I plan on sending this to my parents soon.
You hate a plant
more than you care about me. You are
ignorant. You refuse to even consider the
possibility that maybe this is a medicine that works for me while insisting
that psych drugs are just fine. YOU DON’T
KNOW HOW I FEEL NOR DOES ANY DOCTOR! I admit and realize that this may not be
the answer for everyone and in some cases could cause problems, but so could
ANY drug a doctor could prescribe me.
When it is legal, I will use it, it’s just another medicine-one that works. You need to wake up, YOU ARE KILLING ME. If you are heartless and cold enough to let me
go homeless because I want to use a medicine that makes me feel better and
helps me function then to hell with you. You put me in a lose-lose situation;
go homeless or remain miserable while knowing what medicine actually helps me
and not using it. Go homeless or keep on
being an untreated guinea pig.
I am researching
all I can and putting this together. I
will be contacting doctors and other health care professionals for
support. You won’t help me but there are
people in the world that care and actually understand medical marijuana. It IS a treatment option for my disease and
if you can’t see that then you really don’t care about me.
If you want to
cut me off once I start using it as a medicine LEGALLY then please do it
now. Acting civil towards each other until
it is legalized is pointless. Let me
starve, don’t pay my rent and let me go homeless. I will find a place to live or die on the
street but I refuse to be told what medicines I should or shouldn’t take by
people who have no idea what they are talking about. But if you care at all, open your mind up a little
and please read this. You are very
uneducated about this stuff; you owe it to me to explore every possible treatment
option. You have defended brutal anti
psychotics and electroshock therapy, at least think about this-you clearly haven’t.
The country is changing; marijuana will be legal in every state pretty soon, it’s
the right thing to do, it really helps people, when used correctly it’s a miracle
drug-recreational use is a separate debate not relevant to this letter.
The following is
just the research I have done, I’ll be writing healthcare professionals
next.
This is all the
research I am going to do for now. A
rational person would at least think about the information, an irrational
person will just get angry, reject it and not even read it. While being a lengthy letter this barely
scratches the surface but if none of this means anything to you then nothing
else will.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
*A key to
this is the strain used. One called
sativa can be bad for bipolar, HOWEVER other strains are very good for it. That
varies too because sativas can be good for some bipolar symptoms but it depends
on the type. Most ideal might be a hybrid strain-think of it like taking more
than one psychiatric med, it’s the same principle. Dispensaries are like pharmacies, they have a
ton of different strains all used to treat different things.
Numbers per
page relate to references
1
Medical
Marijuana (Cannabinoids) Relieve Bipolar Symptoms: Follow physician’s suggestions, then with
help from family members, try medical marijuana for symptom relief:
Appetite stimulant (Sativa's)
Mood
elevators (Sativa's)
Fatigue
(Sativa's)
Sleep
disturbances (Indica's)
Hyperactivity
(Indica's)
Mania
(Indica's)
Focus
(Sativa's)
Look for
strains with higher CBD-Cannabidiol levels.
Sativa's have higher CBD levels than Indica's. Hashish has highest amounts of CBD's. "Durban Poison" has higher CBD
levels.
Testimonials:
HU210
{hi-potency cannabinoid} treatment reduced anxiety and depression. Journal of Clinical Investigation. Oct. 2005
Patients
report significant improvement with their bipolar disorder when using medical
cannabis as adjunctive treatment.
Those who
experience extended depressive episodes are likely to be helped with medical
cannabis. "Cannabis and
Depression" 2003. Jay Cavanaugh, PhD
"It
improved my mood. My anxiety
disappeared, raging curbed and more productive, overcame shyness. Taken orally (2-3 grams) in the
morning." John Frederick Wilson
Increase in
good days using medical marijuana. Used
to treat ups and downs. CBD is
antidepressant, antipsychotic with anticonvulsant effects. Delivered sublingually, use as adjunctive medication. Relieves restlessness. With appropriate use of cannabis, patient can
reduce or eliminate other psychiatric medicine.
