Sanjay Gupta writes for CNN.com about his change of heart on the benefits of marijuana, notwithstanding its risks. In traveling the world, Gupta spoke directly to people for whom marijuana was the only treatment that offered relief. He also learned that the proportion of older adults using marijuana in the US is growing more rapidly than any other age cohort.
Gupta is clear that marijuana is not a cure-all. But, for example, it sometimes can prevent seizures in children. Still, it does not work to offer relief to everyone. What’s worse, marijuana can contribute to falls, which often land older adults in the emergency room.
Until 1996, cannabis was illegal in every state for all purposes. Today, marijuana is legal in 38 states as well as the District of Columbia. Some of the remaining states make it a crime to possess marijuana, even for medicinal purposes. The federal government still treats marijuana as a “Schedule 1 substance,” with no accepted medical use and a likely chance of abuse.
Apparently, federal law notwithstanding, many older adults use marijuana daily to address sleep issues, pains, anxiety and depression. They tend to like it better than anti-depressants, opioids and sleeping pills.
Marijuana could reduce the number of prescription drugs older adults take. Today, three in 10 older adults take at least five prescription drugs daily.
Gupta says that our bodies actually produce cannabis and have cannabinols receptors. Our endocannabinoid system balances our body, but it weakens as we age. That’s why older adults tend to struggle more with sleep and pain and mood.
If you are thinking that you’d like to try cannabis, Gupta suggests you start with a low dose and take it slowly. There are more than 100 cannabinols, so we don’t generally have a good idea of how any particular cannabis you take will affect you. All we know is that it could give you a very good night’s sleep.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Older adults increasingly using marijuana products with some risk
- Don’t overlook marijuana-prescription drug interactions
- Colorado legalizes medicinal psychedelics
- Who should take ketamine for depression?
- Almost all states permit the sale of products containing the principal psychoactive ingredient in weed
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