Medical marijuana is a hot topic today in the United States. Many people are convinced of its helpfulness in treating severe chronic pain. Although it may seem like using marijuana as a medicine is new, it’s use as a medicine goes back at least 5,000 years. You can learn the history of marijuana here: The History of Marijuana
Today, medical marijuana is legal in 39 states in America. Seven states allow the use of CBD oil only for medical purposes. CBD oil is made from the hemp plant and contains less than 0.3% THC. THC is the chemical that causes the high feeling in marijuana. Check Where Is Marijuana Legal? Cannabis Legality by State (February 2023 for specific information on your state.
Most doctors know very little about using marijuana as a medical treatment. Because marijuana has been illegal, there are few studies on its use to treat medical conditions. So this is definitely an area where you have to educate yourself before adding marijuana to your pain control tool kit.
Medical Marijuana and Pain
According to the AARP article, What Medical Marijuana Works For,
“In gold-standard randomized clinical trials of people who had agonizing health concerns — peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain from diabetes), spinal cord injury, HIV or complex regional pain syndrome, cancer, chemotherapy, muscle and joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis — cannabis reduced pain by 40 percent, according to the 2017 NASEM report.”
Sari Harrar, AARP
I haven’t been able to verify the “40%” statistic in this quote. No verifying sources were given in this AARP article. However, according to a news release prepared by the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM),
“The committee found evidence to support that patients who were treated with cannabis or cannabinoids were more likely to experience a significant reduction in pain symptoms. For adults with multiple sclerosis-related muscle spasms, there was substantial evidence that short-term use of certain “oral cannabinoids”–man-made, cannabinoid-based medications that are orally ingested–improved their symptoms. In adults with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, there was conclusive evidence that certain oral cannabinoids were effective in preventing and treating those ailments.”
NASEM, January 12, 2017
Perhaps the 40% pain reduction number came from one of the studies included in the NASEM 2017 report, but I cannot find it.
Conditions That Might Benefit From Medical Marijuana
According to the Mayo Clinic’s article Medical Marijuana, “Depending on the state (you live in), you may qualify for treatment with medical marijuana if you meet certain requirements and have a qualifying condition, such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s disease
- Epilepsy and seizures
- Glaucoma
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms
- Severe and chronic pain
- Severe nausea or vomiting caused by cancer treatment”
Drug Interactions & Marijuana
While it appears that medical marijuana or cannabis is known to be useful for chronic pain control and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), we have been led to believe that using marijuana for pain control is free of any side effects. This isn’t true. Just like any other supplement or drug we have to be careful to check it out before adding it to our list of medications/supplements. For example, it does interact with many medications. Medicines that interact with cannabis cover the range of allergy meds, sleeping pills, medications used for mental health problems, blood thinners, and heart medication plus. Check out this article to see if marijuana interacts with your medication.
List Of Drugs That Interact With Marijuana (Cannabis)
Side Effects of Using Marijuana
According to Cannabis (Marijuana) Drug Facts, the following side effects have occurred:
- Breathing problems from smoking or vaping
- Rapid heart rate which can increase the risk of a heart attack
- Problems with babies whose mothers used marijuana: marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to lower birth weight10 and increased risk of both brain and behavioral problems in babies.
- Intense episodes of nausea and vomiting (Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome)
- Mental Health symptoms: temporary hallucinations or paranoia, worsening of anxiety or depression, increased thoughts of suicide, and/or worsening mental health condition symptoms.
- Over consumption of high THC edibles can cause “extreme psychotic reactions” requiring ER assistance.
- Between 9 and 30 percent of those who use marijuana may develop some degree of marijuana use disorder.25
- Marijuana use impairs one’s ability to drive or operate heavy equipment safely.
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome
People who use cannabis or marijuana once a week or more often may develop a condition that causes reoccurring episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that can lead to dehydration. “Hyperemesis means severe vomiting.” This condition is the cause of about 6% of emergency room visits for severe nausea and vomiting according to the Cleveland Clinic article Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
My family member was experiencing episodes of severe nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain in the months before his hospitalization. In fact, he was seeing a gastroenterologist and having extensive testing done to figure out why he was having these symptoms. His GI doctor never asked him about marijuana use.
Some doctors think that marijuana slows down how fast your stomach processes food, and when food hangs around too long in the stomach vomiting occurs. Is Your Marijuana Use Causing Your Vomiting Problems?
If you or someone you know uses medical marijuana and is having these symptoms, the marijuana may be the cause. This can be hard to figure out if the person started using cannabis to help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The only cure for this condition is to quit using marijuana.
Marijuana Withdrawal
Be aware if you decide to stop using medical marijuana, or are hospitalized and cannot use it, there is the possibility that you will suffer withdrawal symptoms.
“Marijuana dependence and withdrawal have been a topic of controversy for years. However, research studies, strongly suggest the presence of withdrawal symptoms in chronic and heavy marijuana users.”5, 8
Cassandra Keuma, American Addiction Centers
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- Insomnia or sleep disturbance
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Change in appetite
- Irritability
- Cravings for marijuana
- Restlessness
- Anxiety
- Elevated heart rate
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
There are no current treatments for marijuana withdrawal other than supportive care.
Factors that affect marijuana withdrawal symptoms
“Each person will react to marijuana withdrawal differently. One person may experience severe withdrawal symptoms for weeks, while another may not have any symptoms at all. Factors that may affect marijuana withdrawal timeline include:8
- How long a person has used marijuana.
- How much marijuana do they use?
- How often do they use marijuana?
- Polysubstance use.
- Co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety.
- Physical health.
- Pre-existing medical complications.”
