This sativa-dominant strain delivers a euphoric, creative high and contains about 22% THC, along with a decent amount of THCV. It’s great for nausea relief but can exacerbate anxiety when consumed in high doses. For managing anxiety, try taking low doses.
White Widow is a balanced hybrid with high THC content. It’s a popular creativity strain with psychoactive effects that can intensify anxiety and panic. If relaxation is your goal, White Widow may not be the best option.
Certain cannabis strains, particularly those high in THC, can worsen anxiety, especially when consumed in large amounts. Certain strains, such as the ones previously mentioned, should be avoided or used sparingly by those looking to avoid anxiety triggers.
CBD and CBG-dominant hemp, or even low-THC cannabis, when microdosed, can help manage anxiety without causing adverse effects. It is essential to start with small doses and gradually increase until you find the right level for anxiety relief. Research indicates that CBD and CBG, along with other cannabinoids and terpenes, can also help reduce anxiety when used at appropriate doses.
Note: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice. Do not attempt to self-diagnose or prescribe treatment based on the information provided. Always consult a physician before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
Comforting a loved one who is seriously ill or dying is one of the most challenging and humanizing experiences. During this time, you must have all the right people, caring support, and information you need to manage best and move forward gracefully. Oftentimes, traditional treatments are insufficient when dealing with overwhelming symptoms; that’s usually when patients and families start wondering about medical cannabis.
I’ve empowered and helped many patients and their families through these hard times in various settings through evidence-based education and the soothing capabilities of medical cannabis in many forms. Likewise, I’ve seen firsthand how dramatically therapeutic cannabis is for them, especially after they’ve tried everything else first from every specialist. The right dosing and delivery strategies are essential for this fragile population and require personal optimization by cannabis-knowledgeable professionals to adequately meet their goals while avoiding or minimizing side effects.
It’s immensely rewarding to finally see patients and families get much-needed relief from treatment-resistant symptoms like pain, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, little or no appetite, anxiety, and mood disturbances. Especially when time is of the essence. Cannabis can also improve quality of life while helping patients stick to their chemo and reduce or eliminate opioid consumption.
Palliative care is a broad term involving multiple types of doctors, specialties, and providers. It aims to control symptoms of a serious, life-limiting disease, whether early or advanced and may involve intensive treatments for the underlying disease. Palliative doesn’t necessarily mean the patient is terminal or already at the end of life, but it also happens to encompass advanced care planning, hospice, respite, end-of-life care, and bereavement care.
Hospice is a specific kind of palliative care that is engaged when the prognosis is estimated to be 6 months or less of life remaining. It may be delivered at home, centers, or assisted living facilities. Still, patients can and do leave or re-enter hospice, often depending on disease exacerbations, insurance coverage, preferred facility availability, and financing difficulties, unfortunately.
End-of-life care is simply the immediate weeks or days before passing. This is when comfort and easing suffering are the predominant focus, regardless of whether the patient is at home or in a facility. Nevertheless, these terms all involve a core holistic approach tending to a patient’s autonomy, comfort, emotional, dignity, social, and spiritual care needs.
Our empathy as caretakers and providers drives us to prevent harm while easing pain and suffering, first and foremost. Throughout the disease process, managing difficult-to-treat symptoms for maintaining or improving quality of life is a primary goal.
With this in mind, I sought out some wisdom from my long-time colleague, mentor, and friend, Dr. Mikhail Kogan, MD. As a leading integrative geriatric and palliative medicine professor and provider at GW Medical Faculty Associates and the GW Center for Integrative Medicine, Dr. Kogan affirms that:
“Cannabis has become one of the most powerful tools in my medical practice for palliative care patients. It effectively addresses chronic pain, nausea, appetite loss, and anxiety, often improving quality of life where other treatments fall short. With its relatively low risk of adverse effects, cannabis provides a holistic and compassionate option for patients navigating serious or terminal illnesses. Based on what I have observed in my clinical practice, I decided to publish a review article to share this important information with others.”
This 2019 review article, co-authored by Dr. Kogan and Dr. Michelle Sexton, ND, describes how cannabis offers a natural, therapeutic alternative to “drug cocktails” and opioids and for handling the side effects of chemo and radiation. Less time spent dealing with troublesome symptoms and medication side effects means more quality time with family and loved ones.
Their review paper is further supported by more recent 2024 cumulative data showing that cannabis may alleviate many tough symptoms of cancer, chemo, radiation therapy, advanced dementia, and related palliative conditions. For sensitive persons, hemp presents a non-intoxicating alternative to THC-dominant cannabis.
Whole–plant compounds like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids may increase the absorption and effectiveness of certain chemo meds to kill cancer cells in vitro while protecting organs like the central nervous system, heart, kidneys, and liver from chemotoxic effects.
Notably, there is some concern that immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors may work less effectively with cannabis. This stems from a notable 2020 study suggesting there may be an association between cannabis use and poor clinical outcomes in immunotherapy patients.
