocannabinoids and they affect appetite, sleep, memory, pain and inflammation. Having too little functioning endocannabinoids in your body may lead to disease and poor mental health.
Cannabinoids from the cannabis plant act on receptors in the brain and other parts of the body by mimicking naturally occurring endocannabinoids. Two of the most common cannabinoids used in medicinal cannabis products are THC (delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These work differently.
THC may be used to reduce symptoms of Nausea, Vomiting, Chronic Pain and Muscle Spasticity as well as Improve sleep and Appetite. In some people, THC may cause the ‘high’ generally associated with recreational cannabis use.
CBD does not cause a ‘high’ and may reduce the unwanted side effects of THC. CBD may be used to treat Seizures, Anxiety, Insomnia, and Inflammatory Conditions, Migraine, Arthritis and IBS.
Balanced products that contain both CBD and THC may be indicated in Anxiety, Tremor, Migraine, PTSD, Insomnia, Arthritis, Nausea, Vomiting, Chronic Pain.
Medicinal cannabis is not considered a ‘first-line’ treatment for any health condition. Treatment with medicinal cannabis can be considered when other standard approved treatments have been unsuccessful or caused side effects.
No. Medicinal cannabis is different from recreational cannabis (also known as marijuana).
To start medical cannabis therapy you will first have a comprehensive health assessment and your health history recorded including your previous and current medications. Professor Yoland Lim Health Care doctors will determine what ratio of CBD to THC is a suitable starting dose for your specific symptoms/condition.
A submission of application to the TGA will occur, which may take up to a week to be approved. You will often be started on a CBD dominant oil and then prescribed increasing doses of THC as clinically required.
Most medicinal cannabis is in oil form, and is taken twice daily, up to 3 or 4 times daily as required. You will begin on a small dose, such as 0.1ml and continue to increase your dose until symptoms improve. You will have regular follow-ups with our experienced prescribers during this titration period to ensure your most effective dosage regime is in place.
Side effects from Medical cannabis are uncommon, but can occur. If experienced, these usually occur on initiation and subside within a couple of weeks.
If you experience any of these please call reception to book in an appointment with your prescribing doctor or see your GP.
Cannabis is not covered by the PBS, as such, there will be an out-of-pocket cost for your medication. The script and Approval will be taken to a Professor Yoland Lim Health Care approved pharmacy and paid on dispensation.
References:
nps.org.au/professionals/medicinal-cannabis-what-you-need-to-know
Althea International