Is Medical Marijuana Right For You?
Marijuana and Depression
So, as you can imagine, I have patients coming to me with a lot of worries about using marijuana medically. Just the other day, a family member of a patient asked me, Does marijuana use increase the risk of Depression? Another version of this question is, Does...
Medical Marijuana for Parkinson’s Disease
Michael of Healdsburg, CA has Parkinson’s Disease. He’s gone the route of regular exercise, physical therapy, and prescription medications. But, over time their benefits lessened and became less and less reliable. So, now he’s wondering if medical marijuana could...
Medical Marijuana for Menstrual Cramps from Endometriosis
Rachel of Los Angeles, CA is coping with some pretty horrific pain from her Endometriosis. She’s hit some roadblocks with mainstream medicine. So, she’s trying to figure out if medical marijuana is a good option to help manage her pain. Here’s what she writes... Hi,...
Medical Marijuana for Psoriasis
Jenny of Palo Alto, CA has Psoriasis. And, over the course of her life it’s taken her on an emotional roller coaster ride - from embarrassment to frustration to a loss of hope. She’s turned to me seeking more information on using medical marijuana for her Psoriasis....
Medical Marijuana for Cancer Pain
Causes of Cancer Pain The main causes of cancer-related pain are the cancer itself, the cancer treatment or a complication of the cancer. Pain, in general, is either ACUTE or CHRONIC. In the simplest of terms, ACUTE pain lasts for only a short-time. It...
Medical Marijuana for Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)
“The National Institute of Health (NIH) has concluded that neuropathic pain is a condition in which currently available pain medications are at best marginally effective.” Neuropathy, a condition caused by nerve damage, can cause patients excruciating amounts of pain....
Medical Marijuana Cures Cancer??? with Dr. Donald Abrams
I’ve been getting all sorts of questions about medical cannabis and cancer that ultimately boiled down to Does Cannabis Cure Cancer? So, I decided that not only did I want to give you my point of view, but I also wanted to bring in the perspective of a world renowned...
Medical Marijuana for Cancer – Side Effects of Chemo – Loss of Appetite
Joe and Mary of Daly City, CA are in a tough situation. They’re having to see their dad suffer from a loss of appetite as a side effect of the chemotherapy treatment he’s going through. It’s clearly attributing to his weakness, but more so Joseph and Maria are worried...
Medical Marijuana and Thyroid Hormone Levels
Does medical marijuana affect thyroid hormone levels? In a study done in Germany published in 2012, researchers measured both thyroid hormone levels (TSH, total T3, and free T4) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) levels in 39 patients that had been using about 2.5 grams...
Medical Marijuana for Chemotherapy Side Effects – Nausea and Vomiting
Patients with cancer report that nausea and vomiting are the most stressful side effects of chemotherapy treatment. Mara of San Jose, CA is one of these patients. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is experiencing nausea and vomiting from the...
Medical Marijuana (Cannabis) During Pregnancy
Rebecca of San Francisco, CA has a question that has probably crossed the minds of many expectant moms waging an all out war against that dreaded morning sickness. Here’s what Rebecca writes... Dr. Patel, I’m 7 weeks into my pregnancy and worn out from...
Medical Marijuana for High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
Robert of Mill Valley, CA is looking for alternatives to his prescription medications for high blood pressure. He’s considering using medical marijuana, but wants more information before he pursues this option. Here’s what he writes... Dr. Patel, I’ve had high...
Medical Marijuana for Sleep
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insufficient sleep is a public health concern. Can I get an amen? Sleep is precious and going without it for days, months, even years at a time is harmful to not just your physical well-being, but also your...
Medical Marijuana for Migraines and Headaches
Hannah of Atherton, CA, like many of my patients, has been battling migraine headaches as a teenager. She’s spun her wheels with over-the-counter and prescription medications and now has decided to try medical marijuana as a last resort. Here’s what Hannah writes......
Medical Marijuana for Sleep
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, insufficient sleep is a public health concern. Can I get an amen? Sleep is precious and going without it for days, months, even years at a time is harmful to not just your physical well-being, but also your...
Marijuana for Fibromyalgia
Julie is in her 50’s from Palo Alto, CA waging war against Fibromyalgia. She’s come across medical marijuana and is wondering if it will help to relieve her Fibromyalgia pain. Watch the video to find out if medical marijuana does in fact relieve Fibromyalgia pain....
Marijuana for Back Pain
Paul from Pleasanton, CA, asks about using medical marijuana for his back pain caused by degenerative disc disease. He's a real trooper who's suffered through back pain for years. We're talking decades. It varies from dull nagging to sharp stabbing. And, he's tried...
Medical Marijuana for Crohn’s Disease
Today’s question comes from Vanessa of Alamo, CA, who suffers from an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) known as Crohn’s Disease. She’s spun her wheels with conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Now, at her wits end, she wants to give medical marijuana a try as a...
Medical Marijuana For Anxiety
So you may have experimented with marijuana back in college and remember feeling surprisingly relaxed. Now, much later in life, the stresses of life are starting to give you anxiety and you’re tinkering with the idea of using marijuana again. Joe of Danville, CA is in...
Over-The-Counter or Pharmaceutical Drugs not Touching your Back Pain… You May Want to Give Medical Marijuana a Whirl!
Here’s a question from Paul of Pleasanton, CA. He writes... Dr. Patel, I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease several years back. Most of the time it’s a nagging pain in my lower back, but say for instance, I sit in one position for too long, then I’m a goner....
Marijuana for Arthritis Pain
You’ve tried everything under the sun to help with your arthritis pain, but nothing seems to help. You’ve heard some folks swear by marijuana for their arthritis pain, which has left you wondering if it’s something you should consider using for your arthritis pain....
