Excerpts…
“…humans have a built-in system that appears well-designed to respond to cannabis for treating chronic pain, anxiety, nausea and a host of other symptoms caused by various diseases and conditions.
The endocannabinoid system is recognized in other countries, but here, where the gov’t classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, few med professionals receive training regarding its potential benefits for patients.
To Jim Hutchins, a Weber State U. neuroscience professor and medical cannabis advocate, that’s unfortunate and signals the need to change existing laws.
‘From my perspective, the risk is pretty minimal and the reward is pretty great,’ Hutchins said of the use to treat chronic pain — instead of the more conventional and powerful opiates that have proven to be addictive and too often deadly….
…A study published in the European J. of Internal Medicine, ‘Practical Considerations in Medical Cannabis Administration and Dosing,’ details the plant’s deep roots
‘Cannabis has a history of medical application likely exceeding that of the written word … It is only in the last century that quality control issues, lack of defined chemistry, and above all, politically and ideologically motivated prohibition relegated it planta non grata.’
Andrew Talbott, a pain management physician who practices in Park City, began learning about medical uses of cannabis after … his mother had a hip replacement and ended up taking a synthetic THC (Marinol) to reduce severe nausea. [His] journey to learn more … led him to a continuing medical education course focused on the body’s #ECS, therapeutic uses of medical cannabis, pain medicine and opioid prescribing.
Now, 3-5 patients ask him every day about medical cannabis, Talbott said.
Many medical professionals object to marijuana’s lack of clear dosing guidelines, believing medicine should come in pill form or something measurable purchased from pharmacies.
‘When people say they have no idea how to dose, we do have some idea based on titration,’ Talbott said of the ‘start low and go slow’ philosophy that applies well beyond cannabis. ‘If they experience side effects you might have to change it a little. If they get full benefit without side effects, you stop right there.’
Talbott pointed to Gabapentin, a nerve pain drug, as an example of titration: “Some patients get 100mg three times a day, some 1200mg four times a day. So I start low and gradually increase — we can do that with cannabis.’
[After his CME course], Talbott still feels he’s only scratched the surface.
‘The endocannabinoid system is just amazing, and how varied and widespread its effects are on our physiological functioning,’ he said.”
Much more in the article. Highly recommended!
#MMJ #UTpol #Titration #UtahNext #TRUCE
See full article – Some doctors say humans have system perfect for cannabis