Frank Lucido, MD
30-40 % of
bipolar disorder patients are not consistently helped using conventional treatment. For some, cannabis may be useful in stopping
the symptoms and reducing the side effects of lithium. Lester Grinspoon, MD. "Marijuana and the Forbidden
Medicine" 1997
2
Daniel K.
Hall-Flavin, MD, a consultant in the Department of Pyschiatry and Psychology at
the Mayo Clinic, stated the following in the "Expert Answers" section
of the Mayo Clinic website in response to the question "I'm curious about
marijuana and depression. Can marijuana cause depression?" (accessed June
11, 2012):
"Some
research suggests that marijuana smokers are diagnosed with depression more
often than are nonsmokers — particularly regular or heavy marijuana users.
However, it doesn't appear that marijuana directly causes depression. It's
likely that the genetic, environmental or other factors that trigger depression
also lead to using marijuana. For example, some people may use marijuana as a
way to cope with depression symptoms.
There are
also links between marijuana and other mental health conditions. Marijuana use
may trigger schizophrenia or detachment from reality (psychosis) in certain
people. There is also some evidence that adolescents who attempt suicide may be
more likely to use marijuana than those who don't. As with marijuana use and
depression, more research is needed to better understand these associations.
The bottom
line: Marijuana use and depression accompany each other more often than you
might expect by chance, but there's no clear evidence that marijuana directly
causes depression."
D. Mark
Anderson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics at Montana State University,
Daniel I. Rees, PhD, Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado
Denver, and Joseph J. Sabia, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics at San Diego
State University, stated the following in their Jan. 2012 study "High on
Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide," published by the The Institute
for the Study of Labor (IZA) in its Discussion Paper Series:
"Consistent
with the hypothesis that marijuana can be an effective treatment for depression
and other mood disorders, there appears to be a sharp decrease in the suicide
rate of 15- through 19-year olds males in the treatment states as compared to
the control states approximately two years after legalization...
Our results
suggest that the legalization of medical marijuana is associated with a 5
percent decrease in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent decrease in the
suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent decrease in the
suicide rate of 30- through 39 year-old-males. Estimates for female suicide
rates are generally measured with less precision and are sensitive to
functional form...
The strong
association between alcohol consumption and suicide related outcomes found by
previous researchers... raises the possibility that medical marijuana laws
reduce the risk of suicide by decreasing alcohol consumption."
Thomas F.
Denson, PhD, Professor of Psychology at the California State University at Long
Beach, and Mitch Earleywine, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology at the
State University of New York at Albany, wrote the following in their Apr. 2006
study titled "Decreased Depression in Marijuana Users," published in
Addictive Behaviors:
"Those
who consume marijuana occasionally or even daily have lower levels of
depressive symptoms than those who have never tried marijuana. Specifically,
weekly users had less depressed mood, more positive affect, and fewer somatic
complaints than non-users. Daily users reported less depressed mood and more
positive affect than non-users... Our results add to the growing body of
literature on depression and marijuana and are generally consistent with a
number of studies that have failed to confirm a relationship between the two
after controlling for relevant variables...
The
potential for medical conditions to contribute to spurious links between
marijuana and greater depression requires further investigation."
George
McMahon, author and medical marijuana patient in the US Federal Drug
Administration's Investigational New Drug (IND) program, stated in his 2003
book Prescription Pot:
"People
who have never struggled with a life threatening or disabling illness often do
not comprehend how debilitating the resulting depression can be. Long days
spent struggling with sickness can wear patients down, suppress their appetites
and slowly destroy their wills to live. This psychological damage can result in
physiological effects that may be the difference between living and dying.
The elevated
mood associated with cannabis definitely affected my health in a positive
manner. I was more engaged with life. I took walks and rode my bike, things I
never considered doing before in my depressed state, even if I had been
physically capable. I ate regular meals and I slept better at night. All of
these individual factors contributed to a better overall sense of
well-being."
