Posted by SteveL on September 27, 2000, at 17:43:28
In reply to Re: Pot and melatonin, posted by pullmarine on September 24, 2000, at 3:00:23
I wandered into this thread looking for some info on Remeron and found the comments on cannabis fascinating. In my experience and observation it is one of the most complex drugs in wide use and cannot be simply characterized. Some of the most honorable and psychologically healthy folks I've known use it occasionally to regularly and I've also seen it ill-used by more than a few others. Its legal status clouds the issue tremendously, as well as the wide variability of both potency and qualitative effects. The availability of better potency and quality of "buds" is considered by most to be a definite advantage, as the desired effect can be archived with less smoke(better for the lungs, etc.).
I cannot argue with anyone's personal bad experiences or downplay the possible complications in conjunction with "doctor approved" meds, but I find the unqualified condemnatory tone and outright snideness of some of the posts all too common. We don't usually express this kind of contempt across the board towards all drinkers of alcohol, even though its profound dangers are widely recognized.
In my observation, as well as from comments of many people over the years(30), cannabis is generally not useful in cases of severe anxiety. It might be classified in part as a "minor psychedelic" and is probably best avoided by most folks with serious mental illnesses, especially those not already personally familiar with its effects.
Its most successful medical uses generally involve its salutary effects on nausea, appetite, physical pain and the associated situational, "ordinary" unhappiness. Despite its legal risks and problems with doctor's attitudes it's been a godsend for many people with cancer and other painfully debilitating diseases, and I find the common objection that they "just want to get high" curious when they are often freely prescribed narcotics and other powerful and dangerous psychoactive pharmaceuticals. Isn't feeling and getting better the whole point???
My personal experience in this area proved cannabis very useful in dealing with severe pain. It allowed me to use significantly lower doses of narcotics(30 to 70% less) while virtually eliminating the nausea and general "ickiness" and giving me the appetite and enjoyment to eat enough to maintain my weight and be more active. This was no small blessing and more effective across the board than anything the many doctors (some quite good) I saw could give me.
Thanks for all your posts, I wish you all good luck in finding your best help.
poster:SteveL
thread:1748
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45374.html