ADD and medical marjiuana

[alanbobalan]

when i was a young lad, i used to have to take ritalin because of attention deficit disorder. i'm not talking about ADHD, just plain old ADD.

anybody have any idea if this would be legitimate for a doctor's recommendation? i used to take ritalin when i was younger, but it only made me hyper and i still couldn't keep my mind from wandering. i believe medical marjiuana would be a better solution.


thanks in advance

 

[Pinch]

Some stuff I found:

DEPRESSION & MENTAL ILLNESS:

Opponents of medical marijuana such as the CNOA have charged that
marijuana causes depression. In fact, marijuana is more often used to
treat depression; hence its notorious reputation as a euphoriant. Human
studies have been inconsistent. One study found that marijuana helped
relieve depression in cancer patients;55 another found no benefit for
clinical depression.56

A survey of 79 mental patients found that those who used marijuana
reported relief from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and physical
discomfort, as well as fewer hospitalizations;57 a second survey also found fewer hospitalizations in schizophrenics who used marijuana.58 Some psychiatrists are currently prescribing Marinol for depression.
A recent pilot study by the Unimed Corporation found that Marinol
helped relieve mood disturbances and anorexia in 12 Alzheimer's patients.59


DEPRESSION & MENTAL ILLNESS:

Opponents of medical marijuana such as the CNOA have charged that
marijuana causes depression. In fact, marijuana is more often used to
treat depression; hence its notorious reputation as a euphoriant. Human
studies have been inconsistent. One study found that marijuana helped
relieve depression in cancer patients;55 another found no benefit for
clinical depression.56

A survey of 79 mental patients found that those who used marijuana
reported relief from depression, anxiety, insomnia, and physical
discomfort, as well as fewer hospitalizations;57 a second survey also found fewer hospitalizations in schizophrenics who used marijuana.58 Some psychiatrists are currently prescribing Marinol for depression.
A recent pilot study by the Unimed Corporation found that Marinol
helped relieve mood disturbances and anorexia in 12 Alzheimer's patients.59 Jensen said she regularly writes prescriptions recommending the use of marijuana for patients —particularly those suffering pain and nausea from chronic illnesses, such as AIDS, cancer, glaucoma and arthritis.

She has also worked with one family of a 15-year-old — whose family had tried every drug available to help their son, who by age 13 had become a problem student diagnosed as suffering from ADHD. Under Jensen’s supervision, he began marijuana treatment, settling on cannabis in food and candy form, and he has since found equilibrium and regularly attends school.

But not everyone is so high on the idea of pot for students with neurological illnesses. Subcommittee Chairman Mark Souder, R-Ind., who invited Jensen to testify after reading about her ideas in the newspaper, was hardly convinced by her testimony.

"I do believe that Dr. Jensen really wants to help her patients, but I think she is deeply misguided when she recommends marijuana to teenagers with attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity," he told Foxnews.com. "There is no serious scientific basis for using marijuana to treat those conditions, and Dr. Jensen didn’t even try to present one."

Dr. Tom O'Connell, a retired chest surgeon who now works with patients at a Bay Area clinic for patients seeking medical marijuana recommendations, is working on it. He said cannabis not only helps pain, but also can treat psychological disorders. He is currently conducting a study of hundreds of his patients, whom he said he believes have been self-medicating with pot and other drugs for years, and he hopes to publish a paper on the subject soon.

"My work with cannabis patients is certainly not definitive at this point, but it strongly suggests that the precepts upon which cannabis prohibition have been based are completely spurious," O'Connell said. Worse yet, he added, the prohibition has successfully kept certain adolescents away from pot who now turn to tobacco and alcohol instead.

Jensen, who said she believes Souder invited her to testify to "humiliate me and incriminate me in some way," suggested that a growing body of evidence is being developed to back medical marijuana chiefly for chronic pain and nausea. She said it is difficult, however, for advocates like herself to get the funding and permission to conduct government-recognized tests on ADD/ADHD patients.

