Top Marijuana Strains For Depression Patients

Cannabis is effective in reducing depression symptoms. Studies have found that the herb is better than antidepressants and other medications.

Related- How Can Marijuana Help Ease Depression Symptoms?

When using cannabis for depression, getting a medical marijuana card online isn’t enough. You need to determine your condition and choose the right strains accordingly. However, getting the wrong strains can’t help you get the required relief. Let’s discuss the top strains that work perfectly for depression symptoms.

Jack Herer

It’s a THC-dominant strain that provides uplifting effects along with promoting happiness and creativity. Jack Herer contains 15-24 percent THC. If you are feeling low, this strain can boost your motivation levels and provide a sense of comfort. 

Consume this strain in the morning, and you will feel elevated and focused for the entire day. Additionally, Jack Herer can help cancer patients to ease symptoms, such as lack of appetite, nausea, and distress. Some consumers say that it has a spicy and sweet taste. 

Cinex

Another THC-dominant strain with a citrus scent. Primary terpenes available in this strain are limonene, pinene, and caryophyllene. Cinex is a perfect cannabis strain for individuals who want to increase energy levels and focus. It’s a perfect strain for cultivating your hobbies that have been affected by depression and other psychological conditions.

Cinex contains THC content of up to 25 percent. Many patients use Cinex to ease their anxiety symptoms. Limonene helps in increasing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain naturally, just like antidepressants do. 

Related- Using Marijuana For Anxiety – Here’s What You Should Know?

Granddaddy Purple

Granddaddy Purple is popular for treating anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. It’s one of the most delightful strains with bright green leaves. This Indica-dominant strain is effective in delivering stress-reducing effects. By consuming this strain, you can easily suppress negative thoughts, thus promoting relaxation. 

This strain contains 23 percent THC and myrcene. It calms your mind, helping you sleep soundly. If you are experiencing depressive symptoms associated with chronic pain or insomnia, Granddaddy Purple is the right strain for you.

Sour Diesel

Sour Diesel, sometimes called Sour D, is a potent strain with THC content between 20 and 25 percent. It produces medium-sized buds with yellow-green leaves. Smoking this strain provides mood-boosting effects, leaving you with a warm, pleasant head rush. Psychoactive effects caused by Sour Diesel usually last for 2-3 hours.

You can grow this strain indoors and outdoors. When growing outdoors, you need to maintain Mediterranean-like climates (daytime temperature 72-80 degrees F). However, you can also raise plants as clones. Growers can produce up to 56 grams per plant of Sour Diesel.

Northern Lights

An award-winning Sativa strain that promotes happiness and a sense of well-being. Some consumers report boosting focus and creativity levels. Even in lower doses, this strain can help you boost your appetite. You can also use it for managing chronic pain. It’s recommended for evening use. 

One plant of Northern Lights can produce up to 100 g. Flowering time is 6-8 weeks. This strain is often chosen by growers who prefer quality over quantity. 

Related- Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana at Home

Harlequin

Harlequin balances the therapeutic effects of THC and CBD—the two important cannabinoids. In other words, it can help you with ultimate relaxation along with a clear head. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid is known for its amazing anxiety-reducing and anti-inflammatory properties. Some consumers report an increased sense of focus after consuming this strain.

Harlequin can help you boost mood and end excessive worrying without causing the risks of paranoia. Its buds are of medium size and have a medium green color. You can easily cultivate this strain indoors. Flowering time is 9-10 weeks.

Final Thoughts

When using marijuana for treating your condition, choosing the right strain is important. So, check the percentage of THC and CBD carefully. We recommend you try different strains and note down the effects on your body and mind. You can use different doses of different strains to find out the right dose and strains for your condition. Talk to your doctor for professional help for using cannabis for medical purposes.

To buy, possess, and use cannabis legally, get your online medical marijuana card today. The process is simple-

  • Sign up for an account
  • See a doctor through the HIPAA-compliant software
  • Receive MMJ recs in PDF format instantly

A Beginners Guide To Growing Marijuana At Home

You might have just got your hands on a medical marijuana card online and might be wondering about how you can start your cannabis journey.  Especially since there are just so many options available in the market at this time. 

