Johannes’s question:
My name is Johannes (name changed), I am 39 years old from Hamburg Germany. I just read your article about your dads dupuytren and cannabis. At only 25 years old I have been diagnosed with Dupuytren, which was a shock for me….at that time, I did extensive climbing….So, I researched a lot on my own, and found a specialist in Hamburg who told me that when diagnosed at young age it can get aggressive…so, I decided to get radiation treatment on it. It stopped, kind of. But I also found knots under my feet a few years later. The reason I’m writing to you – recently I got medical marijuana for sleeping problems (PTSD, and I also have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) and I found major relief in my hands, not sure it got softer or better, I just feel less tension. Also, I currently do a tolerance break from the cannabis, and it feels so much worse in both my hands….Is there any new information or studies that you are aware of? And, can you explain to me a little more in detail how the tincture is produced to put on the hands with the gloves on top?
Uwe’s answer:
There are many topical cannabis products and production methods can vary. I happen to like a cannabis-infused coconut oil. It is easy to buy where it is legal and it is easy to make at home all you need is coconut oil and cannabis flower. There are many instructive video online.
When applying a topical cannabis oil to the skin in enters the various layers of the skin and binds with endocannabinoid receptor sites 1 and 2 aka CB1 and CB2 (and possibly binds with other receptor sites), which are abundantly embedded in the cellular membranes of the skin. By activating these receptor sites numerous therapeutic effects are realized chiefly among them pain relief a reduction of inflammation for example. In addition, since the overarching prime function of the endocannabinoid system is to achieve balance in individual cells, tissues, organs and organ systems activation works toward maintaining or re-establishing a healthy optimal internal environment of the skin (the onset of effects tend to be enhanced and faster when the oil is warmed).
Sadly, to-date research into the use of topical or systemic cannabis or cannabis containing products in the treatment of Dupuytren is only just beginning. You may want to read up on research that has been conducted on skin conditions that share a similar underlying pathology such as Skin Fibrosis and Scar Conditions, or Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma for instance or even look at what is currently know when it comes to the ECS and Skin Diseases in general.
Regarding taking a break to avoid tolerance you may want to consider switching to a cannabis chemotype III containing no or only small amount of THC to continue benefitting from another cannabinoid namely CBD’s analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties without worries about THC associated adverse effects.
You may also have a look at the state of the science regarding your co-morbidities of PTSD, Insomnia (not much yet on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) to round out your knowledge about cannabinoid-based therapeutics for these particular conditions.
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