Researchers have to this point identified more than 700 different chemical components in cannabis, but just four are produced in any significant quantity: THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol), CBG (cannabigerol) and CBC (cannabichromene). These are called phytocannabinoids.

Interestingly, the human body contains a system of neurotransmitters that matches the cannabinoids found in marijuana. Though scientists are still trying to identify its exact functions, the endocannabinoid system is believed to regulate important bodily functions like mood, memory, and appetite. When cannabis is ingested, its phytocannabinoids react with the body’s cannabinoid receptors to produce the plant’s unique effects.

THC is the best known among the phytocannabinoids, and is the compound that produces the “high†effect in cannabis. When THC enters the bloodstream, it binds to receptors in the brain to produce a psychoactive reaction. But that’s not all it does. THC also relieves pain, nausea, and inflammation, the primary reasons cannabis is popular among patients undergoing chemotherapy or those suffering from intestinal diseases like Crohn’s.

CBD is the most prevalent phytocannabinoid found in hemp, or a cannabis plant bred for industrial use. In fact, CBD was not found in any noticeable amount in marijuana strains until about 2009. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating and is promoted in cannabis growth to counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC. There is evidence to suggest that the combination of THC and CBD works better for pain relief than a high-THC strain alone. In addition, CBD has shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

CBG is present in only a few varieties of medical marijuana. Though CBG has not been tested as thoroughly as THC and CBD, preliminary research indicates it is an appetite stimulant and may be effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease. At least one breeder is growing cannabis plants with high CBG levels.

CBC is a phytocannabinoid found in the juvenile stage of the flowering process. So far, CBC has been found in a number of Central Asian cannabis strains, but may be present in others as well. Though further study is required, as of now CBC has shown antifungal and antibiotic properties, in addition to acting as an analgesic. Preliminary research also indicates that CBC may work as an anti-depressant.

These primary cannabinoids interact with one another to create the different experiences produced by the many hundreds of cannabis strains. In addition, researchers have identified terpenes, or the essential oil of cannabis, as contributing to what is known as the “entourage effect.†Working in concert with the cannabinoids, terpenes modulate the effects of THC and produce its distinctive scent. For instance, pinene, one of the 200 terpenes that have been identified, appears to counteract some of the short-term memory loss associated with THC. Other primary terpenes include limonene, myrcene, and caryophyllene.

The hope is that researchers will be able to identify and isolate the various compounds in the cannabis plant in order to produce deliverable medicine, much like pharmacologists did with opium in the late 19th century. That research led to a number of important new drugs, including morphine and codeine.

At Heeyl we aim to connect all the dots and bring health, wellness, guidance, and research full circle. By deciphering the hundreds of cannabis strains and compounds via our database platform, we seek to provide expert guidance to our patients. The cannabis plant possesses the tremendous potential to heal. It is our responsibility to discover all of its properties in order to bring its salutary effects to a wider audience.

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Beginning a new medical treatment can be overwhelming, and medical cannabis is no different. If you have received a cannabis recommendation in the past, you probably wondered how to choose the right strain for your condition.

You can rest assure that you are not the first to face this dilemma.  Deciding which strain is right for you among the numerous strains available at the dispensary can certainly be an overwhelming experience.  It can freeze even knowledgeable marijuana consumers in their tracks.

Although patients are under medical supervision, in many cases, the physicians do not follow up on which cannabis strains are being used or the delivery method. It is not uncommon for patients to turn to  budtenders at the dispensaries for advice on selecting the optimal strain for their medical condition. These budtenders or cannabis providers will usually help guide the patients based on previous customer experiences. They are often the ones to recommend or decide which strain to use and the route of administration.

Unfortunately, this unique situation leaves the care of patients with cannabis providers, who are not medically qualified healthcare providers. Furthermore, much of the information gained by patients and cannabis providers during this process is not communicated back to the physicians, which results in the loss of valuable information.

