As of late, I speak with more and more patients expressing interest in cannabis. People who would have never considered this as a part of their daily healing. Either a friend or family member has mentioned this as an option for anxiety or spoke of a doctor has suggested for their pain management. These patients are initially apprehensive due to the years long propaganda on the cannabis plant. Many of us drunk the kool-aid. Only to awaken to a rediscovery of its benefits. I have been working with plant medicine for decades, only to consistently ignore cannabis due to its illegality. Now, we are in a new space and we can utilize this plant as it was always intended, as one of nature’s healers.

What I am finding, however, that patients who are considering this for pain, anxiety or neurological healing, all want the benefits without feeling “too high.” I speak with my regular cannabis consumers and even with high tolerance, there is a need for a level of functionality. Consuming too much cannabis means different things to different people. For one patient 5 mg of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) can feel overwhelming, while another patient requires 30 mg per day to feel the balance that is needed. What we know is, that the body is receiving a benefit of THC whether you “feel” it or not. Many people do not feel the benefits of Vitamin C, however, we know that it is working to support your immune system. When medicating with THC, in low potencies, it is important to know that it is still healing, if we are feeling the “high.”

When medicating as a daily, herbal remedy, the lower doses of THC, can ignite a healing effect, even if it falls below your normal threshold. I have been supporting regular consumers in their health and we are finding that relief with lower dose cannabis, is not only achieved, but can be optimal. To optimize this healing, the addition of CBD (cannabidiol) will create a synergy(1).

Using a low dose THC with an equal amount of CBD, is called a 1:1 ratio, also known as Chemotype II. When considering THC to CBD ratios, there a Chemotype description based upon the psychoactive cannabinoid THC vs. the non-psychoactive cannabinoid, CBD. Other Chemotypes include Chemotype I, which is a high THC to a low CBD ratio. There is also Chemotype III, which has a high CBD to a low THC ratio. This 1:1 ratio (Chemotype II) has been found to be relaxing with less sedation, commonly found with high THC, therefore allowing for more functionality within the day. When medicating with a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, you gain the benefit of relaxation, mood support, muscle relaxation, therefore helping with conditions, such fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, cancer support, anxiety balance and many other physical pain imbalances. The key is the ability to function and continue with daily tasks, while medicating.