Have you met the body’s literal silent conductor? Say a quick hello to the autonomic nervous system (ANS). You know those actions that you probably never think about— like your heart beating or your breathing? The ANS takes care of them. So, when the body’s ANS begins to malfunction, it disrupts these unconscious processes it normally manages, and is called autonomic dysfunction.
Autonomic dysfunction is not rare, and it can affect anyone regardless of sex, gender, or age. Because cannabis shows potential to offer symptom relief for a wide range of conditions, it is worth exploring whether autonomic dysfunction may be one of them.
Autonomic dysfunction (ADS), also known as dysautonomia, refers to a medical condition that occurs due to damage to the network of nerves controlling several basic functions such as heart rate, body temperature, breathing rate, digestion, and sensation.
This condition develops when the delicate balance between the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), enteric nervous system (ENS), and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) falters. When this happens, your body finds it difficult to reliably regulate involuntary bodily functions.
For example, standing up might increase your heart rate and make your blood pressure drop, making you dizzy or lightheaded. Food may trigger nausea or bloating because your digestive organs fail to function properly. Body temperature begins to fluctuate unpredictably, and you begin to sweat uncontrollably.
Over time, these previously silent and involuntary functions become tedious, and even sleep can feel like a luxury.
Treating ADS begins when you identify the cause. This allows care to focus on managing or potentially resolving the disruption, helping restore balance and ensure you live fully and freely.
Symptoms of dysautonomia can affect many body systems, and they may look different depending on the system they affect. Nausea and vomiting, dizziness or lightheadedness (especially when standing up), mood swings or anxiety, sleeping problems, chest pain or discomfort, unstable blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, poor appetite, and sexual problems are a few of these symptoms of ANS.
Cannabis may help manage symptoms like pain, nausea, anxiety, poor appetite, or sleep problems. Cannabinoids, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) can help relieve chronic/neuropathic pain, improve appetite, manage nausea and vomiting, as well as help reduce anxiety and stress, thereby improving sleep. Still, keep in mind that excess THC could temporarily impair or worsen cognitive function, dizziness, lightheadedness, dry mouth and eyes, and temporarily increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Doctors typically recommend CBD instead for autonomic dysfunction symptoms because of its non-intoxicating, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects without the above drawbacks of THC. However, because this is not specific to autonomic dysfunction, cannabis use needs medical guidance to personalize and prioritize the ADS patient’s needs.
Research shows that cannabis, especially high doses of THC, can influence the ANS. This system that controls involuntary bodily functions, like heart rate, blood pressure, and stress responses, begins to be overstimulated, thereby triggering the fight-or-flight response in the SNS and affecting the PNS.
THC makes your heart rate go up, and your body becomes more alert and anxious, which may temporarily affect blood pressure. This shows up clearly in heart rate variability (HRV) studies, which are a common way researchers measure nervous system balance. It may also trigger dry mouth and eyes, which are also autonomically-regulated.
Other studies also show that THC acts directly on cannabinoid (CB1) receptors in the heart and other organs, which helps explain why it can either stimulate or suppress the ANS depending on dose. This is why dose and individual matter a lot, as cannabis can trigger mixed reactions in different people.
On the other hand, cannabis can influence the endocannabinoid system that interacts with the ANS to help with nervous system disorders by maintaining balance, increasing appetite, reducing inflammation, anxiety, and possessing antiemetic properties that may help with nausea and vomiting. In summary, most effects of cannabis on the ANS depend on the dose, the condition, the administration method, and the individual.
A licensed medical marijuana doctor does not, in any case, offer cannabis as a treatment for autonomic dysfunction. Before recommending cannabis, the doctor evaluates your conditions, reviews both current and past medications to gauge potential interactions of cannabis and the ANS, and advises the patient on these interactions.
The medical cannabis doctor understands how different cannabinoids affect autonomic function differently, understands titration, and the best consumption route to take. They can also reassess plans, develop personalized dosage strategies, and schedule follow-up sessions to monitor side effects.
States may not list autonomic dysfunction, but you can often qualify under broader categories such as chronic pain, nausea, and anxiety, given that your doctor determines cannabis could help your symptoms through an evaluation appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor online.
During your appointment, discuss medical marijuana for autonomic dysfunction, all about your symptoms and medical history, air your reservations, and ensure you have a thorough understanding of how cannabis best helps or otherwise influences your condition. The route of application may vary as well, depending on specific needs.
After evaluation, if the doctor determines that cannabis can help with dysautonomia symptoms, they issue a certification; you apply for a medical marijuana card, upload necessary documents, and pay applicable fees. Once approved, you can get your medical marijuana card online or via mail.
There are mixed feelings about cannabis for blood pressure or heart rate regulation, as it can make the heart beat faster and can raise blood pressure immediately after use (THC), but can also reduce heart rate and blood pressure (CBD).
People with ANS disorders can use cannabis, but using it safely depends on medical guidance. The doctor can identify the best options suitable for each person and minimize adverse effects or harmful interactions with other medications.
CBD may help with nerve-related symptoms, and may also indirectly help manage fatigue or dizziness by improving sleep and reducing anxiety. Keep in mind, though, that individual responses may vary, so it is advisable to seek medical help when making the right choices.
CBG may also be a viable option in lieu of THC, but there is less research available than for CBD.
Although states may not specifically name it, you might still qualify under related conditions like chronic pain, debilitating conditions, and, most importantly, if a licensed medical marijuana doctor qualifies you for one.
If you consume too much cannabis, especially THC, while standing, you stand a chance of fainting. This is why medical professionals advise patients not to self-medicate. If you already experience fainting spells, consult your doctor before using cannabis.
Non-smoking cannabis options like edibles are generally safer for patients with autonomic dysfunction. This is because they have a lower risk of exposing the body’s system to lung damage or infections.
Medical cannabis can interact with medications for autonomic disorders; however, careful dosing, close monitoring, and proper medical supervision can safely manage these interactions.
Yes, a medical marijuana doctor can recommend personalized dosing for nervous system symptoms, including those that relate to autonomic dysfunction. As a matter of fact, this is one of the primary benefits of consulting a licensed medical cannabis doctor.
You can get a medical marijuana evaluation online through Veriheal, and the process can include evaluating symptoms from autonomic issues. If your state’s medical cannabis program allows telemedicine and your symptoms qualify under that state’s laws, you can definitely get an online evaluation.
When using cannabis for autonomic dysfunction, track or monitor symptoms you observe before and after cannabis use. Symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, feeling faint or actual fainting, changes in heart rate, confusion, or lack of concentration.
Written by Chiagozie Ekemezie
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