Dosing and Usage
Common Uses
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Everyday Health
A daily cannabis supplement will help to bring your body into homeostasis to optimize your body’s functions. The health of your body’s systems, including the nervous, immune, digestive and muscular systems will benefit.
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Sleep Aid
Cannabis helps to balance your circadian rhythm and decrease pain, anxiety, and stress resulting in higher quality sleep.
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Mental Health
Cannabis, especially CBD, is a great tool for improving and maintaining mental health. It is a successful treatment for a multitude of mental health conditions.
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Neurological Disorders
Cannabis can prevent and treat neurological disorders. This includes conditions such as dementia, brain trauma, Parkinson’s and stroke. The neuroprotectant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are some of the main ways cannabis is able to treat these conditions so effectively.
Autoimmune Diseases
Cannabis treats both the causes and symptoms of diseases such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Studies published in the academic text Immunobiology show that cannabis treats these conditions through suppressing the harmful overreaction of the immune system, and decreasing inflammation.
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Cannabinoid-induced apoptosis in immune cells as a pathway to immunosuppression
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Cannabinoids for Scleroderma​​​
Diabetes
The endocannabinoid system plays a role in regulating and balancing the pancreas and its operations. Cannabis is also able to treat the complications and symptoms of diabetes. CB2 activation can have a positive effect on diabetic complications, like nephropathy, retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and neuropathy.
Skin Health
When the skin is unregulated this can cause a plethora of different conditions/diseases. Fortunately, through modulating the Endocannabinoid system with cannabis, we are able to bring the skin back into balance and treat these conditions, leaving you with one less thing to worry about.
Covid-19
Cannabis not only treats severe symptoms of COVID-19, but can actually prevent infection from the start.
Administration Instructions
Sublingual Usage
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Shake the bottle thoroughly.
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Fill the dropper with your dose. Island’s recommended starting dose for CBD is 8mg (0.5ml) 2 times per day.
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Squirt the liquid under your tongue, swish and keep in your mouth for at least 1 minute. You can mix tinctures with a clear liquid drink like tea or coffee to reduce the alcohol “burn” of tinctures.
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Swish and swallow.
Oral Usage
Take oral products after eating for optimal absorption.
Topical Usage
Island’s Skin Balm is for topical use. Rub the product on any points of soreness or inflammation. Our balm is also great to use as a face moisturizer. It can decrease irritation, redness and inflammation while hydrating and protecting the skin. When used as a healing salve it can decrease pain, inflammation, protect from harmful bacteria, and prevent scarring. Topical products will not pass the blood-brain barrier, so you will not feel any psychoactive effects.
Suppository Usage
Island capsules can be used as as suppositories. Placing the capsules in your refrigerator will firm them up, making insertion easier. Always use clean hands. For rectal usage insert a capsule 1 inch into your rectum. Using a water based lubricate may help insertion. For vaginal usage insert a capsule as far as it will comfortably go, generally 2-3 inches. (There may be slight leakage with vaginal suppositories.)
Modes of Administration
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There are many types of cannabis products that vary in concentration and mode of administration. An individual’s condition(s) and the goals they are trying to reach determine which cannabis product suits them best.
Depending on the mode of administration, your body metabolizes cannabis differently. The onset, peak, duration and absorption vary across the different methods. This information is a guide - every person is different and their experience will vary based on body chemistry.
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1Topical - The effects and absorbency of topicals vary depending on the individual, their condition, and the product. Island’s Skin Balms are specially formulated for long lasting effects. We have created the perfect blend of ingredients to moisturize, protect, and restore health to your skin.
2Suppository - The effects and absorbency of suppositories is highly variable. Some individuals may experience systemic effects, including achieving a ‘high’ from THC products, while others experience more localized effects. There are many different factors that determine the effects of suppositories such as rectal vs vaginal use, the individual’s integrity of mucosal lining, presence of inflammation, and integrity of local blood flow.
Cancer Dosing​
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Proper cannabis dosing can relieve cancer symptoms and works as an adjunctive therapy to conventional treatments by increasing their benefits and lessening side effects. Preliminary research shows it may even have cancer-fighting properties.
When determining your dosing plan it is important that we understand your goal. There are two different routes we can take. The symptom relief route will prioritize your comfort and day-to-day quality of life. The cancer treatment route will prioritize fighting cancer.