However, the cannabis-using patients were already in more advanced stages or 2nd-line immunotherapy than non-users, to begin with. Most were smoking cannabis (not advisable), and yet they still had a better quality of life. Also, there is conflicting 2023 data on the checkpoint inhibitor pembrolizumab that doesn’t show this deleterious effect. A new 2024 study also shows that low-dose THC may increase survival time for palliative patients, although immunotherapy isn’t mentioned.
How To Buy CannabisAnother insight from Dr. Kogan’s article is the comparative cost-effectiveness of over-the-counter, natural high-THC oil over morphine and pharmaceutical, synthetic cannabinoids. Ironically, the cost of FDA-approved, lab-made cannabinoids like dronabinol (synthetic THC isolate) starts at $1K and runs as high as $10K per month! This is simply out of financial reach for hospices and patients alike, making natural, whole-plant options even more appealing.
Instead of isolates, whole-plant formulations contain hundreds of beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and much more. Together, their synergistic effects against cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, pain, inflammation, anxiety, and more, are likely stronger and more therapeutic than any component alone. For these reasons, plus affordability, I always choose high-quality, full-spectrum products for my patients.
Cannabis offers a simple, effective, and holistic way to regain some of the time spent on dealing with symptoms and side effects. It gives us another chance to spend precious time and energy with our loved ones when it counts the most.
Cannabis and nature, however, are a pairing that can deepen and enhance the experience of outdoor activities. Even simple nature outings can be transformed into immersive and unforgettable moments because of the way cannabis affects the human mind.
People are naturally drawn to new experiences, but when you add cannabis into the mix, it enhances that sense of novelty to any experience—even ones not new to us. Cannabis activates the body’s natural endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a big role in how we respond to new things.
The ECS affects the amygdala, the part of the brain that picks up on new experiences. When you use cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) stimulates those receptors more intensely than your body’s natural endocannabinoids, causing even familiar experiences to feel new and exciting again. THC and CBD also have short-term effects on our audio and visual processing centers, altering and enhancing our senses.
Experiencing nature after consuming cannabis is a prime example of how this works. Many cannabis users find they suddenly notice details in nature they’d usually overlook, like the way sunlight comes through the trees or how vibrant flowers seem. It’s almost like the natural world is turned up a notch, and suddenly, even the simplest things feel incredibly mesmerizing.
In the last couple of decades, people have become increasingly disconnected from nature compared to the past because of the advancements in technology. However, research suggests that cannabis can serve as a bridge to rekindle this lost connection with nature. A study exploring how teens experience nature while using cannabis found that it often enhances their sense of freedom, relaxation, and awe.
Cannabis can also enhance your outdoor experiences, whether you’re exploring solo or with friends. This is because of the way cannabis helps you feel more connected, open, and present. Another research study shows that cannabis boosts prosocial behaviors like empathy and kindness, making group nature experiences more fun, engaging, and meaningful.
Including cannabis during your nature adventures with others can spark deep conversations and strengthen bonds. Even if you decide to explore nature alone, cannabis can make nature feel more immersive by heightening your senses, deepening your thoughts, and increasing your sense of peace and wonder.
Cannabis also offers several physical benefits for outdoor activities, such as pain relief, which can make long hikes and camping trips more comfortable. It also promotes muscle relaxation after a day of strenuous activity, helping to reduce soreness and speed up recovery.
These research studies reinforce what many experienced cannabis consumers already know—that cannabis can deepen one’s connection to the outdoors, allowing for richer, more immersive experiences. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or simply relaxing under the stars, cannabis may help unlock a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Beach or Lake Days: Enjoying a day at the beach or lake with cannabis can elevate this experience by making the sounds of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the cool breeze coming off the water feel even more calming and invigorating. Sativa and sativa-dominant hybrid strains are ideal here, offering uplifting and energizing effects that can enhance mood and creativity, making you more in tune with your surroundings by the water.
Hiking and Nature Walks: Pairing cannabis with a nature hike or walk is an easy way to enhance your appreciation of the outdoors. A hybrid or sativa strain, depending on your level of activity, is ideal for hikes. Hybrids offer a balance of relaxation and focus, while a sativa-dominant strain energizes nature walks, making them more exciting. Cannabis heightens sensory awareness, helping you notice the finer details on your hike, like sunlight filtering through trees, turning your outdoor experience into an unforgettable adventure.
Picnics: Adding cannabis to a picnic turns an ordinary outdoor meal into a more enjoyable or sociable experience—and a fun way to enjoy the munchies. Cannabis-infused snacks or better enjoying the flavors of your regular food are two ways cannabis can help amplify picnics. A hybrid strain is great for this activity, as it offers a balance of relaxation and mild euphoria. It can also make outdoor games and activities before and after the picnic more enjoyable.
Sunrise or Sunset Watching: Watching the sunrise or sunset is already an immersive experience that can be even more awe-inspiring with the help of cannabis. A Sativa-dominant or hybrid strain can amplify the colors of the sky and the landscape around it. Since cannabis can intensify the emotional connection you feel to these natural moments, it makes the experience feel even more profound.
