Cannabis Usage (Any similar experiences?)

[Magna]

I use it very minimally now and I never smoke it anymore; too hard on the lungs.

I don't smoke it either for the same reason. I do however, find a happy medium that's most effective for me now is vaping cannabis flower at 392 degrees (the temp that THC is activated but the temp is below combustion). Toasting it rather than burning it. It's effective medicine for me without question.

 

[MildredHubble]

Are you using "full spectrum" CBD products? "full spectrum" CBD products have low levels of THC as well rather than no THC at all. From what I've read CBD in the complete absence of THC isn't utilized by the ECS (Endocannabinoid System) of the human body effectively.

I will have to have a look into that! In all honesty, I expect it won't be full spectrum as this is the UK and we can't have the great unwashed "self medicating" with products that actually work!

They banned Kava Kava here for spurious reasons and Melatonin (unless prescribed by a doctor). If people here spontaneously evolved a gland that released precisely the medication you need, they would be rounded up under "emergency legislation" and it would be forcibly removed!

 

[Au Naturel]

Another link. This one about using cannabis for Autism. Something I've been, pretty much, forced to do, on account of severity of symptoms.
I use it very minimally now and I never smoke it anymore; too hard on the lungs.

Edibles are definitely the way to go.

 

[UberScout]

It's been doing a lot for me ever since I first started.

 

[wards]

Is there anyone with a cannabis prescription on here that uses it for Autism? If so what symptoms do you have that you are treating with it? Here in the UK you must have a proper reason to apply and have history of trying 2 alternative medicines that failed to treat your symptoms to be eligible.

 

[Magna]

It's recreationally legal in the state that I live in in the U.S. I've thought about seeking a medical card because I have two of the small number of qualifying conditions. One is Autism and the other is PTSD. Since it's recreationally legal here it would not serve a purpose for me to seek a prescription for it. Insurance wouldn't cover it to my knowledge and I'd need to be reevaluated by a physician once every other year. Odd that, since autism is a lifelong disorder....

Symptoms I'm treating:

> Sensory Sensitivities: Due in combination with my autism and my PSTD, loud unexpected sounds can be so jarring that my uncontrollable reaction will sometimes be screaming. Cannabis absolutely curbs that for me and reduces/even eliminates my overly hyper-alert state I'm otherwise in, constantly.
> Anxiety and stress reduction
>Mood stabilizer
>Sleeping difficulties
>Pain reduction (analgesic)

I use it sparingly and in moderation. I don't own a bong, I don't "dab" nor do I smoke it any other way either. Dry flower vape or edibles. All of this with the only side effect occasionally being increased appetite. Other people may certainly have other experiences and/or cannabis might be adverse for them. I'm only sharing my own experience as an adult and I don't recommend others follow suit or avoid it. Either decision is strictly a personal choice.

 

[Neri]

So this is ACTUAL science. Not just someone's opinion or stigma and prejudice being repeated ad nauseum. I LOVE this pharmacology scientist. She specialises in this very topic. Watch it and become genuinely informed.

 

[Magna]

So this is ACTUAL science. Not just someone's opinion or stigma and prejudice being repeated ad nauseum. I LOVE this pharmacology scientist. She specialises in this very topic. Watch it and become genuinely informed.

This is a special interest of mine. I'm watching this with alacrity. I keep thinking the interviewer is on the bridge of the SS Enterprise because of the chair.

 

[wards]

I’m tempted to apply for medical cannabis here in the UK, Autism is one of the things that lets you apply here.

Does anyone here have any experience of applying? What symptoms are you treating?

 

[Magna]

I’m tempted to apply for medical cannabis here in the UK, Autism is one of the things that lets you apply here.

Does anyone here have any experience of applying? What symptoms are you treating?

Interesting that autism is one of the things that allows for medical cannabis in the UK. I wasn't aware of that. Autism is also one of the very small number of conditions that allows for medical cannabis in the state of Minnesota as well.

It's a huge help with decreasing my hyper-sensitivity to sound.

I'm almost through the video that @Neri posted and I've found it to be very interesting and with good information. One piece of info that really struck me if I understood her correctly: 70% of the participants or subjects surveyed of cannabis users were autistic and....90% of the autistic cannabis users were daily users. She argues that the number indicates usage as a medicine rather than without therapeutic value.

 

[Forest Cat]

I’m tempted to apply for medical cannabis here in the UK, Autism is one of the things that lets you apply here.

Really? That's interesting, I had no idea.

 

[tazz]

I’m tempted to apply for medical cannabis here in the UK, Autism is one of the things that lets you apply here.

Is that correct? This page would suggest not:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/

"Currently, it is only likely to be prescribed for the following conditions:

children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy
adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy
people with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS)"

 

[wards]

Really? That's interesting, I had no idea.