Tod
Mikuriya, MD, a former psychiatrist and medical coordinator, was quoted as
stating the following in the 1997 book Marijuana Medical Handbook written by
Dale Gieringer, Ed Rosenthal, and Gregory T. Carter:
"The
power of cannabis to fight depression is perhaps its most important
property."
Frank
Lucido, MD, a private practice physician, stated in his article "Implementation
of the Compassionate Use Act in a Family Medical Practice: Seven Years Clinical
Experience," available on his website (accessed June 11, 2012):
"With
appropriate use of medical cannabis, many of these [cannabis-using] patients
have been able to reduce or eliminate the use of opiates and other pain pills,
ritalin, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, anti-depressants and other psychiatric
medicines, as well as to substitute the use of medical cannabis as a harm
reduction measure for specific problematic or abused substances with a much
more serious risk profile (including alcohol, heroin/opiates, and
cocaine)."
Jay
Cavanaugh, PhD, National Director for the American Alliance for Medical
Cannabis, wrote in his 2003 article "Cannabis and Depression,"
published on the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis website:
"Numerous
patients report significant improvement and stabilization with their bipolar
disorder when they utilize adjunctive therapy with medical cannabis. While some
mental health professionals worry about the impact of cannabis on aggravating
manic states, most bipolar patients trying cannabis find they 'cycle' less
often and find significant improvement in overall mood. Bipolar disorders vary
tremendously in the time spent in the depressive versus manic states. Those who
experience extended depressive episodes are more likely to be helped with
cannabis.
Patients who
use cannabis to 'relax' may be treating the anxiousness sometimes associated
with depression. Cannabis aids the insomnia sometimes present in depression and
can improve appetite. Better pain control with cannabis can reduce chronic pain
related depression. While cannabis cannot yet be considered a primary treatment
of major depression it may improve mood when used under physicians supervision
and in combination with therapy and/or SSRI's."
Bill
Zimmerman, PhD, former President of Americans for Medical Rights (AMR), stated
in his 1998 book Is Marijuana the Right Medicine For You?:
"Some
patients have found the mood altering effects of marijuana to be helpful for
treating mood disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar
(manic-depressive) illness. Using marijuana to treat mood disorders was
described in medical writings in the 19th and early 20th centuries...
The mental
component of the pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) often causes psychological
problems and is now technically classified as an atypical (not typical)
depression. Many women report benefit from using marijuana to improve the
symptoms of PMS."
3
Deaths from
Marijuana v. 17 FDA-Approved Drugs
(Jan. 1,
1997 to June 30, 2005)
You would
prefer I take more dangerous drugs that don’t really help….
4
BIPOLAR
DISORDER AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA
Research has
shown that some mood disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder, can run in families,
with the potential to skip a generation between diagnosed cases. Beyond the
known causes of chemical imbalances in the brain and the chemical transmitters
not working properly between the cells of the brain, it isn't certain why some
people are predisposed to bipolar disorder and others are not. Bipolar refers
to the two poles of mood, similar to a battery. One is for the "positive"
effects of mood and the other "negative". Usually the person with
bipolar disorder has rapid swings in mood, cycling from high energy and
inflated sense of self and even elation to severe depression and exhaustion
that leaves them unwilling to crawl out of bed on any given day. The more rapid
the cycle the more dangerous the situations for the patient with bipolar
disorder as both extremes can result in death from suicides, accidents or
carelessness because they think they can fly, run faster than a train, etc.
These mood
cycles over the last fifty years were controlled with some very powerful drugs
and even treated with electroshock therapy. "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's
Nest" is all about mood disorders and bipolar treatments. Half the
characters in the story suffer from a mood disorder. These barbaric treatments
that left patients overmedicated and over-treated led the revolution to find
"safer" drugs to treat these disorders. In the last thirty years,
lithium, the very dangerous substance and the same substance used to charge
batteries, became available in pill form to treat bipolar disorder. Its very
promising effects kept it on the market and it's still in use today despite the
fact that studies have revealed that long term use of lithium damages the speech
and thought processes of the brain. Patients who regularly take lithium have to
have regular blood draws to check for toxic levels of the drug in their
livers/systems.
