Cannabis Assistance: A New Direction in Supportive Treatment

Author: Lucie Garabasova

Imagine that there is a natural tool that can help with pain, anxiety, insomnia or neurodegenerative diseases - and it is scientifically based, safe and increasingly available. We are talking about cannabis in the hands of experts. Get to know what modern, legal and professionally led cannabis assistance looks like today - and why everyone looking for meaningful alternatives in health care should know about it.

What is cannabis assistance?

Cannabis assistance represents an interdisciplinary approach to the medical use of medicinal cannabis under professional guidance. It combines knowledge from pharmacology, botany, chemistry and clinical practice and is based on scientific evidence and an individual approach to patients. It is based on the growing interest in natural remedies for managing pain, inflammation, anxiety and other chronic problems.

Part of this wave of support is Cannadorra, which has long been helping people navigate the range of freely available cannabis dietary supplements through its cannabis counseling center. Although we do not sell medical cannabis on prescription, our experience with using CBD oils, capsules, ointments or hemp protein goes back more than a decade - and it is thanks to this experience that we can offer truly practical advice and support.

🧬 Endocannabinoid System: The Body's Internal Balance

The basis of the effect of cannabis is the endocannabinoid system (ECS) - a network of receptors (CB1, CB2), endocannabinoids (e.g. anandamide, 2-AG) and regulatory enzymes, which is involved in maintaining body homeostasis.

• CB1 receptors are abundant in the brain and affect memory, mood, pain, appetite.
• CB2 receptors are mainly found in the immune system and are related to inflammatory processes.

ECS disorders are associated with chronic stress, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy and metabolic syndrome.

You can learn everything about the Endocannabinoid System in this article.

🌿 Cannabinoids: Chemical treasures of cannabis

More than 100 cannabinoids have been identified in the plant, which are divided into:

• Phytocannabinoids: natural substances (CBD, THC, CBG, CBC…). 
• Precannabinoid acids (e.g. CBDA, THCA) – activated by heat decarboxylation. 
• Synthetic cannabinoids: frequently abused substances with high affinity for CB1, but a different structure.

⚕️ Therapeutic use and legislation In the Czech Republic:

• Since 2013, cannabis can be prescribed by specialized doctors. 
• Since 2020, 90% of the costs have been covered by insurance companies (up to 30 g/month). 
• From 1. 4. 2025, it is planned to extend the possibility of prescribing to general practitioners.

Therapeutic indications:

• Pain (especially neuropathic, chronic) 
• Epilepsy (e.g. Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) 
• Anxiety and depressive disorders 
• Neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson, Alzheimer) 
• Tumor diseases - supportive therapy, improving quality of life

🧪 Chemistry and analysis: How we research cannabis

Cannabis contains more than 500 different chemical compounds. Key ones include:

• Cannabinoids
  Terpenes (e.g. β-myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene)
• Flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids.

Sophisticated analytical methods such as HPLC, GC-MS or TLC are used to identify, quantify and control the quality of cannabis preparations.

💡 Entourage effect: More than just THC and CBD

Cannabis is not just about the two main cannabinoids. The entourage effect refers to the synergy of cannabinoids, terpenes and other substances in the extract. For example, a combination of CBD and THC can increase the analgesic effect, while terpenes such as linalool or myrcene can add a sedative component.

Due to this effect, full-spectrum extracts are often more effective than isolated substances. Choosing the appropriate form therefore requires professional guidance, which is what a cannabis assistant provides.

🧑‍⚕️ The role of a cannabis assistant

A cannabis assistant helps patients:

• Choose the appropriate form of administration 
• Understand dosage and effects 
• Monitor interactions with common medications
• Provide information to a doctor or pharmacist

This support is also important due to possible interactions, e.g. CBD can slow the metabolism of warfarin, antidepressants or antiepileptic drugs.

📜 Historical roots and rediscovery of cannabis

Medicinal cannabis has a long tradition - mentions of its use date back to Egypt (1500 BC) and ancient China. In Europe, it appeared in the pharmacopoeia of the 19th century, for example in liquid extracts for menstrual pain. However, it was pushed out due to anti-drug conventions at the end of the 20th century. Now it is making a comeback - based on evidence and experience.

🧯 Abuse prevention and safety aspects 

Medicinal cannabis is not freely available - it is strictly regulated. Every step - from cultivation to extraction to dispensing - is subject to quality controls, GMP standards and medical supervision. The cannabis assistant is involved in preventing abuse and appropriately setting patient expectations, especially in cases of chronic diseases or psychological problems.

🧭 Conclusion

Cannabis assistance connects the world of natural medicine and modern pharmacology. Its success depends on trust, education and an ethical approach. In the hands of an informed patient and professional, cannabis can become a real helper – not a myth, but a tool of care.