Growing your own cannabis is a great way to save money and actually concentrate on what you want to grow. The strain is in your hands and so is how you choose to grow cannabis. This is also the only way one can be sure that the whole process is free of any pesticides or other additive. 

So, what are the things you need to have on hand before growing your cannabis? 

Sort Your Equipment

First and foremost you need a place to grow. The best option available in the market are grow tents. They are inexpensive and depending on your growing cycles packed up and put away. Plus, there are just so many options available to choose from for your perfect grow tent. 

As a beginner, our advice to you would be to purchase a simple tent and then level up as you get better. 

The second thing you need to get is grow lights. There are many options available in the market. Our favorite options are HID (high-intensity discharge), HPS(high-pressure sodium), MH(metal halide), LED(light-emitting diode) and CFL (compact fluorescent). Just ensure whichever you end choosing is strong enough to light up the tent and also at the same time get a decent timer that can regulate the timings of your lights. 

To control the heat and humidity you might also require an exhaust fan and carbon filter, so be prepared for that as well. A circulating fan is the best investment as it will ensure that the air keeps moving. Additionally, a thermometer/hygrometer is a great way to keep a close watch on the humidity and temperature. 

Time To Grow Cannabis

You can either get your seeds and clones from a dispensary or your friends. If neither option is available to you, just hop online and get some via mail. It might be legal to grow cannabis but you are best served if you stay discreet about your hobby. 

When it comes to the soil, keep it airy and loose. 3-5 gallon buckets are great for people starting out and your chances for success are higher than using a hydroponic system. Do remember to get all kinds of nutrients for your soil. 

Once you have planted them, time to move onto the next step. 

Nourish The Plant

Lower all your reflectors. Your plant should never go on a search for light. The lights need to be instead adjusted as the plants grow. Set your timer in a manner that there is light for 18 hours and darkness for 6 hours. 

In this setup, plants will grow leaves and branches but no flowers (unless they are the auto-flowering kind).   

Two things to avoid are overfeeding and overwatering the plant. Marijuana plants prefer their roots to have a wet/dry cycle.  So, take care of that. 

Pruning is a Good Way to Get a Higher Yield

Prune early and do it often. Cut or pinch branches right above the node where new shoots show up. If you keep up with this process you will end up with a plant that looks like bonsai bush and a lot of buds but not too much space between them. 

This will ensure that you have a plant providing you with a higher yield while occupying the same amount of space, 

Be Smart About The Flowers

When you are growing indoors it is completely in your hands when the plant flowers. Check the space you have and accordingly make the choice. The moment you have decided to make your plant flower just set the lights to a 12 hour on/off period. At no time do you switch on the lights during the off-time as that may confuse the plant. 

Cannabis is not a tough plant to grow but there is a slight learning curve that comes along with it. Which is why it is advised that for the first couple of times-keep it simple. Once you get the hang of it you can try out more variations in the growing process.

Is Cannabis Good or Bad For the Immune System?

Cannabis is slowly and steadily being acknowledged for its therapeutic benefits. It offers management for a wide range of medical conditions. For instance pain, inflammation, PTSD, and anxiety. With its growing popularity for managing medical conditions, consumers are also questioning the safety of cannabis use. After all, marijuana still falls under the list of scheduled controlled substances and this means that cannabis is still illegal on the federal level. 

However, the big question still remains – how does cannabis affect your immune system? If you consume cannabis regularly, you are most likely to weigh the pros and cons based on personal experience. As it turns out, besides personal experience we also have research that helps us understand the relationship between cannabis and the immune system. So, let’s dive into it and broaden our knowledge of how beneficial or bad cannabis is bad for our immune system. 

Your Immune System

The immune system is one of the integral networks made up of a collection of cells and endogenous chemicals. It works in tandem with the organs to ward off bad bacteria, infections, pathogens, and viruses. All in all, the immune system protects the health and well-being of the human body. 

