Medical Cannabis for Psoriasis in Canada

Living with psoriasis can be physically and emotionally challenging, affecting everything from your comfort to your confidence and overall quality of life. Psoriasis affects an estimated 1-3% of people in Canada, causing persistent symptoms that can be difficult to manage with conventional treatments alone.

This chronic autoimmune condition triggers rapid skin cell growth, leading to uncomfortable scaly patches, inflammation, and often significant discomfort. Beyond the visible symptoms, psoriasis can also impact mental health, with stress and anxiety both triggering flare-ups and resulting from the condition itself, creating a challenging cycle for many patients.

While traditional treatments provide relief for some, many Canadians with psoriasis continue to search for effective options to manage their symptoms. Medical cannabis, alongside the help of a healthcare professional, may offer relief from symptoms including pain, itchiness, inflammation, and anxiety, providing a complementary or alternative approach to conventional psoriasis management.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic condition that causes cells to develop rapidly on the skin. Typically, new skin cells grow monthly, but with psoriasis, new cells grow every 2 to 4 days. This overgrowth can lead to thick scaly plaques that may itch and cause discomfort. Environmental triggers can also cause the emergence of symptoms.

Types of Psoriasis

There are different forms of psoriasis, each with distinct characteristics:

Plaque Psoriasis

• The most common form
• Characterized by raised, red patches covered with a silvery white buildup of dead skin cells
• Commonly appears on elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back

Inverse Psoriasis

• Appears as smooth, red, inflamed lesions
• Occurs in skin folds (armpits, groin, under breasts)
• Often worsened by friction and sweating

Erythrodermic Psoriasis

• Rare and severe form
• Causes widespread redness and exfoliation of the skin
• Can cause severe itching, pain, and swelling
• May require emergency treatment

Guttate Psoriasis

• Characterized by small, dot-like lesions
• Often triggered by streptococcal throat infection
• More common in children and young adults

Pustular Psoriasis

• Forms white pustules surrounded by red skin
• Can be localized or generalized
• May cause fever, chills, and severe itching

Psoriatic Arthritis

• Combines skin symptoms with joint inflammation
• Can cause permanent joint damage if untreated
• Affects approximately 30% of people with psoriasis

Common Symptoms

Psoriasis can manifest with various symptoms, including:

• Itchy, raised patches of skin
• Loose, flaky scales on top of the dry patches
• Skin pain and burning sensation
• Edema (swelling)
• Inflammation
• Joint pain (especially with psoriatic arthritis)
• Fluid retention
• In severe cases, complications like pneumonia

Flare Triggers

Several factors can trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms:

• Stress and anxiety
• Skin injuries (cuts, scrapes, sunburn)
• Infections (especially streptococcal)
• Hormonal changes
• Certain medications (Lithium, Antimalarials, Quinidine, and Indomethacin)
• Cold, dry weather
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Certain foods (varies by individual)

Understanding your specific triggers can be crucial in managing psoriasis effectively and developing a comprehensive treatment approach.

Through both research and anecdotal results from patients, medical cannabis has shown to be an effective treatment option for many, both as a primary and secondary option. Recent research has shown that CBD and other cannabinoids applied topically may improve the symptoms of psoriasis. Oral and ingestible treatment options such as oils and softgels can help for a longer period of time, managing some of the triggers of psoriasis.

The effectiveness of cannabis for psoriasis may be linked to several mechanisms:

Reducing Inflammation

A symptom of both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. An early 2009 study found that some cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can help regulate the immune system and reduce on-site inflammation. Another research study from 2016 suggested that some cannabinoids might benefit people with psoriasis by affecting the interaction between the immune and nervous systems. The use of medical cannabis to regulate inflammation has become more common as ongoing research studies utilize CBD as an effective anti-inflammatory.

Slowing Cell Growth

For those with psoriasis, the skin cells reproduce too quickly. In 2017, a study found that cannabinoids may slow the growth of skin cells and reduce their accumulation on the skin’s surface. While much more research needs to be done on the topic, cannabis has shown in preliminary studies to be effective at slowing the growth of tumours whose cells replicate rapidly.

Controlling Pain

Cannabis, especially THC, can help reduce pain signalling and provide pain relief in some patients. A 2015 article in JAMA noted there is significant scientific evidence to indicate cannabinoids can help with pain. Apollo’s own published research study of over 700 chronic pain patients found both a large reduction in perceived pain and a reduction in the need for opioid use to manage said pain. For psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients, cannabis may help them manage their pain and discomfort.

Reducing Itching

A 2017 review noted that cream containing palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), which has an incidence on cannabinoid type-1 receptors, appeared to reduce itching. More research is needed here, but positive results may be tied to the reduction in inflammation and cell growth.

Improving Mental Health

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic conditions that for now, have no known cure. With that said, it can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health. As we know, stress can be a trigger for psoriasis flare-ups as well as depression and inflammation. Medical cannabis has been shown to assist with anxiety, stress, and sleep issues in patients, and provides a great alternative to pharmaceutical options that are often more harmful to the body and include more unwanted side effects.

