Medical Marijuana

[Fly Poster]

Hi all,

I have recently become interested in learning about medical uses for marijuana, they seem very far reaching. From stopping nausea, to treating mental illness (CBD's and CBN's within marijuana alledgedly can treat THC psychosis, if my memory serves me right) through to arthritis and MS.

I feel a bit skeptical that all of these claims are true, and so wanted to throw it out on JREF. Hopefully there are some people in the know on here, and i'll get pointed towards some further reading and studies.

Cheers.

 

[ThunderChunky]

You can start with this book published by the NAP. It can be viewed for free online. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=9586

There is a section on clinical trials.

 

[Skeptical Greg]

From the book:

..This man died of his cancer but, according to his wife, using marijuana —a drug he would never have tried otherwise—made his last months bearable.

I believe we can achieve similar results with medical cocaine and medical heroine ...

 

[MatildaGage]

The Institute of Medicine has a sensible, evidence-based position statement on the subject.

 

[jiggeryqua]

...medical heroine ...

Florence Nightingale?

 

[dtugg]

From the book:


I believe we can achieve similar results with medical cocaine and medical heroine ...

Cocaine, doubtful. Heroin certainly. I have no problem giving cancer patients heroin if they want it. They already are prescribed similar drugs like oxycodone and morphine. I think that heroin (diamorphine) is actually prescribed in the UK.

 

[Fly Poster]

Cocaine, doubtful. Heroin certainly. I have no problem giving cancer patients heroin if they want it. They already are prescribed similar drugs like oxycodone and morphine. I think that heroin (diamorphine) is actually prescribed in the UK.

You are right, but very few, in the city I live in there are three people proscribed diamorphine. I get the impression it's being tested.

 

[Halfcentaur]

Basically, cannabis is useful for inhibiting the vomit reflex and offering relief from nausea, it directly interacts with the regions of the brain that are responsible. As for pain relief and mental health, this is all circumstantial. Cannabis only alleviates physical pain through a process of distraction. It does not interact with pain receptors. As for assisting with anxiety and depression, this is also circumstantial as far as i know. Some claim it aggravates those problems.

The largest benefit of medical marijuana is it's appetite stimulation. This is something it is very effective at doing.

 

[Halfcentaur]

Cannabis is also convenient for being easily administered. Vaporizing and smoking is a great boon to people who are so nauseated they cannot even take a pill. This is largely why it is being advocated by medical professionals.

 

[nvidiot]

That and the fact that it is one the safest therapeutically active substances we've ever discovered.

 

[bit_pattern]

Psychedelics have huge potential too. MAPS have been treating PTSD vets with MDMA, and things like Ibogaine for breaking addiction.

 

[quarky]

Stoners.

 

[Fly Poster]

Basically, cannabis is useful for inhibiting the vomit reflex and offering relief from nausea, it directly interacts with the regions of the brain that are responsible. As for pain relief and mental health, this is all circumstantial. Cannabis only alleviates physical pain through a process of distraction. It does not interact with pain receptors. As for assisting with anxiety and depression, this is also circumstantial as far as i know. Some claim it aggravates those problems.

The largest benefit of medical marijuana is it's appetite stimulation. This is something it is very effective at doing.

As far as I am aware, it is claimed that THC, or types of marijuana high in THC ( Skunk for example), cause paranoia, anxiety and panic attacks, and aggrevate mental health problems, where as CBD's and CBN's - compounds in marijuana, alledgedly can treat it.