The immune system is multifaceted and it helps maintain the homeostasis of the body while combating infections in the most effective way. The active compounds such as the white blood cells, thymus, spleen, antibodies, bone marrow, and the lymphatic system fight pathogens collectively. However, here we will largely focus on the white blood cells. 

Did you know that memories are logged inside the white blood cells? Memories in the form of previously defeated microbes enable the immune system to eliminate infection easily and quickly. That’s why we always associate the removal of malfunctioned cells with the immune system.

So, what is the role of cannabis? Can it really help enhance the productivity of a weakened immune system? While there is research exploring the effects of marijuana on the white blood cells, we have few pieces of evidence showing how cannabis works in the case of the thymus, spleen, and other systems. Perhaps why so many people get a medical marijuana card online to alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of medical conditions. 

The Relationship Between Cannabis, Endocannabinoid System, and the Immune System

If you ever come across a cannabis study, you will fall upon this term quite often – the endocannabinoid system (ECS). So far, the scientists have established that there is a connection between the immune and the ECS. The ECS protects the immune system at the onset of an infection or a viral disease. It acts as a gatekeeper and prevents inflammation from turning into a disease. Not only this but the ECS also relates some of the functions of the specialized immune cells.

The two main receptors namely CB1 and CB2 mediate the interaction between marijuana and the immune system. This interaction leads to distinctive reactions. The reason why both THC and CBD appear to affect the body uniquely. Besides, we have literature suggesting that cannabis interacts with the ECS and hence the immune system to affect the functions of the body. 

A 2020 literature study found out that CBD is capable of suppressing an inflammatory response. The study also suggested that CBD may destroy cells that deteriorate the functioning of the immune system. Death of the immune cells means that new cells can emerge and help the immune system fight pathogens efficiently. 

Like CBD, THC also provided therapeutic benefits. Studies suggest that it suppresses immune activity and decreases inflammatory responses. THC is also effective in cases where the patient’s immune system starts attacking its own organs. It alters the functions of cells responsible for any sort of antimicrobial activity. Overall, this means that both THC and CBD can help the immune system in some or the other way but let’s delve deeper and find out more. 

Cannabis Impact on the Immune System

When we study about cannabis and the immune system, ideally, two things come up frequently. Immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive effect of cannabis. The effect of cannabis leads to the modification of immune response. When cannabis suppresses the immune to perform a certain action or to cause a reaction, the term we use is called immunosuppression. 

In addition to this, it is vital to note that the ability of cannabis to suppress or regulate the immune system is beneficial in certain cases. For instance, the dysregulation of the immune system. In that case, cannabis can suppress the cells causing problems for a specific organ or the body. If not, cannabis might not be the best option for your immune system. 

To prove the immunomodulatory effects here is a study published in 2017 that indicates both CBD and THC act as hosts for the immune cells. The study goes on to say that the lymphatic system contains lymphocytes (white blood cells). The white blood cells fight foreign substances and keep them away from entering the human organs. When an individual orally consumes THC or CBD the concentration of lymph cells increases three-fold. This means that the more the no. of lymphocytes the better it can fight for people who have autoimmune diseases.

The Benefits and Disadvantages of Cannabis as an Immunosuppressant

So far, we have learned that cannabis can suppress the cells inside the immune system. However, immunosuppressive properties are good for patients with an autoimmune disease. People who consume cannabis otherwise may face problems in the near future. 

According to research conducted in 2003 on healthy subjects regular cannabis, the administration led to discrepancies in the immune system. For example, regular cannabis users had less pro-inflammatory cells and more anti-inflammatory cells. While an anti-inflammatory response is good for the proper functioning of an organ, in this case, it causes the reduction of lymphocytes. Impaired white cells mean the overall ability of the immune system to fight diseases also reduces gradually. 

