Cannabis contains more than 100 active ingredients. The two most important are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD):
- THC lifts the mood, changes the perception (foggy) and relieves pain.
- CBD works against inflammation, relieves spasms, relieves anxiety and relieves pain.
Cannabis has advantages that other active ingredients do not have: The body produces even very similar substances, the so-called endo-cannabinoids, which exert their effect via various receptors, which are also susceptible to ingested cannabis active ingredients. The receptor CB1 is found in the central nervous system and many other organs, relieving anxiety, stress, restlessness, and pain. The CB2 receptor is located in the immune cells of the lungs and intestine and has anti-inflammatory effects.
Experience is missing:
There are still too few empirical data and studies on efficacy, long-term and side effects because cannabis was not allowed to be used and examined due to the earlier legal situation. Too high a dosage, for example, cannabis spray can limit the short-term memory. Cannabis medicines are not suitable for patients with depressive disorders or other psychiatric conditions, as well as for patients with heart disease, such as cardiac arrhythmias.
Reimbursement of cannabis on prescription by health insurances
The statutory health insurance companies are obliged by the cannabis legalization to take over the costs of cannabis by prescription. Only in justified cases may a cost assumption by the health insurance companies be rejected. Nevertheless, the topic of medical cannabis in Germany is still new territory for health insurance companies.
The basic conditions for the reimbursement of medical cannabis are:
- A prescription from a licensed doctor
- The presence of a serious illness
It decides so the doctor and not the health insurance. Therefore, the costs should normally be taken over in the future by the health insurance companies in a simple way:
- Cost transfer request by mail or e-mail to the health insurance company
- Health insurance checks and confirms the application for reimbursement
- If prescriptions have already been claimed, submit them to the health insurance company for retroactive reimbursement of costs
Pain Relief:
Both THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) have been shown to have an analgesic effect, especially in (chronic) neuropathic pain (pain caused by injury or malfunction of the nervous system) and cancer-related pain. In acute pain, however, they act poorly or not at all.
Cannabinoids are at least ten times weaker than morphine. In addition, around 30 percent of cannabis-treated patients do not respond at all. Cannabinoids can also be combined with opiates.
Nausea, vomiting:
The effect of cannabis against concomitants of cancer chemotherapy such as nausea and vomiting is well documented. However, THC must be given in relatively high doses, which can lead to mental side effects. At lower dosages, cannabinoids may improve the effects of other anti-infective drugs (antiemetics).
Appetite Stimulation:
Also, the appetizing effect of cannabinoids is well documented, both in HIV patients and those with cancer. The effect begins even at a low dosage. There are also positive reports in cases of Alzheimer’s patients, in which also the confused behavior decreased. The appetizing effect of cannabinoids was significantly greater in each case compared to the placebo. PharmaCielo a Canadian company has become a leading supplier of naturally grown and processed, standardized medicinal-grade oil extracts and related products.