"Unfortunately, no pharmaceutical companies are motivated to spend the money on research, and the United States government has a monopoly on the available marijuana and research permits," she told Congress.

Studies done on behalf of the government, including the 1999 Institute of Medicine’s (search) "Marijuana and Medicine: Assessing the Science Base," found that marijuana delivers effective THC and other cannabinoids that serve as pain relief and nausea-control agents. But these same studies warn against the dangers of smoking marijuana and suggest other FDA-approved drugs are preferable.

"We know all too well the dangerous health risks that accompany (smoking)," said Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., ranking member on the subcommittee, who like Souder, was not impressed by Jensen’s arguments.

"It flies in the face of responsible medicine to advocate a drug that had been known to have over 300 carcinogens and has proven to be as damaging to the lungs as cigarette smoking," added Jennifer Devallance, spokeswoman for the White House Office of Drug Control Policy (search).

The government points to Food and Drug Administration-approved Marinol (search), a THC-derived pill that acts as a stand-in for marijuana. But many critics say there are nasty side effects, and it’s too expensive for the average patient.

On the other hand, Jensen and others say cannabinoids can be made into candy form, baked into food or boiled into tea. They say that despite the FDA blessing, giving kids amphetamines like Ritalin for ADD and other behavioral disorders might be more dangerous.

"Ritalin is an amphetamine — we have all of these youngsters running around on speed," said Keith Stroup, spokesman for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (search).

"Although it flies in the face of conventional wisdom, it's nevertheless true that cannabis is far safer and more effective than the prescription agents currently advocated for treatment of ADD-ADHD," O'Connell said.

Stroup said if Souder’s intention was to harangue Jensen, he was unsuccessful in the face of her solid and articulate testimony on April 1.

"It was a good day for her, and a good day for medical marijuana in Congress," he said.

Nick Coleman, a subcommittee spokesman, said Souder doesn't "try to humiliate people.

"But to promote medical marijuana for teenagers with ADD … he does not feel that is a sound and scientific medical practice," Coleman said.

While the issue of treating adolescents with medical marijuana is fairly new, the idea of using pot to treat chronically and terminally ill patients is not. Nine states currently have laws allowing such practices. A number of lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have added that they want the states to decide for themselves whether to pursue medical marijuana laws (search).

Among those lawmakers are Reps. Ron Paul, R-Texas, a physician; Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif.; and Barney Frank, D-Mass.

"(Rep. Paul) believes there are some legitimate applications," like for pain and nausea, said spokesman Jeff Deist. "But the real issue is that states should decide for themselves."



Transcript: Dr. Claudia Jensen - Cannabis for ADD
Posted by CN Staff on April 23, 2004 at 1328 PT
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Source: MSNBC

COUNTDOWN is in the home stretch now. Your preview of our No. 1 story, the war on drugs meets the war to get your kids‘ attention. Just say no to ADD and give your kid pot? A doctor explains next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

OLBERMANN: They are a diagnoses at near epidemic proportions for kids in this country, ADD and ADHD, attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Fair or not, they are so common as to become part of the vernacular referring to our collective short attention span and inability to focus. Don‘t mind him, he‘s got ADD.

According to a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, when our nation‘s doctors encounter a patient with one of these disorders, they go to right to one drug, methylphenidate. You may know it better as Ritalin. But there is a lesser known treatment, one that may in fact be more effective with fewer side effects, cannabis. You may know that better as weed, reefer, Mary Jane, marijuana.

Dr. Claudia Jensen is a clinical instructor at the University of Southern California and a practicing pediatrician who advocates the use of medicinal marijuana for the treatment of ADD and ADHD.

Dr. Jensen, good evening.

DR. CLAUDIA JENSEN, MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE: Hi. Hello. How are you?

OLBERMANN: This is something you feel strongly about. You even testified before Congress a few weeks ago an the use of medical marijuana. What led you to the conclusion that this is a viable treatment for this disorder?

