Medical marijuana may offer relaxing properties. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it makes people lazy. In fact, a recent study concluded that the consumption of cannabis through inhalation could help fight fatigue. The study was conducted utilizing the Releaf App and reviewed the entries by 1,224 individuals over a total of 3,922 consumption sessions. The participants utilized the app to record the strain they were consuming as well as their levels of fatigue prior to and after consumption.
The Releaf App utilized in the study was designed to allow you to “track, learn from, and improve your use of cannabis and CBD.” According to their website, they hope that patients being able to “mindfully track their experiences,” will help them to “strengthen their relationship with themselves while also learning how cannabis can help alleviate their specific symptoms & ailments.”
A Closer Look at this Cannabis Study
The study concluded that 91.94% of individuals surveyed saw a decrease in fatigue after smoking cannabis. The most relief was reported by individuals who consumed cannabis by smoking joints in comparison to a lower fatigue decrease in those that consumed cannabis flower through dry herb vaporizers, pipes, or bongs. Among the entries by medical cannabis patients and consumers, there was no definitive difference noted in the decrease of fatigue felt by individuals consuming indica versus sativa strains. Additionally, less than 24% of participants noted any negative side effects such as couch lock or lack of motivation. 37% of respondents, however, noted feeling positive effects such as being more productive, energetic, and even promiscuous after consumption.
The study states, “these findings suggest that the majority of patients experience decreased fatigue from consumption of cannabis flower consumed in vivo, although the magnitude of the effect and extent of side effects experienced likely very with individuals’ metabolic states and the synergistic chemotypic properties of the plant.” So essentially, what they are saying is that what cannabis patients and consumers feel from one strain and consumption method can completely differ from someone else due to their own physical makeup and DNA. This is a statement that rings true not only regarding decreased fatigue but with many of the therapeutic benefits embraced in the plant by medical cannabis patients.
Cannabis is a Plant That is as Unique as Each of Us
When cannabis patients receive their medical marijuana recommendation, they are required to have been diagnosed with at least one condition on their specific state’s qualifying condition list. Some of the most common conditions that you will find on medical marijuana qualifying condition lists across the United States include cancer, terminal illnesses, epilepsy, wasting syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, HIV/AIDS, chronic pain, and glaucoma to name a few. For each patient diagnosed with these conditions’ cannabis may offer benefits; however, the benefits that one patient sees utilizing one strain may be completely different than another patient with the same condition utilizing the same strain.
This recent study sheds light on just one of the reasons why individuals may choose to consume cannabis throughout the day. It also helps to debunk the theory that all cannabis consumers are unmotivated. This has also been seen in the now heavily covered topic of cannabis being a motivator for exercise. The study’s author Dr. Jacob Miguel Vigil stated it perfectly in an interview with Benzinga.
“Despite the conventional beliefs that frequent cannabis use may result in decreased behavioral activity, goal pursuit, and competitiveness, or what academics have called ‘a motivational syndrome’, people tend to actually experience an immediate boost in their energy levels immediately after consuming cannabis.” Dr. Sarah Stith of the UNM’s department of economics stated that the most surprising outcome of this study was “that cannabis, in general, yielded improvements in symptoms of fatigue rather than just a subset of products such as those with higher THC or CBD levels or products characterized as sativa rather than indica.”
Medical Cannabis – What Controls the Effects?
It has become standard for products to be labeled as indica, sativa, or hybrid, with the common belief that indica strains provide relaxing couch-lock effects in comparison to sativas which are said to provide a more uplifting effect. This has been a great debate among cannabis consumers, patients, and business leaders in the industry for years now. Many believe that the type of strain doesn’t attribute to the effects and that it is, in fact, the terpenes present that determines the effects produced. The study also validates this stating that since indica/sativa and CBD: THC ratios did not seem to have an underlying effect on the reduction of fatigue felt that it suggests something else is in control.
“THC, CBD, and labeled plant phenotypes were not independent predictors of symptom relief, suggesting that other cannabinoids and non-cannabinoid chemical constituents, such as terpenes and terpenoids, may affect the perception of mental and physical fatigue or the relationship between THC, CBD, and fatigue.”
Taking this into consideration, you might be curious as to what terpenes can provide uplifting effects. Let’s just say if you are looking for an afternoon pick me up, instead of just grabbing for something labeled sativa, it might be more beneficial to look for strains that contain terpenes such as myrcene, limonene, pinene, and beta-caryophyllene. These terpenes have been shown to increase energy, alertness, and even focus to not only get you going but to keep you on task!
The Research is There, and It’s time to Increase Access to All Consumers and Cannabis Patients
It is undeniable that cannabis offers medicinal properties that are beneficial for various patients as well as consumers in general, especially considering the relationship between the endogenous endocannabinoid system and this miraculous plant. Whether a patient is looking for a natural way to relieve inflammation or simply looking for something to help motivate them and keep them on task, they should have safe and legal access to cannabis. Share this post if you agree that everyone should have access to a retail cannabis market or the ability to get their medical marijuana recommendation.
Disclaimer: The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this article is for informational purposes only. No material from this article is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
