Glaucoma, a medical conditions that occurs when the optic nerve becomes damaged in one way or another - usually due to intraocular pressure - is much more common than one may think. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, 3 million Americans are currently living with glaucoma, and the prevalence of glaucoma in Ohio is slightly higher than the national average with just over 100,000 Ohioans living with this condition.
The idea of using medical cannabis as a treatment option for glaucoma is not new, and in fact, cannabis has long been associated with treating glaucoma symptoms. The idea of treating glaucoma with medical cannabis came as a result of a 1971 study that, according to The Apothecarium, concluded smoking cannabis decreased intraocular pressure by an average of 25%; because methods of consumption were limited at the time, the study only cited the efficacy of smoking cannabis.
The evidence since that time has expanded our understanding of the ways in which cannabis can help treat glaucoma and associated symptoms, as there is evidence to show that glaucoma may also be a neurodegenerative disorder, in addition to its affinity to lower intraocular pressure and potentially inhibit glaucoma advancement. For this reason, medical cannabis is near-universally included as a qualifying condition for medical cannabis treatment in states across the country.
The Endocannabinoid System's Role
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an internal system responsible for regulating physiological systems within the human body. Nearly every aspect of our health - including inflammation, immune response, neuroprotection, pain modulation - are all dependent on the ECS. Due to the importance of the ECS in regulating homeostasis within your body, many scientists believe the development of cannabinoid-based medications could be immensely useful in treating - and preventing - glaucoma.
Furthermore, within the endocannabinoid system are located cannabinoid receptors, the receptors found throughout our body that cannabis interacts with to provide medical benefits. Of most importance for those suffering from glaucoma is that, according to Leafly, cannabinoid receptors are prominent in the ocular tissues responsible for regulating intraocular pressure.
And evidence suggests that the cannabinoids CBD and CBG, in particular, will be of most prominence in the future of glaucoma treatment with medical cannabis. For the best relief, the most straightforward cannabis method option would ideally be eye drops; according to Leafly, currently all forms of eye drops do a poor job of penetrating intraocular tissues - with up to 95% of administered doses failing to reach the target. While eyedrops are not available in Ohio's medical marijuana program just yet, there is a possibility we can see them introduced as the program expands.
Common Cannabis Strains for the Treatment of Crohn's Disease and Associated Symptom(s)
For the aforementioned reasons, many patients prefer to treatment glaucoma with cannabis flower - which must be vaporized in Ohio's medical marijuana program - generally providing 3-4 hours relief at a time. The following strains were chosen based on popularity of use among glaucoma patients:
MAC (Alien Cookies x Columbian x Starfighter) | Limonene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
Gelato (Thin Mint GSC x Sherbert) | Caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene
GSC (Durban Poison x OG Kush) | Caryophyllene, Limonene, Humulene
Wedding Cake (Cherry Pie x GSC) | Limonene, Caryophyllene, Myrcene
Original Glue a.k.a GG#4 (Chem's Sister x Sour Dubble) | Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
Trainwreck | Terpinolene, Myrcene, Caryophyllene
Purple Punch (Larry OG x Granddaddy Purple) | Caryophyllene, Limonene, Pinene
Granddaddy Purple (Big Bud x Purple Urkle) | Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Blueberry (Purple Thai x Thai) | Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Pinene
Bubba Kush (OG Kush x Northern Lights) | Caryophyllene, Limonene, Myrcene
Tangie (California Orange x Skunk) | Myrcene, Pinene, Caryophyllene
Amnesia Haze | Myrcene, Caryophyllene, Limonene
Based on the terpene profiles of the suggested strains, it would appear that the primary terpenes that should be utilized for glaucoma treatment include pinene, caryophyllene, limonene, myrcene, and in some cases, humulene. Furthermore, the cannabinoids CBD and CBG appear most promising for the treatment of glaucoma.
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If you are an Ohioan suffering from one of these 21 medical conditions you may be eligible to treat your ailment with medical marijuana, which includes both THC and CBD products.
Click here to learn more about what Ohio Marijuana Card's state-certified medical marijuana doctors can do for you, or give us a call at (866-457-5559) and our friendly support team can walk you through the entire process, and set you up with an appointment.