Cannabis is an all-natural treatment for an often-overlooked mental illness.

We believe in the power of cannabis to treat physical and mental ailments. From back pain to anxiety, depression to daily stress, the proven benefits of marijuana as a catalyst for improved health and wellness, are undeniable. In a recent blog, we explored the rising tide of mental health issues among Americans and discussed the ways cannabis is being used to treat these issues—with outstanding results.

Mental health issues among Americans, frequently go overlooked and undiagnosed. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, in particular, is all too often ignored. PTSD impacts an estimated 3.6% of adults in the U.S. and up to 20% of combat veterans. PTSD often appears in people who have experienced life-threatening or shocking events like military combat, natural disasters, physical assaults, or other traumatic situations. Those suffering from this debilitating condition often ‘re-live’ these traumatic experiences through flashbacks and extreme anxiety, even when there is no immediate threat. The most common treatment for PTSD is psychotherapy and prescription medications, but a growing body of research shows cannabis is an ideal method of treatment for this unfortunate condition.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychology, demonstrates the potential of cannabis to help people suffering from PTSD. Cannabis lowers the occurrence of nightmares and reduces stress and anxiety levels brought on by traumatic experiences. 

“Medical cannabis is used in conjunction with other therapies. Peer support groups are highly supported therapy for patients suffering an Operational Stress Injury (this is another term for PTSD). Medical cannabis strains with the right CBD and THC levels are assisting veterans with chronic physical pain, as well as anxiety and insomnia issues. I believe that medical cannabis will continue to work in conjunction with many other therapies.” —Shelly Franklin, Veteran Program Coordinator, Canadian Cannabis Clinics

Other research shows people who have PTSD are especially likely to benefit from the implementation of a cannabinoid-based plan, as the stress of initial trauma may cause the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to become more receptive to treatment. As there is no medication explicitly manufactured to treat PTSD, these patients are typically prescribed antidepressants. That said, we will soon see cannabis treatments designed to address their exact symptoms, as a doctor-prescribed natural option.

“There’s a consensus among clinicians that existing pharmaceutical treatments such as antidepressants simply do not work. In fact, we know very well that people with PTSD who use marijuana—a potent cannabinoid—often experience more relief from their symptoms than they do from antidepressants and other psychiatric medications.”—Alexander Neumeister, MD, Director, Molecular Imaging Program, Department of Psychiatry and Radiology, NYU School of Medicine

Increased awareness creates better understanding.

Unfortunately, there is still a need to educate people on how cannabis consumption can be successfully used for the treatment of mental health issues. Federal regulations have made it difficult to adequately research and investigate cannabis, drastically impacting the ability of healthcare professionals to understand and recommend the plant to individuals affected by PTSD. Still, minds are beginning to shift—the societal views of cannabis have started to transform, and public pressure is beginning to produce results.

While growing numbers of individuals impacted by PTSD have begun to speak up and seek assistance, the prevalence of social stigmas and a lack of understanding, assures that thousands of men and women, many of whom have served our country—making the ultimate sacrifice—will tragically continue to go undiagnosed.

Education is an essential facet of our mission at Lightshade. Not only do we endeavor to teach customers about our products, but we also strive to educate people about the issues surrounding cannabis. We believe we have to shine a light on the ways marijuana can positively impact the lives of people, not only in the United States but globally.

The impact cannabis has on individuals who have PTSD is nothing short of amazing.

Drop the Wine and Pick Up the Cannabis

Research shows that cannabis is an ideal tool to help people battle issues related to mental health—from daily stressors to severe conditions.  

Our world is changing. Technology, for better or worse, is transforming the physical and mental landscape of society. The ways we work, connect, find romantic partners, and communicate, have become increasingly digital. Today, we are a culture addicted to technology. Is it just a coincidence that anxiety, depression, and general dissatisfaction are on the rise?

“Interactions on social media can have a major impact on an individual’s well-being and satisfaction. Many studies have observed that more time spent on social media is associated with an increased risk of loneliness and depression, which poses the question: are unhappy people using social media or does social media use affect happiness?” —Medical News Today

A study published last year in the Journal of Psychiatric Services estimates that 3.4% of the U.S. population—more than 8 million people—suffer from serious psychological distress (SPD). SPD is a term used to describe feelings of sadness and despair that are threatening enough to impair physical well being.

