How Cannabis Helps to Fight Back Against Opioid Addiction

One of the more serious problems in the United States is related to drug overdose deaths. Did you know that, recently the United States hit a new record high of more than 96,000 deaths related to drug overdose in a 12 month period. You would think that, in a society that continues to expand and advance in the medical and health industry, we would have more success in finding ways to prevent such deaths. 

The truth is that these deaths are preventable, and that makes them all the more sad. One of the most successful and effective alternatives to using opioids and other strong prescription drugs is medical marijuana. In fact, part of the reason that states have gone to such lengths to legalize medical marijuana programs has to do with reducing the amount of opioid deaths in the country.

The more we continue to learn about opioids, the more we realize that they are not that effective for a lot of people, and that they can often lead down dark roads of addiction and other problems. Did you know that prescription opioid medications are one of the leading causes of overdose deaths in the United States? Honestly, we should be doing better as a nation at this point. If you are someone who has relied on opioids to deal with various conditions or chronic pain, you may want to consider using medical marijuana. Today in this article I wanted to take some time to write about using medical marijuana instead of other dangerous prescriptions and why you should be doing that.

So what’s so bad about prescription opioids? Afterall, doctors would not prescribe them to patients if they could be so harmful, right? Well, that’s not really the case. We need to remember that, as an American people, pharmaceutical companies are not going to care about our actual health. They are simply interested in taking our money. One of the reasons that opioids are potentially high risk for patients is because they become less effective for pain relief over time. 

In fact, in some cases, patients reported that opioid medications can actually increase levels of pain if not prescribed properly. This is because the body fights back against the opioids ability to numb pain receptors. It does this by increasing the amount of pain that is sent to those same receptors, meaning that just continues to get worse. Then the patient has to use more and more of the same opioid in order to feel the same level of relief. 

Can you see how this might lead to addiction and overdose? It is pretty clear in my opinion. Marijuana works differently. Cannabis has been used for decades now to treat a variety of conditions, ranging from anxiety to chronic pain. While we do not know all there is to know about how cannabis relieves pain, we do know that it does it quite well. 

Otherwise, why would millions of medical marijuana patients in the United States be using cannabis to treat their health conditions? In fact, as the marijuana industry in our country continues to evolve and become more clinically proven, growers and cultivators will be able to produce strains that are unique for dealing with symptoms of pain. In fact, certain strains of cannabis are already notoriously used for treating pain in specific conditions. So if you are someone that has a condition that causes a lot of pain, I heavily suggest looking into using medical marijuana if it is legal in your state. Even if you end up not choosing to use it in the long run, at least you have another option to try instead of turning straight to something like an opioid.

Best Low-Odor Strains

If you’re someone who is sensitive to the smell of cannabis, or maybe you just absolutely hate it, you probably want a strain that’s low-odor.  While you can use carbon filters and whatnot in your growing medium, it can still smell, and if you don’t want to worry about odors, here are some of the best strains out there for you to try. Plus, it also helps those who are sensitive to the smell, and don’t want it in your hair and clothes can benefit from this. You should try this if you still struggle to keep your house smelling fresh, and you have tried to mask this with other kinds of smells, but it doesn’t really work. 

Northern Lights 

Northern lights is one that does have an earthy, spicy smell to this, and it can be fruity as well. The smell is definitely a bit generic though, so it’s great to grow, and you’ll get buds that are resinous too. The THC is very high in this, and it’s good for relaxing. It does have quick yields too, and if you want to use this as a mother plant, it’s one of the best to reduce smells in your growing medium. 

Blue mystic 

This is another one that’s basically the hybrid of northern lights and blueberry. It’s basically got terpenes and flavonoids that smell like blueberry, and it is something that does have a berry smell to this, and it can be great for a lot of people who want a nice, good indica high. This also doesn’t have a very pungent stench, and it doesn’t take long for it to flower. 