We highly encourage patients to schedule a consultation with an Island cannabis expert to discuss their individual experiences in depth. There are many different factors that determine an individual's dosing plan including symptoms, goals, and finances. No matter your position, it’s our mission to help you find a dosing plan that works for you.
Additionally, there may be interactions between cannabis and some conventional cancer treatments including chemotherapy medications. Depending on your medication(s) there are different protocols. Let us know your treatment plan so we can best guide you. Please discuss your cannabis dosing with your doctor.
Symptom relief route
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With a symptom relief treatment plan, it is our goal to help you find what level of cannabis dosing helps you feel best in your day-to-day life. Whether you are dealing with nausea, pain, or skin issues, cannabis is a great option to help lessen these symptoms.
A combination of CBD products and THC products is typically the most effective in relieving cancer symptoms and side effects of conventional treatments. However, product choice and dosing levels vary greatly depending on an individual's specific symptoms and tolerance to cannabis. Schedule a consultation with us so we can discuss your options.
Cancer treatment route
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With a cancer treatment plan, the goal is to fight the cancer. Our recommended dosing for cancer treatment is 64mg of CBD and 64mg of THC per day - divided into multiple doses. Our Dosing Protocol chart is below.
THC has psychoactive effects, and some individuals with a low tolerance may find the optimal dosing of THC to be uncomfortable. THC in high enough doses can cause short-term side effects that include drowsiness, anxiety, and increased heart rate. These side effects only last through the duration of the “high” and are temporary. We encourage patients to push through these short-term side effects in order to achieve optimal dosing. As your body learns to tolerate THC, these side effects will likely decrease significantly.
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If a patient has not reached the recommended dosing throughout the day, they can “catch up” on their dosing before sleeping. For example, if they have consumed 32mg of CBD and 32mg of THC throughout the day, they can take the remaining 32mg of CBD and 32mg of THC before sleeping to maintain the recommended daily dose.
We recommend this schedule be continued for 90 days, or until medical tests indicate the patient is in remission. After reaching remission, we suggest taking a daily maintenance dose of 16mg per day of both THC and CBD.
Product choice
We have many different product options to choose from for both CBD and THC. You can view our full product menu here.
Island Tinctures and Elixirs are the most commonly used products due to their ease of use and precise dosing. Administration information and instructions can be found above. Our Elixirs and Tinctures contain 480mg of CBD or THC per 30 ml bottle. Our cancer dosing protocol uses 448mg of CBD and 448mg of THC per week (7 days). Therefore, optimal dosing requires slightly less than one bottle of both CBD and THC per week. A 90-day regimen will require 12 bottles of CBD and 12 bottles of THC (4 bottles of each product per month).
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If you have any questions, please let us know. We are here to help!
Research
Harvard University, among many other institutions, has conducted studies showing that CBD and THC treat cancer by preventing the growth and migration of tumor cells, limiting the blood vessels that feed the cancer, and causing cell death in cancer cells. Cannabis can also potentiate some chemotherapy drugs, making them more effective.
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Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids
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​This information is for educational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. This information does not take the place of medical advice or treatment from a physician. Readers should consult their doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. You assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
CBD for Pets​
CBD Dosing for Dogs
​Small dogs (2-15 lbs)- Start with 1-2mg two times daily. Some small dogs may need up to 4 doses per day due to faster metabolisms. Do not exceed 15mg per day.
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Medium dogs (15-30 lbs)- Start with 2mg. Increase by 2mg as needed. 1-2 doses per day. Do not exceed 20mg per day.
Large dogs (30-60 lbs)- Start with 4mg. Increase by 2mg as needed. 1-2 doses per day. Do not exceed 30mg per day.
XL dogs (60-125 lbs)- Same recommendations as large dogs. Increase by 3-4 mg as needed.
0.25 mg x 1lb of body mass = Standard Dose
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CBD Dosing for Cats
Starting Dose: 2mg per 10lbs. Increase by 1mg as needed. 1-2 doses/day.
Cats have fewer endocannabinoid receptors, so they may need a higher dose per pound than dogs.
General Information
Conditions that may require slightly higher doses:
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​Seizures
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Cancer
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Severe pain
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Symptoms that may occur in too high of doses:
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Low blood pressure
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Drowsiness
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Dry mouth
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Diarrhea
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Nausea
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If your pet experiences negative side effects, the best thing to do is let them rest and provide plenty of water. If your pet becomes unresponsive, call your veterinarian for further instructions.
You should consult with your vet before giving your pet CBD, especially if your pet is taking other medications.