JENSEN: Well, that is what patients reported to me, so I listened to them. And I started paying attention and asking more questions when I did patient interviews. It seems to be rather consistent. They keep saying it over and over again.

OLBERMANN: There are parents who are no doubt thinking, as they watch this, without any kind of analysis or any kind of medical explanation or the expert testimony of a doctor who has listened to patients, that this is that it makes no senses to them, the idea that they are fighting on one front the influence, the pernicious influence of marijuana in a teenager‘s life, a kid‘s life, and yet you are here saying that this can be of enormous value in treating this rampant and life-constricting disease.

How do you respond to people who have the knee-jerk reaction, how could this possibly be any good?

JENSEN: Well, first of all, you‘re right. This is a potentially life-debilitating condition for a lot of children and adolescents. They become very angry.

And I think the answer to that question is that it needs to be evaluated by a physician before it‘s recommended to a child or an adolescent. And the truth is that one of the reasons that adolescents have an increasing use of cannabis, marijuana, in this country is because they‘ve been lied to. They‘ve been told that this is a very dangerous drug and that it has no benefit. And, unfortunately, that‘s not what they experience in the streets.

And I think it‘s more appropriate to bring it up out of the streets and into the doctor‘s offices, so that children and adolescents and parents can learn the truth, get some of the data, and look at this drug not with a reefer madness perspective, but more with a scientific and factual perspective.

OLBERMANN: How would you administer this to children, at what age? And I‘m presuming that the means of dispensing would be primarily those other than smoking it, am I correct?

JENSEN: That‘s what I primarily recommend, particularly with ADD and ADHD, because smoking marijuana has such a short duration. It only lasts an hour and a half to two hours. Plus, there‘s the stigma of the child smoking anything. But smoking pot is a difficult social issue to deal with.

When they ingest those cannabinoids or cannabis compounds, for example, marijuana, it lasts a lot longer. They can get all the way through the day with a single cannabis cookie or piece of toast with cannabis peanut butter in the morning before school. They don‘t have to get stoned. It‘s dose-related. But they do get the benefit of being able to focus and pay attention, not be impulsive, not be angry, be peaceful and relaxed and pay attention in school, which helps them get better grades, which is the important issue.

OLBERMANN: Anything would work.

Dr. Claudia Jensen from USC, many thanks for your time tonight.

JENSEN: Thank you. Thank you for your time.

OLBERMANN: Certainly.

Source: MSNBC (US Web)
Show: Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Program Date: Thursday, April 22, 2004
Copyright: 2004 MSNBC
Contact: countdown@msnbc.com
Website: MSNBC — Breaking News, Top Stories, & Show Clips

 

[Pinch]

when i was a young lad, i used to have to take ritalin because of attention deficit disorder. i'm not talking about ADHD, just plain old ADD.

anybody have any idea if this would be legitimate for a doctor's recommendation? i used to take ritalin when i was younger, but it only made me hyper and i still couldn't keep my mind from wandering. i believe medical marjiuana would be a better solution.


thanks in advance

I think the story below answers your question and Dr Jensen wrote my first "recomendation" for medical cannabis.. she's in Socal. Good luck!

 

[Marianne]

I need to go see Dr. Jensen! I know it helps my add.

 

[Miss Indica]

You might be able to get it if you tell them it's working for you and has been for a while, and that you're not comfortable taking stimulants and amphetamines.

 

[Marianne]

^^ are you talking about me Miss Indica?

 

[Miss Indica]

I'm talking to anyone who will listen, lol.

 

[Pinch]

Hey Pinch, that info on depression and mental illness is a great find. Could you please cite your source, I'd like to have a look at the footnotes. Thanks bud.

Mr John:

I think these were the 2 sources..

cannabisnews.com: Transcript: Dr. Claudia Jensen - Cannabis for ADD

NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws - NORML.org - Working to Reform Marijuana Laws

Good luck and good night. .. I think..

 

[alanbobalan]

well, that certainly made me wish i could have been prescribed bud cookies as a kid instead of ritalin! well, sounds like i shouldn't have much to worry about. thanks for the article.