Regular cannabis use also decreases the count of natural cell killers. In particular, cells that fight serious diseases such as tumors and microbial infections. The study also suggested that dose is an important factor here. You see, regular users are more susceptible to infections and diseases. In contrast, people who consume cannabis less frequently may have a better functioning immune system than regular users.

The Effects of Cannabis on Immunocompromised Patients 

Unfortunately, cannabis decreases the ability of immune cells to fight certain infections. The only problem here is that studies suggest that cannabis might actually help patients suffering from cancer and HIV. So, how does this mechanism work in cancer patients?

After all, the suppressive response may further cause the immune system to deteriorate. According to research, patients with HIV or cancer are vulnerable to infections. Cannabis may enhance the immune system by decreasing the virus and increasing the capacity of CD4 cells. CD4 cells boost immune response and function. While existing research leans a little towards cannabis use in the case of cancer and HIV patients. We require more concrete proof in this case. We do not have sufficient research to clearly say that cannabis works efficiently alongside the immune system. 

Final Thoughts

The current cannabis system allows the use of medical marijuana cards to avail of high-quality cannabis products. In fact, nowadays more and more people get a medical marijuana card online to alleviate the symptoms of certain medical conditions. The use of CBD and THC has broadened in the past few years.

What remains is the effectiveness of cannabis and its impact on the immune system. Some researchers are challenging the therapeutic potential of cannabis while others approve of cannabis use. Until we have concrete proof make sure that you consult a doctor and use cannabis under medical supervision. 

Here’s how Marijuana Makes Everything Better

If you have ever used cannabis before, you know how it makes you feel. It’s magical and transcends you into a different space that is far from the burdens of life. Online medical marijuana card allows you to access cannabis within the legal boundaries of the state. Well, this is surely great for the people who are planning to indulge in a relaxing cannabis experience. No matter what strain you choose, each one carries a distinct property that produces unique effects on your body. In other words, cannabis does a lot to enhance your life. Here’s how it does that. 

Cannabis makes the food taste better

You must be aware of this one. When you smoke cannabis, it triggers the munchies. This effect makes you hungry and you tend to eat more than you usually do. When you are in the phase of a high, everything seems favorable. The food tastes much better. A large part of the credit goes to the heightened senses. This is the reason why cannabis is used in managing conditions that kill your appetite. It includes cancer medications, nausea, AIDS, etc. Cannabis works as an appetite stimulant and helps you get into a regular diet. You might be wondering how this entire thing happens. Ingesting cannabis triggers the release of a hormone called Ghrelin that causes hunger. This is the reason why you tend to feel hungry when you are in the effect of cannabis. Whenever you get the munchies, it’s a good idea to eat healthy foods as much as possible. A good idea is to eat fruits rather than anything of junk. 

It enhances the exercise

Fitness should be an important part of everyone’s lives. That’s because it promotes the overall health and keeps you away from the health hazards. For people who exercise heavily, muscle pain is a common issue. After a strenuous exercise routine, recovery is very important.  For that proper blood flow is very essential because it is the main carrier of essential nutrients. Well, exercising does increase the overall blood flow in the body. Cannabis can make this entire thing better because it acts as a vasodilator that increases the blood flow in the vessels. Along with that, cannabis also has anti-inflammatory properties that remove any muscle inflammation and help you in reducing pain. This is great for people who are demotivated to head to their gym sessions because of pain. 

It helps you socialize

If you are not confident about heading out or meeting new people. Cannabis can help you with that. There is nothing to be awkward about meeting new people. Well, every person is different and someone people are more conscious while interacting with others. Thankfully, cannabis comes to the rescue. When you ingest cannabis active compounds like THC and CBD interact with the endocannabinoid receptors to trigger the release of feel-good hormones in the body. As a result, you feel much better and relaxed. Cannabis works as a mood enhancer that helps you unwind with ease. In other words, everything seems much more favorable. It brings the much-needed mental clarity that helps you think better and you will more likely interact with new people. 