In case you think that it’s not possible to get addicted to marijuana, a close relative of mine was using high THC medical marijuana multiple times a day for fibromyalgia and back spasm pain. He was admitted to the hospital recently because he was suicidal. He experienced very high heart rate and blood pressure, lightheadedness, severe nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, and intense panic attacks. One month after stopping marijuana he still has episodes of nausea, and sweating. Consider yourself warned that withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Wrap-Up of Medical Marijuana
Finally, if you want to try medical marijuana, do your research first. Determine if it’s legal in your state and the process to be able to purchase it. Carefully consider the information in this post and consult with your doctor or pain clinic. I hope this info will help you weigh the benefits and risks to make a wise decision.
If you like to read medical literature, click on the following article: Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana: Review of the Literature and Recommendations for the Plastic Surgeon
If you’re a subscriber, I have an article about using CBD products safely in the Subscriber’s Only Library. Enter your email below to get access to the library.
Subscribe below for the bimonthly newsletter plus access to subscriber-only freebies. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I’d be thrilled if you stuck around.
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©2023upbeatliving.net
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Medical Marijuana: What You Need To Know
Medical marijuana is a hot topic today in the United States. Many people are convinced of its helpfulness in treating severe chronic pain. Although it may seem like using marijuana as a medicine is new, it’s use as a medicine goes back at least 5,000 years. You can learn the history of marijuana here: The History of Marijuana
Today, medical marijuana is legal in 39 states in America. Seven states allow the use of CBD oil only for medical purposes. CBD oil is made from the hemp plant and contains less than 0.3% THC. THC is the chemical that causes the high feeling in marijuana. Check Where Is Marijuana Legal? Cannabis Legality by State (February 2023 for specific information on your state.
Most doctors know very little about using marijuana as a medical treatment. Because marijuana has been illegal, there are few studies on its use to treat medical conditions. So this is definitely an area where you have to educate yourself before adding marijuana to your pain control tool kit.
Medical Marijuana and Pain
I haven’t been able to verify the “40%” statistic in this quote. No verifying sources were given in this AARP article. However, according to a news release prepared by the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM),
Perhaps the 40% pain reduction number came from one of the studies included in the NASEM 2017 report, but I cannot find it.
Conditions That Might Benefit From Medical Marijuana
According to the Mayo Clinic’s article Medical Marijuana, “Depending on the state (you live in), you may qualify for treatment with medical marijuana if you meet certain requirements and have a qualifying condition, such as:
Drug Interactions & Marijuana
While it appears that medical marijuana or cannabis is known to be useful for chronic pain control and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), we have been led to believe that using marijuana for pain control is free of any side effects. This isn’t true. Just like any other supplement or drug we have to be careful to check it out before adding it to our list of medications/supplements. For example, it does interact with many medications. Medicines that interact with cannabis cover the range of allergy meds, sleeping pills, medications used for mental health problems, blood thinners, and heart medication plus. Check out this article to see if marijuana interacts with your medication.
List Of Drugs That Interact With Marijuana (Cannabis)
Side Effects of Using Marijuana
According to Cannabis (Marijuana) Drug Facts, the following side effects have occurred:
Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome
People who use cannabis or marijuana once a week or more often may develop a condition that causes reoccurring episodes of nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain that can lead to dehydration. “Hyperemesis means severe vomiting.” This condition is the cause of about 6% of emergency room visits for severe nausea and vomiting according to the Cleveland Clinic article Cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.
My family member was experiencing episodes of severe nausea/vomiting and abdominal pain in the months before his hospitalization. In fact, he was seeing a gastroenterologist and having extensive testing done to figure out why he was having these symptoms. His GI doctor never asked him about marijuana use.
Some doctors think that marijuana slows down how fast your stomach processes food, and when food hangs around too long in the stomach vomiting occurs. Is Your Marijuana Use Causing Your Vomiting Problems?
If you or someone you know uses medical marijuana and is having these symptoms, the marijuana may be the cause. This can be hard to figure out if the person started using cannabis to help with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The only cure for this condition is to quit using marijuana.
Marijuana Withdrawal
Be aware if you decide to stop using medical marijuana, or are hospitalized and cannot use it, there is the possibility that you will suffer withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
There are no current treatments for marijuana withdrawal other than supportive care.
Factors that affect marijuana withdrawal symptoms
“Each person will react to marijuana withdrawal differently. One person may experience severe withdrawal symptoms for weeks, while another may not have any symptoms at all. Factors that may affect marijuana withdrawal timeline include:8
In case you think that it’s not possible to get addicted to marijuana, a close relative of mine was using high THC medical marijuana multiple times a day for fibromyalgia and back spasm pain. He was admitted to the hospital recently because he was suicidal. He experienced very high heart rate and blood pressure, lightheadedness, severe nausea and vomiting, profuse sweating, and intense panic attacks. One month after stopping marijuana he still has episodes of nausea, and sweating. Consider yourself warned that withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Wrap-Up of Medical Marijuana
Finally, if you want to try medical marijuana, do your research first. Determine if it’s legal in your state and the process to be able to purchase it. Carefully consider the information in this post and consult with your doctor or pain clinic. I hope this info will help you weigh the benefits and risks to make a wise decision.
If you like to read medical literature, click on the following article: Medicinal and Recreational Marijuana: Review of the Literature and Recommendations for the Plastic Surgeon
If you’re a subscriber, I have an article about using CBD products safely in the Subscriber’s Only Library. Enter your email below to get access to the library.
Subscribe below for the bimonthly newsletter plus access to subscriber-only freebies. You may unsubscribe at any time, but I’d be thrilled if you stuck around.
You may read my Privacy Policy here.
©2023upbeatliving.net