For Canadians struggling with psoriasis, medical cannabis may offer several potential benefits:

Primary Symptom Management

Many patients report improvements in core psoriasis symptoms, including:

• Reduced skin inflammation and redness
• Decreased itching and discomfort
• Less pain from plaques and lesions
• Improved sleep quality
• Lower stress and anxiety levels that might trigger flares
• Better management of psoriatic arthritis pain

Complementary Therapy

Others find cannabis helpful as a complementary treatment to address the limitations or side effects of conventional psoriasis treatments:

• Alternative for those who cannot tolerate topical steroids
• Option when other treatments have provided inadequate relief
• Management of side effects from systemic psoriasis medications
• Support during flare-ups alongside primary treatments

Medical cannabis comes in various forms, each with different onset times, durations, and potential benefits for psoriasis management. Finding the right option depends on your specific symptoms and needs.

Topical Cannabis Products

• Applied directly to affected skin areas
• Localized relief without systemic effects
• May help reduce inflammation, scaling, and itching
• Often CBD-dominant formulations
• Can be used alongside other topical treatments

Oils and Tinctures

• Taken sublingually or orally
• Longer-lasting effects (4-8 hours)
• Good for systemic symptoms like pain and inflammation
• May help address stress and anxiety that trigger flares
• Precise dosing capabilities

Capsules

• Pre-measured doses for consistency
• Extended-release options available
• Similar to taking traditional medication
• Convenient for people with established routines

Vaporized Cannabis

• Rapid onset of effects (within minutes)
• Shorter duration (2-4 hours)
• Useful for acute flare-ups or sudden symptoms
• May help with stress reduction and sleep issues

Many psoriasis patients find that a combination approach works best—perhaps using a topical cannabis preparation directly on affected areas alongside an oil or capsule for systemic effects and stress management.

Your healthcare provider can help determine which forms might work best based on your specific psoriasis type, symptom patterns, and previous experience with cannabis.

If you’re considering medical cannabis for psoriasis in Canada, here’s how to begin the process:

1. Consider if medical cannabis may be right for you

To determine if medical cannabis may be appropriate for your situation:

•  You have been diagnosed with psoriasis
•  You may have tried conventional treatments with inadequate results or experienced significant side effects
•  You must reside in Canada
•  Provincial age requirements typically align with the legal cannabis purchase age (19 in most provinces, 18 in some)

2. Book an online consultation

Our streamlined process makes it easy:

•  Schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider
•  Complete a brief triage questionnaire after booking
•  Discuss your psoriasis symptoms, treatment history, and goals

3. Receive your online prescription

If approved, you’ll receive:

•  A personalized treatment plan
•  A legal medical cannabis prescription
•  Guidance on product selection and dosing
•  Registration assistance with licensed producers

4. Ongoing support

Our care doesn’t end with your prescription:

•  Follow-up consultations to monitor progress
•  7 day a week support by phone and email
•  Dosage adjustments as needed
•  Access to healthcare professionals for questions
•  Educational resources about cannabis and psoriasis

Starting medical cannabis treatment for psoriasis is a significant decision. Our team of healthcare professionals specializes in cannabis medicine and can help you navigate this process safely and effectively through online prescription services across Canada.

An important consideration for anyone with psoriasis is how medical cannabis might interact with other psoriasis medications or treatments you may be using.

These interactions could affect how your medications work or potentially cause unwanted effects.

For your safety, always:

• Disclose all medications to your healthcare provider during your consultation
• Start with low doses of cannabis when using with other medications
• Monitor for any unusual effects and report them promptly
• Never adjust psoriasis medications without medical supervision
• Be particularly cautious with systemic immunosuppressants

A comprehensive consultation with a healthcare provider at Apollo Cannabis is essential to ensure your treatment plan considers all aspects of your health, providing the best opportunity for successful symptom management with your online prescription.

Finding the right cannabis dosage for psoriasis management is a personalized process requiring individualized guidance. While we recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, here are some general principles:

Starting Your Cannabis Treatment:

• Begin with minimal doses
• For topical applications, start with small amounts on a test area
• For systemic use, start with 2.5mg THC or less (if using THC)
• Consider starting with 5-20mg CBD, which has anti-inflammatory properties
• Observe effects for at least 2-3 days before adjusting

Gradual adjustments:

• Increase by small increments
• Allow time between adjustments to assess the effects
• Focus on finding the minimal effective dose
• Consider different CBD:THC ratios to find what works best for your symptoms

Tracking response:

• Document dosage, timing, and effects
• Note improvements in specific psoriasis symptoms
• Take photos of affected areas to track visual changes
• Record any unwanted effects

These general guidelines are based on standards from The College of Family Physicians of Canada but must be tailored to your specific needs by a healthcare provider during your online consultation.

Remember that cannabis affects everyone differently, and finding your optimal dosage may take time and patience. Working with a healthcare provider experienced in cannabis for dermatological conditions can significantly improve your results when getting an online prescription in Canada.