Alcoholism
Does Medical Marijuana help combat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
A growth on research efforts are being directed to learn the positives it comes from the use of Medical Marijuana specifically CBD (Cannabidiol) to combat effects related to alcohol use disorder.
An article published in the Journal of Neuroscience concluded that marijuana acts as a neuroprotective shield against the damage already caused by alcohol in the brainstem. Furthermore, the authors suggest that cannabis greatly alleviates severe craving symptoms, paving the way for full recovery.
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is the addiction to alcoholic beverages. It is, therefore, a disease caused by excessive consumption of this type of beverage, which generates various health disorders.
Alcoholism is a primary and chronic disease whose development and clinical manifestations are influenced by genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 5.1% of the global burden of disease and injury is attributable to alcohol, as measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs).
The disease is often progressive and fatal. It is characterized by the lack of control in the consumption (continuous or intermittent) of alcohol, the ingestion of liquor despite the concern to do so and its consequences, as well as reasoning disorders that often lead to denial behavior on actual consumption.
In America, the NCDAS National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics states that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 12 have Alcohol Use Disorder and on average, 140,557 Americans die from the effects of alcohol in an average year.
Research on Alcoholism and the use of Medical Marijuana
Studies are currently trying to determine if cannabinoids and terpenes help suppress the urge to drink alcoholic beverages and counteract the damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption.
A study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology looked at the possible role of CBD in reducing alcohol consumption and protecting the liver and kidneys in cases of alcoholism.
Other studies are investigating the use of CBD to influence the microbiome (the community of millions of microorganisms present in our bodies) and minimize the physical damage caused by alcohol use disorder. Some scientists are also turning their attention to beta-caryophyllene. This dietary cannabinoid binds to the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system, and science is studying how it affects alcohol intake in mice.
How using Medical Marijuana helps with Alcohol Use Disorder?
One of the ways to use it is as a substitute for slowly limiting alcohol intake. Edibles are a great way to deal with abstinence syndrome. Not only do they possess stronger effects than other ways of consumption (oils, smoking) but they also have a prolonged effect.
Insomnia, a side effect of quitting alcohol, is often considered one of the main reasons for relapse. Sleep deprivation can be overwhelming, and a few sleepless nights in a row will only make withdrawal symptoms worse. Having cannabis meals or drinks at night can help you enjoy the long-awaited rest, facilitating recovery.
Still, the use of CBD and Medical Marijuana is being thoroughly researched. Although there are several cases of people who benefitted, further investigations and ways to treat this illness are currently developing.
There’s a lack of documentation on what steps to take when craving effects get more complicated, in those instances external help is needed.
In children, behavioral therapy with both parents and children is included.
Regarding medications, the first-line medications approved by FDA to treat ADHD are stimulants (methylphenidate and amphetamines). These medications stimulate the release of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Such medications can correct the balance of dopamine. However, they can also cause unpleasant side effects and withdrawal symptoms. This is why some ADHD patients have experimented with marijuana.
Please note that this article should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your doctor. Especially in the case of chronic alcoholics and those with a higher risk of diseases or fatalities derived from alcohol.
Consulting a doctor regards the use of Medical Marijuana to treat Alcoholism may be one of the qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Maryland. If you are interested in learning more, you can schedule a telecall or fill out a New Patient Registration Form today.
At Maryland GreenScript Cannabis, the patient’s needs come first. We are one of the only Medical Cannabis Certification Providers in Maryland that comes to you! Get your MMCC card in as little as a few weeks.