For this very reason, Heeyl created a user-friendly platform for cannabis patients and wellness/recreational users to interact with our network of physicians efficiently. We know how difficult it can be to make these decisions on your own. Therefore, our services do not end after your initial visit. We strongly encourage follow-up consultations and sharing your feedback with a Heeyl network physician who can modify and improve your treatment plan’s efficacy accordingly.

It is vital to understand that medical cannabis treatments are not an exact science yet. Regularly reviewing your treatment plan and tweaking it with an experienced medical cannabis physician is crucial to maximizing the therapeutic benefits medical cannabis has to offer.

Across the market spectrum, we asked medicinal and wellness cannabis users what their primary barriers are when seeking a physician’s guidance.  Often topping the list was the exorbitant expense for each consultation. Considering this, we decided to the by making it everyday affordable and accessible. By offering physician-certified consultations for $15 USD / $20 CAD, we’re removing those hurdles.

Schedule your consultation online, and experience the benefit and confidence provided from a physician-certified handholding service throughout your journey.

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There are many variables and factors to consider when using cannabis for medicinal purposes, which can present a challenge for both physicians and users alike. Let us take a closer look into some of these considerations.

Let’s begin with the compounds; currently, the two predominant compounds that physicians base their cannabis recommendations on are CBD and THC. Each cannabis product contains varying amounts of THC and CBD, and their ratios will account for differing therapeutic uses.

When physicians prescribe cannabis to their patients, they consider many of the personal factors that vary from one patient to another. These parameters will determine the levels of CBD and THC the physician will recommend. For example, a patient with a cognitive condition such as dementia will be treated differently than a person with multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, or epilepsy. Also, an older patient living in a nursing home will be treated very differently than a young patient with an active lifestyle. Each treatment needs to be tailor-fitted to every individual.

Another important factor the physician needs to consider is the method of delivery, as there are several options when consuming medical cannabis. They can be categorized into four general methods; inhalation (smoking or vaporizing), sublingual’s (tinctures or extracts), ingestion (oils, raw, capsules, and edibles), and topical treatments (such as applying lotion or transdermal patches to the area directly).

Each of these methods has its pros and cons. For example, smoking or vaporizing will bring about the fastest onset of cannabis, which is useful for quick relief of symptoms; however, the effects will typically only last between 1-4 hours. On the other hand, ingesting cannabis products by mouth, such as edibles, will have the longest duration, ranging anywhere from 4-8 hours, and in some cases even longer. The downside of ingesting cannabis is that it has the slowest onset and can take up to two hours to begin feeling any effect. The type of edible will also determine the time it takes to start feeling the effects, with hard candies acting quicker.

The physician will therefore need to consider all these factors and recommend the proper method of ingestion, the levels of CBD:THC, and a specific intake schedule, to arrive at the desired therapeutic result(s). They may also adjust the patients’ recommendation periodically as physiological responses to medical cannabis may vary from individual to individual.

It is worthwhile to note that the prescription or recommendation does not include the strain type, terpenes, or other cannabinoids, all of which are essential variables in the desired therapeutic effects. Therefore it is important to understand and be mindful of the cannabis’ plant “entourage effect”, which is the combined effect of all the different compounds found in cannabis that work together to produce a greater effect than if working separately.

As an example, terpenes work synergistically with cannabinoids, thereby contributing significantly to the overall effects a user will experience and magnifying the therapeutic benefits. Therefore consuming a whole plant extract will have a very different therapeutic effect than consuming a CBD:THC only product, where all other compounds have been extracted (i.e., terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids).

Finding the proper medical cannabis treatment for each patient, including the optimal strain for the specific condition, the correct method of intake, dosage, and CBD:THC ratio, requires many factors and personal elements to be taken into consideration by the physician. Patients need to understand that cannabis treatments are natural remedies, and it takes time to reach the desired effects.

Relief does not occur immediately with the first intake of cannabis. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a patient log of your cannabis consumption and doses. Dosing is highly individualized and relies greatly on titration; that is, beginning with a small dose and slowly increasing your dosage until you find your effective therapeutic dose.