BIPOLAR
DISORDER AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA TREATMENTS
But these
patients don't have to even start lithium, ever. The two main strains of
medical marijuana, indica and sativa, can be used together or separately to
treat the symptoms as the patient starts to cycle. Indica is often used to
calm, alleviate anxiety, and relieve insomnia, which could be used when the
patient is experiencing a high cycle and can't be bothered to come down to
sleep, eat, or focus. Sativa elevates mood, and acts as a stimulant; most
effective for the lows in the person with bipolar disorder. So much relief
could be gained and without any harm to the body's organs or long term damage
to the brain and liver through the use of medical marijuana. And the expense?
Lithium tablets are several hundred to several thousand dollars a month without
insurance, whereas medical marijuana is quite a bit less.
So why
aren't more people with mood disorders like bipolar disorder being treated with
medical marijuana? It's simple really. Either they don't live in a state that
has legalized its use (like Wisconsin, where depression is rampant due to less
sun all year round) or lack of information and informed choice in the states
where it is legal. MarijuanaDoctors.com make a point of their entire website
and their work to get the word out on the benefits medical marijuana has for so
many people. They can and will help anyone find the right doctor in the right
state get the prescription they need for medical marijuana control in a more
natural and healthy way their bipolar or mood disorder. That's a guarantee.
5
TruthOnPot.com
– Bipolar disorder may be one of the world’s oldest known illnesses with
records of its existence dating back thousands of years.
But today,
doctors are faced with a greater challenge when it comes to treating the
condition. The challenge is drug abuse; a problem that affects only 6% of the
general population yet plagues more than 50% of all patients with bipolar
disorder.
Interestingly,
cannabis appears to be the drug of choice for these patients, which has led
many to question its role in the treatment of this age-old disorder.
What is
Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar
disorder (also known as bipolar affective disorder) causes dramatic mood swings
in patients, alternating between states of depression and mania. Mania can
range from moderate levels of energy and excitement to symptoms of psychosis,
such as erratic and delusional behaviors.
Experts say
that approximately 4% of the population will fit the criteria of bipolar
disorder at some point in their lives. And while the underlying cause has yet to
be identified, there are a variety of treatment options available for patients.
The
first-line of treatment is lithium which acts to reverse symptoms of mania, but
other mood-stabilizers (anticonvulsants) and antipsychotics are commonly used
as well.
On the other
hand, current pharmaceutical therapies subject patients to a wide range of
side-effects, which can sometimes outweigh the benefits of the treatments
themselves. As a result, some are beginning to turn to medical marijuana – a
sparsely recommended treatment option that is gradually becoming more noticed
as research progresses.
How Can
Marijuana Help?
Medical
marijuana acts on the endocannabinoid system – a homeostatic regulator that is
present in all humans. Interestingly, research suggests that certain
cannabinoids found in marijuana (i.e. THC and CBD) may have significant
mood-stabilizing properties that could be beneficial for patients with the
disorder.
Studies have
shown that THC, under certain conditions, can have anti-anxiety, hypnotic and
antidepressant effects, resulting in improvements in mood and overall
well-being in normal subjects as well as in patients suffering from pain,
multiple sclerosis or cancer. CBD seems to counter the psychoactive effects
produced by high doses of THC and may also possess anti-anxiety, hypnotic and
anticonvulsant properties of its own.
Researchers
have also identified a link between marijuana use and cognitive improvements in
patients with schizophrenia – a finding could explain evidence of similar improvements
in bipolar disorder.
What Studies
Say
A number of
recent studies have set out to determine the effects of marijuana use on
patients with bipolar disorder and have provided some thought-provoking
findings.
