Can CBD replace prescription pills? Take a look inside your medicine cabinet. You more than likely have several bottles of pharmaceutical drugs in there. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that studies have shown that seven out of ten Americans take at least one type of prescription medication. If you are using pharmaceutical drugs to treat a specific condition, you might benefit from substituting some, if not all of it, with CBD.
Last year, a comprehensive report was released by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), concerning the health benefits of cannabis. Research is still in its infancy, and plenty more research still needs to be done on this incredible plant and its medicinal properties. However, studies have already found that marijuana compounds like CBD have huge scope in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, and anxiety, among other conditions. But how does CBD compare to prescription medication? Will it ever replace pharmaceutical drugs?
Shocking statistics published by the CDC between 2011 and 2014, revealed that 49% of Americans had used at least one prescription drug in the last 30 days. 23% of people used at least three prescription drugs over the same time, and shockingly, 12% had used a minimum of five prescription drugs in the last 30 days. Fast forward to today, and over 54 million people over the age of 12 have used prescription medication for non-medical purposes during their lifetime.
The good news is that CBD might just be the answer that we have all been looking for. Although cannabis still faces a lot of legal controversies, CBD is quickly proving its worth in the medical world. Let’s take a closer look at CBD compared to prescription pills.
Efficacy
By all accounts, cannabis is proving to be a potential weapon in the fight against opioid abuse. Studies have shown that prescription opioid users have drastically dropped, as have related deaths, in those states that have legalized marijuana. A study* published by HelloMD in August 2017, surveyed 2,400 registered users and found that 42% of those who use CBD, gave up prescription medication in favor of cannabis in some form. 80% of participants claimed that CBD was either “very or extremely effective.”
Another 2017 study, conducted on over 2,800 people, found that 93% of patients preferred cannabis to opioids for pain management. In the same study, it was found that 97% of the group either strongly agreed or agreed that marijuana helped them to reduce their opioid intake. Also, 69% claimed they preferred weed to opioids, and 70% said that the side effects of cannabis were preferred over those caused by opioids.
Side Effects
Let’s start this off by stating one perhaps quite obvious, but very important fact. Cannabis, and therefore CBD is a natural, plant-based product, while pharmaceuticals are synthetic, meaning that they are man-made. In other words, comparing CBD to prescription medication is like comparing apples and oranges.
There are currently thousands of prescription medications and hundreds of painkillers on the market. Painkillers can be grouped into these three categories:
- Non-narcotic analgesics such as Tylenol
- Opioids such as codeine and morphine
- NSAIDs such as Advil
Now, we can’t deny that prescription medication has played a vital part in the medical world. In fact, many people credit antidepressants with saving their lives. However, while these man-made chemicals have their benefits, they very often come with some adverse side effects. Sometimes these side effects may be worse than the conditions that they aim to treat. Some of the “regular” side effects include dizziness, diarrhea, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and vomiting. On the more serious side of things, the FDA reports that there have been one million deaths due to the adverse effects of prescription medication, between 2011 until mid-2017.
CBD, on the other hand, has minimal side effects. First-off, it’s non-psychoactive, meaning that it won’t get the user high. This is in contrast to what a lot of people believe due to the reputation surrounding cannabis. CBD is just one of the over 80 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, and it is renowned for it medical qualities. The major difference between prescription pills and CBD is that prescription medicine blocks pain but doesn’t treat the underlying cause, whereas CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to provide a more natural cure. It relaxes muscles and reduces inflammation at the point of trauma, thereby promoting homeostasis in the body.
Possibly, the most significant difference between CBD and prescription pills is that there is zero chance of and no cases of cannabis overdose. Of course, the same cannot be said for prescription medication. Also, CBD is not addictive, contrary to what the 1970 Controlled Substances Act would have you believe. However, keep in mind that you should consult with your doctor before going down the CBD route, or before you combine pharmaceuticals and CBD.
