Marijuana used to be stigmatized as an evil substance used by criminals and junkies. Today, however, it’s recognized as a useful treatment for numerous mental, physical and emotional issues. Many people are turning to it as an alternative to prescription drugs. They believe it’s less expensive, more effective and has fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals. It may also benefit people who have limited access to medical care.
Here are several conditions that have positively responded to marijuana, without the side effects.
- Anxiety
Prescription anti-anxiety medications (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) can provide quick relief from intense anxiety or panic attacks. However, they are extremely addictive, even at therapeutic doses. They can also induce risky behavior, decreased blood pressure and shallow breathing.
One of marijuana’s main uses is relieving anxiety. Marijuana can reduce anxiety because it stimulates a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) which regulates mood. However, if you’re using marijuana to treat anxiety, make sure to take small doses. Larger doses can actually aggravate the condition.
- Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that attacks your nerves, spinal cord and brain. Marijuana eases the muscle spasms and stiffness associated with the disease. It can also improve sleep quality for people who suffer from MS.
People with multiple sclerosis may not want to take prescription drugs because of:
- Side effects
Side effects from these medications can include flu-like symptoms, chest pain, allergic reactions and liver damage.
- Cost
Some MS drugs can cost up to $70,000 a year. Even with insurance, prescription prices could be steep.
- They don’t like shots.
- Insomnia
Insomnia is a widespread problem, and numerous people have shunned prescription sleep aids and turned to marijuana for relief. Medications can have hazardous side effects: They’re habit-forming, may cause withdrawal symptoms and cause daytime grogginess.
Marijuana is an effective alternative. It helps people fall asleep and stay in deep sleep longer. It may also decrease nightmares for people who have post traumatic stress disorder and help restore sleep for people with chronic pain and restless leg syndrome.
- Gastrointestinal problems
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and irritable bowl syndrome are all inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). People with IBD experience bloating, diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal pain. Marijuana can relieve these symptoms. It could aid weight gain, reduce flare-ups and diminish pain.
Corticosteroids are medications that are prescribed for IBD flare-ups. They are taken via pill, IV or suppositories. Like any steroid, though, they come with some serious risks. They could cause:
- Bone loss
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Osteoporosis
People who want to avoid the harsh side effects of corticosteroids can turn to marijuana for relief of their IBD symptoms.
- Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which overactive nerve cells send the wrong signals and cause seizures. Seizures are sudden bursts of electrical activity that cause involuntary movements.
Marijuana effectively treats epileptic seizures that are resistant to other medications. It can also reduce symptoms and frequency of seizures. Although prescription seizure medications (anticonvulsants) reduce agitation of the brain’s nerve cells, they can impair thinking, memory, concentration, vision and libido.
- Chronic Pain
Marijuana is helpful for chronic pain management. It contains chemicals called cannabinoids, which turn off nerve signals that produce pain.
Marijuana can bring relief for pain related to:
- Arthritis
- Migraines
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
Many people prefer marijuana to traditional pharmaceutical pain medications, because these treatments have many dangerous side effects:
- Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States. The drug (Tylenol, Tempra, Feverall) may cause damage that requires a liver transplant or even leads to death.
- Opioids
These powerful drugs (oxycodone, vicodin, morphine) can cause nausea, vomiting, slowed breathing and heightened sensitivity to pain. Extended opioid use can lead to addiction and even overdose.
- Spinal cord stimulators
Spinal cord stimulators are implanted devices designed to manage pain by sending small electrical currents to the spine. The drawback is that they can damage the spinal cord or cause infection.
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen can damage the kidneys, liver and heart.
- Nerve pain medications
Nerve pain (neuropathic pain) is pain that is caused by a nervous system dysfunction or disease. This type of pain isn’t typically resolved with conventional painkillers such as ibuprofen. Instead, it’s treated with medications including Lyrica, gabapentin and antidepressants. These medications can have considerable harmful effects including serious breathing problems, dizziness and blurred vision.
On the other hand, marijuana may reduce the progression of nerve damage, without the hazardous side effects of pharmaceuticals. Even at low doses, marijuana can significantly reduce nerve pain.
Used recreationally for many years, and spurned as a substance used by criminals, marijuana is now gaining respect as a treatment for numerous ailments. According to a study by Daniel Kruger and co-author Jessica Kruger of the U-M Institute for Social Research, 78 percent of participants reported using marijuana to treat a health or medical issue. They also determined that 44 percent of participants stopped taking a pharmaceutical drug and switched to marijuana.
If prescription medications haven’t helped your condition, or if you fear their side effects, you, too, may want to switch to marijuana.
