Medical marijuana has been a controversial topic for decades, and it has been surrounded by a number of myths and misconceptions. In recent years, however, the use of medical cannabis has become increasingly accepted as an effective treatment for a wide range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, mental health, sleep, and neurological disorders
Despite this, there are still many myths and misconceptions about medical cannabis, particularly in Australia
One of the most common misconceptions about medical cannabis is that it will get you high. While some medical cannabis products may contain THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, not all medical cannabis products do.
There are a variety of medical cannabis products available, including those that contain high levels of CBD, a non-psychoactive compound that has been shown to have therapeutic benefits.
Medical cannabis can be used to treat a range of conditions, including chronic pain, which is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical cannabis treatment.
Interest in the use of cannabis and cannabinoids to treat chronic noncancer pain is escalating because of their potential to diminish opioid dose requirements
Both factors have been proposed to reduce the risk of opioid dependence and overdose.
Physiotherapists should be able to educate patients on the reported benefits of cannabis (eg chronic pain, MS, spasticity, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting) as well as potential adverse effects.
However, as there is limited scientific evidence to support the use of medicinal cannabis in most conditions, and in many cases, the evidence is for its use together with other medicines, it should be used only when approved treatments have been tried and have failed to manage conditions and symptoms.
In conclusion, medical cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating a range of conditions, including chronic pain, mental health, sleep, and neurological disorders.
While there are still many myths and misconceptions surrounding its use, it is important to understand that medical cannabis is not a cure-all and should be used in conjunction with other treatments as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Patients should always consult with their doctor before using medical cannabis and should only obtain it through legal channels in Australia.
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