 

[DankCloset]

i used to take 115mg a day for adhd... i quit, i just quit taking it. flat out refused.

 

[Marianne]

good for you dank.

 

[alanbobalan]

i used to take ritalin 3 times a day and they even had me on welbrutrin (sp?) when i was a kid. i haven't gotten a recommendation for medical marjiuana, but i prequalified and now all i can do is hope for the best!

does anybody have any idea if i'll have to bring some type of medical records with me to the face to face evaluation to prove that i actually have been diagnosed with ADD?

 

[Serpico]

i used to take ritalin 3 times a day and they even had me on welbrutrin (sp?) when i was a kid. i haven't gotten a recommendation for medical marjiuana, but i prequalified and now all i can do is hope for the best!

I also used to take ritilan as a kid for ADD and i think alot of youth out there are still using it for that. I didnt like the reaction i would get with the ritilan but there was nothing i could do until i stopped taking it a 15. I currently use zoloft and wellbutrin for my depression and if things turn out for the best for me i will move to cali and get a license to use/grow medical marijuana.

Pinch- as always excellent posts. I hardly see you make a post that is not worthwhile and packed full of info

 

[Pinch]

Thank you Mr Serpico. My pleasure.

 

[DankCloset]

pinch, truly a wonder.

 

[alanbobalan]

well i most certainly have some good news! i got my doctor's recommendation today! now i'm official!

just wanted to say thanks to everyone. i wouldn't have been able to do it without the wealth of information and links on this website and everyone who ever took the time to reply to any of my posts.

the downside is i probably won't have a state issued ID card for a while because of the pending lawsuit since i live in san bernardino county. i will, however, get an ID card issued by the clinic who's doctor made my recommendation, but i don't know if the CHP will even recognize that card or the recommendation.

anyway, thanks again to everyone who helped make this possible for me. you guys rule!

peace!

 

[Miss Indica]

Way to go!

 

[Miss Indica]

As for the ADD and marijuana conversation... In my experience, marijuana makes my lack of focus and motivation worse in an acute sense. Therefore, I don't smoke before going to class, writing an essay, reading a book assignment, etc. However, on the flip side, I know many people that swear by marijuana for relieving their ADD symptoms. So in conclusion, it is my opinion that marijuana as a treatment for ADD is a personal and case by case issue. If it works for you, excellent! If it doesn't, like myself, then just refrain from smoking before activities that require focus.

 

[Stoner4Life]

As for the ADD and marijuana conversation... In my experience, marijuana makes my lack of focus and motivation worse in an acute sense. Therefore, I don't smoke before going to class, writing an essay, reading a book assignment, etc. However, on the flip side, I know many people that swear by marijuana for relieving their ADD symptoms. So in conclusion, it is my opinion that marijuana as a treatment for ADD is a personal and case by case issue. If it works for you, excellent! If it doesn't, like myself, then just refrain from smoking before activities that require focus.

I agree we all know marijuana and its potentcy and/or its strain variety has different effects on each user. Whether you enjoy it for the cerebral high, clarity and creativity it gives you, or for taking the edge off of life that helps you thru your day type of effect. We all smoke for different reasons with one common goal...............

 

[alanbobalan]

As for the ADD and marijuana conversation... In my experience, marijuana makes my lack of focus and motivation worse in an acute sense. Therefore, I don't smoke before going to class, writing an essay, reading a book assignment, etc. However, on the flip side, I know many people that swear by marijuana for relieving their ADD symptoms. So in conclusion, it is my opinion that marijuana as a treatment for ADD is a personal and case by case issue. If it works for you, excellent! If it doesn't, like myself, then just refrain from smoking before activities that require focus.

i also agree. i am also a student and i never smoke before going to class. if i did, i wouldn't remember anything my instructors talk about. i do, however, smoke before i do homework, study, read the textbook and so forth. i have found that marjiuana helps alleviate my ADD in this respect.