Heeyl’s network of physicians is here to guide you with their years of experience. They will provide you with personalized and professional medical guidance throughout your treatment. When required, they may adjust your cannabis recommendation as needed until you reach your desired therapeutic goals.

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In many cases, cannabis has shown to treat illnesses more effectively, as opposed to conventional medicines and treatments. There are numerous examples of patients with Parkinson’s disease, who have exhausted all other therapies and medications with little to no success, however, have seen their tremors and symptoms reduce significantly and sometimes even disappear when using cannabis. The same is true with epilepsy, autism, and many other conditions.

Cannabinoids such as CBD have shown some very promising results in treating breast cancer by down-regulating certain genes. Although extensive clinical data are still lacking regarding the medical use of cannabis in general, cannabinoids are widely used to alleviate symptoms and treat many diseases. Besides their role in treating many conditions, cannabinoids also serve as a protective function in certain medical conditions.

Speak with a Heeyl network physician today for a friendly and professional consult.

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In recent years, cannabis use for medicinal purposes as well as recreational and wellness purposes are gaining acceptance in many countries around the world.

Cannabis is a unique plant in that it is the only plant that can produce cannabinoids, similar to those found in the human body. The cannabis plant produces more than a hundred distinct cannabinoids (such as THC and CBD), which regulate our bodies via a messenger and receptor system called the Endocannabinoid System, also known as the ECS. These receptors are found throughout the human body, such as in the nervous system, organs (such as the brain), and immune cells, to name but a few. For this very reason, the cannabis plant is effective in regulating many processes in the human body and treating many conditions related to chronic pain, neurological disorders, and behavioral symptoms.

Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface of their understanding of this complex plant and how the cannabinoids it produces affects our bodies. Besides cannabinoids, consider the roles of other compounds found in the cannabis plant, such as terpenes and flavonoids; for example, terpenes are understood to be responsible for the flavors and aroma of the cannabis plant, similar to the way tannins bring flavor to wine; while flavonoids provide their color pigmentation.

It is known today that terpenes work synergistically with cannabinoids as well as inhibit THC’s psychoactivity, thereby contributing significantly to the overall effects a user will experience. The terpene profile can vary significantly from one strain to another, which means that although two strains may have the same THC to CBD content ratio, the therapeutic effects will be considerably different. In a similar vein, patients who replace a particular strain of cannabis for another with higher THC and CBD content may not gain an increased level of relief if the terpene profile is significantly different.

Making the best use of the cannabis plant’s medicinal potential for various symptoms is a tricky business. Heeyl’s physicians’ network has years of experience guiding cannabis users to achieve their desired goals and assisting patients in treating their specific ailments. Schedule a physician-certified consultation today and discover what medical cannabis can do for you.

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The cannabis plant is a complex and intriguing plant that has been used by humans for thousands of years. It was used by the Chinese over 5,000 years ago and was once considered a primary medicine used extensively to treat numerous ailments. However, over the last eighty years, it utterly disappeared from the medical arena due to a series of enacted laws and regulations.

In the U.S., throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, physicians employed medicinal cannabis routinely when treating their patients; and was even in the ‘top-three’ most commonly prescribed medicines due to its therapeutic properties. Cannabis appeared in the United States Pharmacopoeia for the first time in 1850 and remained there until the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, which placed federal restrictions on cannabis use and sale, causing it to dwindle out of use and subsequently being written out of the American pharmacopeia in 1942. Several other prohibitions were enacted and enforced between 1951-1970, criminalizing all use of cannabis, thereby hampering future cannabis research (due to heavy restrictions on the procurement of cannabis, even for research purposes).

The question begs to be asked, how did this drastic change come about so quickly in America, and why? In the early 1900s, natural remedies and herbal medicines were prevalent. Roughly fifty percent of physicians and medical schools in the U.S. were practicing holistic medicine at the time.

