Marijuana is becoming a key ingredient for wellness lovers. It is making appearances in skin care, health supplements, topical pain relievers, and even water. When you Google the words “cleanse,” you will find endless suggestions for getting THC out of your system before a drug test. But – we are not talking about that kind of cleanse.
If you are a Florida resident who is interested in joining hundreds of thousands of people in finding wellness with medical marijuana, you are visiting the right place.This pre-eligibility survey will tell you if you might qualify for your Florida Medical Marijuana Card. Our team of compassionate Medical Marijuana Doctors are located all throughout the state of Florida and are eager to help you find relief naturally.
Health Benefits of Detoxing: How to Eliminate Toxins Effectively
Detoxes and cleanses are really popular these days, and there are plenty of them to choose from. While most detox diets are fads, a body cleanse is a way to press the restart button and rid your body of unnecessary toxins.
Our bodies naturally detoxify every day. It is a natural process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon and liver. However, smoking can impair the body’s natural detoxification processes, particularly affecting the liver and lungs, which are vital for detoxification. Additionally, smoking can diminish the effectiveness of a detox program, making it harder to cleanse the body of toxins and complicating the detoxification journey. People who frequently experience issues with digestion can benefit from a cleanse because they can eliminate acid and alkalines for faster relief.
If you feel congested from the foods you are eating, you may want to detoxify. If your energy level is low, or if you have been taking certain medications, a weekend detox may help you feel better. Other reasons to do a cleanse can include:
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- Constantly feel fatigued, stressed, and overwhelmed
- Making poor food choices and often eating fried foods, dairy, processed foods, meats, gluten, refined sugar, or fast food
- Experiencing frequent headaches and/or lack of mental clarity
- Frequently using coffee, alcohol, drugs (prescription or otherwise) or cigarettes
- Suffering from skin breakouts and blemishes and/or a dull and lack-luster complexion
- Exposure to common environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, artificial fragrances, carbon emissions, herbicides, pesticides, and household chemicals, which introduce harmful toxins into the body
- Getting sick easily and are often on medications
- Unpleasant smelling breath and body odors, no matter how much deodorant/toothpaste used
- Feeling emotionally unstable, depressed, unmotivated, and lacking energy and enthusiasm
Smoking can hinder the detox process by increasing withdrawal symptoms, triggering cravings for other substances, and potentially prolonging the overall detox process, thereby affecting recovery outcomes.
Deciding to detox can be an intimidating thought for many people, but having a plan in place can make things go much smoother. Here’s what to remember when you’re planning your cleanse.
- Drink lots of water and avoid sugary drinks like fruit juices and soda or caffeinated drinks.
- Make sure to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day. There is a wide variety available to fit even the pickiest of eaters’ needs, and they are a vital part of a healthy person’s diet.
- A multivitamin can be extremely beneficial to begin your detox. Many people can benefit from a multivitamin that contains zinc, vitamins A, C, and B-complex.
Using Cannabis as a Detox Tool: Smoking During Detox
Most people think of detoxes as a way to undo the effects that mind-altering substances can cause. It might seem weird to think that cannabis can actually help detox the body, but it is a healthy way to experience the health benefits it offers. Since marijuana can help our bodies achieve homeostasis, it can help our bodies reset and get back to normal, just like any other cleanse would. Smoking, on the other hand, can lead to altered metabolic processes, complicating the body’s ability to break down and eliminate toxins, thereby hindering the detoxification process. Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, such as cravings and irritability, can further complicate the detox process.
The cannabis plant contains cannabinoids, which is a version of a chemical that our brains produce when we are under stress in order to change our neurological and physiological patterns. With the addition of terpenes that are also found in the plant, marijuana can be a great tool for cleansing both the body and mind. We all have a system in our body called the endocannabinoid system that helps keep us in a balanced state. There are cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) located all over our bodies, including in the brain, immune system, kidneys, lungs, liver, and more. Smoking introduces toxins that adversely affect the body’s detoxification processes, specifically impacting liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing and eliminating toxins.
Quitting smoking is crucial during detox to avoid the complications associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms and to enhance overall recovery.
Nicotine replacement therapy can be a supportive strategy to alleviate these withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, smoking can exacerbate mental health issues, increasing anxiety and irritability, which complicates recovery efforts. Addressing these mental health challenges during detox is crucial for overall wellness.
When cannabinoids activate the CB1 and CB2 receptors, antioxidants are released. Raw cannabis has many health benefits, including improving the efficiency of the cells in our body. Marijuana fan leaves have only trace amounts of THC and won’t get most people high. You can use raw cannabis in juices, smoothies, and salads, and you can even sprinkle it on top of many other foods. Smoking can irritate the lungs and compromise their natural function, making it harder for the body to effectively eliminate toxins.
Marijuana enhances the endocannabinoid system, which keeps our bodies in a balanced state. This can lead to a greater ability to manage stress and sleep better, and it also helps our immune function and digestion. Cannabis also functions as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a class of healing plants that provides stabilization of physiological processes, so cannabis really does work to help us become stronger and feel better in a natural way. Different cannabinoids signal unique messages to endocannabinoid receptors that result in an adaptogenic effect and homeostasis.
Detox programs often include detox juices like this one, which can enhance the endocannabinoid system. However, smoking addiction poses significant challenges during detox programs, as it can hinder the body’s ability to eliminate toxins effectively.
Quitting smoking is crucial to enhance the effectiveness of detox programs, allowing the body to focus on eliminating toxins and improving overall health outcomes. Smoking can trigger cravings for other addictive substances, making it harder to stay off drugs or alcohol during the detox process.
Qualifying for Your Florida Medical Marijuana Card: Requirements and Process
If, after reading this, you believe your body might benefit from the many uses of medical marijuana, schedule an appointment with a qualified Florida Medical Marijuana Doctor.
In order to purchase medical marijuana per state guidelines, you must:
- Be a permanent or seasonal Florida resident
- Be diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a qualified physician
- Be entered into the Medical Marijuana Use Registry
- Obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry Identification Card
The approved qualifying conditions are:
- HIV/AIDS
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Crohn’s disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Medical conditions of the same kind or class as or comparable to the others listed.
- A terminal condition diagnosed by a physician other than the qualified physician issuing the physician certification.
- Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition.
The term ‘cannabis cleanse’ might seem like a total oxymoron, but in comparison to other detox methods, it can actually be beneficial rather than harmful. Integrating this holistic approach to your daily routine can result in reduced inflammation, a more positive mindset, and give you the boost you need to get back to living a normal life.
Dr. Rothman is a diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He has received multiple special awards and recognitions, including Physician of the Year, from the Pinellas County Medical Association (2014 – 2015) and the President’s Service Award from the Pinellas County Medical Society.
He attended medical school at State University of New York Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York, where he also completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency. In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Rothman’s professional career includes being an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida and Clinical Instructor at the University of Tampa’s College of Nursing.
Dr. Rothman received his Florida Medical Marijuana Physicians Certification in 2016 and was one of the first recommending physicians through DocMJ in the state and is loved by many of those early patients today.