Carpathia Clinic Medical Cannabis News

Cannabis as Medicine? The Truth with Dr. Kirstie Ross

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 18:13:15 GMT

Cannabis as Medicine?

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 17:31:40 GMT

Cannabis as Medicine? The Truth with Dr. Kirstie Ross

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Inspirational Leader of the year 2023

simon@carpathiaclinic.com (Simon Harrison) — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 22:31:52 GMT

Inspirational Leader of the year 2023 -Dr Kirstie Ross

We are absolutely thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement that fills our hearts with immense pride and joy.

Our very own lead doctor, the extraordinary Dr. Kirstie Ross, has been honoured as the "Inspirational Leader of the Year" at the 2023 Pride of Jersey awards.

This well-deserved award is a recognition of Dr. Ross's exceptional qualities that extend far beyond the walls of our clinic.

While she has always been a beacon of hope and support within our team, this award is a testament to her character and the positive influence she has on the community at large.

Dr. Ross's compassionate nature and her tireless efforts to uplift and inspire those around her have not only earned her this prestigious honor but also the heartfelt admiration of everyone fortunate enough to know her.

We couldn't be prouder of this achievement, which highlights not only Dr. Ross's incredible accomplishments but also the exceptional qualities that make her an exceptional human being.

What Is the Endocannabinoid System?

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 16:52:12 GMT

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays important roles in your body well beyond the process it's named for, which is interacting with cannabis, also known as marijuana . Did you realise we had a whole system named after pot? We do. That's because the substances that come from the marijuana plant—cannabinoids—were discovered first.

Indica vs Sativa

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 19:03:11 GMT

Indica vs Sativa are often debated and poorly understood but do you know truth for myth?

Myth : Indica strains will produce a heavy body ‘couch-lock’ effect and Sativa strains will produce uplifting, energetic highs.

Truth : Indica and Sativa are defined by their appearance, not their effects.

All modern day cannabis strains are hybrids. Strains that are more indica dominant may be more likely to induce stereotypical indica effects, however there is no guarantee. All strains are different.

The terms ‘Indica’ and ‘Sativa’ are both widely used and often debated. Sativa strains are generally believed to have more energetic, uplifting effects, whereas indica strains are generally thought to have more calming, sedative effects.

There is really no such thing as a true indica or sativa anymore. Every strain available nowadays is really a ‘hybrid’, some are more indica-dominant, and others are more sativa-dominant. Perhaps pre 20th century you could source heritage ‘landrace’ strains, however, following decades of ‘hybrid’ breeding, it appears that those days are gone.

While there is partial truth that indica-dominant strains can produce a more ‘body-heavy’ high and sativa-dominant strains provide a more invigorating, focused high, but it isn’t always the case. What really affects the way a strain will make you feel is the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes.

There is another myth that Indicas have more THC than Sativas. Again, this is not true.

While THC and CBD are the most well known cannabinoids, there are over a hundred different cannabinoids in cannabis, along with dozens of varying terpenes. They work harmoniously to give every strain its unique properties.

This is a relatively new phenomenon, known as ‘the entourage effect’(fig1) which also theorises that levels of the terpenes are more responsible for creating the differences in psychoactive variability between indica and sativa, than the percentage levels of THC or CBD.

For many people, a more balanced strain is the way to go. CBD is endearingly known as ‘the babysitter’ of THC and can reduce its ability to produce negative side effects, they work in harmony to provide a more enjoyable experience, with less potential for any anxieties.

Each cannabis cultivar has a unique cannabinoid profile and therefore, unique biological activity. A sativa strain could very well make you sleepy and exhibit other common indica effects if it has the right combination of THC, CBD, terpenes, flavonoids and other cannabinoids. Terpenes are essential oils containing hydrogen and carbon that carry powerful medicinal properties. They give different marijuana strains their individual aroma and taste.

Terpenes are found in nature, in abundance. Using terpenes and other compounds that come in a strain helps to identify the effects it might provide, making it far easier to classify individual cannabis strains. It is not as simple as indica or sativa dominant to determine how a strain will make you feel.

The most common terpenes found in cannabis

Terpenes are present in both indica and sativa strains of cannabis. However, it has been noted that indica strains tend to have a dominance of the terpene ‘myrcene’, combined with other terpenoids such as a-pinene. Sativa strains, in contrast, appear to have more complex terpene profiles and the ‘sativa-like’ effects may come from terpenoids, such as alpha-pinene, beta-caryophyllene, and limonene, that help to enhance focus and feeling energised.

Myrcene, caryophyllene, and linalool for example, are known to help encourage sleep and relaxation. Higher levels of CBD may encourage the ability to rest easier, unwind, and feel calmer. It should be noted that the terpene profiles in whole flower cannabis degrade over time, whereas cannabis extracts such a full spectrum CBD oil, retains the majority of terpene and cannabinoid molecules, as they are minimally refined.

In summary
Trying to define the effects of a cannabis strain by branding it an indica or sativa is an outdated idea and often false. It all comes down to the contents of each specific strain, the amount of each cannabinoid, the varying terpenes and the many other canna bis compounds that will determine its effects.

It should be noted that the extent to which a specific strain makes you feel, will differ from person to person and is subjectively dependent on a person’s unique endocannabinoid system along with other factors.

Our clinic doctors are trained to the highest standard with the MCCS and have confident knowledge on the effects of differing levels of THC, CBD and terpenes.

The world’s first carbon-negative medical cannabis cultivation facility

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 11:20:19 GMT

The UK medical cannabis industry is set to become greener than ever, with the development of the world’s first carbon-negative cannabis cultivation facility.

Glass Pharms have agreed on head of terms with a leading infrastructure investment fund which will see them awarded £22.5m in financing to develop the first dedicated medical cannabis cultivation facility that will be carbon negative in the world.

The substantial investment into the cannabis cultivation facility is the largest dedicated infrastructure investment in the UK medical cannabis industry to date, demonstrating real confidence that medical cannabis has a long term and sustainable future in the UK.

How can cannabis help to improve sleep?

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:13:40 GMT

How can cannabis help to improve sleep?

It is thought that around 20% of the population may be affected by sleep conditions, with a third of people in the UK believed to experience chronic insomnia at some time in their lives. Sleep improvement is becoming one of the most commonly reported reasons for using cannabis and cannabinoid-based products – but what is the evidence that it works?

While sleep improvement may not also be the sole purpose for cannabis use, it is increasingly becoming a consideration for consumers. A survey of adults visiting cannabis dispensaries in the US found that 74% of participants reported using cannabis to improve sleep. Of this group, 84% also reported that using cannabis had helped them to reduce or discontinue their sleep medication.

The UK's first medical cannabis patient representative board

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 18:20:04 GMT

The UK's first medical cannabis patient representative board

More than three years after medical cannabis has been legalised in the UK, the first Patient Representative Board is about to open.

According to an announcement from the LYPHE Group, the newly created Patient Representative Board will focus on patient concerns and industry issues and will be formed of independent patients from across the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, as well as representatives from patient groups and charities...

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 18:16:55 GMT

Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2021

It seems as though more MPs are coming together to back patients who are still struggling to access more affordable medical cannabis products.

A number of MPs put forward the issue in parliament on Wednesday and called for the government to help with making medical cannabis more widely available for both prescriptions and for research.

While medical cannabis has been legal since 2018 in the UK, it is still almost impossible to get a prescription via the NHS – thus forcing the families of severely ill children, as well as other patients, to pay up to thousands of pounds every month.