Cachexia, sometimes referred to as wasting disease, is a condition that primarily affects individuals with significant medical concerns. According To News Medical, up to 5 million persons in the United States are affected by it. It’s a potentially deadly disease, but cachectic patients can benefit from cannabis.
In this article, we’ll discuss what Wasting Syndrome is and how medical marijuana may assist those suffering from it.
What is Cachexia?
Cachexia, also known as wasting disease, is a disease that causes loss of strength, weight loss, and muscle and fatty tissue. It affects those with HIV/AIDS and advanced cancer as well as numerous other serious chronic progressive illnesses.
Those who are looking to maintain their weight fall into the category of Cachectic individuals. Elderly people who don’t have a known reason for their illness may also be afflicted by cachexia. Anorexia and cachexia are frequently observed together.
Cachexia, while unpleasant and often fatal, is not the same as other causes of weight loss. To get a prompt diagnosis and manage the problem effectively, it’s critical to distinguish cachexia from other illnesses that cause weight loss. Cachexia develops at the end of a long-term illness. It is most prevalent among individuals suffering from the following illnesses:
- Celiac disease
- AIDS
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Tuberculosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Malabsorption
- Mercury poisoning
- Congestive heart failure
- Severe sepsis
If you have cachexia, your body has incorrect amounts of chemicals. It’s due to this issue that your muscles waste away and you lose weight. Higher levels of myostatin, glucocorticoids (kidney hormones), and insulin-like growth factor l (IFG-l) all contribute to muscular wasting. You may also be lacking in testosterone.
It’s been determined that overeating, among other factors, helps increase the levels of cytokines (inflammatory chemicals that contribute to weight reduction). Having high amounts of cytokines in your blood is sometimes linked to one of these long-term health issues.
Symptoms Of Cachexia
It’s quite possible that you won’t appear malnourished if you have cachexia. If you were overweight when your chronic condition developed, you won’t appear emaciated right away. Cachexia, on the other hand, may be rather apparent to those who are slim.
Cachexia is a disease that causes people to lose their appetite and weight. The condition is difficult to identify since it induces a number of different symptoms. To determine whether or not you have cachexia, you must have any of the following symptoms:
- Having less than ten percent body fat.
- Unintentionally losing more than five percent of your total body weight.
- Having elevated levels of cytokines in your blood.
- If you’re over 65, your body mass index (BMI) should be less than 22 and if you’re under that age, it should be less than 20.
- An albumin level of less than 35 grams per liter is required. The protein albumin is made in the liver and helps to maintain your body’s fluid equilibrium. Low levels of protein albumin can cause swelling, especially in the ankles, when they develop abnormally.
Effects Of Cachexia
Cachexia is generally caused by an underlying chronic illness. The two diseases are accompanied with a slew of unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms. Due to cachexia, your chronic condition symptoms may get worse, while the reverse is also true. You’ll most likely notice a worsening in your quality of life, as well as difficulties responding to medications. You’ll be more susceptible to the effects of a lowered immunity level. It’s probable that you’ll feel constantly tired and disappointed.
You may also suffer from extreme exhaustion, which can make completing simple activities difficult. Even making a phone call might be impossible for you due to your lack of strength. Your body’s nutrients are stored in your muscle and fat, which are being lost as a result of the disease. Because of the condition, your body’s ability to function is greatly diminished, and you may become very sick as a result. Fortunately, there are treatment choices available, including medicinal cannabis usage, that can assist with wasting syndrome symptoms.
Research Involving Marijuana & Wasting Syndrome / Cachexia
It appears that the old notion of cannabis and the “munchies” having a lot of truth for individuals with wasting syndrome. A 2007 study at Columbia University evaluated using marijuana topically to AIDS patients with cachexia. It significantly increased their appetite and resulted in weight gain.
THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that makes you high, has been shown to increase appetite by 64% when ingested orally. To date, studies have indicated that the THC component in cannabis is the most efficient for increasing hunger.
Cannabidiol (CBD) acts on the endocannabinoid system, a signaling mechanism that is responsible for controlling food intake. THC is especially efficient since it tricks the brain into thinking it is hungry.
What Symptoms of Cachexia Can Marijuana Treat?
You’ve no doubt heard about marijuana’s appetite stimulant effects. Marijuana is well-known for giving individuals “the munchies.” Not only this, but cannabis can help to relieve nausea, vomiting, sadness and general malaise associated with cachexia. Let’s take a look at some of the greatest strains for treating cachexia symptoms.
Best Strains Of Marijuana To Use For Cachexia
In the United States, marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. However, many states have approved its medical and recreational use. To qualify for medical cannabis for cachexia, you must have a condition that is listed on your state’s list of qualifying medical pot illnesses, as well as a doctor’s certification. After that, you may get a medical marijuana card.
You can acquire medical cannabis products once you’ve received consent. You won’t need a medical marijuana card if recreational use is legal in your state. However, because you do not have a qualifying health condition, you may not be able to access the same medical marijuana treatments that others with such conditions are able to access.
Medical marijuana for cachexia can be obtained from dispensaries in a variety of strains. Each strain has its own set of effects. To discover what’s best for you, speak with a knowledgeable budtender or your medical marijuana doctor. Meanwhile, see this short list for more information.