Availability & Cost
The fact is, prescription medication is very easy to get your hands on. Between 1991 and 2011, there was a near tripling of opioids dispensed by American pharmacies. It’s no surprise really, considering that 75% of doctors visits end in these drugs being prescribed. Most of the time, you can simply book an appointment and request the prescription. However, although these prescription pills are readily available, it doesn’t mean it’s cheap. These medications are more expensive in America than anywhere else in the world. For instance, during 2014, Americans spent an average of $1,112 per person, compared to the average Canadian spending of $772 on prescription pills. Canadians are charged 70% less for the same drugs as Americans.
The problem in the United States is that there is no regulation when it comes to new prescription drugs. The drugmakers can literally charge whatever they like for their product, and the marketing team does the rest. At the end of the day, you are paying $1,000 a month for medication that should cost 10% of that price. There are often cheap generic versions of these drugs, but they aren’t always available.
We are not saying that CBD oil is cheap because it’s not. But, it’s far less expensive than these prescription medications, and also, a lot healthier. For instance, you can buy a 1000mg full-spectrum tincture of PureKana’s natural CBD oil for $139. If you use 33mg day, this will last you for a whole month.
Life Changer Versus Life Ender?
As we mentioned earlier, prescription drugs have there place in the medical world. Many of these products provide patients with genuine relief. The issue is the abuse of these drugs. It is outrageous to think that cannabis has been labeled as an addictive substance (which is untrue), when in fact, opioid addiction is rife in America.
Opioids are highly addictive which makes opioid addiction a very real possibility. When the user takes an opioid, it enters the brain through the bloodstream which creates a flood of artificial endorphins and dopamine - these are the neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of pleasure, reward, and satisfaction. This results in a rush of happiness and euphoria. The only way to feel this way again is to take more opioids. After repeated use, the brain stops creating endorphins and dopamine, which means that you need to consume more of the drug to get the same effect.
This is a vicious cycle, and before you know it, you addicted to opioids. Most people become addicted unintentionally, and some will eventually fake pain symptoms to get refills on their prescription. Others “doctor shop” by visiting different doctors to get their hands on multiple prescriptions at once. In some of the worst cases, opioid addicts will turn to heroin, because it’s cheaper and easier to get a hold of. Long-term opioid use alters the way the nerve cells work in the brain. These cells grow used to having the opioids, so when they are taken away, the brain reacts in a volatile way. This causes unpleasant reactions and feelings, known as withdrawal symptoms.
On the contrary, preliminary studies are showing that CBD can be used to fight the addiction of opioids and other drugs. The founder of Green Roads World, Arby Barroso, experienced this firsthand. After being prescribed a cocktail of prescription medication for arthritis in his hip, he became addicted to the drug. He decided to research the effects of CBD and decided to give it a try. It helped him to wean off the pharmaceutical drugs, and he hasn't required any prescription medication since September 2013.
The same HelloMD study that we referenced previously found that 57% of respondents, while happy with the effects of CBD, admitted that they used CBD and prescription pills together. This is despite them acknowledging that CBD was more effective than prescription or over the counter drugs.
There are many reasons why people are still using prescription medications. Perhaps the most noteworthy reason being that although research into cannabis and more specifically CBD has yielded positive results, research is still in its infancy. The public awaits further confirmation that cannabis is safer and more effective in treating medical conditions when compared to prescription medication.
Final Thoughts on CBD vs. Pharmaceutical Pills
Although all evidence in this post is favoring CBD, it would be irresponsible to declare CBD as the clear winner in this battle. Research is still in its infancy, and the sheer volume of medical factors and variables involved in these studies means that there is still a lot of work to be done before we can declare a winner. Things like genetics, health conditions, and the nature of the illness being treated, all need to be taken into consideration. For example, while research has shown that CBD is a more effective painkiller when compared to opioids, there are some people who feel a greater impact with prescription pills.
If you are thinking about ditching the opioids in favor of CBD, you should be able to buy it online. CBD comes in all different forms, so if you are not a fan of smoking or vaping it, you can opt for edibles or an oil form. Always remember to consult with your primary doctor before you use any CBD products.
SOURCE
https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/5980e279f15fe13b757557d3/largest-cbd-usage-study-published-by-hellomd-with-brightfield-group
https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/legalized-marijuana-cuts-opiate-related-deaths-period.
https://purekana.com/
https://www.bap.org.uk/articles/is-cannabidiol-a-useful-drug-for-treating-addictions/
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