Although most Americans battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain prefer to use cannabis-based medications to deal with their conditions, experts say that there is not much evidence that marijuana would provide them the required relief. They feel that the lack of high-quality scientific research to support the therapeutic claims of marijuana is a stark reminder that the medicinal properties of the drug are unjustifiable.

According to two studies conducted by a research team at the Veterans Health Administration and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the academic medical journal of the American College of Physicians (ACP), there is no evidence confirming either the benefits or the harms of using marijuana for treating PTSD or chronic pain. “The current studies highlight the real and urgent need for high-quality clinical trials in both these areas,” said Dr. Sachin Patel, lead researcher.

In the first study, the researchers concluded that though 45 to 85 percent users of medical marijuana use it to treat chronic pain, the effectiveness of cannabis-based medications remains uncertain. Despite experiencing some relief from neuropathic pain, the risk for mental health impairments far outweighs the benefits.

In the other study, the researchers failed to establish sufficient evidence to support the claims that marijuana procured from medical dispensaries helps to alleviate symptoms of PTSD. In fact, one of the studies revealed a small, but significant worsening of PTSD symptoms in veterans using marijuana.

In the wake of the findings of both the studies, members of the research team are of the belief that cannabis should be considered as an option only if other well-established treatment options have failed to alleviate an individual’s condition.

Marijuana is a gateway drug

The states of California, Texas and Arizona are a melting pot of numerous ethnicities, cultures and socio-economic classes. Owing to the proximity of these states to the Mexican border, the masses residing here are susceptible to the outcomes of cross border narcotics trafficking and the dangers of drug abuse and addiction.

Besides, an easy-to-access drug, such as marijuana, has the potential to drive unwary users to dabble in other hard drugs, such as cocaine, heroin or designer drugs. If abused, marijuana can lead people to chronic marijuana use disorder (MUD), mental disorders and other dangerous consequences impacting one’s physical as well as mental health.

• Research findings have shown that marijuana alters the brain’s reward system by creating a dopamine rush which might make an individual try out other drugs.
• High-schoolers find it easier to obtain marijuana than alcohol, and in the event of complete legalization, there could be a great risk of abuse due to peer pressure and social acceptability.
• Marijuana addicts are thrice more likely to try and get addicted to heroin, as they often graduate to harder drugs, to achieve the same high.
• Marijuana could pave the way for teens and young adults to enter one of the most vicious subcultures of drug dealing gangs.
• Males, in particular, face a greater risk of addiction, as they engage in life-threatening behaviors to live up to their risk-taking, macho image.

Nevertheless, irrespective of the legal status or growing popularity of marijuana, it is a proven fact that the drug is highly addictive and chronic addicts need comprehensive professional help from a reputed detox center to break free from its clutches.

Seek professional help for marijuana addiction

With pro-marijuana campaigns in full swing across the country, the drug is rapidly gaining widespread acceptance across all sections of American society. In fact, the publicity owing to the nationwide celebration of cannabis culture has almost sidelined the harmful aspect of the drug by branding it as a non-toxic and a relatively harmless substance. Most Americans have conveniently forgotten that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has maintained its stand on the absence of any therapeutic benefits of marijuana by treating it as a Schedule I drug.

Sovereign Health is aware of the misery of individuals struggling with MUD despite the harmful impact of the drug on their lives. Our personalized marijuana detox programs at our reputed marijuana addiction recovery centers are tailored to suit individual needs in order to treat the person holistically.

If you or a loved one is struggling to break free from addiction to marijuana, get in touch with Sovereign Health to gain access to the best residential treatment programs at our sophisticated rehab centers in California. Call our 24/7 helpline number or chat online with our trained medical experts for further information.