If you have\nglaucoma, it\u2019s important to maintain lower eye pressure 24 hours a day, so\nsmoking marijuana multiple times a day is not a practical solution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies have shown\nthat THC is the molecule that lowers IOP. CBD, on the other hand, works against\nTHC. Therefore, if you\u2019re thinking of using cannabis oils to treat glaucoma,\nit\u2019s best to use high-THC oil instead of high-CBD oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is a lot of\ndebate about this, however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
THC Has Two Key Advantages: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The two major\ncannabinoids found in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol\n(CBD), are both compounds that influence the body\u2019s endocannabinoid system (ECS)<\/strong> but have very different effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, when people talk about marijuana they’re usually thinking of the effects of THC, which is the part of the cannabis plant that gives us the euphoric feelings or of being \u201chigh\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it also has other side effects, such as dizziness, loss of coordination, anxiety, paranoia, and increased heart rate, THC is strongly linked to reducing IOP in many studies<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many\nreceptors for cannabinoids in the ECS. THC interacts with them, though the\nmechanics are still unknown. What is known is that this interaction reduces IOP\nwhile CBD, the other type of cannabinoid found in cannabis, interferes with THC\nactivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s theorized that\nthere is a high concentration of the CB1-type cannabinoid receptors in the eye.\nThis is why smoking marijuana or consuming THC oils and edibles can help lower\nIOP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With glaucoma,\nreducing intraocular pressure isn\u2019t always enough to prevent vision loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Something known as glutamate-induced neurotoxicity<\/em> also\nappears to play a significant role in glaucoma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sufferers tend to\nhave an elevated level of glutamate \u2013 the major neurotransmitter found in the\neye \u2013 the excess glutamate accumulates in the retinal ganglion cells and\ndamages neurons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n New research has found that CBD and THC can protect against this glutamate-induced cell death<\/a> since they are both antioxidants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While CBD may not help with glaucoma directly,\nit can help with other issues that may aggravate existing IOP issues. Let\u2019s\ntake a look at them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD oil has been shown to reduce blood pressure<\/a> and manage stress due to its ability to increase blood flow during times of stress [10]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD acts as a\nvasodilator \u2014 it allows the blood to flow more freely by relaxing the smooth\nmuscle cells within blood vessels and taking away pressure placed on the\narteries. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes<\/a> is a major cause of two specific types of glaucoma known as open-angle glaucoma<\/strong> (the most common form of the disease), and neovascular glaucoma<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several\ntheories as to why this happens \u2014 including such processes as inflammation in\nthe eye, retinal cell death from high blood sugar levels, and the development\nof dysfunctional blood vessels in the eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chronic inflammation\ndue to insulin resistance is a key factor in developing type 2 diabetes.\nResearchers have found that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD treat this\ninflammation, thus improving the body\u2019s metabolism and glycemic control [11]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What does this\nmean? Cannabinoids have\nbeen shown to be anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents \u2014 largely due\nto their interactions with the ECS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They do this by\ninhibiting cell proliferation, and suppressing inflammatory cytokines [12]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What does this\nmean? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply put, CBD can reduce inflammation<\/a> and influence certain immune cells.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When using cannabis for glaucoma, there are\nthree main things to remember:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are different\nmethods for treating glaucoma with cannabis. You can try topical eye drops or\ntake in the form of oral drops, pastes, capsules, or in tea or lozenges.\nConcentrations vary greatly between products and how it is prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we are all different, the dosage will vary with each\nindividual.<\/strong> We recommend starting with a small dose,\nsuch as 10 mg of extract per day, and see how you react. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As everyone\nresponds to cannabis differently it may take some trial and error to get the\nright dose for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep a daily\njournal of dosages, timings and any symptoms. This will help you to find your\npersonal optimal dose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to\nnote that higher doses (>40 mg) of\nCBD increase IOP.<\/strong> So it is extremely important to read the label of the\nproduct you are using.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use cannabis oils,\ndo not smoke marijuana. Smoking marijuana long-term is not recommended as a\ntreatment for glaucoma due to its short duration of action and risk of lung\ndamage over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can\u2019t overdose on CBD.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, quality\ncounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the\nWorld Health Organisation (WHO) CBD oil, in its pure state, does not cause harm\nor have the potential for abuse even at high doses [13]. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The research we have discussed here is based on using high-quality CBD. It\u2019s important you make sure you use a high-quality CBD product that is free from contaminants and artificial additives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD oils may have some side effects<\/a> \u2014 especially if you’re using a CBD oil that also has THC inside (recommended for glaucoma). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The main side-effects of CBD and THC supplements include: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The name glaucoma\nbelongs to a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve in the back of\nthe eye. It tends to worsen gradually over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most commonly, this\nis due to increased pressure inside the eye \u2014 known as intraocular pressure\n(IOP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The front of the\neye produces what is known as the \u2018aqueous humor\u2019, a fluid that is continuously\ndrained from the eye. If this fluid\ndoesn\u2019t circulate out of the eye properly, it builds up \u2014 causing increased\npressure within the eyeball. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Glaucoma may also be caused by poor blood supply to the optic nerve fibers or a weakness in the nerve structure of the eye [4<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Open-angle glaucoma\n(OAG) is the most common type of glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all\nglaucoma cases [5].