In 2010,
researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway published the results of a
study conducted on 133 bipolar patients. What they found was that patients who
used cannabis regularly actually performed better than non-users on tests of
verbal fluency and learning, although improvements in learning were not
statistically significant.
In another
study, published in 2012 by researchers at the Zucker Hillside Hospital in New
York, regular marijuana use was linked to higher levels of attention,
processing speed and memory among the 200 bipolar patients that the researchers
followed over a 9 year span.
On the other
hand, while these results suggest that marijuana use might improve cognitive
function in cases of bipolar disorder, a study published in 2009 found that
bipolar patients who used cannabis exhibited less treatment compliance as well
as higher levels of illness severity, mania and psychosis, although data was
only collected over a 12 month period.
Interestingly,
the study also found that while cannabis users were less likely to have a relationship
and were less satisfied with life in general, they were still more engaged in
social activities than non-users. Furthermore, the study identified no
significant differences between cannabis use and independent living or work
impairments.
Anecdotal
Evidence
Despite the
overall lack of clinical research available on cannabis use and bipolar
outcomes, case reports provide an abundance of evidence that seem to support
its usefulness.
A study
published in 1998 by Harvard professors Dr. Lester Grinspoon and James B.
Bakalar documented 5 cases in which patients obtained significant relief from
their bipolar-related symptoms through the use of medical marijuana.
One of these
patients, a 47-year-old woman, found cannabis to be more effective than other
drugs in controlling her manic episodes.
“A few puffs
of this herb and I can be calm… this drug seems harmless compared to other
drugs I have tried, including tranquillisers and lithium.”
In another
case, the husband of a bipolar sufferer told of numerous ways that cannabis
seemed to help his wife in dealing with the disorder.
“My wife
functions much better when she uses marijuana. When she is hypomanic, it
relaxes her, helps her sleep, and slows her speech down. When she is depressed
and would otherwise lie in bed all day, the marijuana makes her more active…
Lithium is also effective, but it doesn’t always keep her in control.”
These cases
were also cited alongside others in a review study conducted by a team of
British researchers. The review, published in 2005 in the Journal of
Psychopharmacology, presented evidence from a 1996 report that described 5
cases in which marijuana seemed to have a direct effect in countering
depression. The researchers also cited 2 surveys conducted in 2003 which found
that 15-27% of medical marijuana patients in California were prescribed the
drug for various mood disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD
and ADHD.
6
On January
1, laws making legal the use of recreational marijuana went into effect in
Colorado and the state of Washington. Fifty-six percent of Americans now favor
legalization and regulation of marijuana.
In the
meantime, there are 20 states plus Washington DC where medical marijuana is
legal, and four states with pending legislation.
“Medical
marijuana” is something of a misnomer. A physician does not write a
prescription for a specific compound at a specific dosage that a patient fills
at a pharmacy. Indeed, the physician’s only involvement may be in issuing the
requisite medical marijuana card.
The card
allows users to shop at marijuana dispensaries. It also amounts to a “get out
of jail free” card
Having said
that, medical marijuana has been a godsend to many, offering relief across a
wide range of conditions. One can also make a case for medical marijuana to
treat bipolar, albeit one with a host of major provisos. At the very least, the
issue bears examination. Let’s get started ...
The case for
medical marijuana
Anyone who
has endured for just one minute the sheer terror of the brain in a state of
siege is justified in checking out any form of relief. Like most other
psychiatric meds, marijuana slows down the brain. Depending on the user, this
may translate to relieving anxiety, reducing stress, regulating sleep, easing
mania and agitated depressions, and even improving cognition. Marijuana may
also be incorporated into a strategy of maintaining good mental health.
Also, for
some people, marijuana may offer a safer alternative to prescription meds.
But there is
a major catch or two ...
Safety and
abuse issues
All
medications, including psychiatric meds, carry substantial risks that must be
weighed against potential benefits. Marijuana is no exception.
“Self-medicating”
is an extremely serious concern for our population. Six in ten of those with
bipolar have experienced substance abuse sometime during their life, five times
the rate of the general population. Co-occurring substance abuse can
effectively turn treatable bipolar into untreatable bipolar.
