In Florida, many qualified patients are considering using Medical Marijuana as an alternative treatment option for various health conditions. There is evidence that Marijuana relieves symptoms of certain medical conditions. Such as mental health issues including anxiety and depression, chronic pain, epilepsy, IBS, anxiety, and terminal diseases such as cancer. It is most commonly used to manage chronic pain, especially nerve pain. It has also shown excellent results in managing symptoms of sleep disorders and improving the quality of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. However, more quality research is needed to understand how it interacts and affects different bodily organs to determine its safety as a drug.
A pressing concern for individuals considering Medical Marijuana as a natural treatment is the potential for Medical Marijuana addiction. If you are seeking expert advice, feel free to reach out to a Medical Marijuana doctor at My Florida Green. When Marijuana is taken under the guidance of an experienced Marijuana physician, with a controlled dose, the benefits outweigh the risks.
Recreational Marijuana vs. Medical Marijuana
The terms Marijuana, Cannabis, and weed are synonymous. Recreational use of Marijuana is using it for a reason other than a medical condition. In contrast, Medical Marijuana use is monitored and streamlined, and only patients whose condition is verified by a state-licensed physician can use it for treatment.
The debate between the risks and benefits of Medical Marijuana is still ongoing and doesn’t seem that it will end any time soon. Since the legalization, there has been an increase in the research and studies to understand this healing plant, and more evidence is coming to light explaining its medicinal properties. Medical Marijuana primarily consists of CBD and THC, chemical constituents with medicinal properties. CBD has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This compound helps manage pain and other symptoms associated with debilitating diseases. THC is known for managing muscle spasticity, glaucoma, reducing nausea and improving insomnia. The main reason behind the medicinal properties of THC and CBD, is their ability to affect the endocannabinoid system. They are similar to natural cannabinoids present in the body and attach to receptors in the body to start the healing process.
The reason that Marijuana consumption is deemed safe is because it is being tested and studied. The legal Marijuana products that are available in licensed dispensaries have the right dose, strain and combination of the active component.
For better understanding of addiction to drugs and medicine, it is essential to distinguish between physical and psychological dependence associated with the drug.
What is physical and psychological addiction?
When an individual consumes any drug, different systems in the body tend to adapt to its effects. As you keep using the same drug over a prolonged period, you are probably going to need more dose to achieve the desired results. As your body tends to become desensitized to smaller amounts. This is commonly known as physical addiction to any medicine and drug.
The human mind is very powerful, but even it has its limits. Psychological addiction taps into the emotional sphere of drug use. Psychological dependence describes the emotional and mental components associated with taking a drug. People start having strong cravings for the substance or drug and have difficulty thinking about anything else.
Common withdrawal symptoms seen with drugs.
Common physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms of drugs can range from:
- Reduced appetite
- Mood swings
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Periodic insomnia
- Mood changes
More severe symptoms may involve fever, chills, violent body shaking, sweating, body pain, and stomach aches. However, if a patient is under the care of a specialist, they can determine if a patient is getting dependent on a drug, and before it becomes severe, they change the treatment plan accordingly. Marijuana Edibles can also help to reduce these symptoms. With regards to Marijuana, dependency and addiction, it’s very rare as its use is regulated and monitored.
What is the risk of addiction of Marijuana?
Medical cannabis is legalized in most US states, indicating that people benefit from it more than we may think. There is a spectrum of medical conditions for which medical Marijuana is being used, and these are referred to as ‘qualifying conditions’ for Medicinal Marijuana.
If you are looking to consume Medical Marijuana for a health condition, you need a Medical Marijuana Card. For that, you need to consult with a Medical Marijuana doctor who will carry out an initial in person examination and see if you qualify for a Medical Marijuana card or not.
Medical Marijuana experts say that when medicinal cannabis is used with a doctor’s recommendation. And monitored closely, it poses a relatively low risk for addiction. Compared with the addiction potential of other drugs. Such as opioids and alcohol, Medical Marijuana is considered much safer, even for long-term use. As with any medication, Marijuana has its risks and side effects; however, most healthcare providers believe Marijuana’s benefits outweigh the risks. Compared to other potentially addictive drugs such as opioids, Marijuana is considered much safer when strictly monitored by a doctor and given in small doses.
Can you overdose on Medical Marijuana?
The consumption of Medical Marijuana is strictly controlled and monitored by licensed Marijuana physicians, and secondly, it is usually given in small doses. Hence, it is a much safer option to treat chronic pain instead of opioids and other prescription painkillers. A study found that the states in the US which have legalized Medical Marijuana show a lower rate of overdose deaths.
If you want to use Marijuana for a medical condition, reach out to a qualified and state-licensed professional. Get evaluated and apply for a Medical Marijuana Card in your state. If you are a resident of Florida, you can connect with a Medical Marijuana doctor here at My Florida Green and set up an appointment at your convenience.
The takeaway here is never self-medicate. Always consult your doctor before using Marijuana or any other drug for a medical condition. Remember that each body is unique, and drugs affect each body differently. You may experience a side effect that others don’t. Always use it responsibly and in line with a doctor’s recommendation.
