If you or someone you care about has had Lyme disease, you can understand that treating it is a challenge. The pain, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, and brain fog may persist even after the infection has cleared up. Sometimes for months, or even longer. Hence, many patients are looking for supplementary treatments. The legalization of marijuana has sparked interest regarding the effectiveness of Medical Marijuana for Lyme disease.
However, you must remember that Medical Marijuana isn’t a cure for Lyme disease, but it can help with the symptoms. Many patients have reported its effectiveness in dealing with pain, inflammation, and sleep disturbances. Let’s understand how THC and CBD fit into Lyme disease management.
Schedule your appointment today for Medical Marijuana Card in Florida with My Florida Green’s certified doctors.
What makes Lyme disease so hard to live with?
Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, transmitted through tick bites. Like all other bacterial infections, it too is treated using antibiotics, and that works quite fine for a lot of folks.
However, some people continue to experience lingering symptoms even after receiving standard treatment, including
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Pain
- Nerve Pain
- Brain Fog
- Tingling Sensations
- Anxiety, Stress, and Depression.
- Sleep issues.
- Chronic fatigue
This cluster of issues that often persists for longer than six months, even after completing regular antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease, is collectively termed Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS).
Now, managing these symptoms is precisely why many people consider supplementary options, including cannabinoids like THC and CBD.
What can THC and CBD actually do in the Body?
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system helps regulate inflammation, pain, immunological response, mood, and sleep. Sound familiar? That’s because these areas are the ones commonly affected by Lyme disease.
THC predominantly affects CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system, changing pain perception and inducing relaxation.
CBD has a more subtle effect, altering inflammation, immunological signaling, and pain pathways without causing intoxication.
To put it simply, cannabinoids do more than just conceal the Lyme disease symptoms. They influence the systems that are already out of balance in many Lyme patients.
Do THC or CBD kill the Lyme Bacteria?
Some lab studies have shown that various cannabinoids, including THC, CBD, CBG, and CBN, exhibit potent antibacterial properties, especially against a number of Gram-positive bacteria.
Nevertheless, neither THC nor CBD has been shown to eradicate Borrelia burgdorferi in humans.
That is to say, CBD and THC do not take the role of antibiotics, so they shouldn’t be thought of as a cure for Lyme disease. What they can do is to alleviate symptoms of Lyme disease.
Can CBD help with Lyme Disease?
CBD for Lyme disease pain? For many people, it’s a tried and tested option that can help alleviate the pain associated with Lyme disease, particularly joint and nerve pain.
CBD can reduce the severity of pain, especially when inflammation is involved. It can do so by reducing inflammatory signaling, calming the overactive nerve responses, and improving sleep quality.
CBD is often the first cannabinoid Lyme patients take due to its non-intoxicating properties. Some people notice minor improvements, while others report a gradual but significant improvement in daily discomfort.
What about THC for Lyme Relief?
THC is oftentimes more effective than CBD when it comes to treating moderate to severe pain. It alters how the brain interprets pain signals, thereby reducing the intensity of symptoms.
THC can be a game-changer for people who suffer from severe joint pain, nerve discomfort, or muscular stiffness.
It can also promote muscle relaxation, improve sleep onset, and stimulate appetite, making it a good option for anyone experiencing insomnia or appetite loss.
THC isn’t for everyone, though. Increased dosages may exacerbate symptoms that Lyme patients already experience, such as anxiety, vertigo, or brain fog.
To avoid these potential side effects, it is advisable to “start low and go slow.” Moreover, combining THC with CBD can also help reduce its effects.
What about Inflammation and the Immune System?
Chronic inflammation is one of the main causes of persistent Lyme symptoms. The immune system may remain elevated even after the infection has been treated. What now? Well, THC and CBD can help.
An Ohio State study suggested that cannabis can benefit the aging brain by reducing inflammation and regenerating dead brain cells. While other research suggested that low doses of cannabis can reduce neuroinflammatory activity by targeting CB2 receptors.
Do THC and CBD Work Better Together?
THC combined with CBD? That’s exactly where the idea of synergy, otherwise known as the “entourage effect,” comes in.
When combined, THC and CBD often balance each other out. CBD can lessen overstimulation or anxiety brought on by THC, while THC can intensify the analgesic benefits of CBD.
Clinical studies suggest that THC and CBD do help in reducing the intensity of chronic neuropathic and nociceptive pain, making them a viable option for Lyme-related neuropathic pain or widespread musculoskeletal pain.
So, THC and CBD work together to target multiple symptom pathways at the same time, which is exactly what is required to alleviate Lyme disease symptoms.
How to use THC and CBD for Lyme Disease?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all dosing plan for marijuana. Each of us is built differently, and everyone responds to marijuana differently.
However, some things remain the same, like starting low and going slow. Start with CBD, and if necessary, think about adding THC. Moreover, for consistent symptom management, use oils or tinctures.
Make sure to first consult with your healthcare provider before using THC or CBD. Because cannabinoids have the potential to interact with other medications, particularly if you are taking immune-modulating, blood-thinning, or antidepressant medications. So caution is advisable.
Want to legally purchase medical marijuana for Lyme disease?
Reach out to My Florida Green today! They will help you connect with a certified medical marijuana doctor and get the medical marijuana card without any hassle.
So, is medical marijuana worth considering for Lyme disease? Mostly yes, provided that it is used as an adjunctive therapy to alleviate the symptoms.
Advantages of Marijuana for Lyme Disease
Lyme disease cannot be cured by THC or CBD. However, these cannabinoids can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and make day-to-day living more manageable. And sometimes that improvement in the quality of life is all that matters.
Realistic expectations, careful dosage, and well-informed decisions sometimes make all the difference.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do THC and CBD Work Together to Treat Lyme Disease?
They do not cure Lyme disease. However, they can act synergistically to produce an entourage effect, targeting multiple pathways, including pain signaling, inflammation, mood changes, and sleep.
2. Is It Better to Use THC or CBD for Lyme Disease Relief?
THC and CBD cannot cure Lyme disease, but can help manage its symptoms. The choice between the two depends on specific symptoms. It is best to consult a medical marijuana doctor before using THC or CBD for Lyme disease.
3. Can THC help with Lyme disease fatigue?
THC doesn’t reduce Lyme disease fatigue directly. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that THC may help alleviate pain, inflammation, and sleep issues, which can indirectly reduce fatigue.