It helps you sleep better

Along with pain-relief, a lot of people use cannabis to enhance their quality of sleep. Insomnia is a major problem that affects a considerable part of the population. With cannabis, you are able to relax better and dive into a relaxing sleep. Pain is something which is a major barrier to sleep. Cannabis works by reducing the pain and helping you sleep better. It’s not just limited to that, it keeps your mind free from any useless thoughts that might prevent you from sleeping. The Indica strains produce the body high effects that help you in sleeping better. Along with that, the effects are also sedating which makes you fall asleep more easily. 

Keeps your mood happy

Imagine, you’re back home after a tiring day and all cranked up. Well, this happens because work pressure and inability to meet certain deadlines might irritate you. This means that you need something to unwind and destress. Well, there is nothing better than cannabis. It rewires your brain by filling it with good thoughts and promoting happiness. This works because cannabis removes any form of mental friction and helps you think better. You’ll be more driven to indulge in happening conversations. It’s great if you have any company as it can help you etch good moments with the utmost ease. 

Well, if you are planning to use cannabis for your health, you need to have an MMJ card.

Online Medical Marijuana Card Paves The Way

With the help of a cannabis card, accessing marijuana becomes a lot easier. That’s because it gives you the legal right to access the herb and the cops cannot really challenge you. If you are planning to get a card for yourself, you need to find a certified cannabis clinic. To do that, you can start with research or take references from your friends and family members. Along with that, pay attention to the reviews and ratings. They give you a glimpse into the working prowess of a particular clinic. At last, compare clinics on various parameters like affordability, services, and reputation. Naturally, you will select the one that offers the best mix of all parameters. 

How to get a cannabis card?

The process to get a cannabis card is very easy. With the help of telemedicine, you can interact with board-certified doctors from the comfort of your home. The process is very simple:

1) Fill a simple application form by entering your details. This might include your health history, age, address, and documentation. The clinic analyzes this information and links you to a certified doctor. 

2) A board-certified cannabis doctor interacts with you via video call. The doctor poses some questions and tries to understand your health. The main aim of this process is to check if you have a qualifying medical condition that can be managed with the help of cannabis. The doctor might ask some relevant questions. So, it’s important that you answer all of them honestly. This helps in better analysis and allows the doctor to assist you better. 

3) If you qualify, that means you are eligible to own a medical marijuana card in California. The card is sent to you via email and you can use it to source your herb. 

Once you have the card, you get the legal right to access cannabis from the state-certified dispensaries. Along with that, it allows you to save up to 25% tax on cannabis expenditure. Plus, you can access a wider range of cannabis products that recreational users cannot access. 

So, cannabis is a blessing that you cannot ignore. It can do wonders in enhancing your overall life. Just make sure you use it the right way to add a new dimension to your life. If you ever feel confused, don’t hesitate to contact a certified doctor.

Cannabis can lower the risk of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer accounts for roughly 5% of new cancer cases in the US. This causes more than 16,000 deaths. Well, studies show that cannabis can lower the risk of bladder cancer. You can get a medical marijuana card online to earn the right to access the herb. One interesting thing is that smoking, in general, is linked with a higher risk of cancer but cannabis smokers have a lower risk. 

In 2013, at the American Urological Association’s Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers mentioned that cannabis smokers are 45 percent less prone to contracting bladder cancer. Well, this does not prove that the herb is a cure but it can surely lower the risk of disease. 

A bit more about Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer begins in the cells of the bladder. It is a hollow organ that stores the urine. It usually begins in the urothelial cells that are in the inner lining of the bladder. These urothelial cells are also found in the ureters and kidneys. This means cancer can appear in the kidney too but it’s more common in the bladder. In most cases, bladder cancer is detected in the early stage but even after successful treatment, it can recur. So, patients need to go regular check-ups for years after the treatment. Surgery and chemotherapy are the most preferred options to treat bladder cancer. 

Cannabis and Bladder Cancer

According to a 2017 study, the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in reducing the risk of bladder cancer. This is mainly possible because the cannabinoids reduce the growth of tumor cells. Cannabis is loaded with properties that detox or cleanse the body. Along with that, it produces the anti-inflammatory effect that reduces any form of pain in the body. It’s not just limited to that, there is a lot that cannabis can do to manage the symptoms of bladder cancer. 