Is that correct? This page would suggest not:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/medical-cannabis/

"Currently, it is only likely to be prescribed for the following conditions:

children and adults with rare, severe forms of epilepsy
adults with vomiting or nausea caused by chemotherapy
people with muscle stiffness and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis (MS)"

You have to go private:

https://www.sapphireclinics.com/conditions/autism-spectrum-disorder/
https://growlaborganics.com/how-to-get-medical-cannabis-in-the-uk-for-your-condition/#section_1
Autism is one of the listed acceptable conditions for a prescription.

 

[Marianna]

I think medical CBD should be approved for everything. I mean, why not. It's used for cancer, so why not for autism.

Or at least there should be special cannabis clinics where you can get prescribed CBD. Like Releaf in the UK. It's secure and comfortable for everybody.
One can only dream of this happening.

 

[GoThePlay]

Unfortunately, I had stopped smoking for a long time, then I felt bad and tried marijuana. After some time I started smoking again. I can't use it, otherwise I'll start smoking again

 

[Boogs]

I will have to have a look into that! In all honesty, I expect it won't be full spectrum as this is the UK and we can't have the great unwashed "self medicating" with products that actually work!

They banned Kava Kava here for spurious reasons and Melatonin (unless prescribed by a doctor). If people here spontaneously evolved a gland that released precisely the medication you need, they would be rounded up under "emergency legislation" and it would be forcibly removed!

You can indeed get full spectrum CBD products in the Uk, though they tend to be higher cost.
One of the best if you're happy vaping is to try CBD Hemp. It's fully legal to buy, possess and use in the UK.
There's a number of perfectly kosher retailers online (I use GetHemp but there are others). The flower products are essentially little different to full-spec cannabis except the THC is replaced by CBD (THC must be <0.2% to be legal, about 100th of the strength of strong flowers). Cost are lower than cannabis, between maybe £5 to £10 a gram roughly. CBD levels about 20% to 30%.

Personally I'd not bother with a prescription in the UK, but then I couldn't afford it anyway. NHS prescribing was made essentially legal but impossible for doctors to prescribe safely (safely for themselves as well as for patients).
So the only route is private prescription, and as may be expected in this day and age, much of that has become a business in essence (profit oriented).

On a separate (and more contentious) note, I've also spoken with a couple of people who have worked in dispensaries for the UK medical cannabis market, and have described some worrying concerns about the quality of the weed (especially in terms of consistency, but even reports of finding mould in some!!!), plus in most cases it's pot (pun not intended!) luck as to the strain you get, and worse that may vary from month to month. Since the matching of strain to symptom to person is complex and hard to predict (trial and error usually helps most people find the strain(s) that provide relief).

On my own side, I lucked into finding the best black market online medical cannabis supplier in the UK (not dealers, but a non profit collective!). They have top quality products (maybe 30+ strains at any time), a focus on clean and safe cannabis, maintain excellent prices with about the best safety and security you'll come across (they've been going under same name for near a decade now - testament to their exceptional management of the business and security).

But it's still illegal, and while risks are low (far far better than scoring on the street), it's still a crime and can impact someone's life if prosecuted. A proper prescription does at least provide safety on that side.

I'd need to be reevaluated by a physician once every other year. Odd that, since autism is a lifelong disorder....

In the UK it's every month (via the private system), I think this is to boost profits as much as anything (the appointments are rather expensive!).
But to be fair, while autism may not change so much, cannabis use and reaction to it most certainly can change, even over long periods of time, and remember, it's not completely safe (just like every other drug you can mention).

 

[Outdated]

Really? That's interesting, I had no idea.

It's the same in Australia, my diagnosis got me a prescription.

We have cannabis clinics in Australia too, and they have their own doctors doing the prescribing. I'm a pensioner so I pay half price, and I have to have a check up with the doctor again every 6 months, that's law here.

The weed I get has been very good quality and very consistent for over 12 months now, but it comes from Canada. That really surprised me, I live in some of the best growing country on the planet for weed but instead we import it from the other side of the world.

 

[Forest Cat]

It's the same in Australia, my diagnosis got me a prescription.

We have cannabis clinics in Australia too, and they have their own doctors doing the prescribing. I'm a pensioner so I pay half price, and I have to have a check up with the doctor again every 6 months, that's law here.

The weed I get has been very good quality and very consistent for over 12 months now, but it comes from Canada. That really surprised me, I live in some of the best growing country on the planet for weed but instead we import it from the other side of the world.

Nothing like that here, if you get caught with it you get a large fine. And around 14 days in prison if you have too much.

 

[Outdated]

Nothing like that here, instead of a prescription you get a $1200 fine. And around 14 days in prison if you have too much.

Here it varies between different states but where I live, South Australia, has always had a much more relaxed attitude about it. It's still illegal but they only focus on organised crime, if a cop sees a normal person smoking in public he's likely to pretend he didn't notice, or depending on the situation he might suggest you be a little more discreet and move away from other people to smoke.

 

[Au Naturel]

Unfortunately, I had stopped smoking for a long time, then I felt bad and tried marijuana. After some time I started smoking again. I can't use it, otherwise I'll start smoking again

edibles