Appetite
Cachexia lowers your appetite to the point that it’s one of the most common symptoms you want to remedy. When you consume regularly, your nausea and vomiting typically improve. Check out the following three strains if they can assist you.
- Sonoma Coma. The unique sativa strain from Sonoma County, California is Sonoma Coma. You will feel energized and uplifted after smoking it. You should also be quite hungry.
- Orange Skunk. Orange Skunk has a wide range of health benefits. It relieves anxiety and depression while also stimulating your appetite. Orange Skunk is a hybrid strain with pain-relieving properties that are quite good.
- Caramelo. Caramelo is a sativa-dominant hybrid. It relieves nausea and pain, as well as making you feel hungry and uplifted. The strain is ideal for day use, with effects that are generally brief in duration.
Nausea/Vomiting
Taking cannabis may assist you in eating, keeping your food down, and fighting weight loss and muscular wasting. The following marijuana strains can help with nausea and vomiting:
- Durban Poison. The name shouldn’t put you off. Durban Poison is a sativa strain that provides energy and reduces nausea symptoms. When you smoke this form of marijuana, you may feel rather inspired since it has strong cognitive effects.
- Sour Diesel. Sour Diesel has a characteristic scent that ranges from lemons to gasoline. Despite its strong odor, this popular sativa has an impact similar to a morning coffee. You’ll be more motivated. This strain may help you lose your appetite fast.
- Mango Kush. The Mango Kush strain is regarded as a great choice for first-timers. When you consume this sort of cannabis, you immediately feel more relaxed, cheerful, and less nauseated. It’s a good choice for daytime usage since it alleviates social anxiety while making you feel calm and talkative.
Depression
Cannabis has the ability to lift your spirits. People have been self-medicating with marijuana for many years, which makes sense. When you’re unwell, it’s understandable that your mood is less than cheerful. If your emotional well being deteriorates into depression, you feel lonely, downhearted, and unable to get out of bed in the morning. The following strains may be beneficial when battling sadness:
- Blue Dream. Blue Dream is a sativa-dominant hybrid that’s quite popular throughout the world. It makes you feel calm and happy, and it’s suitable for daytime use. It has a creative energy about it, too.
- Granddaddy Purple. Granddaddy Purple, a sativa strain, is popular among medical marijuana users with depression. Due to its body-heavy yet mentally stimulating effects, it’s best consumed in the evening.
- Chocolope. Chocolope is a sativa strain that relieves pain, tiredness, and depression. When you smoke Chocolope, you feel uplifted. It’s recommended to start with a tiny dose and gradually increase because this strain can induce anxiety.
Energy
Chronic illness takes a toll on your energy. You’re probably sick and exhausted with being sick and tired all the time. possessing little energy makes you feel down. You may have lost interest in hobbies you used to enjoy, and your social life could be suffering as a result. These three sativa strains can assist if you’re having trouble gaining energy:
- Jack’s Cleaner. Jack’s Cleaner makes you feel happy and engaged. It makes it simpler to get things done. You feel more at ease and like your old self again.
- Super Silver Haze. The energizing Power Plant #10 was designed especially to treat pain and other symptoms without causing drowsiness. Its effects can last all day. As a result, this is the ideal strain for you if you have a lot of things to accomplish.
- OG Kush. OG Kush is a popular strain that makes you drowsy yet happy and balanced. When you smoke OG Kush, you’ll be able to accomplish things at your own speed.
Best Methods Of Marijuana Treatment To Use To Treat Cachexia Symptoms
Let’s look at how to ingest cannabis medicine for cachexia in the most effective strains. Your health is already declining. As a result, you’re probably not want to smoke marijuana. So, what are your options?
- Vaping. Vaping is a relatively fast method to feel better, but vape devices may be pricey.
- Sprays. Cannabis sprays, on the other hand, are available in a range of fragrances and are easy to transport. If you have trouble with solid meals, sprays are also simple to consume.
- Tinctures. You may use alcohol-based extracts in your meals and beverages.
- Juices. You may mix raw, fresh cannabis leaves with vegetable or fruit juice to make a drink. If you don’t feel like eating much, juicing is a wonderful alternative.
- Edibles. Edibles are available for purchase or production. These may be eaten discreetly, regardless of where you are. If you have issues with edibles, you can also acquire pot-infused lollipops and lozenges.
The methods above eliminate the need to smoke cannabis and allow you to experiment with various ways of consuming until you discover one that works best for you.
Cachexia is a serious condition that requires further study. Although cachexia isn’t likely to be adequately treated with cannabis alone, it does go a long way toward alleviating your symptoms. Marijuana and its extracts have firmly established their place as treatments for cachexia with important advantages if you have this disease. Cannabis may help you feel fuller by increasing your appetite – and therefore your body weight – which can improve your quality of life.
If you or someone you care about is looking for a method to alleviate their symptoms without using any harmful drugs, discover more about marijuana and cachexia at a medical cannabis doctor or dispensary today.
Final Thoughts About Marijuana and Cachexia
Imagine what it’s like to be on the receiving end if you’ve ever cared for someone who has been afflicted with wasting syndrome. There is potential on the horizon in the form of marijuana, which may help you eat more and hopefully maintain your weight. Please see your doctor before using medical marijuana to treat wasting syndrome if you do so.