If you’re a patient in Boca Raton, Florida, you were likely ecstatic to hear of the recent passage of Florida law allowing patients to be recommended medical marijuana and CBD therapy as an alternative to traditional prescription medications for certain debilitating conditions. As such a new form of therapy, cannabidiol (also known as simply “CBD”) has great promise, but few people who are not medical professionals understand exactly what it is and with what conditions it may help.

If you’re familiar with cannabis terminology, you’ve likely heard the term “THC” thrown around. This is the main psychoactive portion of a cannabis plant, and it’s what gives marijuana users the distinct “high” associated with it. THC is also a cannabinoid that has separate benefits. Most modern cannabis plants have a plurality of THC, followed by CBD. CBD is generally not psychoactive. This means that users generally don’t experience a “high” or a rush from administering CBD.

CBD is thought to counteract some of the negative effects of THC. For example, THC alone can trigger restlessness, and CBD serves as a relaxant, generally balancing out these side effects. When used without the presence of other cannabinoids, CBD can actually treat chronic health issues, counteracting them in the same manner as it does THC.

CBD hits various receptor groups in the brain. These include serotonin, which balances mood and is also targeted by many pharmaceutical antidepressants, adenosine, which manages sleep/wake cycles, and vanilloid, which transports pain signals. Extrapolating from what we know about these receptors’ interactions with our well-being, it appears that CBD may be helpful in managing depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and other issues. Other diseases and health complications CBD has been found to positively impact are:

  • Lupus
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Parkinson’s
  • OCD
  • Tobacco/Nicotine Addiction

If you are a first-time patient or returning to LifeBoost please fill out this form to schedule your medical marijuana evaluation with Dr. Stratt.

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Of course, there are many ways to use CBD. Like its more traditional marijuana edibles, CBD can be infused into certain foods, such as brownies and gummies. CBD can also be “vaped” in an oil form or raw plant form, from a marijuana plant bred for high CBD content or a hemp plant that naturally has high concentrations of CBD. Vaping may be healthier than smoking because, in theory, it does not result in combustion, so users do not truly breathe in smoke. CBD can also be taken in pill form, just like any pharmaceutical.

While CBD is very promising, it’s important to remember that CBD cannot cure everything, and a doctor’s consultation and guidance is necessary to ensure it’s used properly and to minimize side effects. CBD’s side effects pale in comparison to many pharmaceuticals, and they largely consist of: dry mouth, drowsiness, low blood pressure, and dizziness or light-headedness. Keep in mind that these effects are likely dose-dependent, meaning that they may become either present or more pronounced when you use more CBD.

Another important consideration when choosing whether to talk to your doctor about CBD usage is legality. The DEA ruled in 2016 that CBD was technically federally Schedule I. This means it cannot federally be prescribed by doctors. However, Florida law bypasses this by allowing doctors to “recommend” CBD to patients who may benefit from using it. Technically, under federal law, it may be illegal to possess CBD, but this is generally not an issue, even for people who purchase marijuana for recreational use, as long as it is legal in their state.

If you have epilepsy, Parkinson’s, anxiety, depression, psychosis, or another condition that you feel may be alleviated by CBD, please don’t hesitate to contact us at LifeBoost today. Dr. Bruce Stratt, MD, was recently approved as one of the few doctors in Florida to evaluate patients seeking medical cannabis, and he works with LifeBoost to get patients the right treatment regimen. If you’d like to discuss pre-qualifying for medical cannabis in Florida, call Dr. Stratt at LifeBoost today!

LifeBoost

7035 Beracasa Way, Suite 102
Boca Raton, FL 33433

(561) 922-9967