While there are many factors, one significant impetus lies within the annals of American medical history, starting with the Flexner Report of 1910, written by Abraham Flexner. He was chosen to evaluate the Canadian and American Medical School systems to offer recommendations for improvement.

The Flexner report resulted in the consolidation and standardization of American medical training in accordance with pharmaceutical drug science to the exclusion of natural holistic care practices, naturopathic remedies, and cures. This created a system that made patentable pharmaceutical drugs easy to sell while marginalizing natural holistic care and practices, including naturopathic and homeopathic doctors. You can’t patent a plant or natural remedy, but you can patent lab-created synthetic medicines.

In more recent times, 33 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the medical use of marijuana, with an increasing amount of states the following suit. Today, many people, including doctors and researchers, advocate for a re-evaluation of medical principles that have become standardized in our society. They rightfully point out that medical marijuana is a safe and effective treatment for many symptoms and conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, chronic pain, Crohn’s, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, autism, insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, arthritis, and many other conditions.

A growing interest in homeopathic remedies and medicines have begun to shift public opinion regarding medical cannabis. At Heeyl, we look forward to guiding medical cannabis patients and wellness users while cannabis legalization continues to sweep the nation and the world.

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Medical cannabis has been observed to improve both motor and non-motor symptoms including bradykinesia, rigidity and tremors in Parkinson’s patients. The following are studies and surveys which document these findings.

Patients with Parkinson’s disease report alleviation of symptoms approximately two months after starting daily use of cannabis.

Katerina Venderová, PhD, Assistant Professor at University of the Pacific and former researcher at the Movement Disorders Centre in the Department of Neurology at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, et al.,wrote in their Sep. 2004 article “Survey on Cannabis Use in Parkinson’s Disease: subjective improvement of motor symptoms” published in the journal Movement Disorders:

An anonymous questionnaire sent to all patients attending the Prague Movement Disorder Centre revealed that 25% of 339 respondents had taken cannabis and 45.9% of these described some form of benefit.

The late onset of cannabis action is noteworthy. Because most patients reported that improvement occurred approximately 2 months after the first use of cannabis, it is very unlikely that it could be attributed to a placebo reaction. The results from the analytical part of the study (GC/MS) also support our observation that long-term regular use of cannabinoids is crucial.

Cannabis treatments improve Parkinson’s patients’ symptoms with no significant adverse effects

Itay Lotan, MD, physician in the Neurology department at Rabin Medical Center in Israel, et al., stated the following in their Mar./Apr. 2014 study titled “Cannabis (Medical Marijuana) Treatment for Motor and Non–Motor Symptoms of Parkinson Disease: An Open-Label Observational Study,” published in Clinical Neuropharmacology:

The aim of the present open-label observational study was to assess the clinical effect of cannabis on motor and non–motor symptoms of PD… Twenty-two patients with PD [Parkinson’s disease] attending the motor disorder clinic of a tertiary medical center in 2011 to 2012 were evaluated at baseline and 30 minutes after smoking cannabis… Results: Mean (SD) total score on the motor Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale score improved significantly from 33.1 (13.8) at baseline to 23.2 (10.5) after cannabis consumption (t = 5.9; P < 0.001). Analysis of specific motor symptoms revealed significant improvement after treatment in tremor (P < 0.001), rigidity (P = 0.004), and bradykinesia (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: There was also significant improvement of sleep and pain scores. No significant adverse effects of the drug were observed. The study suggests that cannabis might have a place in the therapeutic armamentarium of PD. Larger, controlled studies are needed to verify the results.

