Going into to Moonlit Cannabis to congratulate Shane and Ashley Valentine on their new business venture in Carlyle was a no-brainer. Studying the difference between CBD and THC happened after the visit.
Shane and Ashley were super helpful in describing the ingredients of the products and some of the terminology for someone who knows nothing. When asked what they would recommend for say, someone with lower back pain, they answered, “We don’t recommend one product or another because everyone reacts so differently. Most people come in having done their research and know what they are looking for or, they are at their wits end. They are searching for something different.”
When people give a product a try for whatever reason, they need to be diligent to give it time to build up in their system. “Everyone will have completely different results based on their personal situation and their body, so we can tell you people have tried it and had success with, but we let you choose and tell us what you think is best for you. We can also tell people what we have tried and has worked for us.”
Ashley explained that when she feels a migraine coming on, she knows the product that will eliminate it almost immediately and sticks with that consistently for the time frame her body needs to deal with it. Shane described a surgery he had years ago where the doctors told him that alcohol after a long day is no longer an acceptable way to unwind for his organs. Many, many people are in situations where traditional medications and therapies just do not work or have quit working with their bodies.
Some of the products Moonlit offers are strictly CBD oil (cannabinol), some are strictly THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and some are a combination of both. They also come in many forms for use such as topical oils or gels, ingestible oils, gummies, supplements, extracts, tinctures, capsules and more. Interestingly, CBD and THC have the exact same molecular components of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen but how those molecules are arranged is what gives THC its psychoactive effects.
It is fascinating to learn that the human brain has cannabinoid receptors associated with memory, time perception, co-ordination, pleasure and thinking. Because of the nature of our receptors being able to connect with the cannabinoid chemicals our body can make, that makes it easy for CBD and THC to connect and elicit various reactions.
CBD itself has a hard time connecting to those receptors and generally needs a small amount of THC to do so well. That is why almost every product will have THC on the label, but the dosage is almost negligible. When it does connect, it signals our brain to release neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are responsible for sending and receiving messages between our cells affecting sleep, stress, pain, immune function and so much more.
Is that it, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen? So what is the issue people have with cannabis?
As with any natural, plant derived substance, overuse of large amounts over extended periods of time can actually be very harmful and can be debilitating to our brains, therefore our bodies (like alcohol).
CBD can aid in reducing symptoms associated with: inflammatory bowel disease, migraines, depression, anxiety, seizures, pain and so much more with the most severe side effect being possibly reacting with other medications you are on.
THC also has numerous benefits that can help with insomnia, pain, glaucoma, muscle spasms, anxiety, to name a few, but the side effects can be more dramatic. Slower reaction times, red eyes, memory loss, dry mouth, coordination problems and increased heart rate are a few side effects with the psychoactive nature of THC.
“We have to get rid of the stigma associated with cannabis use.” Shane said, exasperated. “You would be shocked at the people you see on the street every day who are using these products but are too ashamed to say anything.” Asking Shane why he thinks this is, he replied, “I don’t know. There is so much misinformation out there. I often tell people it is like a liquor store for cannabis. You know exactly what you are getting, how much and that it has been approved by Health Canada. We don’t offer anything else.”
Imagine a family member, friend, or co-worker coming home at the end of the day and having three or four glasses of wine after work, with supper and into the evening. Now imagine that same person consuming an edible, supplement, or smoking cannabis in that same time frame. Does it change how we see the person? I know what you are thinking…overuse, addiction, dependency. Is this the true issue?
Your local doctor who truly longs to help can and will give recommendations on the healthy dosage and proper usage of CBD and/or THC to try with regard to various ailments where traditional methods are not working or are causing other problems you want to avoid. More people are open to experimenting with cannabis when they have studied the research themselves and can know it has been regulated and that what is on the label listed is actually in the container.
Could this be a solution for you? That is for only you to know and test and prove. I could not find the original author to this quote, “We cannot judge another human being when we do not know the battles they are fighting.”
Moonlit Cannabis has store hours of Mon-Sat 10-6pm and Sunday 12-5. Go check them out in person, follow them on Facebook or call the store to speak with the knowledgeable staff 306-575-7677. They also offer mail service or delivery within the local area.