Mood Changes

Living with a chronic condition can induce huge mental pressure. It’s usually evident in the form of stress and anxiety. You might feel low and get all kinds of negative thoughts. Well, cannabis works great in managing these. The active compounds THC and CBD, interact with the endocannabinoid receptors in the body to trigger the release of feel-good hormones in the body. These bring a sense of ease in the body and enhances your mood. THC is psychoactive and produces a characteristic high that makes you feel relaxed. So, cannabis can definitely contribute to a better mood. The following strains are great at managing the mood: 

1) Pennywise: This Indica hybrid works great in enhancing the mood. It is ideally suited to use during the day as it does not make you feel sleepy like other Indica strains. 

2) Granddaddy Purple: This strain is highly popular in people with depression. 

Pain Relief

Inflammation is the root cause of pain. Cannabis has the necessary anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing pain. There are mainly two kinds of endocannabinoid receptors in the body CB1 and CB2. THC bonds mainly with the CB1 receptors in the brain and this activity mainly change the way it responds to pain. Similarly, CBD influences receptors in other parts of the body to offer much-needed pain relief. The following are the best strains: 

1) Superbud: This Indica heavy strain offers a full-body high that is brilliant at combating pain. 

2) Jack Herer: This hybrid strain offers you a boost of energy with some tinge of creativity. It works as a great pain killer too.

Insomnia

It’s natural to have disturbed sleep when you’re diagnosed with bladder cancer. Well, lack of sleep can have a bad effect on your immunity. So, it’s important that you sleep well. The high produced due to the THC has a sedating effect on the body. If the strain is potent enough, it can produce a full-body high that can relax you to the core and put you to sleep in no time. The following are the top strains: 

1) Northern Lights: This Indica dominant strain is perfect for nighttime use and launches you into a relaxing zone. 

2) Sensi Star: Initially, this strain might make you feel euphoric but gradually you will dive into relaxation and get the sleep you need. 

Appetite Stimulator

Cancer medications and chemotherapy have a bad effect on your appetite. It can kill your urge to eat and that’s pretty bad for your health. Well, cannabis can help by stimulating your appetite. It stimulates the release of ghrelin hormone that is commonly known as the hunger hormone. As a result, you feel an increased urge to eat and when you eat proper food, you can expect your body to operate normally. 

How to use Cannabis for Bladder Cancer?

There are various ways to ingest cannabis. Well, before you use it, you can get a medical marijuana card online to earn the legal right. Well, one of the most preferred methods is smoking. The effects are pretty quick because the active compounds are directly absorbed into the bloodstream. So, there isn’t much delay until you feel the characteristic effects it offers. Other preferred methods include edibles, topicals, vaping, tinctures, or raw cannabis. 

Edibles are also getting very popular these days. It’s a preferred mode among people who are not comfortable with smoking. Well, you just need to be a bit careful with edibles because they hit you late and this might force you to ingest more. If you do that, you might feel intoxication or the unpleasant effects. If you haven’t used cannabis before and you’re not sure how to use it, you can talk to a cannabis doctor.

Cannabis Doctor can help

A cannabis doctor is someone who has a rich experience in recommending cannabis to patients. They are guided by in-depth scientific research and analysis that allows them to give you accurate advice. To talk to a cannabis doctor, you will have to apply for a 420 evaluation. With the help of telemedicine, everything has become a lot easier.

The doctor interacts with you via video call and tries to have a better understanding of your health. It’s important that you are absolutely transparent about your health. This helps in better analysis and the doctor can give you better advice. Cancer is a chronic disease and you need to follow the right approach towards using the herb. The doctor can educate you about taking the right dose. Along with that, the expert can help you decide the right method of ingestion. 

If your evaluation is successful, you can get a medical marijuana card online and earn the right to use the herb for your health.