Great Question: I had the exact same concern. I was on opioid painkillers and Xanax for many years. I was part of a study at a local hospital where medical marijuana replaced both. One thing you should know up front is that it takes 90 days to wean off of Xanax. Take your time, do it right and get a weaning schedule from your Doctor. There are serious, life threatening, side effects associated with Xanax withdrawal and it is said to be worse than opiates. I was hospitalized for a week because I didn't know better. It's been 25 months since I took a pill, at all. While marijuana does not work the same as painkillers, it does work, just differently. You'll learn what puts you to sleep vs. what makes you feel like getting stuff done. You need to have patience with it, but Yes, to answer your question: It Works!!! *Update: one year after writing this review, I still use medicinal marijuana and I still haven't used opiates. It's a beautiful thing!
Indica is the strain that helps people to sleep, sativa will give you energy and depending on the person, it isn't always the best choice to relieve anxiety. Smoking is ok but I create oil from the flowers and bake with it, mainly cookies that work unbelievably well! The effect of one cookie beats xanax! ( that's an awful drug that should be banned in my opinion! ) I've been baking for about 3 months and I have a cookie in the morning, and one at bedtime. My overall health is improving beyond my expectations and the intense pain I live in is becoming less and much more bearable daily. Weaning off any drug should be done with your doctor overseeing your progress, but you can do it! Eating medables ( cannabis oil cookies, mini-muffins, brownies ) instead, helps make you forget about the pills until they no longer exist. It can take up to 90 minutes to feel the effects but over time, it's less. I also make topical lotion for relieving pain in my hands and arms. Education is key!
I am a veteran, since I got my card I have told the VA they can keep their meds because they dont work for me. That I would rather go natural and use medical marijuana instead of taking meds for pain, anxiety.
Indica strains tend to be better for chronic pain and anxiety, in my personal experience. They've allowed me to drastically reduced my intake of opiate painkillers to where I rarely use them anymore. Your results may vary.
OGK is the strain I use to minimize my opiate usage
It they have 5&5 it's great for pain. Size of a piece of rice is all you need.5 % cbd an 5% thc. Only take recommended dose.
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