Medical Marijuana: Is it Legitimate Medicine? - Men's Health Thursday by TeamDS/The Folks Behind DailyStrength: at DailyStrength Doctors and Advisors

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Medical Marijuana: Is it Legitimate Medicine? - Men's Health Thursday

Posted in Chronic Pain by TeamDS on Aug 05, 2010

Marijuana is in the national news again as states continue to define new laws regarding it’s medical and recreational use. Nationally, marijuana is undergoing a gradual decriminalization--it’s now available for medical use in 14 states. But is marijuana a legitimate and necessary medical treatment?

There have been dozens of scientific studies that have attempted to determine if medical marijuana is an effective treatment for conditions ranging from bipolar disorder to anorexia nervosa, with mixed results. For example, in recent years there have been studies that appear to show marijuana as widely effective in reducing pain. One study, reported in the medical journal Neurology, found that HIV patients that smoked marijuana had a greater reduction in pain intensity than those that were given placebos. In another double-blind study reported in the Journal of Pain, medical marijuana was found effective in reducing pain from nerve injuries.

However, opposing researchers claim that such studies are flawed or limited by the size of the patient groups and the short duration of the studies. Many point to the the negative health effects of marijuana. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes “an association between chronic marijuana use and increased rates of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and schizophrenia.” The institute goes on to relate the high level of carcinogenic hydrocarbons that marijuana smokers take into their lungs, and that marijuana smokers are faced with many of the same respiratory problems as tobacco smokers.

Those that support medical marijuana say that the benefits outweigh the side effects, and suggest that patients take marijuana orally in capsules or cooked in food instead of smoking it to avoid any effects on the lungs. Many proponents focus on studies that promote the use of marijuana to reduce the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, and allow patients to reduce their dependence on other anti-nausea medications. Again though, there is an argument by the American Medical Association that although THC, the main active ingredient in Marijuana, does reduce nausea and vomiting, the effects aren’t strong enough to merit using marijuana when there are other available drug options. Complicating the issue is that marijuana has hundreds of different interacting elements, not just THC.

Although there are still strong opinions on both sides of the issue, a 2009 Rasmussen poll found that a slim majority of Americans now consider alcohol to be more dangerous than marijuana. The future of medical marijuana remains uncertain, but it appears that it is slowly gaining wider acceptance. Although any changes to laws concerning addictive drugs need careful consideration, patients should have legal access to any drug that is determined to be the most effective treatment for serious conditions such as chronic pain and intense nausea. Do you think medical marijuana should be allowed?

Nausea Acupressure Tip: If you’re experiencing nausea, try pressing 2 fingers into the inside of your forearm, about 2 inches above the crease for your wrist.

Related Links:
51% Rate Alcohol More Dangerous Than Marijuana
Should marijuana be a medical option?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_cannabis
Alternative Medicines for Nausea and Vomiting

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TAGS: Thursday Men's Health

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I agree that the smoking pot is not so good for you...but I smoke cigarettes too...

As far as medicinal use, I have been a "chronic" user for YEARS and I know that when I don't have it and can't get it, my pain from my birth defects, is too much to handle after a while and THAT is when I get depressed. Also, when I am not smoking it, my body stiffens up and the ONLY 2 times in my life my back has GONE OUT is when I was off the weed for months.

But just like any other drug or med, if it becomes addicting, or causes other "side effects" then you need to take a look at it.

Also, Alcohol has been PROVEN to cause more health issues, spark violence and causes horrible DUI's. As far as the last two, pot doesn't do that?

By Maat2008 Aug 10, 2010

The lung effects of smoking marijuana are easily resolved by using a little electric machine called a vaporizor. When fresh bud is inserted and the active THC inhaled, it is in vapor form and smokeless. Of course there are also medical marijuana oils, tinctures, and food products. People with chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, etc. should not have to take chemical pills full of horrendous side-effects because natural, effective herbal alternatives are "against the law."

As for recreational use, I have never known of persons smoking pot and then getting angry and beating anyone up. Many people do drink alcohol and progress to fighting with strangers, friends, and spouses.

By Deelyn Aug 06, 2010

I live with Chronic Pain all day every day (see my journal entry, Living With Chronic Pain). I have used marijuana in the past, and found that is the ONLY effective drug that calms my body enough to ease the pain I live in. I firmly believe that marijuans is far less a public risk than alcohol, and would vote for its legalization in a heartbeat. The only reason I discontinued the use of the drug is that it is illegal. I wasn't a "stoner" or a "pothead." I used the drug because it was the only legitimate source of relief for me. But because it is illegal, I am suffering more than I feel I should be. I feel that it should be legalized, if only for medical purposes.

By writerpeggy Aug 06, 2010

Legalize herb to all those already using it for what ails them and has been a benefit for quality of life. There's your study group. Afraid of carcinogens in the lungs, simply supply everyone with a medical device such as the Volcano vaporizer. Yes I said medical device, because this is how it is listed by the German manufacturer. Any further arguments are mere bureaucratic and business oriented machinations. The intelligent thing would be to decriminalize herb and put common sense back in the driver's seat for the betterment of all societies. Give the conservative paranoid the placebo. We know what works on our crippled bodies and they do not.

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By jimmychoo789 Aug 06, 2010

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