Royal Jack Auto 

This is one that you can harvest within 70 days or so, and it’s great because it definitely is a simple, pleasant high. It’s basically one of the Jack Herer varieties that are out there named for the activist who is responsible for the legalization of cannabis in many cases. It’s a high that’s pretty uplifting and simple.  it also has ruderalis genetics within this, which is something that makes it easier to grow, but it does require you to also factor in that it does have a scent that’s more fruity and sweet, almost like caramel but a bit more subtle. It also does have the white Widow genetics too, so you’ll get an amazing high after you’ve ingested this one. 

Royal Ceramic 

This is a great strain all around for those who want something compact, and also offers an odor that’s discreet. This is something that also features white rhino genetics, and it’s something that’s sensational, and it does keep this hidden. It will truly delight the entire senses, and it will also offer you a chance to have this grow quite fast, and really is a great plant for those who want an easy grow. 

Quick One 

Finally, we’ve got quick one, which is a lowrider variant, and is famous for flowering super-fast, and also has a scent that’s absolutely subdued. It does come with ruderalis genetics that will keep this nice and short, manageable, and very discreet too. It doesn’t get that tall, and it can grow super-fast too. This is also a great one that also grows well in climates that are colder too, so if you’re growing in a place that’s a bit chilly, you’ll be able to definitely have it work for you. Plus, it also has a scent that is there, and it’s also fruity, not distinct, and also won’t be something that you can smell if you don’t’ want people to know.

Is High THC a Problem

With more and more people encouraging the legalization of medical cannabis, some parts of the anti-weed group have started to move from straight prohibiting to making sure there is some regulation to this. This is specifically in the capping of THC in terms of both medical and recreational cannabis. Vermont actually did limit the levels for flower, and some other states have also looked into possibly doing the same. With that said, it’s something that may be a problem, since it might have some issues to this. Here, we’ll go over the possible downsides of higher THC levels in some products. 

The concerns 

Most of the justification for higher THC in some of these products are that it can help with various issues. Some have said that there might be a few reasons for justification of this. For starters, the availability may increase the illicit use of this by younger people. It might impair brain development in adolescents. Some believe as well that it may also increase overdoses along with hospitalizations of this. Finally, I may increase chances of psychotic disorders. 

Most studies do say that legal cannabis sourced through healthier outlets are not the main way that users go to grab this.  However, it also is of note to say that  there is no evidence that medical cannabis encourage use among younger people, and it eliminates as well any problems that the youth may have with this, and in some cases, youth use of medical cannabis has actually gone down. 

The biggest concern is the potency issues, since there is some chances that people who do use this end up purchasing some suspicious types of weed on the street. But right now, on the subject of this, it’s been found that marijuana in it as a compound does not mess with cognitive development, and it actually the decline in this during adulthood is because of other factors, rather than blaming it on weed. 

While ingestion of large amounts suddenly doe cause bad reactions, there is no reports of someone overdosing from cannabis, with most records showing that most people who have adverse reactions to cannabis are because they were getting synthetic kinds rather than just regular flower. 

The concerns that the high-THC compounds will cause bad reactions is further countered by a lot of evidence that a lot of people who consume cannabis tend to dos=e themselves with high levels of THC, and products that cause these results. 

Regular users were found that a lot of them didn’t have as many negative effects from this. It also was found when looking at HTC on memory, they found almost no difference in cognitive performance compared to memory when looking at both low-THC along with high-THC cannabis. 

The fears that this can also cause psychosis were based on a study done in 2019 which looked at the associations that were there between using cannabis that had high THC daily, and the increased chances of having a psychotic break compared to others, but there wsa not something that caused a direct causality between this and other disorders. 

It was found though that high levels of cannabis consumption might be a symptom for developing these disorders, rather than a root cause. So in truth, THC is actually the good person, and it’s been vilified for a long time. that’s because THC is responsible for activating the receptors which are used to help treat many conditions, and instead of being something to avoid, it should be taken, as it can possibly help with agonizing the THC and other levels in the body.

