Understanding Plant-Based Therapy

Plant-based therapy works when the main medicinal components interact with specific receptor systems. These receptors are found throughout the body: in our brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and immune cells. When a person uses our plant-based therapy, the medicinal components find the receptors in our central nervous system and bind to them. These interactions can have a variety of effects on immune function, inflammation, appetite, metabolism and energy homeostasis, cardiovascular function, digestion, bone development and bone density, synaptic plasticity and learning, pain, reproduction, psychiatric disease, psychomotor behavior, memory, wake/sleep cycles, and the regulation of stress and emotional states. There are two main receptors which help regulate a range of body functions. These receptors are found in the following parts of the body:

• Central nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Gastrointestinal system
• Musculoskeletal system
• Immune system
• Reproductive system

Terpenes are chemical compounds that are naturally found in plants and herbs. They are responsible for each strain’s unique aromatic profile and have a range of beneficial therapeutic effects when combined with medicinal components in the plant.

The terms “indica” and “sativa” are botanical terms used to describe the morphology (shape) of different plants. Some people use the term “indica” to describe effects that are more sedating or physical in nature. Some use the term “sativa” to describe more cerebral or energising effects. Hybrids are thought to have a combination of traits from both Indica and Sativa strains.

These terms can be useful however they are not scientifically valid.

Most of the adverse effects that we commonly hear about in the media are related to chronic use of illicit low-quality preparations usually containing pesticides, heavy metals and consumed via heavy smoking, with no qualified medical management by a suitably trained GP.

All medicines can have side effects, sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You are more likely to get side effects when you start your treatment, and whilst they are usually mild and wear off within a few hours you should tell your doctor if you experience any side effects.

Patients will be using a calibrated dropper or syringe to administer their oil. The dose will be titrated as per the stepped guidelines provided by your doctor or pharmacist until a therapeutic dose and effect is obtained.

The Oil is best absorbed after a fatty meal and can be placed on or under the tongue. Effects can take 30 minutes- 1.5 hours, or longer to set in when plant-based therapy is ingested.

Remember: Start Low – Go Slow,

and slowly increase dose.

Patients prescribed the dried form of plant-based therapy will need to also purchase a “dried herb” vaporiser, which heats the cannabis to the desired temperature for efficient uptake and therapeutic effect. Accessories such as grinders and scales are available through the pharmacy.

When you first begin vaporising medicinal plant-based therapy, start with one inhalation and wait 15 minutes before consuming more. Increase by 1 inhalation every 15-30 minutes until the optimal dose is achieved. Observe how your symptoms are affected and how your mind and mood feel, before deciding to take more.

The medicinal components in the plant based therapy have the potential to interact with other medicines. Much research is going on in this area and more detail about interactions, side effects and contraindications are starting to emerge and your doctor or pharmacist are the best people to ask about this.

Quality, consistency or product and safety are the main reason you should swith to a controlled source of plant-based medicine if you are a current user. Other sources may not be controlled or go through the appropriate permissions and can contain contaminants that may be harmful with some of these effects taking time to develop. With a controlled source you are assured of a standard quality and standardised level of the effective medicinal components so that dose levels can be adjusted accurately to your needs.

Combining any medicine with alcohol is not recommended. Alcohol can affect the way medicines are absorbed or how they work in some cases magnifying the effects causing discomfort and intoxication

Patients should not drive or operate machinery until they know how they react to a plant-based treatment. Different doses may have different effects some of these being long term. For further information you should discuss with your doctor before driving or operating machinery.

As with all side effects, it depends on the person and the amount they have taken. But in general, side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes and low blood pressure. Medicinal component in the plant based therapy does affect the central nervous system, therefore this may impair motor and cognitive function, therefore it is recommended that you do not drive or operate machinery whiles taking this product and you should discuss these issues with your doctor.