In addition,
a number of studies have linked marijuana use to an increased risk of
psychosis. This is not the same as saying marijuana “causes” psychosis.
Moreover, the studies suggest that the risk is greatest in those who begin
marijuana in their teens. Nevertheless, we need to be mindful of the risk.
And it goes
without saying: Cognitive abilities take a major hit (pun intended).
Last but not
least, smoking marijuana raises the same health concerns as smoking tobacco.
Efficacy
issues
There are no
clinical trials to support the use of marijuana in treating bipolar. Having
said that, “absence of evidence” does not equate to “evidence of absence.”
Nevertheless, we lack essential medical guidance in terms of best practices and
treatment strategies.
An alcohol
parallel
“Glass of
wine a day may ward off depression,” reads a headline on WebMD.
The catch is
when that one glass of wine turns into two or three - when a small indulgence
turns into a craving and an addiction, when an escape from stress turns into an
escape from reality, when an enhanced ability to function turns into a major
impairment and a ruined life.
In other
words, can we trust ourselves?
Two possible
marijuana strategies
Assuming we
can trust ourselves ...
The first
strategy is analogous taking an anti-anxiety med PRN, “as needed.” In an ideal
situation, the med does its job and life returns to normal. We stop taking the
med before building up a tolerance or dependency or incurring long-term side
effects.
The second
is analogous to staying on a mood stabilizer as part of a maintenance strategy,
perhaps not continuously but on a more regular basis. In an ideal situation,
the med is running in the background. We are hardly aware of it.
It is very
important to note that neither strategy calls for getting high. A “medical”
dose is not to be equated with a recreational dose. Likewise, a medical bipolar
dose (whatever that may be) is not to be equated with a dose for another
medical condition, such as chronic pain.
To put it
another way: Getting high is not a sign of the efficacy of the treatment. Nor
is it a legitimate side effect. The result you’re looking for is extremely
subtle but profound - a brain that works.
Nevertheless,
some short-term cognitive impairment may be inevitable. As with any medication,
this needs to be incorporated into your treatment strategy, such as, perhaps,
using only before bedtime.
Please
endeavor to find a physician or therapist you can work with. If you are on any
medication, you need to inform your physician.
Choosing
your product
All
marijuana plants are technically cannabis sativa. But there is an indica
variety that has the effect of slowing down the brain, as opposed to the more
uplifting effects of sativa. As a general rule, sativa may help more with
depression, indica for a runaway brain and regulating sleep. Dispensaries
supply clearly labeled products. There are also various blends and hybrids.
Doses and
delivery systems
The main
concern for medical marijuana, especially for bipolar, is calibrating doses.
Back in the old days of nickel bags and marijuana brownies, this was virtually
impossible. These days, dispensaries carry very sophisticated products that
promise some degree of consistency. We are still in a wild west market, but the
before and after represents a quantum improvement.
Ingestible
cannabis - Typically, it takes 30-60 minutes to feel the effects of ingested
cannabis. The effect also tends to be longer lasting. Accordingly, ingestibles
may lend themselves to maintenance strategies. A very little goes a very long
way.
Inhaled
cannabis - The effect is instant and more transient, which lends itself to “as
needed” strategies. Inhaled cannabis is far less potent than the ingestible
variety, but one hit may be all you need.
Vaporizers
and pens - In their latest incarnation, these are e-cigarettes applied to
marijuana. Depending on the pen, the user inhales the vapor of a concentrate or
flower, without the health risks of traditional smoking. Because no lighting up
is involved and because there is little or no telltale aroma, users can take a
discreet hit with little fear of discovery.
Lest there
be any misunderstandings...
Please do
not construe any of the above as an endorsement for using marijuana to treat
your bipolar. Nor should any of the above be interpreted as any kind of medical
or consumer guideline. Rather, we are seeking an intelligent discussion on an
issue that is fraught with ignorance and lack of understanding.
