Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I wanted to start a thread that shares some of the basic information about medical marijuana, as well as provide a platform for people to ask questions. I aim to keep this discussion as scientific and apolitical as possible. I encourage everyone to ask any questions they may have!
Frequently asked questions:
~Who might benefit from medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana may be warranted in the treatment of a number of conditions. Research has shown that it can be effective in treating symptoms of neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's Disease (1)(2). Its efficacy has been demonstrated in treating some of the symptoms of cancer, as well as helping to relieve some side effects from cancer treatment (3). Evidence indicates that medical marijuana also has beneficial effects in the treatment of a wide variety of symptoms. It stimulates the appetite while reducing nausea and vomiting. It can be useful for pain and muscle spasms, and may help improve sleep (4).
~What are the effects (and side effects) of medical marijuana?
After consuming medical marijuana, a patient might experience tiredness, dizziness, and psychological changes. Physical side effects include dry mouth and bloodshot eyes (5). Rarely, adverse psychological reactions may occur in vulnerable individuals, such as schizophrenic psychosis. Such reactions are more common among adolescents and young adults (6).
~When and how should I use medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana can impact your level of cognitive function and alter your reaction times; for this reason, it's important not to consume medical marijuana if you're going to be driving or operating any machinery. Medical marijuana can be consumed by smoking, vaporization, or ingestion (7), as well as topically (8).
~Where is medical marijuana legal?
Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states: Alaska, Arizona, California Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC (9). Research indicates that states with medical marijuana have lower rates of suicide among young men (10), and lower rates of opioid overdose mortality (11).
~How does one become a medical marijuana patient?
If a patient and their doctor believe that medical marijuana may be a beneficial treatment option, together, they begin an application to gain licensure from the state. The application process for a medical marijuana license varies from state to state, but generally involves documenting the medical reasons why marijuana may be helpful in your case, as well as requiring the payment of a licensing fee. This fee is often lowered or waived if a patient is low-income (12).
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24778283
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24614667
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3730175
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23386598
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23008748
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2424288
(7) http://writeon.asu.edu/Publications/WOD%20print%20version%202013.pdf#page=110
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048583/
(9) http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
(10) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24432945
(11) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25154332
(12) http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881
Frequently asked questions:
~Who might benefit from medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana may be warranted in the treatment of a number of conditions. Research has shown that it can be effective in treating symptoms of neurological disorders like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's Disease (1)(2). Its efficacy has been demonstrated in treating some of the symptoms of cancer, as well as helping to relieve some side effects from cancer treatment (3). Evidence indicates that medical marijuana also has beneficial effects in the treatment of a wide variety of symptoms. It stimulates the appetite while reducing nausea and vomiting. It can be useful for pain and muscle spasms, and may help improve sleep (4).
~What are the effects (and side effects) of medical marijuana?
After consuming medical marijuana, a patient might experience tiredness, dizziness, and psychological changes. Physical side effects include dry mouth and bloodshot eyes (5). Rarely, adverse psychological reactions may occur in vulnerable individuals, such as schizophrenic psychosis. Such reactions are more common among adolescents and young adults (6).
~When and how should I use medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana can impact your level of cognitive function and alter your reaction times; for this reason, it's important not to consume medical marijuana if you're going to be driving or operating any machinery. Medical marijuana can be consumed by smoking, vaporization, or ingestion (7), as well as topically (8).
~Where is medical marijuana legal?
Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states: Alaska, Arizona, California Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC (9). Research indicates that states with medical marijuana have lower rates of suicide among young men (10), and lower rates of opioid overdose mortality (11).
~How does one become a medical marijuana patient?
If a patient and their doctor believe that medical marijuana may be a beneficial treatment option, together, they begin an application to gain licensure from the state. The application process for a medical marijuana license varies from state to state, but generally involves documenting the medical reasons why marijuana may be helpful in your case, as well as requiring the payment of a licensing fee. This fee is often lowered or waived if a patient is low-income (12).
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24778283
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24614667
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3730175
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23386598
(5) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23008748
(6) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2424288
(7) http://writeon.asu.edu/Publications/WOD%20print%20version%202013.pdf#page=110
(8) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3048583/
(9) http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/state-medical-marijuana-laws.aspx
(10) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24432945
(11) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25154332
(12) http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881
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Tomorrow is National Massachusetts Day!Have you ever lived in or visited Massachusetts? If so, tell us what's great about the Bay State!
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Have you ever read a book that made you want to travel somewhere? (And if so, did you ever actually travel there?)
Thank you for sharing this information. Unfortunately here in Oz it is illegal. Some people break the law so they can get it for their child who suffers etc. The use of medical marjuana is a very hot political and medical topic here.
It is still good to know the facts. though.
Hugs to you.