Yeah, I’m a huge advocate of legalizing cannabis recreationally, but there’s a major issue with how its medicinal use is wildly exaggerated. THC, in particular edibles, gives me much more acute anxiety than alcohol. I know people that are psychologically addicted to THC as well that have convinced themselves it’s better for their mental health than counseling and actual medication, as their life and mental health continue to get increasingly more dysfunctional.
THC is absolutely better for your body than alcohol. That’s not even a debate. But for a lot of people it is not some mental health miracle. It makes things worse, and many people claim that it’s therapeutic while they just become addicted, and that’s viewed as no big deal by a lot of people.
Cannabis is a drug, and that’s ok. Human beings are wired to enjoy inebriation, and on that front it’s one of the least physically dangerous ways to achieve that end. But let’s quit acting like it’s some kind of miracle. It’s chief medicinal value is being a much safer pain reliever than opioids. It doesn’t fix your brain.
I agree with a lot of this but just wanted to make a couple of additional points.
1. The increased anxiety is a personal thing and is often related to the strain/type of THC consumption. THC does have paranoia and anxiety as a potential side effect but that’s based on the individual. Many can use THC without those issues.
2. People that are using THC to replace traditional therapy or medication (if they have a serious diagnosed condition) are idiots but that’s also a personal thing, not something that is promoted or encouraged. That’s just morons being morons.
3. For many the don’t consider themselves addicted to THC and while you can become addicted to THC the process of “going clean” does not have the physical ramifications as other drugs such as alcohol, opioids, amphetamines, etc.
4. Totally agree it’s not a miracle but weirdly enough the studies show it’s not a replacement for pain relief and that’s part of the problem. THC is not as widely studied as most other “drugs” due to its continued placements as a schedule 1 drug.
5. Correct it doesn’t fix your brain but for many it has helped with anxiety and other stress related disorders. Also can help stimulate appetite for better/worse.