Cannabis and Constipation

For a long time, many have tried to address gut health and issues. With more and more different ways to handle it than ever, we’ve all started to look at how cannabis can impact constipation. 

What constipation is? 

This is when you’re unable to have bowel movements as often, and this is something that’s affected many people for a lot of reasons, and it’s usually a common, not serious matter. This can sometimes cause someone to have more or less often than they should, like once a week, or three times a day. But if you’re going more than about three days without a pass, it can be a problem. It also can cause stomach aches, bloating, diarrhea, and also flatulence too. Diarrhea is usually more often though, and it’s causing watery stools that are much looser too. It can happen for a variety of reasons, such as what you eat, the abuse of laxatives or other gut health problems. 

How cannabis Might Help 

Cannabis is something that's been used for a variety of issues, including digestive problems, in both clinical trials, and non-clinical ways too. But the science is still limited. However, it’s been found that THC is great for IBD, and reduces the occurrence of diarrhea in a lot of people.  This also shows that it can help too with the way stool passes through the intestinal tract. 

Cannabis is also being studied in a lot of ways to help with stomach issues due to certain drugs. While we tend to use opioids to help with relieving pain, they can create constipation. 

Cannabis is still being looked at as a way to reduce the opioid use, and it’s something that limits the effects that come with it, including constipation.  Cannabis is also something that’s appreciated for the chance of someone experiencing a relaxed state.  They also feel more relaxed, so it’s easier to have bowel movements. 

There are still reports of this being contradictory though, since some people have noticed that their bowel movements got worse, and constipation happened more when they used this more often. However, most who have cannabis constipation also deal with IBS, and constipation is a very common side effect that comes with this. 

Right now, the current evidence that’s surrounding this is still primary and anecdotal, and more studies must be used. But there is some research that links both the endocannabinoid system and your gut, and there is a chance there might be more answers to the questions we may have. 

Is Weed Considered a Laxative Though? 

Some people say that weed may be a laxative, but the truth is, there was research that saw that there was a decrease in experiencing the effects of constipation.

However, this was mostly due to utilizing cannabis in order to relax the body, and it can help relax all of the muscles in the body, even those in the gut. 

The form that you have this does also cause the effects too. Nicotine can be a mild laxative for example if you have a very low tolerance for it. 

If you’re mixing cannabis with nicotine, it can loosen up the stools, especially if you’re someone who already has healthy bowel movements. 

If you have cannabis foods, it also can create this too. Remember too as well that all of the cannabinoids that go into the stomach get a chance, and then, it’s put into some sort of chemical manner and it might not be as gentle as other forms are within the stomach. 

So right now, this is what we know about cannabis and constipation.

Can Doctors and Nurses Get Marijuana Cards

Doctors along with nurses are actually gatekeepers for medical marijuana and the usage of this. They do get sick on occasion, and they may use medical cannabis to treat the conditions that they have. They can have these, but there are some risks that are important to factor in mind if you’re a doctor who is using medical cannabis. 

The Rules 

Whether someone is registered with a card ultimately depends on the state that they live in, and the state’s medical board guidelines. It’s a very grey area, as it’s still considered federally legal, and a few states haven’t legalized it for medical use. The NCSBN, which is basically the state board for nursing, has helped with other state boards to provide the guidelines for those who are cardholders that work in the field of medicine. 

RNs that are working and living in states that have legalized the use of cannabis medically are allowed to use the cards. However, you have to make sure that the cannabis won’t interfere with the work that they do. So while they can use medical cannabis, you cannot go to the job while high, as that’s a bad thing, and they’re reprimand you for doing so. 

They also recommend that doctors of cannabis are used as recommendations for physicians.  The physicians have also been given the okay to use marijuana in states where they have it legalized. However, if you’re doing a job, you’re not allowed to use it, as they’re supposed to have a care standard that means they must be free from all impairment, and this includes not only THC, but other substances too, such as alcohol and other drugs. THC metabolites do cling to your fat cells, so it’s important to remember that you can actually test positive even if you’re not high. 

