Solidifying a wellness routine can play a massive part in enhancing our overall quality of life. In recent decades, it has become abundantly clear that looking after our mental and physical health should never be overlooked. Of course, everyone's wellness routine is specific to their needs, but they often have similar aims. Being mindful of our physical and emotional wellbeing, reducing stress, taking time to reflect, and improving our sleep quality are all things we should put much more focus on. This blog discusses medical cannabis and wellness and the benefits of introducing it into our routine.

The Essence Dispensary team helps guide patients toward their personal wellness solution and provide support for their medical cannabis journey. Hopefully, this blog will help you learn more about our approach and give you an idea of what might work for you. Though our ideas of wellness often differ, the end goal is usually the same, and by helping each other, we can all experience a balanced and happy lifestyle. If you’ve wondered about integrating medical cannabis into your wellness routine, this blog is for you.

Understanding medical cannabis and wellness

What is medical cannabis?

Cannabis has been used by millions of people for many years, but the concept and availability of legal medical cannabis is still new in many countries. This incredible plant (cannabis sativa) can be used to treat many conditions, regulate our mood, manage pain, improve our appetite, and enhance our quality of sleep. The two primary components, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) directly works with the body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate various functions and maintain balance in the body. THC and CBD have a plethora of medical benefits, and more uses are frequently being discovered. It makes sense that medical cannabis and wellness go hand in hand.

The connection between medical cannabis and wellness

There are more therapeutic benefits to medical cannabis than we could possibly mention. To most who have used it to treat various conditions, it’s become a regular part of their wellness routine. Some of the benefits people experience by integrating medical cannabis into their wellness routine include:

  • Pain relief

    Millions of people use medical cannabis to alleviate chronic pain, arthritis, muscle soreness, and much more.

  • Managing stress and anxiety

    Medical cannabis is renowned for promoting relaxation, and it’s brilliant for easing anxiety and relieving stress and tension.

  • Sleep quality

    Medical cannabis works wonders at supporting an improved sleep pattern and can massively reduce the negative effects of conditions like insomnia. 

  • Anti-inflammatory effects

    Many people who suffer from chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders rely on the anti-inflammatory effects of cannabis.

Common conditions treated with medicinal cannabis

There are several reasons a person might be prescribed medical cannabis. It can be used to treat chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines; reduce anxiety or mood disorders; help with insomnia; and help with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. If you would like to find out if integrating medical cannabis into your wellness routine could help a specific condition, you must consult a healthcare professional. To see if you may be eligible for a consult, complete our new patient questionnaire, and we can book you in with a healthcare professional to get expert advice. Medicinal cannabis needs are different for everyone, so it’s essential to consult a medical professional to help develop a tailored solution.

How to integrate medical cannabis into your wellness routine

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Setting goals for your health and wellbeing

When developing a wellness routine, it’s essential to take the time to assess and define your goals, especially if you’re incorporating medical cannabis treatment. Depending on whether you’re trying to manage pain, reduce stress, improve your sleep, or treat a specific condition, the type, dosage, consumption method, and frequency of medical cannabis you require will be different. Addressing these needs will help you adjust your wellness routine accordingly.

Finding the right dosage and consumption method

To find the proper dosage and consumption method, it’s essential to discuss with a medical professional and to discuss your experience with the Essence Dispensary team so you can get pharmacist support and advice. They can evaluate your specific needs and help you to successfully integrate medical cannabis into your wellness routine. To give you an idea of different consumption methods, here’s what you can expect:

  • Oils and tinctures

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  • Capsules

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  • Vaporisation

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  • Topical

    This is great for localised pain and tackling inflammation.

To optimise the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis, it’s essential to get the dosage and consumption method right. Your healthcare provider may recommend starting on a low dose and slowly increasing it until you have found the right dosage for your symptoms and to fit in with your lifestyle needs. It’s important to understand that "dose" refers to the specific amount of a substance taken at one time, while "dosage" refers to the overall regimen, including the dose, frequency, and duration of administration.

Timing and consistency

To experience the best results from medical cannabis, timing and consistency are essential. Microdosing cannabis throughout the day can help ensure steady and stable effects without impairing motivation too much. However, results vary by individual, and some people may still experience cognitive or motivational changes even at low doses, especially with THC-containing products. Using medical cannabis in the evenings will help much more when it comes to promoting sleep and relaxation. And using medical cannabis after activities, such as yoga, workouts, or meditation, may enhance recovery.

Complementing cannabis with other wellness practices

When integrating medical cannabis into a wellness routine, it’s essential to find other wellness activities that complement it. If you want to make the most of medical cannabis, there are several things you can try. Meditation and mindfulness can support cannabis in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Regular exercise can help support pain management and muscle recovery if you are using medical cannabis for pain relief. Paying attention to nutrition can help with inflammation and metabolism, and ensuring you regularly get a good night’s sleep can complement its therapeutic benefits.

The Smiling Mind website has some great information and resources on meditation and sleep. Click here to download the free Smiling Mind app.

Is medical cannabis right for you?

How to know if you’re eligible

To determine your eligibility for medical cannabis, it will depend on your symptoms and medical history. Your healthcare provider should carry out a thorough assessment to decide whether medical cannabis is right for you. They will also give you an idea of the best dosage and consumption method to facilitate your treatment plan.

Consulting with a healthcare professional

If you’re trying to work out a wellness routine, it’s always worth discussing your health goals with a healthcare provider or pharmacist. They can share some insights into what will and won’t work for you based on the product prescribed and your circumstances. It’s recommended to talk with a healthcare professional who has a good understanding of medical cannabis. While all healthcare providers can prescribe medicinal cannabis products/medicine with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approval, some healthcare providers are registered as an ‘authorised prescriber’ with the TGA. Authorised prescribers generally have experience with patients who qualify for medicinal cannabis treatments. Consulting an expert will help you gain an invaluable understanding of strains, dosage, and methods that align with your specific needs.

Start your wellness journey with Essence Dispensary

If you have been thinking about how to approach integrating medical cannabis into a wellness routine, chat to the Essence Dispensary team about booking a consultation.

We’re a patient-centred clinic, dispensing alternative medicine through collaborative relationships with healthcare professionals. We create a caring space where people are empowered on their natural path forward, together with the Essence Dispensary team’s tailored support.

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