These numbers come to us at a time when America is in the throes of a prescription medication nightmare. More Americans take prescription drugs to treat mental illness today than at any time before.

Cannabis: the all-natural antidote.

What does this have to do with cannabis? Everything.

Cannabis may be the all-natural remedy to the mental health issues plaguing us today.  

As our knowledge around cannabis and the endocannabinoid system broadens, psychiatrists and behavioral health experts are looking to the plant as an antidote to the psychological issues impacting Americans. And, while the legal status of cannabis in the United States is a challenge for healthcare professionals seeking to study and prescribe medical marijuana on a larger scale, many patients with mental health disorders have taken it upon themselves to improve their lives through cannabis consumption.

PTSD, anxiety disorders, chronic pain, insomnia, ADHD, and addiction—cannabis is being used to treat each of these issues, and patients are sharing positive results when reporting back to their healthcare professionals.  To us of course, this comes as no surprise. Our customers often share stories of triumph over mental and physical hardship as the result of cannabis consumption.

One customer recently shared with Jo Madrid, Lightshade’s manager of marketing, that she was able to wean herself off of sleeping pills, as well as anti-anxiolytic prescription medications, with the support and monitoring of her physician. By gradually replacing pills (and sometimes wine with the pills), over several months time, with a CBD/THC product, along with smoking flower in the evenings, and occasionally consuming an indica edible a few hours before bed, this customer was able to entirely discontinue daily use of both benzodiazepines and high dose sleeping pills. After 6 months, this customer is still ‘prescription free’ and reports feeling ‘balanced’, alert, and more in tune with herself, which has allowed better personal decision- making, and has resulted in a better job, improved relationships with family and friends, as well as ending an unhealthy relationship.

Trade your daily glass of wine for an edible.

Do you find yourself craving a glass of wine at the end of a workday? Anxiety shows itself in different ways, some more damaging than others. Mental health covers everything from daily stressors—work, childcare, family—to more severe issues diagnosed by healthcare professionals. While alcohol abuse rates continue to rise, especially among women, and we look at the opioid epidemic and general dissatisfaction among many Americans, cannabis has emerged as an unlikely hero. Marijuana is non-habit forming, non-toxic, and cannot kill you. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for alcohol.

Eliminate anxiety without the high.

You don’t have to get high to realize the positive effects of cannabis. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive chemical found within the plant and has properties that produce results akin to anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. Furthermore, a study performed by researchers at Sao Paulo University in Brazil found CBD to have a significant impact on people suffering from social anxiety and fear. As medical researchers dive deeper into the science around CBD, we expect to see greater adoption among people who in the past may have been hesitant to introduce cannabis into their overall health and wellness routines.

Outside of providing a comfortable space for customers to shop and learn about cannabis, one of our goals is to remove the stigma surrounding this extraordinary plant so people can discover its life-changing potential. Marijuana, unlike alcohol, provides a healthy way to tackle life’s anxiety-inducing challenges. Instead of pouring that glass of wine at the end of a workday, stop into your nearest Lightshade and consider an edible, tincture, or infused beverage. Your mind and body will thank you.

The next time you feel stressed reach for one (or all) of the products listed below:

Anxiety- CBD products

• Mary’s Medicinals CBD Oil Remedy 500mg
• Wana Sour Strawberry CBD Gummies 10:1
• Evolab Chroma CBD 3:1 Cart 500mg

Depression – 1:1 or Sativa products

• Altus Sativa Pills
• Blue Kudu Sativa or 1:1 bonbons
• Lucid Mood Energy, 1:1 CBD THC disposable vape pen

Stress – 1:1 or Indica products

• CCC Relieve Transdermal Patch 5mg THC:30mg CBD
• Dixie 1:1 Tinctures or THC Bath Soak
• Any Lightshade flower from the Calm or Rest Categories

Amateur and professional athletes have started to embrace cannabis as a component of training. Are they on to something? We think they are.

It wasn’t long ago professional athletes were harshly criticized for openly discussing cannabis consumption. Careers were ruined, athletes stigmatized, and in the case of Michael Phelps who was chastised in the media after his infamous ‘bong photo’; athletes have been banned from competition after acknowledging (or being caught) consuming cannabis.