Hospitals do test, and they do offer a zero-tolerance policy for this. While you may not use your nursing or physician’s license to get marijuana, doing so will make you lose your job. Some states don’t have a medical board policy based on the use of cannabis for a doctor or a nurse but if they’re impaired in some way, the actions must be taken to prevent this. 

Most of the states will leave it up to the actual employer to ensure that the workplace is safe and drug-free. If you violate these, you will get terminated, even if the person does have a cannabis card for medical reasons. New Jersey and other states, however, are trying to put together legislation that allows for medical cannabis usage, provided that there is some exception to this. 

Can others Get a Medical Card 

If you’re someone who works in the medical field as a healthcare provider., you can, but do suspect that you may be tested at any time. If you need to utilize cannabis, do it when you’re not going to be working, and make sure it’s out of the system prior to returning to work. 

Most medical schools and nursing programs do require you to have a drug test prior to being admitted, and they do happen throughout the program, to offer a more immersive experience. This is usually urine drug screening, and different testing policies based on the different healthcare agencies affiliated with this. Testing for this means that it may possibly prevent you from participating. 

So a good rule of thumb is, if you’re going to be in medical school in some way, shape or form, you should avoid using medical cannabis, as it can impact your ability to work.

Cannabis for Arthritis

Medical cannabis is something that's been super popular to treat practically anything. One of the most popular things that it can help to treat is arthritis, as this is one that helps with pain relief. This is something that's been used for millennia to treat various problems. According to the CDC, about a quarter of Americans have some form of arthritis. This includes: 

• Osteoarthritis 

• Rheumatoid 

• Psoriatic arthritis 

• Lupus 

• Gout 

Cannabis to use this to treat this is not something new, with more and more using this, and it’s been found that almost everyone who was surveyed by the Arthritis Foundation has decided to use cannabis to help with arthritis relief. 

How to Use It 

For a lot of people, this could be what they’re looking for, but right now, there is no authority which says that cannabis is a surefire arthritis cure. However, there are still tons of anecdotal aspects that do show the link between cannabis usage and arthritis, which have since been published, and many are confirming that medical cannabis does offer major relief from the symptoms of arthritis. 

This is something that many uses to treat different arthritis symptoms, and many have expressed that CBD in particular is great for arthritic pain. According to another scientific study, it was discovered that it can help to treat a lot of symptoms, especially involving chronic pain. About 39% of the people who were surveyed by this are associated ith chronic pain and medical cannabis, and a lot of people mentioned that it did help with the symptoms. Some of the problems that cannabis for arthritis could help with included: 

• Pain in the joints 

• Pain in the muscles 

• Relying too much on opioids 

• Sleep issues 

Some have also found that medical cannabis does help with depression, along ith anxiety, and it’s been linked to a lot of issues, including depression and anxiety that comes from arthritis. This is approved in the US for medical reasons, but the problem with this, is that the current research that's there for humans is limited at best, with most of the studies being from animal lab settings. 

Why it Might Help 

This is something that is still being documented, although there are a lot of sources that know some things. A lot of medical organizations have a lot of studies done about the possibility of cannabis to relieve pain. Some studies also found that cannabis is great for pain relief, as it can directly work with the cannabinoid receptors, which involve both perception and pain signaling. 

These substances are great for the reduction of pain as they work with your endocannabinoid receptors, plus ith the anti-inflammatory results that come from this, there is a  chance that it may work to reduce the chronic pain. Based on a revie article, they found that the results on whether or not medical cannabis helps with arthritis, specifically the osteoarthritis pain, are currently promising. It may help with the reduction of this pin, inflammation that comes from this, and also the nerve damage that may happen with arthritis in animals.

However, the substances that are in the medical cannabis are still being studied, but it has found that it does work with the ECS, which is a great place to help with the pain that comes from this. 

At this point, there is still more studies to be done, and there is no definitive evidence. But for a lot of people, the use of medical cannabis can be great, especially for the treatment and usage of this that comes from this too.