Is Marijuana Really Medicine?
Do you support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes? Growing up in the “Just Say No” generation, I’ll have to admit that it took a lot of un-brainwashing before my mind opened to many of the taboos of my childhood.
When used properly, the natural high that marijuana provides offers Chemotherapy patients a sense of relaxation, pain management and increased appetite. At times, it can be the saving grace that allows people to rebuild immunity by simply eating.
Perhaps There is a Time and Place for it
Chinese medicine teaches that every herb or food has the potential to heal or harm. Gaining benefit from an herb like marijuana would mean taking it at the right time, in the right amount and combining it properly with other foods or herbs.
Will Pot Alleviate ADD and ADHD Symptoms in Children?
So do we give marijuana to children? I’d say that if a child’s condition could be benefited by it, I may consider it. But, this video suggests using it for children with ADD. Knowing what I know about recovering children from disorders like ADD – I am pretty appalled with this video.
Still, I think it’s worth watching because it speaks to marijuana’s healing ability and how to use it respectfully. Unfortunately, I believe that giving it to children with this condition only allows them to mellow out and perhaps sneak deeper inside themselves. So, maybe it keeps them quiet for class or decreases tantrums, but it seems like a weak way out. A way that only benefits teachers and parents who’ve got headaches.
With no letters after your name, I’m assuming you’re not exactly an expert. That being said you make interesting points.
As the woman said, she has anecdotal evidence that using cannabis works for this ailment. What this would indicate is that real research is warranted. Ritalin apparently has adverse long term effects on the developing child’s brain. Not that cannabis wouldn’t, but the question is: what are those effects?
Since the late 70’s until recently, there has been pathetic little research into the medicinal uses of cannabis. However the more we research, the more uses and benefits we find.
The point here is that instead of an all-out dismissal, more research, more research, more research.
And keep fighting that conditioning!
Peter, I agree that more rsearch may need to be done on this particular subject. But who’s to really say that the experts are right anyway? I don’t believe in “one size fits all” medicine. I do believe that any organic natral herb or food can potentially heal us or harm us. In the case of ADD, we often find underlying food allergies and toxic reactions that cause children to have problems with focus and hyper activity. While marijuana may ot be the worst thing for them — it also may not be the best. The herb is known ot have mmune supressing effects.
I am a parent of a 3 year old son, and I know how it is to deal with tantrums and focus problems. I can see how marijuana can alleviate that. But, i don’t believe it is aimed at curing the disorder (rather, just holding it at bay).
Thanks
Gina
Not sure about the herb’s immune suppressing effects, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. They wouldn’t give it to cancer patients if the immune effects were too severe. That said you did make one point, the difference between alleviation and cure. The “cure” definitely starts with diet. Kids are exposed to so much sugar, and that’s not to mention pesticides and plastics with endocrine disruptors and estrogen mimickers that can drastically effect a child’s hormone levels.
As far as your 3yr old, tantrums and lack of attention sound normal to me (been around a LOT of 3yr olds). I wouldn’t recommend cannabis for a 3yr old (though maybe at tiny dosage in certain forms (infused in butter or ghee) but then again 3yrs old is way too early to diagnose someone with a learning/attention disorder. If you’re concerned about your child, I would reccommend seeing a naturopath and taking a hard look at your child’s diet. Cut out all sugar, including juices, and many fruits. Also monitor television watching, that flickering scree will drive anyone crazy.
I appreciate the change to dialogue and good luck.
yeah you say weed is weak way out. I agree but at least it is much better than ritalin or any off the other crap they give us these days.
also, another thing that may strenghten ADD is the chemicals in most mainstream foods like pop tarts and soda and tampered oils and spices.
Hi Patrick,
I agree that a natural remedy trumps ritalin or antidepressants etc. However, as a mom — I cannot settle for a lesser evil. I can only settle for whatever may be the best for my son. If the marijuana was used in conjunction with herbs and foods that heal and chelate environmental toxins from the kids’ bodies — I would think about it.The kinds of tantrums that these chilldren have, and the kind of chaos that often goes on in their bodies can cause physical pain and frustration, so I would never judge a parent who decides to use marijuana in order to curb the pain of these symptoms. But, I simply hate it when parents and medical professionals ONLY deal with symptoms. And, I learned from my son, that these symptoms decrease with proper diet, exercise and detox.
Thanks for reading! Keep in Touch.
Gina
Just my two cents…when I was pregnant with my son I did some reading up on marijuana use during pregnancy. Studies done in Jamaica were the most reliable (imagine!) and according to them, it slows brain function just enough to help thought organization, which means an infant born to a woman who used it was likely to be less prone to stress-induced anxiety (which many ADD/ADHD kids are) and were actually able to learn more quickly because they were able to sort out heir thoughts and “file” them away for later use. I agree, more research is needed, specifically to determine the safest and most effective dosage but when you consider that people have been prescribing speed to kids with ADD/ADHD, I’d say marijuana is a much safer bet. Besides, most kids grow out of it by their teens and are able to function as normal adults, so any drug you use is a way of suppressing the symptoms rather than “curing” the disease.
Hippie Mom, that’s really interesting, and it makes sense to me, in a way. I do wonder if they suggest smoking it or eating? of course, the dosage plays a role too. I’m curious where you found this information as it actually pertains to some issues I’m dealing with, with my own son.
Gina
great resource thanks
There are a few real ADHD cases out there. My husband was treated with coffee. We have noticed that drugs have a paradoxical reaction on him. (they do the opposite of what they were intended to do originally) Ritalin originally was for Epilepsy. Look it up in a drug book. If you look at the the chemical name it is a form of speed (Meth).
I do not advocate any drug long term. Most of them are tiny amounts of poison. They block enzymes, whereas nutrients enable enzymes. A better chance for this condition and any condition , is to maximize the proper balance of nutrients. ADHD are often found to be magnesium deficient and zinc deficient. http://www.nutritionalsupplementscenter.com/info/Minerals/Magnesium.html
Also , copper, calcium, iron and vitamin D. Maximize these nutrients and it helps the brain to make the right chemicals.
I have also found peppermint a help to my husband’s focus.
I am a nurse, by the way, but they don’t teach us this stuff in nursing school.