Schedule a consultation today with an experienced Heeyl physician, and discover how medical cannabis can help in treating your Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

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María M. Caffarel, Ph.D., Scientist at the Complutense University-CIBERNED-IRYCIS in Madrid, Spain, et al., stated the following in their 2012 study titled “Cannabinoids: A new hope for breast cancer therapy”:

Breast cancer is a prevalent disease that affects approximately 1 in 10 women at some point in their lives. Importantly, breast cancer cannot be considered a single disease as it is characterized by distinct pathological and molecular subtypes that are treated with different therapies and have diverse clinical outcomes. Although some highly successful treatments have been developed, certain breast tumors are resistant to conventional therapies, and a considerable number of them relapse. Therefore, new strategies are urgently needed, and the challenge for the future will most likely be the development of individualized therapies that specifically target each patient’s tumor. Experimental evidence accumulated during the last decade supports that cannabinoids, the active components of Cannabis sativa and their derivatives, possess anticancer activity. Thus, these compounds exert anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive actions in a wide spectrum of cancer cells in culture. Moreover, tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis are hampered by cannabinoids in xenograft-based and genetically-engineered mouse models of cancer. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the anti-tumor potential of cannabinoids in breast cancer, which suggests that cannabinoid-based medicines may be useful for treating most breast tumor subtypes.

Another article by Sean D. McAllister, Ph.D., from California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute, et al., stated the following in their Aug. 2011 study titled “Pathways Mediating the Effects of Cannabidiol on the Reduction of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation, Invasion, and Metastasis,” published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment journal:

The development of a compound (and perhaps a family of compounds) that is non-toxic, efficacious, and specifically targets metastatic cancer cells would significantly contribute to eradicating breast cancer. There is a consensus in cancer research that targeting multiple pathways that control tumor progression is the best strategy for eradicating aggressive cancers. Since CBD has low toxicity, it would be an ideal candidate for combination treatments with additional drugs already used in the clinic. Importantly, CBD appears to be interacting through a cellular system that regulates the expression of key transcriptional factors (e.g., Id-1) that control breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The experiments described in this manuscript define the pathways that CBD is working through to control breast cancer cell aggressiveness and demonstrate the efficacy of CBD in pre-clinical models. A greater understanding of this system may lead to future therapies for breast cancer patients, including the additional refinement of CBD analog synthesis.

A more recent study by Dr. Kenyon et al. stated the following in their 2018 study titled “Clinical Responses to Pharmaceutical-grade Synthetic Cannabidiol” published in Anticancer Research journal:

Cannabinoids are widely used in the management of pain, nausea, and cachexia in cancer patients. However, there has been no objective clinical evidence of any anticancer activity yet. This study aimed to assess the effects of pharmaceutical-grade synthetic cannabidiol on a range of cancer patients. Patients and Methods: We analyzed the data routinely collected, as part of our treatment program, in 119 cancer patients over a four year period. Results: Clinical responses were seen in 92% of the 119 cases with solid tumors, including a reduction in circulating tumor cells in many cases and, in other cases, a reduction in tumor size, as shown by repeat scans. No side effects of any kind were observed when using pharmaceutical grade synthetic cannabidiol. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical grade synthetic cannabidiol is a candidate for treating breast cancer and glioma patients.

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According to the 2018 World Alzheimer’s Report, 50 million people have dementia globally, and in Canada alone, the number stands at over 560,000.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, comprising about 2/3 of all dementia diagnoses. While there are no known cures or disease-modifying therapies, there are interventions to manage a variety of Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) that are common to dementia.

Given the limited therapeutic options and inconsistent evidence base, there is a need for alternative therapies in the growing population of dementia patients. Medical cannabis has been highlighted as one of the potential alternative treatments for dementia.

Heeyl’s network of physicians have years of experience guiding medicinal cannabis users, including individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

During your first consultation, we will directly address your questions and concerns and provide personalized guidance and recommendations.

Consultations are confidential and unbiased; schedule your first consult today.

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At Heeyl, we are committed to bringing cannabis-health guidance mainstream, with everyday accessibility and convenience.

Our network of physicians and certified cannabis advisors are revolutionizing the access people have to unbiased, comprehensive cannabis healthcare.

Whether you are seeking treatment advice for a medical diagnosis or guidance on your wellness lifestyle, our team is here to assist you on your journey and address your questions.

Consultations are confidential, and HIPAA and PIPEDA compliant.

Book an introductory consultation, and start your cannabis-health journey.

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