The idea of medical marijuana is relatively liberal-minded because its effectiveness and utility have positive and negative attributes. Before using marijuana for medical purposes, it is always advisable to speak with a marijuana doctor. The effectiveness of the treatment directly varies from one patient to another, and the majority of the patients have admitted that it was a game changer. Some people have reported that, for their conditions, marijuana eventually eliminated the need to use traditional psychiatric drugs. However, used appropriately, it has been very useful in dealing with disorders of depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, and even autism. It is equally important, however, to recognize that in some cases medical marijuana has a number of side effects as well.
Although such effects are rare, some people have once in a while suffered severe side effects such as psychotic disorders that warrant hospitalization. In the middle of these two polar opposites, most patients report that they are satisfied with the extent of relief they achieve or, conversely, that they struggle with side effects such as loss of motivation, which are well known to be observed in daily users of marijuana. This handout is aimed at embracing the fact that medical marijuana is a multi-faceted commodity in the world of psychiatric care that meets the unique needs of individual patients.
What Does the Evidence Show?
Said bias partially causes a vast number of different marijuana-related studies and is rather multifaceted and dependent on the source of funding. When looking at meta-analyses of many different investigations, we should be able to minimize the impact of bias in studies. Yet, the results of this method are equally perplexing: The interaction between cannabis use and anxiety in adolescents and young adults is relatively difficult to study, given the mixed results of existing studies.
However, if tobacco or cannabis is consumed in doses, the user sensitivity and surrounding conditions can then produce both anxiety and lessen anxiety. However, whether cannabis leads to the development of anxiety or whether people with anxiety use it to ease their symptoms can simply not be answered. There are other issues, such as genetically inherited factors and environmental factors such as stress and drug use, that may fertilize this relationship. Thus, more detailed research is required to either prove or disprove the hypothesis about cannabis being either a trigger or a remedy for anxiety since the evidence is still unclear.
Has the FDA Approved Medical Marijuana?
It’s also important to note that even while Oklahoma and other states refer to it as medical marijuana, the substance is not actually considered a legal ‘medicine.’ At the time of writing this paper in April 2024, no strain of marijuana had been approved by the FDA. However, cannabinoids are available under certain limited terms; the USFDA has approved some medicines with individual cannabinoids, for instance, Marinol and Syndros containing dronabinol, which are used in handling chemotherapy-induced nausea and AIDS-associated anorexia to weight loss, while Cesamet containing nabilone is also approved by the FDA.
A Key Insight About Cannabidiol (CBD):
The plant known as marijuana contains a cannabinoid known as cannabidiol, but it has no psychoactive effects. However, the ‘high’ or impaired feeling that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) gives cannot be felt by CBD users. While it doesn’t bind well to CB1 and CB2, it has some activity within the endocannabinoid system of the human body. Instead, it works through a lot of other channels, some of which may include the serotonin receptors, thus it might help explain its effect on possible modulations of anxiety and mood disorders.
The paper “Cannabidiol: One paper titled “Cannabidiol as a potential new alternative for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders—US perspective from 2020 investigates the use of CBD in neuropsychiatric disorders. Several human and animal trials have pointed out the anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic profile of CBD, a compound of Cannabis sativa that does not cause psychotropic effects. CBD has been proved to be safe and efficacious in treating diseases due to preliminary clinical trials, and the drug-to-benefit ratio of it for the treatment of mental illnesses seems to be ideal.
Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma: A Patient’s Guide
To enable you to make informed decisions regarding the medical use of marijuana for treatment purposes, the rest of this handout provides you with the information that concerns the multiple disorders for which the use of medical marijuana is permitted in Oklahoma.
How to Begin Your Journey with Medical Marijuana
Here are some tips to get you started if you’re new to medical marijuana:
- Indica strains with high CBD: Begin with the indica strains that have a high measure of cannabidiol. It is these strains that are popular for creating relaxation, and in most cases, they do not cause anxiety at all.
- Avoid Sativa Initially: First of all, a discomfort or an increase of anxiety is likely to be noticed by new users, especially if they use sativa strains, which are more activating.
- Sedative Effects: Readjust Indica higher in your strains slowly if you’re seeking more of a downer.
- Morning Use: For instance, to prevent the patients from getting too much sedation in the morning, he or she should select those strains that contain high CBD content.
- Hybrid Strains: Consider a provision from the sativa as well as the indica vegetation that balances the two classes of vegetation. These can be altered to improve specific complaints like autism, which is explained next.
- Expert Consultation: To avoid complications, always consult with doctors or dispensary workers who always know the newest trends and benefits of different types of cannabis.
Breaking Down the Components of Cannabis
- Cannabinoids: Marijuana contains two of the bioactive substances that include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is the psychoactive element involved, and there is CBD, which is believed to possess medical value, not causing euphoria in users.
- Terpenes: These compounds are in charge of the therapeutic value that is associated with the plant and also help in the production of smell.
- Flavonoids: These compounds give plants their color and exhibit inflammation and oxidative stress reduction.
Risks and Considerations to Keep in Mind
- Brain Health: CBD is believed to shield the brain, whereas, opposite to this, extended exposure to THC might be toxic. THC can make certain persons with predispositions or with a history of anxiety, depression, and psychosis worse.
- Intellectual Risks: One study found out that those who use marijuana on a regular basis have a lower IQ than normal users, and this is equalized once the heavy user stops using marijuana.
- Motivation: THC impairs motivation, but the resultant decrease in motivation only becomes permanent if the frequent use of the substance is not reduced.
- Digestive Health: Specifically, marijuana can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter; this makes nausea or reflux worse and increases the chance of developing acid reflux.
- Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Seldom, chronic, heavy consumption of marijuana may cause CHS in which a user suffers from severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Cancer Risks: Currently there is evidence that shows both that marijuana is effective in treating cancer as well as that marijuana can lead to an increased formation of cancer cells. This risk may be moderated by factors such as mode of use, how often the drug is used, how long it has been used, and age at first use.
Understanding Legal and Safety Guidelines
- State Law Compliance: Know more about the state’s rules and guidelines in relation to the use of medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
- Federal Law: In the United States in particular, marijuana is strictly banned by federal law. Because, apart from the fact that it has been considered to have a high abuse potential and lacks accepted medical use, its use is unlawful for any purpose at the federal level and is under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
- Safe Purchasing: It is also important to buy marijuana for medical purposes from businesses that meet safety measures as well as state laws and regulations.
- Proper Usage: Stick to any prescriptions given by your doctor regarding the dosage recommended and the way it should be taken.
Additional Resources:
With a better grasp of the advantages and disadvantages of medical marijuana use, this guide is intended to help you navigate its use. Always get yo ur doctor’s approval before beginning a new treatment. The doctor will give you the Broken Arrow medical marijuana card online, which will allow you to legally obtain medical marijuana in your state and prevent you from facing any legal ramifications.
Examine in-depth books and reliable internet sources for additional reading and in-depth details on the medical applications of marijuana. Make sure the information is current and relevant to Oklahoma at all times.