The age-old excuse, “it’s for my glaucoma.” Back when cannabis was stigmatized, CBD was not as well known and people relied on THC strains for everything. In the full and broad spectrum world of cannabis, there are only so many reasons for intoxication left. Remedies for deliberating conditions like Glaucoma and even acne may not be confined to an intoxicant – other cannabinoids and terpenes work as well!
Plugged with germs and lipids
Acne needs to be killed and suppressed. These zits are little bumps of inflamed lipids that have become trapped under the skin by a hair follicle. Cells that surround the follicle produce an excess of keratin and lipids known as sebum.
Certain types of acne are even forms of chronic inflammatory diseases. As we know, cannabis’s forte, with its many components, is to destroy abdominal cell growth and regulate lipid inflammation. Acne also carries a form of bacteria that can cause further inflammation.
Thankfully, several cannabinoids work well as anti-bacterial agents. A dive into the entourage effect reveals the terpenes limonene, linalool, and pinene also work well in this regard. Once the sources to the problem have been resolving, healthy tissues still need to grow without damage and further complications. This is where certain cannabinoids continue to work well. It depends on what you are growing, though.
New flesh
With acne and Psoriasis, you want to regulate the growth of skin tissues, known as keratins. CBD, CBC, and THCv help mediate their production sites – known as keratinocytes. This also comes with the mediation of lipid producing sebocytes. That regulation is facilitating by several mechanisms. One of these functions will be complimented well by the terpene, limonene, and another by b-caryophyllene.
CBG will instead help with Dry Skin Syndrome and Psoriasis as it increases sebum production while it also inhibits keratins.
Other cells undergo better regrowth with cannabimimetic therapy, too. Different cannabinoids, for their own reasons, work well as neuroregenerative medicines. From this, other conditions are heavily aided by antiinflammation and neurodegeneration, like Glaucoma.
Pressing damages
The second leading cause to blindness is typically characterizing by an increase in Inner Ocular Pressure (IOP.) Upon a closer look, it is apparently related to retinal damage and optic nerve degeneration. Once fluid in the eye stops draining properly it will build up and gather pressure in the anterior chamber. Inflammation puts strain against surrounding nerves and tissues which can then deplete nutrients.
Several effects of cannabinoids will protect eye tissues from further damage and aid in new development. CB1 receptor activation reduces blood pressure, and as it turns out, these receptors are indeed found within our eyes.
Cannabimetic doorways
Unique anti-inflammatory functions occur through CB1 receptor’s multiple doorways. Each entry possesses unique characteristics that clean up damaged tissues and aids with your own bodies healing, especially in a condition like Glaucoma. Importantly, it is a thorough anti-inflammation which is crucial for lowering Inner Ocular Pressure.
In fact, cannabis’s downside side is a short duration of effect; a problem with a solution in preliminary tech.
Pressure needs to reduce in order to prevent damage, otherwise, nerve regeneration would no longer serve its purpose. It takes more than anti-inflammation; vision may not be saved by lowering IOP alone. Damage to the optic nerve has to reduce.
CBD and CBG both indirectly elevate CB1 receptors in their own ways. As it turns out though, CBD may raise Inner Ocular Pressure due to its effect on FAAH. Whereas CBG lowers it prominently through A2 adrenergic receptor agonism, as well as it’s specific cannabinoid system effect. This can likely be complement by the terpene, pinene. For glaucoma, CBD may not be ideal but CBG is hard to come by.
Under the tongue – A window into your soul
Unlike acne, topical formulations are not best for glaucoma. Do not put cannabis in your eyes. The best method of use here is most likely oral mucosa absorption. In other words, mouth drops, or just let a (sugar-free) distillate candy dissolve between your upper gum and cheek (Buccal absorption.) There is a THC-free, CBG: CBD gum developed through Hemptown USA’s genetically modified cannabis. It may, however, be best to wait for breeders to naturally develop CBG forward chemovars.
With glaucoma or any deliberating pathogenic challenge, you may very well still need and deserve some THC. Which is good, because the only chemovar that can currently assist glaucoma may just be a high THC variety. No excuses required, unless it is possible the inactive cannabinoid, THCa can be used for eye injury instead. Stay tuned to find out why this cannabinoid is so unique.
Photo courtesy of NEJM
Sources
Arch Dermatol Res. 2019 Jul;311(5):337-349. DOI: 10.1007/s00403-019-01908-x. Epub 2019 Mar 11
Oláh A, Tóth BI, Borbíró I, et al. Cannabidiol exerts sebostatic and antiinflammatory effects on human sebocytes. J Clin Invest. 2014;124(9):3713-24.
Oláh A, Markovics A, Szabó-Papp J, et al. Differential effectiveness of selected non-psychotropic phytocannabinoids on human sebocyte functions implicates their introduction in dry/seborrhoeic skin and acne treatment. Exp Dermatol. 2016;25(9):701–707. doi:10.1111/exd.13042
Wilkinson JD, Williamson EM. Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. J Dermatol Sci. 2007;45(2):87–92. DOI:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.10.009