Using cannabis to treat Glaucoma

Using cannabis to treat Glaucoma

Glaucoma is the disease most likely to cause irreversible blindness. Sufferers of glaucoma experience elevated intraocular pressure, which, along with other factors, can lead to damage of the optic nerve. This, in turn, can lead to temporary vision loss and eventually blindness. Traditional treatments for glaucoma include eye drops, pills, and laser surgery. Glaucoma should never be left untreated, as the resulting blindness caused by the disease is irreversible. Always consult a medical professional.

How can cannabis help my glaucoma?

Many people suffering from glaucoma find the idea of surgery to be too invasive, and taking prescription pills every day can get expensive. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Cannabis has been shown to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Reducing intraocular pressure is currently the only way to effectively treat glaucoma. It is important to note that intraocular pressure is only reduced for around 6 hours after consuming cannabis. This is part of the reason why cannabis is not always recommended by medical professionals. Glaucoma must be kept under control as much as possible to reduce the chance of blindness, so therefore it would be necessary to smoke cannabis at least 4 times a day. This is not feasible for many people.

It is also important to note that the ability of cannabis to reduce intraocular pressure is down to the chemical THC. CBD oil, a derivative of cannabis used for its health benefits, is no alternative for treating glaucoma, as it is the THC component of cannabis that performs the action of reducing intraocular pressure.

Are there any side-effects of using cannabis to treat glaucoma?

Smoking cannabis is not the most effective way to use the drug when treating glaucoma. Smoking is harmful to the lungs and has many other negative drawbacks. However, there are other ways to take the drug which suit the treatment of glaucoma. Because glaucoma must be dealt with 24 hours of the day, methods of consuming marijuana which last the longest are recommended. The ideal method would be using slow-release edibles. One batch of edibles can last the whole day; one at breakfast, one at lunch, and one before bed at night. Cannabis has also been proven to help insomnia, so taking edibles at night has added benefits in terms of sleep length and quality.

Another issue some patients find is dealing with the feeling of being ‘high’ all the time. This can be countered by choosing a different strain of cannabis. Different strains have different effects in the human body. When looking for an effective strain for treating glaucoma, the user should look for a strain with high levels of THC; the chemical that reduces intraocular pressure and helps patients with glaucoma. Personal preference is an important factor when it comes to dealing with the effects of cannabis for long periods of time. Some users may prefer the uplifting feeling of a pure sativa, whereas some users may prefer the calming feeling of indica strains.

Which strains are best for treating glaucoma?

Maui Waui is a popular, fruity, exotic strain. This strain is used by many people suffering from glaucoma due to its uplifting effects; it is is also recommended for treating depression and anxiety.

Blueberry Kush is preferred by many glaucoma patients. This strain is highly recommended for nighttime use, as the buzz is felt strongly behind the eyes, and is known to help insomnia sufferers. Making edibles using Blueberry Kush is recommended. Consuming these edibles before sleeping should aid a good night’s sleep and effectively lower the intraocular pressure in the optic nerve.

As always, the best option is entirely down to the individual, as every brain is different. Testing multiple options to find out which cannabis strain works best for you is important.