Will medical marijuana make me high?

There are many different strains of the marijuana plant, which produce different effects on the body. With medical marijuana, it’s easy for your physician to choose a strain, a dosage, and a delivery method that will help relieve your symptoms without causing unwanted side effects, like lethargy or a feeling of being “high.”

Is medical marijuana safe?

Medical marijuana is very safe, as it is nearly impossible to overdose on this type of supplement to the point of danger. When compared with other methods of pain relief, like prescription drugs, medical marijuana does not pose similar risks of side effects. However, like any other drug or supplement, it’s important to discuss your concerns, your health history, and your symptoms before taking medical marijuana. Our provider can suggest a dosage and treatment plan that is both safe and effective for your needs.

What are the benefits of medical marijuana?

There’s a long list of reported benefits of medical marijuana. It’s safer, more affordable, and more tolerable than prescription drugs. It relieves pain without unwanted side effects, and there is little risk for physical dependency. As a natural substance with pain-relieving properties, medical marijuana is a good option for individuals who have not had success with other methods.

Medical Marijuana Specialist

Q: What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana is a term that describes the use of the marijuana plant, or its extracts, to treat symptoms of illness or pain. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recognize marijuana as a medicine, it has become legal in many states, and in others, it’s available through the prescription of a doctor.

Q: What conditions can medical marijuana treat?

The healing properties of medical marijuana lie mostly in cannabinoids, which are chemicals in the plant that help with pain relief, inflammation, mood stability, blood sugar, and more. There’s a wide range of conditions that medical marijuana can address, including pain, mood disorders, and chronic conditions. Medical marijuana can also address more acute problems, like headaches, menstrual cramps, nausea, or motion sickness.

Are you in pain? If so, medical marijuana is becoming a popular alternative to opioid prescription drugs for pain relief.

Our pain management physicians at Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, New York have a holistic and natural approach to pain relief. With the proper dosage and strain of this naturally occurring plant, our physicians can address your symptoms.

If you would like more information regarding this form of treatment, schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Zocca or Dr. Harris today!

“Everyone is friendly, informative, and thoughtful. I feel that I’m in very good hands here!”

AMY

Topic at a Glance

Medical marijuana is used to treat pain and other symptoms. It is becoming a popular alternative to opioid prescription medications for pain relief.
Medical cannabis contains compounds such as THC and CBD, and physicians can adjust the strain, dosage, and delivery method to relieve symptoms while minimizing psychoactive effects.
Medical marijuana may help treat chronic pain, chronic conditions, mood disorders, acute pain, and nausea related to chemotherapy.
While medical marijuana offers benefits such as lower dependency risk and tolerability, potential side effects and risks include dizziness, respiratory issues, and possible addiction.

What Is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana (also known as medical cannabis) is used to describe the use of the marijuana plant, or its extracts, to treat symptoms of illness and pain.

Medical Marijuana

The term medical marijuana refers to using the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its basic extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. Learn how CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids work and what studies have shown about treating certain conditions with these substances.

How Does Medical Cannabis Make You Feel?

The way medical cannabis makes you feel will depend on several factors. Cannabis has hundreds of components, including the well-known psychoactive ingredient THC which can, in high quantities, make you feel “high”, as well as CBD which has pain-relieving properties without psychoactive effects.

Your physician can choose a strain, dosage, and delivery method that relieves your symptoms without making you feel like you are “high” or lethargic.

What Is Marijuana Used to Treat?

Medical Marijuana is used to treat many ailments, including the following:

Chronic pain: injury, illness, or specific conditions
Chronic conditions: osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and more
Mood disorders: depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Acute conditions: menstrual cramps, headaches, etc.
Nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, according to the National Cancer Institute

Side Effects of Medical Marijuana

The side effects of marijuana can include:

Dizziness
Increased heart rate
Depression
Distorted perceptions/Impaired reactions
Temporary hallucinations

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Risks and Benefits of Medical Marijuana

While medical marijuana is very safe to use, the risks include the following:

Possible respiratory problems such as chronic cough or bronchitis
If used while pregnant, it can affect the health and development of your baby
The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that using marijuana can be addictive. Your provider can suggest a dosage and an individualized treatment plan that is tailored to your needs in the safest and most effective way.

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Medical Benefits of Medical Marijuana

Below you’ll find a list of some of the benefits of medical marijuana.

Safe to use, and it is nearly impossible to overdose to the point of danger
More tolerable than prescription drugs
Little risk of physical dependency, resulting in a lower risk of withdrawal symptoms

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A look at the pros and cons of jazz cigarettes. Euphoria aside, there may be significant benefits for targeted issues like epilepsy and pain, but others are fuzzier. The risks of marijuana, although often exaggerated, are still very real for some people — learn more.

How Is Medical Marijuana Administered?

Marijuana can be administered in a variety of forms, including:

Liquid tincture
Pill or gummies
Powder
Oil
Dried leaves

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved using cannabis as a treatment for any medical conditions. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also has concerns about the possible abuse of this drug and the lack of medical value. However, additional research is still being conducted.

You may wonder, “Is medical marijuana legal?”. While state medical marijuana laws vary, New York is one of the states that allow the use of marijuana. New York State has a certificate program that allows eligible residents to enroll and purchase medical-grade cannabis products under the supervision of a physician, such as Dr. Jennifer Zocca or Dr. Dena Harris.

If you want to learn more about how medical cannabis can help you, call or book an appointment online with Maiden Lane Medical in Manhattan, NY today! Our trained specialists are ready to provide you with the best pain-relief options for your circumstances.

Medically Reviewed By

Jennifer Zocca, MD

Medical Director and Pain Management Physician

Specialists

Dena Harris, MD

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What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana, also known as medical cannabis, refers to using the marijuana plant or its extracts to treat symptoms of illness and pain under physician supervision.

What conditions can medical marijuana treat?

Medical marijuana may be used to treat chronic pain, conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and diabetes, mood disorders like anxiety and depression, acute pain such as headaches or menstrual cramps, and chemotherapy-related nausea.

Does medical marijuana make you feel high?

The effects vary depending on the strain and dosage. THC can cause psychoactive effects, while CBD provides pain relief without making you feel high. A physician can tailor your treatment to reduce unwanted effects.

What are the side effects of medical marijuana?

Possible side effects include dizziness, increased heart rate, depression, impaired reactions, distorted perception, and temporary hallucinations.

Is medical marijuana legal and approved for treatment?

Medical marijuana laws vary by state, and New York allows eligible residents to access medical cannabis through a certification program. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved cannabis for medical treatment, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has raised concerns about potential misuse.