Patient Education ►
A Patient Success Story to Inspire You for 2022
After 30 years of antidepressants , she now only takes “ minor ” cannabinoids .
by April Hatch , RN , contributing writer
If you ’ re a avid reader of The EVOLUTION Magazine , then you ’ ve read about many of the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes found in the cannabis plant . The plant and the medicine are so much more than only THC — the psychoactive cannabinoid that gets all the credit . Our Cannabis Care Team nurses have many patients who greatly benefit from THC , but many others find equal relief with other cannabinoids like CBD , CBG , and CBDA , to name a few .
To highlight these many benefits , I interviewed Trisha , one of our patients . Trisha , wanting to find out more about CBD and THC , came to a cannabis conference in Kansas City many moons ago where I was a speaker . That was the day she discovered the endocannabinoid system and the “ minor ” cannabinoids . Minor in the amount of research we have compared to THC and CBD , but not minor in effect at all .
In May of 2021 , she scheduled a telehealth appointment , and just like with all patients , we reviewed some CYA disclaimers , and I asked her what her goal was with cannabis . Our goal is to help patients reach theirs . Her goal was to discontinue three medications she felt she had been taking far too long . She and her physician had been working on her health issue ; however , the progress seemed to have halted . Trisha had taken one of those medications for 30 years , one for 11 , and the other for six . Getting off them was no easy task . The first medication for treating her diagnosed Major Depressive Disorder ( MDD ) was an antidepressant , the second another antidepressant , and then something else for anxiety . Not uncommon , but unfortunately , 17 % of patients taking antidepressants experience anxiety as a side effect . 1
Trisha , Cannabis Care Team patient .
MDD , also known as “ clinical depression ,” is diagnosed when a certain number of criteria are met — everyone is a bit different . Some have recurring thoughts of suicide , some insomnia , outbursts of anger , sleeplessness , sleeping too much , but overall , a feeling of sadness , worthlessness , and hopelessness are quite common . There is a range of treatment modalities , and those who show the most recovery utilize a combination of individual and group psychotherapy , exercise , mindfulness , and a healthy diet , although most are simply given a prescription . I once heard a therapist say , “ Medication is only 10 % of the effective treatment .” Then why is this the only option given to most patients ?
There are about 100 answers to that question , but unfortunately , it ’ s the system we have in place today . These pharmaceutical medications change our brain chemistry — a good thing for many who need it . However , cannabis changes the chemistry of our endocannabinoid system — the system that keeps all body and mind systems in balance , so it seems high time we take a closer look at its many uses for patients like Trisha . Additionally , Anandamide , the “ bliss molecule ,” is something we all need a bit more of these days .
Trisha ’ s newest physician believed that she may not have had MDD at all and that she was possibly misdiagnosed . I see this happen every day . Someone goes to the doctor expressing sadness and stress — common reactions to the world today . So instead of discussing the benefits of exercise , nutrition , and talk therapy , patients are given a prescription that they often take for years or decades .