Microdosing THC for Glaucoma

Microdosing THC has been proposed as an alternative treatment for glaucoma due to its therapeutic effects. For decades, glaucoma medications have been the only way to control the condition, but patients suffering from it report an increasing number of unwanted side effects.

Emerging research continues to shed light on the benefits of microdosing cannabis for a range of conditions, including glaucoma.

In the 1970s, researchers discovered that cannabis could help glaucoma sufferers by lowering pressure in the eye. This sparked ongoing interest in the medical benefits of cannabis for treating glaucoma.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a chronic condition caused by the damage to the optic nerve that connects your eye to the brain. The damage is usually caused by fluid that builds up in the front part of the eye, increasing intraocular pressure at the same time. This makes your field of vision shrink and peripheral vision darken, impairing your vision entirely. If not diagnosed and treated early, glaucoma often leads to vision loss.

This complex eye condition affects people of all ages, but senior citizens seem to be the most susceptible. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60.

Glaucoma can often and suddenly develop symptoms like:

• Intense eye pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Red eyes and tenderness around the eyes
• Headaches
• Blurred vision

Benefits of Microdosing THC

According to research, effects of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) seem to be greater at low doses. As one study found, higher doses of THC do very little to alleviate pain or discomfort. The results of higher THC doses were, in fact, opposite—they seem to exacerbate chronic pain instead of providing relief.

A 2020 study aimed to test the analgesic effects, cognitive performance, and safety of microdosing Delta 9 THC to alleviate chronic pain. Participants of the study were given a single dose of one milligram of THC. Pain was significantly decreased without any psychoactive effects.

A different study focused on the use of a synthetic cannabinoid called Nabilone in treating PTSD. According to the results of the study, low doses of Nabilone (four milligrams) helped alleviate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, such as insomnia and chronic pain.

Some of the reported benefits of microdosing cannabis also include alleviating symptoms of:

• Inflammation: cannabis microdoses can treat conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Seizures and muscle spasms
• Anxiety disorders
• Dementia: microdosing THC for dementia seems to prevent the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
• Cardiovascular conditions: low doses of cannabis potentially reduce blood pressure and inflammation.
• Crohn’s disease
• Addiction: microdosed cannabis is believed to ease withdrawal symptoms in people struggling with addiction.

Cannabis users also experience that low doses of THC help with sleep. Our sleep gummies with melatonin are a perfect addition to your nighttime routine. They combine the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-derived Delta 9 THC to promote your well-deserved eight-hour trip to slumberland.

Microdosing edibles help with migraines, as well. Many people struggling with chronic migraines have experienced a reduction in pain after starting microdosing marijuana on a regular basis.

Cannabis consumption at low doses has also proved beneficial in:

• Stimulating appetite
• Nausea relief from chemotherapy with cancer patients
• Improving mood, focus, and concentration
• Providing stress relief
• Alleviating symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Alleviating symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Glaucoma

The safest and most effective way of microdosing THC is via edibles. Methods like sublinguals, vapes, and smoking are risky when it comes to dosage control—you can never know for sure how much you have taken.

Our Delta 9 gummies offer exact concentrations of cannabis extracts in every gummy. They bring out all the beneficial properties of low THC doses and CBD for the full spectrum CBD effect.

THC and Glaucoma

Increased intraocular pressure damages the optic nerve. Cannabis users believe that microdoses of THC is an effective tool in lowering IOP and battling glaucoma. Studies conducted on animals suggest that THC might promote blood flow to the eye and have neuroprotective effects by treating and preventing nerve damage.

Intraocular Pressure, Glaucoma, and THC

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is said to be the most important risk factor for glaucoma. Hypertension is a typical starting point for glaucoma and elevated IOP—high blood pressure increases eye pressure, which in turn elevates intraocular pressure. High IOP restricts blood blow to the eye, damaging the optic nerve behind it.

Excessively high IOP can lead to vision loss—damage to the optic nerve cannot be reversed. If glaucoma is left untreated and IOP not lowered, both central and peripheral vision suffer and are eventually lost.

A recent study on THC and CBD indicates that the former helps regulate intraocular pressure, while the latter does not. Low doses of THC seem to lower IOP, while even at low doses, CBD doesn’t seem to decrease eye pressure.

One study suggests that low doses of THC can lower intraocular pressure by up to 40%. The results involved several consumption methods—smoking cannabis, inhaling, and cannabis edibles.

Other evidence shows that THC acts as a neuroprotectant agent by increasing blood flow to the optic nerve. In this study, healthy human participants were administered a low dose of dronabinol, a synthetic cannabinoid derived from THC. There was a significant improvement in the condition of the optic nerve and the subjects experienced no psychoactive effects normally associated with THC.

