Is it wise for everyone to use medical marijuana? Regretfully, not everyone should use it, and some people should stay away from it. Every prescription medication has warnings for specific individuals, and medical cannabis use is no different. We always recommend speaking with an MMJ card doctor before beginning to use marijuana to treat any health conditions.
Despite this, medical marijuana has a lot of strong advantages. People should refrain from using this treatment, though, if the advantages do not exceed the risks.
The Benefits of Medical Marijuana
The health benefits of marijuana are numerous. Some people have reported benefits from recreational cannabis use, including decreased anxiety, improved sleep, and alleviation of chronic pain. Experts believe that marijuana may be able to treat or even prevent diabetes, and some people have even reported losing weight as a result of using CBD.
It’s crucial to remember that even though marijuana has a lot to offer, further study is necessary to fully understand its therapeutic potential. As a result, the range of potential effects of medical marijuana may seem somewhat limited when compared to its uses.
Nabiximols, also known as Sativex, is a cannabis extract and medical marijuana medication. In the UK, nabiximols are prescribed medications used to treat neuropathic pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Off-label prescriptions of nabiximols may be given to treat chemotherapy side effects and pain associated with cancer.
Marinol’s active component, dronabinol, is a synthetic delta-9-THC. Dronabinol has FDA approval for HIV and chemotherapy-induced cachexia. Additionally, dronabinol can help with pain, nausea, and vomiting brought on by chemotherapy.
Another medication made from medical marijuana that has pure CBD is called Epidiolex. It is used to treat seizures brought on by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. Epidiolex helps lower seizure frequency.
There may be more cannabis-derived medications in the works as a result of ongoing research. Numerous medical professionals acknowledge that medical marijuana has numerous unlisted benefits, including the ability to enhance sleep. Consequently, there are certain “off-label” effects of medical marijuana that may be beneficial to anyone using it for another purpose.
The potential of medical cannabis to prevent diseases like diabetes is still being studied, but there is some evidence that it may also help with obesity and inflammation reduction. The list of possible applications is constantly growing, though, and the range of effects is still being evaluated.
Who Should Avoid Using Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana is not an exception to the rule that no medication or therapy is safe for all users. To find out if medical marijuana is safe for you, it is crucial to evaluate your circumstances before using it.
Your doctor will probably talk about any concerns if you are thinking about using medical marijuana. If your circumstances change, you should not be afraid to ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding your course of treatment.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Women who are pregnant or nursing have a number of safety concerns. Because medical marijuana can lower blood pressure and increase the risk of dizziness and fainting, it is not safe for pregnant women. Blood pressure can be lowered by pregnancy alone, and further drops can have serious repercussions.
But medical marijuana is also harmful to infants and fetuses. Cannabis has been shown to interfere with brain development. Later in life, this will manifest as an impact on cognitive processes like learning and emotional control.
Premature births and low birth weight have also been connected to cannabis. This can be impacted in the long run by a variety of complications. These issues affect growth and may increase the infant’s susceptibility to infections. All things considered, fetuses exposed to cannabis are more likely to need intensive postpartum care and may require longer hospital stays.
Individuals with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that changes how someone sees the world. A person with this illness may also experience confusion and paranoia. A number of cognitive impairments, including memory loss and speech difficulties, are also hallmarks of schizophrenia. Therefore, medical marijuana should be avoided by anyone with schizophrenia because its side effects may exacerbate their symptoms.
A person with bipolar disorder may experience abrupt mood swings, ranging from manic highs to depressed lows, with little to no respite. Because the negative effects of medical marijuana can change a person’s mood, people with bipolar disorder should also stay away from it. As a result, it might exacerbate bipolar symptoms.
The advantages of medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia have been examined in earlier research. This is because research has indicated that patients with schizophrenia have better symptoms, and CBD may have antipsychotic effects.
Regretfully, even though there are some advantages, they are not always greater than the disadvantages. THC use may be discouraged for people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder experiencing manic episodes. Regarding CBD, more research is required even though the results are encouraging.
Individuals with Liver Impairment
Medical marijuana should also not be used by anyone with a compromised liver because it may exacerbate their condition. This is not a definitive stance, though, and it may vary depending on the individual and the liver condition being treated.
Cannabis, for instance, can make hepatitis C patients’ condition worse. Medical cannabis, on the other hand, might successfully lessen the nausea brought on by the drugs used to treat the virus. Beta-caryophyllene, a terpene, may also aid in the treatment and mitigation of inflammation and liver damage.
Medical marijuana is among the drugs that the liver is in charge of eliminating from the body. Liver disease, however, can interfere with this process and result in additional harm. As a result, liver disease patients might not always be suitable candidates for this treatment; however, each situation is evaluated individually.
Individuals with Cardiovascular Disease
People with cardiovascular issues may want to proceed cautiously or stay away from medical marijuana completely because it can have an impact on the heart. For instance, it is well known that CBD lowers heart rate while delta-9-THC raises it. Depending on the underlying condition, these effects may exacerbate an existing condition.
Medical marijuana may worsen cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a study done on cancer patients. Consequently, medical cannabis may exacerbate cardiovascular disease.
Cannabis and heart health, however, have a complex relationship; research has shown both beneficial and detrimental effects on heart health. With current marijuana use linked to lower odds of metabolic syndrome than non-users, medical cannabis may be beneficial for people with heart issues related to metabolic syndrome (hypertension, diabetes, obesity). Cannabis use, however, might be avoided by people who have arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. Cannabis use may also increase the risk of CVD.
How to Know If Medical Marijuana Is Right for You
You have to consult a physician before you can get medical marijuana. As with any other treatment, the doctor will evaluate your condition and decide if this medication is safe for you. Your doctor will issue you a medical card if they believe medical marijuana is safe for you.
You should consult a physician for an update, though, if your circumstances change. After reviewing your course of treatment, your physician will determine whether you should continue.
If a doctor does not believe a patient is a good fit, they will not approve them. Furthermore, if a patient does not have a qualifying condition, doctors are not allowed to prescribe medical marijuana.
The Bottom Line
There are numerous advantages to using medical marijuana as a treatment. Cannabis is not appropriate for everyone, though, and some people should stay away from it for safety reasons, just like any other medication. To find out more and decide if obtaining a medical marijuana card is right for you, consult a doctor.
