Medical marijuana is becoming more and more accepted as a treatment for a variety of disorders. Some of these include ADHD, insomnia, alcoholism, and pain management. Medical marijuana doctors work closely with patients to prescribe the right dosage for their specific symptoms. The following is a breakdown of how medical marijuana can help manage these specific disorders.
ADHD and Insomnia
According to HealthCentral, the main symptoms of ADHD are hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Insomnia is one of the byproducts of ADHD because of the difficulty people have calming down at night. Medical marijuana can help ADHD and insomnia by smoothing out mood swings, lowering anxiety, and improving appetite. Furthermore, medical marijuana does not come with withdrawal symptoms like Adderall and Ritalin have. Once a patient decides to stop taking marijuana and consult with their doctor, withdrawal symptoms can be slim to none.
Alcoholism Treatment
The number one drug problem in the United States is alcohol. Furthermore, about 20% of college students meet the criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder. Medical marijuana doctors are working with patients who suffer from alcoholism to treat the addiction itself. A survey published in the Harm Reduction Journal found that medical marijuana helps to calm alcohol cravings, and even provides symptoms management for more potent drugs such as cocaine.
Withdrawal from alcohol can cause symptoms such as nausea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and pain. THC can calm these symptoms and make alcohol withdrawal easier on the patient. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can have serious consequences, so it is important to consult with a professional for help in managing the withdrawal.
Pain Management
One in four Americans suffer from pain that lasts more than 24 hours. Millions more Americans suffer from acute pain. Living with chronic pain can take a toll on the body and the mind. For those who suffer from pain on a regular basis, medical marijuana doctors are turning to cannabis as a treatment. Medical marijuana comes in different potencies, so doctors can increase or decrease the dosage depending on the patient’s needs.
Cannabis is an analgesic, meaning it dulls the pain in the nervous system. It has minimal side effects especially when compared to potent pain medications, such as Oxycontin or Vicodin. There is less risk of getting addicted and there are no withdrawal symptoms.
Medical marijuana doctors are using cannabis to treat a variety of disorders, which include pain, alcoholism, ADHD, and insomnia. Medical marijuana has almost no withdrawal symptoms, if any, and can be used on a long-term basis.