How Much THC is Needed to Fight Glaucoma?

While THC does seem to slow the progression of the disease, it does not reverse the damage to the optic nerve caused by open-angle glaucoma.

Because the pressure-lowering effects of THC are temporary, it is estimated that maintaining optimal IOP levels would require an amount equal to eight to ten marijuana cigarettes. Consuming THC at higher doses involves certain risks associated with significant psychoactive and cardio-pulmonary side effects.

More research is needed to explore the long-lasting effects of medical marijuana on glaucoma and other eye conditions.

Is THC Legal?

Delta 9 THC is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill if the Delta 9 is hemp-derived and does not exceed 0.3% by dry weight. Our Delta 9 THC gummies are legal in 48 states with the exception of Idaho and Kansas.

To make sure your purchase is legal in your state, read our state-by-state guide to Delta 9 legality.

THC gummies are nama CBD’s best vegan hemp-derived edibles with Delta 9 THC. Our Bliss Gummies are packed with an equal ratio of THC to CBD (5mg each). They are excellent for coping with stress and anxiety and for lowering eye pressure.

Sativa or Indica for Glaucoma?

Sativas are known for their ‘head high,’ an energizing effect that can alleviate stress and symptoms of anxiety while increasing focus and concentration.

Indica strains are associated with full-body effects—they induce deep relaxation and help with sleep. Many people suffering from glaucoma experience elevated intraocular pressure at night, making indica-dominant strains perfect for nighttime use.

Our hybrid blends marry the benefits of sativa and indica for the most optimal therapeutic effect. Our Energy Gummies contain low doses of hemp-derived Delta 9 THC, only 2.5 mg per gummy. The sativa side of these yummy gummies will provide pain relief and IOP decrease, while a kick of indica will induce deep relaxation.

Can Delta 8 Treat Glaucoma?

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 8 THC) is another type of THC compound found in the cannabis plant in much smaller quantities than Delta 9. It produces milder euphoric effects than Delta 9, but has plenty of medical benefits—stimulating appetite, inducing relaxation, anti-anxiety properties, and treating chronic pain.

Some evidence shows that Delta 8 can potentially lower intraocular pressure. Thirty-two different cannabinoids were examined for their ability to decrease IOP in animal subjects. Out of the thirty-two tested, Delta 9 and Delta 8 derivatives were the most effective.

Delta 8 is mostly associated with pain relief and inducing relaxation, according to a study on the differences between Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC. Due to pertinent chronic pain caused by optic nerve damage, Delta 8 THC might be a viable solution to treat glaucoma symptoms.

Aside from pain relief, Delta 8 could also alleviate the feelings of nausea and vomiting. Research was conducted on the role of Delta 8 as a nausea treatment in pediatric oncology patients. The findings suggest that small doses of Delta 8 THC were able to fight off nausea and vomiting without experiencing psychoactive effects.

Our Elevate Delta 8 Gummies can help reduce IOP and alleviate pain caused by damaged optic nerves. Each vegan gummy contains 12.5 mg of hemp-derived Delta 8 THC and is bursting with exotic flavor!

Delta 8 is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% of THC by dry weight. This means that Delta 8 THC is federally legal in the US, as compliant with the Farm Bill. Despite federal legality, Delta 8 remains illegal in fourteen US states:

• Alaska
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Kentucky
• Montana
• Mississippi
• New York
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Utah

Best Edibles for Glaucoma

Our selection of cannabis edibles present a mixture of the finest, natural ingredients, 100% American hemp, and the juiciest flavors. These are great for providing optimal doses of THC to lower eye pressure and treat glaucoma symptoms.

Not all of nama CBD’s products are vegan, but ALL of them contain 0.3% or less of THC by dry weight. That means they are legal on a federal level and available for online purchase!

• Hemp Euphoria Gummies help release the sweet dopamine with 10mg of THC. For a perfect uplifting and pressure-lowering experience, THC is paired with an equal amount of CBD. These gummies are packed with natural ingredients and flavors, ready to fight off pain and discomfort caused by the optic nerve damage.
• Bliss Delta 9 THC gummies are fruit-filled edibles—the best type of edibles!—with equal ratio of THC to CBD. Only 5mg of THC are perfect for alleviating pain and nausea and coping with stress that a serious eye condition like glaucoma brings. Did we mention they taste like honeydew melon?
• Elevate Gummies contain 12.5mg of 100% hemp-derived Delta 8 THC. These delicious edibles are the ideal way to elevate your mood but also cross swords with nausea and vomiting. Because Delta 8 THC has anti-anxiety properties, these passion fruit and wild peach flavor bombs will bring much needed relaxation to the eye.

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