Dementia describes a range of neurological symptoms that mostly affect people over 65, yet dementia can occur at any age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, so caring for people living with the disease usually involves symptom management and reducing progression. Currently, there’s not enough high-quality evidence to support the use of medical cannabis in managing dementia symptoms, but there are some promising early findings. Researchers are investigating the two most well-known cannabinoids — tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) — along with certain terpenes and flavo ..read more

Approximately, 1 in 7 Australians will experience depression in their lifetime and ,1 in 13 Australians have reported experiencing a depressive episode over the last 12 months. The ,prevalence and impact depression can have makes it clear that we need more education, resources and support for people with the disorder. Depression is a complex and sometimes misunderstood condition, so it’s important to understand exactly what it is, what the risk factors are and what symptoms it can involve. What is Depression? Depression is a serious illness and can have profoundly negative effects on a person ..read more

As the field of medical cannabis grows, so does our knowledge about the plant itself. There are more than a hundred cannabinoids in the cannabis plant and we’re only now starting to understand how they affect the body and the individual and combined benefits they may have. One cannabinoid of particular interest is cannabigerol or CBG. Despite belonging to the ‘minor’ cannabinoids family, CBG is the seed from which all other cannabinoids, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are born. What Are Cannabinoids? Cannabinoids come in two forms: ,endocannabinoids and ,phytocanna ..read more

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between ,2% to 5% of the world’s population. It’s a growing concern in Australia, with ADHD diagnoses on the rise. However, the research into the effects medical cannabis has on ADHD isn’t conclusive. Some studies show cautiously positive results in using medical cannabis to manage ADHD, while others find that cannabis use may pose unique risks for people with the condition. ADHD can be a debilitating condition, and often co-occurs with other mental health concerns such as anxiety. This can make ADHD hard to identify and diagnose, meaning ..read more

Until recently, we thought that determining the effects of a cannabis plant depended on whether the plant was of the indica or sativa variety, or a hybrid of the two. While this would be a convenient system for gauging the potential effects of cannabis, the reality is rather more complicated. There are dozens of different compounds in cannabis that all change how the plant might affect you. And now that most cannabis strains tend to be hybrids – a mix of sativa and indica – predicting their effects is more complex than it may have once been. Where Do The Terms ‘Indica’ And ‘Sativa’ Come From ..read more

Cannabis contains two primary cannabinoids: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These two cannabinoids have different effects and applications – ,emerging research shows that THC may raise blood pressure, while CBD may have some use in lowering it. In addition to THC & CBD there are estimated to be 100+ other cannabinoids present within the cannabis plant that are yet to be studied for their impact on the cardiovascular system. Research is still in the very early stages and medical cannabis isn’t currently prescribed for blood pressure-related concerns, but the positive resul ..read more

More than ,2.5 million Australians report having asthma – around 11% of the population. While asthma is a chronic condition and can’t be cured, there are conventional medicines that are effective at managing it. However, researchers are also investigating cannabis for its effects on the airways in the lungs and how certain cannabis compounds might one day be used to help manage asthma symptoms. So far, there isn’t enough evidence to say that medical cannabis is a viable asthma treatment, but there are enough interesting results to warrant further research. First, it’s important to understand w ..read more

Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is one of the primary cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are compounds that affect us in various ways through interacting with our body’s endocannabinoid system. There are many different cannabinoids, some of which come from cannabis and others that exist naturally in our system. You may already be familiar with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is also a cannabinoid, but unlike CBD, THC causes the psychotropic effects that cannabis is known for. Many people refer to these effects as a ‘high.’ While it’s not psychotropic, CBD may have several h ..read more

Medical cannabis comes in a wide variety of forms. The most common ways patients consume medical cannabis are concentrated oils, vaping the dried flower or using vape cartridges – but cannabis capsules, wafers, creams and ointments are options as well. Depending on your condition, experience level with cannabis and personal preference, you and your doctor should be able to find a formulation that works for you. Here is a rundown of the medical cannabis currently available for prescription in Australia. Cannabis Oil Cannabis oils are concentrated extracts that contain specific ratios of therap ..read more

Medical cannabis affects everyone differently, but it can be helpful to have a general idea of what to expect and how long the effects can last. While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to duration or how powerful the effects might be, it’s still important to understand how your medicine works so you can approach it sensibly and better understand your treatment plan. What Causes The Psychoactive Effects Of Cannabis? Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the compound in cannabis that causes its psychoactive effects (commonly known as a ‘high’), and is one of the two major cannabinoids in t ..read more