Which Medications Are People Replacing With Cannabis?

Medications people are replacing with cannabis

Surveys show a large share of medical cannabis users say they've cut back on or swapped out other drugs for cannabis, most often painkillers like ibuprofen and opioids, plus sleep aids, anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. As medical cannabis goes mainstream, many patients are looking for what they see as a safer, more natural alternative to prescription drugs, and prescriptions aren't the only thing being swapped out. 

Plenty of people also cut down on over-the-counter meds once they start using cannabis or cannabis products. Patients report replacing everyday pills like ibuprofen and other pain relievers, typically used for minor aches, pains and inflammation, with this plant. Cannabis contains cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), which research suggests have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons people turn to medical marijuana in the first place. In the US, there's a major fight against opioids, which are mostly prescribed to patients with serious injuries and severe, chronic pain. The concern is that opioids are highly addictive, and some researchers argue that swapping them for cannabis products could help put the brakes on the epidemic. 

Beyond painkillers, some patients report reducing or even dropping antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, especially sedatives, in favor of cannabis-based therapies, always with medical supervision. People also report using cannabis in place of sleeping pills, anti-nausea drugs, epilepsy medications and palliative care drugs.

A study led by Dr. James Corroon, medical director at a California medical cannabis center, surveyed 2,774 participants and found that 46% reported using cannabis as a substitute for a prescription drug.

A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Review found that people are increasingly replacing prescription drugs, alcohol and illicit drugs with cannabis, a sign that society's understanding of marijuana's medical benefits is shifting.

Of the 473 adult cannabis users surveyed by the Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, more than 86% said they had quit or replaced one or more substances with marijuana, and most of them had swapped pharmaceuticals for what they saw as a non-toxic alternative. The study also showed that people under 40 were more likely to substitute cannabis products for lab-made drugs.

Both THC and CBD, the best-known cannabinoids in the cannabis world, have different therapeutic and medicinal properties.

CBD has a long list of potential therapeutic uses. It's often used for stress, depression and other mental health issues. Research suggests it's neuroprotective and a muscle relaxant, which is why health professionals sometimes prescribe it for seizures and as palliative care for body pain and other symptoms. One of the biggest pluses of CBD therapy is that research to date shows this cannabinoid has little to no potential for addiction. 

Treatments that don't hook patients matter a lot. Strong painkillers and antidepressants can lead to serious dependence problems that end up making patients sicker instead of helping them heal. 

THC is often used to help manage chronic pain, muscle spasticity, glaucoma, insomnia, poor appetite, nausea and anxiety, among other things. 

If you're thinking about using medical marijuana to replace a medication or treatment, the most important thing is to talk to a doctor first, ideally one who specializes in medical cannabis. Medical cannabis may well be gentler on your body, but stopping a treatment or medication cold turkey can be extremely dangerous. Your best bet is always the safest possible therapy, done under supervision.

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