<\/p>\n\n\n\n OAG happens when\nthe aqueous humor (the clear liquid that lubricates and nourishes the inside of\nthe front of the eye) becomes blocked and doesn\u2019t drain properly. This causes\npressure to rise in the eye, eventually damaging the optic nerve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Often there are no\nwarning signs, with loss of vision occurring gradually over several years\nwithout pain or discomfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With early detection, you can treat and slow down the\ncondition. <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Angle-closure\nglaucoma (ACG) is different from OAG in that the eye pressure can rise rapidly.\nIt\u2019s a rare form of the disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n ACG happens when\nthe peripheral part of the iris \u2014 the colored part of the eye \u2014 becomes blocked\nover the drainage canals. The pupil will enlarge too much or too quickly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all patients\nwith glaucoma will have elevated intraocular pressure, but what\u2019s been found is\nthat for every mmHg(a measurement of\npressure) that intraocular pressure is lowered, it reduces the risk of the\ndisorder by 10% [6].<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyone can get\nglaucoma, however, some people are more at risk than others. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you experience any of the following symptoms you\nshould see your eye specialist as soon as possible.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to\nnote that symptoms can vary greatly between individuals, you may have some or\nnone of the symptoms mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why it is\nimportant to have regular visits with your eye specialist to ensure the\ncondition is detected in its early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As glaucoma\ninitially causes peripheral vision loss (side vision) undetectable to the\npatient, regular eye check-ups \u2014 especially after the age of 40 \u2014 are essential\nto screen for glaucoma, assessing if further examination is needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Glaucoma Test Usually Includes the Following:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Most treatments for\nopen-angle glaucoma are aimed at lowering and controlling eye pressure or\ndecreasing the production of fluid in the eye. The most common treatment is\nspecialized eye drops \u2014 an ophthalmologist decides on which treatment to use or\na combination of therapies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the most common initial forms of treatment and are classified by their active chemical ingredient. These include prostaglandins, beta-blockers, alpha agonists, and rho kinase inhibitors. Certain drugs should not be used with CBD<\/a>, so always speak to your doctor first if you’re using any medications (prescription and over-the-counter.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common Side Effects of Eye Drops:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Medications such as\nCarbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors (CAIs) can be used in conjunction with eye drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CAIs <\/strong>can cause systemic side\neffects such as transient myopia (short-sightedness), frequent urination,\ntingling of the extremities, and lightheadedness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laser treatments\nare performed if eye drops have failed to control deterioration in vision. The\neffects of laser treatment are often not permanent, and many patients will need\nto return to medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Side Effects of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) May Include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Surgery is\nperformed if eye drops, medications or laser has failed to control the pressure\nin the eye. Surgery can be effective, however, there are risks involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Side Effects of Surgery Include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In severe cases, some people experience: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If treated and monitored, glaucoma will usually not lead to blindness. Only about 5% of patients <\/a>with glaucoma experience vision loss. While it isn\u2019t a condition that can be cured, there are many options available to maintain IOP at normal levels. These options include medication, laser, and surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of the research up until this point shows that THC is effective in reducing IOP, while CBD interferes with THC activity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the small percentage of people who suffer continued vision loss even after controlling their IOP, THC is an antioxidant that can help prevent retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, since CBD does not relieve IOP<\/strong>, one would need to find an oil that is high in THC and avoid CBD specific oils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, you should also continue with the medication schedule ordered by your ophthalmologist. To prevent any drug interactions<\/a>, always check with your doctor before beginning any supplemental treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n CBD itself doesn’t help with glaucoma. <\/p>\n However, other cannabinoids have been shown to reduce intra-ocular pressure in the eye. <\/p>\n Learn how people are using cannabis to alleviate glaucoma pain. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":676,"parent":0,"menu_order":43,"template":"","crb_condition_category":[45],"yoast_head":"\n1. THC Reduces Intraocular\nPressure<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. THC Supports Optic Nerve\nHealth<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What CBD Can Help With: Glaucoma\nRisk Factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. CBD & High Blood Pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. CBD & Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\nCBD can reduce inflammation that leads\nto developing type 2 diabetes, which may reduce the chances of diabetic-induced\nglaucomas. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n3. CBD & Inflammation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/11\/cbdworld-glaucoma-4.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nCan CBD Oil Help With Glaucoma? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Is Cannabis Oil Safe?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is Glaucoma?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There Are Two Types of Glaucoma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/11\/glaucoma-eye-3-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n1. Open-Angle Glaucoma<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
2. Angle-Closure Glaucoma<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of Glaucoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Risk Factors for Glaucoma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/11\/cbdworld-glaucoma-2.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow is Glaucoma Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conventional Treatments for Glaucoma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Eye Drops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Oral Medications <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Selective Laser\nTrabeculoplasty (SLT)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Surgery\n(Trabeculectomy)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/dailycbd.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2018\/11\/cbdworld-glaucoma-3.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFinal Verdict: Using Cannabis for\nGlaucoma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReferences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n