A 31-year-old member asked:
people with m/s smoke cannabis why? how does that help?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Djamchid Lotfianswered
Neurology 58 years experience
Pain relief: Only in certain cases of ms when there is spinal cord disease, pain and spasticity and cramp mostly in the lower extremities , cannabis may help in symptomatic relief.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 52 years experience
Complex: First, medical marijuana arrived so rapidly on the scene that we physicians had not even done the research studies to assess a treatment role. However, we do know of some benefit in the leg spasticity of ms, and now find slight benefit for parkinsonian tremors, which raises questions of value in ms cerebellar tremors. Also, has been used for pain control. But none of this is certain yet.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Similar questions
A 28-year-old member asked:
I think I am addicted to cannabis?
2 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. John Moranvilleanswered
Psychiatry 36 years experience
Probably: If you think you are, you probably are. Cannabis can be very addictive. Fortunately, there is no physical addiction and no withdrawal symptoms when you stop. More importantly, the first and most important step in stopping any addiction is to recognize you have a problem and you have already taken that step.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 62-year-old member asked:
I would appreciate some opinions on the use of cannabis in medicine. If it were legal, would you prescribe it?
4 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeff Blixtanswered
Addiction Medicine 24 years experience
Not in current form: It is legal in some states, at least at the state level. The way it is currently handled, it is not medical in any way. There is some great research into the cannabinoid compounds with many potential benefits for pain, mood, bone health and even addiction to name a few. However smoking a plant that is harmful to tissue such as lungs and heart and dosing is not regulated is not medicine.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Gregg Albers commented
Addiction Medicine 41 years experience
The best way to do this is to purify the active ingredient, likely THC, then test this for safety. Dose of a substance can make a huge difference in its safety. You don't want the tars and other residual substances that smoking raw or fortified marijuana gives you.
Feb 2, 2012
A 37-year-old member asked:
Does cannabis affect the capacity to work and concentrate on tasks more so than other drugs?
2 doctor answers • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Rudolf Brutocoanswered
Child Psychiatry 44 years experience
Negative effects: Pot, especially if used chronically, generally causes decreased focus and performance -- and especially decreased motivation. As to comparing it to other drugs... It depends on dosing, as well as what the other drugs are. There are street drugs that are worse, and there are some that may have little if any adverse effect on work and concentration.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is it possible to be addicted to cannabis?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kevin Passeranswered
Child Psychiatry 35 years experience
Absolutely: A person can become "addicted" to many different things. Gambling, sex, food, drugs and alcohol, are some of the main ones. If a person engages in a behavior which they know could potentially lead to dire consequences and the person continues to engage in the behavior, some experts call such a thing an addiction.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
South Africa
A 38-year-old male asked:
Is cannabis harmful if eaten?
2 doctor answers • 8 doctors weighed in
Dr. Kevin Passeranswered
Child Psychiatry 35 years experience
Possibly: When cannabis is ingested, it has to go thru the stomach and the many chemicals it contains must then be broken down by the liver. The fact is, the effects of this are largely unknown and may not be very good for you. Also, the psychoactive effects may be prolonged and unpredictable compared with smoking cannabis, which could result in some unforeseen impairment. Good question.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Craig Cohen commented
Emergency Medicine 25 years experience
Actually, the effects and medical benefits of cannabis are well known. There is nothing toxic about the chemicals in the cannabis plant. Unlike alcohol, or nicotine, cannabinoids (the ingredients in the plant) are similar to the substances produced in our bodies, called endocannabinoids. These are not toxic, rather, they interact with our cells by a receptor on the cell surface, causing a cascade of effects within the cell. Here's a link to some clinical trials that doctors and patients facing hard-to-treat conditions should be knowledgable about: http://www.cannabis-med.org/data/pdf/en_2010_01_special.pdf
Sep 2, 2012
Dr. Alan Ali commented
Psychiatry 32 years experience
Agree with Dr. Cohen. Great response.
Sep 14, 2012
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