Here in Oregon and Washington, along with many other states, Marijuana has been legalized. I have a difficult time wrapping my head around grandma and grandpa sitting in their rockers, smoking a joint. During my upbringing this was the farthest thing from reality.
Now with legalization, we see pot shops appearing on every corner, and the message being sent to our generation is one that says, if it feels good, do it. I’m sorry, but this kind of message runs crosswise of my ethics, morality, and upbringing.
On the other hand, I’ve seen one glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. That involves the non-THC, CBD component which is being extracted from the plant which has medicinal benefits associated with it.
For many with inflammation and chronic pain, we see where the CBD oil can reduce this pain and inflammation without the negative side effects of opiates and anti-inflammatory drugs, while avoiding the mind altering THC found in conventional pot used to get high, which was all the rage during the 70’s and the hippie era.
Not wanting to be identified with that trend, I avoided pot and those who were using it. That being said, you need to understand that I’m biased, so please keep this in mind as you read my article. I want to share just what I uncovered.
A recent Medscape article showcased a link between edible marijuana and myocardial infarction. Two Canadian physicians reported the case of a 70-year-old man with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), who consumed a lollipop containing a large quantity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to relieve pain and aid sleep. The man presented to the ER with hallucinations and cardiac symptoms, and was eventually diagnosed with myocardial infarction. (heart attack)
So far there’s very little data concerning the relationship between the THC and myocardial infarction. With it’s use increasing, especially among the elderly, this may eventually pan out as a potential danger of using pot on a regular basis. Legalization, accessibility, and acceptance in our culture has caused it’s use to skyrocket, even among the elderly.
The use among elderly has risen greatly and one physician noted after a recently completed rheumatology rotation, that perhaps as many as 75% of patients on any given day, who would never have even considered the idea of marijuana, were now asking if they could use it for pain. Additional reasons beyond pain, for which older adults turn to marijuana is to alleviate insomnia and anxiety. One of my patients who suffers complete loss of appetite uses it to stimulate her appetite.
THC, which is what possesses the psychoactive effects, caused the myocardial patient's fear response and hallucinations, which caused him to go into overdrive, have a more rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure, leading to a supply-and-demand problem, as the heart couldn't get as much blood due to the already narrowed arteries. Besides the sympathetic response, THC might posses a pro-inflammatory response, potentially causing damage to the lining of the blood vessels and making a vulnerable person at further risk for heart attack.
Cardiovascular toxicity can be a consequence of inhaling the products of combustion of pot, but even in edible form, THC can have direct cardiovascular effects by acting on cannabinoid receptor 1, primarily through the central nervous system (CNS) pathways, thereby increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This is the fight or flight response. In turn, this results in a dose-related tachycardia, increased myocardial contractility, hypertension, and systemic catecholamine release, resulting in reduced coronary blood flow by constricting vessels and activating platelets, potentially resulting in clot formation.
When comparing the CBD component of marijuana to the THC, it’s actually calming, and acts to reduce the inflammatory response. This is why we’ve seen CBD oils used medicinally with some rather miraculous results. Everything from chronic intractable pain in arthritis to seeing results in cancer patients where the cancer has eventually gone into remission.
The pot of today isn’t the pot of the 70’s. With current agricultural practices and freedom to grow and harvest without fear of legal consequences, the THC content in today's cannabis has increased significantly since the Woodstock generation, when a joint had maybe 3% to 5% THC. Now, we have products that can go up to 90% THC.
Understanding the frailties of human nature, the potential of addiction is still there and has ruined lives. I have a patient who’s husband can’t leave it alone, and it’s daily use has created division in their marriage. As with all things, without wisdom and temperance, we’re doomed.
Now with legalization, we see pot shops appearing on every corner, and the message being sent to our generation is one that says, if it feels good, do it. I’m sorry, but this kind of message runs crosswise of my ethics, morality, and upbringing.
On the other hand, I’ve seen one glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. That involves the non-THC, CBD component which is being extracted from the plant which has medicinal benefits associated with it.
For many with inflammation and chronic pain, we see where the CBD oil can reduce this pain and inflammation without the negative side effects of opiates and anti-inflammatory drugs, while avoiding the mind altering THC found in conventional pot used to get high, which was all the rage during the 70’s and the hippie era.
Not wanting to be identified with that trend, I avoided pot and those who were using it. That being said, you need to understand that I’m biased, so please keep this in mind as you read my article. I want to share just what I uncovered.
A recent Medscape article showcased a link between edible marijuana and myocardial infarction. Two Canadian physicians reported the case of a 70-year-old man with stable coronary artery disease (CAD), who consumed a lollipop containing a large quantity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to relieve pain and aid sleep. The man presented to the ER with hallucinations and cardiac symptoms, and was eventually diagnosed with myocardial infarction. (heart attack)
So far there’s very little data concerning the relationship between the THC and myocardial infarction. With it’s use increasing, especially among the elderly, this may eventually pan out as a potential danger of using pot on a regular basis. Legalization, accessibility, and acceptance in our culture has caused it’s use to skyrocket, even among the elderly.
The use among elderly has risen greatly and one physician noted after a recently completed rheumatology rotation, that perhaps as many as 75% of patients on any given day, who would never have even considered the idea of marijuana, were now asking if they could use it for pain. Additional reasons beyond pain, for which older adults turn to marijuana is to alleviate insomnia and anxiety. One of my patients who suffers complete loss of appetite uses it to stimulate her appetite.
THC, which is what possesses the psychoactive effects, caused the myocardial patient's fear response and hallucinations, which caused him to go into overdrive, have a more rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure, leading to a supply-and-demand problem, as the heart couldn't get as much blood due to the already narrowed arteries. Besides the sympathetic response, THC might posses a pro-inflammatory response, potentially causing damage to the lining of the blood vessels and making a vulnerable person at further risk for heart attack.
Cardiovascular toxicity can be a consequence of inhaling the products of combustion of pot, but even in edible form, THC can have direct cardiovascular effects by acting on cannabinoid receptor 1, primarily through the central nervous system (CNS) pathways, thereby increasing sympathetic nervous system activity. This is the fight or flight response. In turn, this results in a dose-related tachycardia, increased myocardial contractility, hypertension, and systemic catecholamine release, resulting in reduced coronary blood flow by constricting vessels and activating platelets, potentially resulting in clot formation.
When comparing the CBD component of marijuana to the THC, it’s actually calming, and acts to reduce the inflammatory response. This is why we’ve seen CBD oils used medicinally with some rather miraculous results. Everything from chronic intractable pain in arthritis to seeing results in cancer patients where the cancer has eventually gone into remission.
The pot of today isn’t the pot of the 70’s. With current agricultural practices and freedom to grow and harvest without fear of legal consequences, the THC content in today's cannabis has increased significantly since the Woodstock generation, when a joint had maybe 3% to 5% THC. Now, we have products that can go up to 90% THC.
Understanding the frailties of human nature, the potential of addiction is still there and has ruined lives. I have a patient who’s husband can’t leave it alone, and it’s daily use has created division in their marriage. As with all things, without wisdom and temperance, we’re doomed.
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