- See more
at: http://www.healthcentral.com/bipolar/c/15/165750/medical-marijuana-bipolar-high#sthash.F1AKOiTD.dpuf
7
A recent
study conducted in Glen Oaks hospital in New York, showed that marijuana could
have a beneficial effect on neurocognitive functions of patients with bipolar
disorder. The study was performed on 200 BD patients, 50 of whom have been
smoking marijuana. All of them underwent tests that tested their neurocognitive
functions (attention span, speed shifting, digits forward and backward tests
and trails B test). The results were intriguing to say the least.
Cannabis Use
Disorder
However,
before we present you with the study’s conclusions, you have to bear in mind
that the medical world is full of disorders, some being completely justified
and others just being labeled as illnesses for the hell of it. In line with that
practice, a frequent marijuana smoker ‘suffers’ from CUD (Cannabis Use
Disorder) and is more likely to suffer from a history of psychosis than a
person who doesn’t smoke. At least, that’s what the research suggests. Simply
put, a BD patient with CUD is only 14% more likely to have a history of
psychosis than a BD patient who doesn’t smoke marijuana.
Results
It was
concluded that BD patients with CUD had significantly better cognitive tests
results than patients who didn’t ‘suffer’ from CUD. That fact alone will
significantly motivate further medical marijuana related research because now
we can move away from the ‘burnout’ dogma and focus on the actual health
benefits of cannabis. We always believed that you shouldn’t became a slave to
the plant, but consume it moderately in order to reap the rewards it can
provide and utilize its maximum potential.
Supporting
Studies
To support
this research, we found a study that was published in the American Journal of
Epidemiology in August, 2011. The study revealed that middle-aged men could
benefit from the use of marijuana as well. Apparently, cannabis can
significantly improve their mental stamina. They are able to think more
clearly, a benefit that was practically never associated with the use of
marijuana. The study was conducted on 8,992 male drug users. The first phase of
research was conducted when they were 42, and the second when they turned 50.
Basically, much was gained in terms of mental clarity, yet nothing was actually
lost for good.
Conclusion
According to
these two studies, it is safe to conclude that the use of medical marijuana is
actually beneficial to both patients who suffer from bipolar disorder and
middle-aged men. In addition, there seem to be no permanent psychological
consequences of frequent marijuana use (at least in the time span of 10 years)
with middle-aged men. This actually makes sense because recent research
actually proves that the brain is not fully developed until you reach your late
30?s or early 40?s even. So, even you don’t toke in the first 20 years, don’t
worry — there’ll be plenty of time to enjoy it afterwards.
Some people
who have Biploar feel that marijuana works in terms of dealing with their
bipolar. Most feel sativa strains are more helpful for treating Bipolar. However
it can depend on which mood you are feeling so at certain times an indica
strain may be beneficial.
Courtesy of
the fine folks at the Medical Marijuana Blog
Summary:
There is a
good amount of conflicting theories about this topic. The most important factor though is that
everyone is different-especially people with mental illnesses. As it is you will be hard pressed to find to
bipolar patients with identical treatments, some meds work well for some people
while others are disastrous. Medical
marijuana should be a treatment option.
It should be just another tool in psychiatry that can be tried on
patients. It won’t help everyone but no
drug is good for everyone so it would be equal to those used today. Patients who benefit from it could use it;
those that had negative effects from it could avoid it. That is the common
sense plan.
It may be
known to cause psychosis (especially some strains) but I would bet the amount
of people who have experienced that is very low. Besides all the psych drugs prescribed today
have potential for awful side effects but doctors don't hesitate to roll the
dice with those. So it may cause
psychosis, it also may cure it!
REFERENCES
(2) http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000226
*there are anti-arguments on this site as well but none consider patients
on an individual basis they just generalize so they are flawed automatically
(7) http://www.theweedblog.com/can-medical-marijuana-be-used-to-treat-bipolar-disorder/
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