Fortunately, we’ve come a long way since the Phelps incident of 2009. Laws, policies, and attitudes toward cannabis are changing and a growing percentage of athletes now openly discuss cannabis consumption as a component of their training and recovery programs—and for good reason.

People, understandably, more often associate cannabis consumption with the munchies than they do strenuous physical activity. A growing body of research and real-life practical application, however, has shed new light on the possible uses of cannabis for enhanced athletic performance and recovery.

Brave athletes are standing up to support the breaking down of stigmas associated with cannabis consumption, and equally brave medical practitioners, are standing alongside them.

“We need to let athletes consume cannabis to heal from injuries and manage pain and inflammation.”—Eugene Moore, Baltimore Ravens

Men’s Journal recently profiled a Colorado triathlete who has integrated cannabis into a rigorous training program that includes pre-dawn runs, post-work swims, and long and lonely cycling adventures. The athlete, who asked to remain anonymous (there’s still a stigma), makes enhanced homemade energy bars that he consumes before early morning workouts. According to the article’s author, the triathlete considers cannabis a “genetically engineered workout supplement—a combined focusing agent for exercise, and a pain reliever that numbs his post-workout aches.”

The concept of working out after consuming cannabis, to some, may seem odd. That said, a growing body of evidence pointing to positive outcomes for athletes who incorporate marijuana into their fitness and training programs, and the endorsement of professionals and amateurs who swear by the plant’s medicinal properties—is altering public perception.

“When you’ve got as $10 million dollar player sitting on the sideline because of an injury, how do you justify that as a sports organization?”—Riley Cote, Philadelphia Flyers

Here are five reasons to work cannabis into your overall fitness and recovery program.

1. Cannabis provides safe and effective way to manage pain.

   As America struggles through the opioid epidemic, a growing percentage of people, athletes included, are looking toward cannabis as a healthy alternative for pain management. Cannabis is an excellent tool to help athletes recover from exercise-induced aches and pains and with CBD, you can manage discomfort without feeling high.

2. Cannabis doesn’t harm lung function. In fact, it may actually improve it.

   A study conducted over the course of twenty years found low to moderate cannabis consumers displayed increased lung capacity compared to non-smokers. For athletes, the ability to increase lung capacity leads to increased performance and speedy recovery after strenuous exercise. It’s also worth noting, THC has known anti-inflammatory properties and can strengthen the immune system, which may prevent lung irritation from turning into chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a devastating lung disorder common to cigarette smokers. While most athletes choose alternative consumption methods, for those who opt to smoke cannabis, it shouldn’t hinder athletic performance.

3. Cannabis aids in recovery and performance.

   Cannabis enriched salves and topicals help athletes reduce muscle pain and the anti-inflammatory properties of both THC and CBD help to speed up muscle repair, drastically improving recovery time—a key to enhanced athletic performance.

4. Cannabis helps athletes focus during intense training sessions.

   Athletes who have worked cannabis into their training and fitness programs report an increased pain tolerance and enhanced focus, allowing them to push through the temporary pain of challenging workouts and intense endurance sessions. THC and CBD ease anxiety and increase the pain threshold, giving athletes the extra physical and mental push they need, to make it through the most intense moments of training.

5. Cannabis promotes neuroprotection.

   An alarming number of NFL players have come forward in recent years describing PTSD-like symptoms as the result of sports-related head injuries. The neuroprotective properties of cannabis make it an ideal tool for athletes experiencing head injuries. Put simply, cannabis helps with brain repair.  

“I think all athletes—whether they’re NFL or NBA pros or just serious athletes wanting to better their fitness—are learning about the therapeutic potential of this plant.”—Susan Sisley, M.D., Doctors for Cannabis 

The myriad of benefits offered by cannabis consumption, from enhanced recovery and performance, to brain protection and repair, make it an attractive option for athletes looking for a leg up on competition, or for people simply looking for a better way to help before, during, and after hard workouts.

At Lightshade, we are committed to educating consumers on the benefits of cannabis for all. Drop by any of our nine Colorado dispensaries to speak with a budtender to learn how you can work cannabis into your overall fitness and training program.