Archive for June, 2008
Is feeling good a “side effect” of Cannabis?
As I have discussed in prior blogs, Cannabis can be a potent anti-depressant. It has this “happy” factor, regardless of whether the patient is medicating for pain, low appetite or nausea.
As a doctor, I am justifiably concerned about the side affects of medications. So, you’d think I’d be concerned when a patient calls me explaining that their nausea is much improved “but” they notice that they feel happier and just “better”. In fact, this doesn’t worry me at all.
When I hear about their concern over “feeling better”, truthfully, it puts a smile on my face. I wish more of the medications I have prescribed over the many years I have practiced had the same side effect profile: “Warning! May include increased feelings of well being”.
All of this begs the question; under what circumstances is happiness or feeling at ease a problem? It is a problem when the good feelings lead to poor or no focus and interferes with one’s life. The mood elevating “side-effects”, (particularly from Sativa Strains), are packed with increased focus – and this is what is so very different and so very wonderful.