Big Pharma Strives For Cannabis Withdrawal “Medication”

You tell me which is worse, a plant that grows on it’s own and then flowers with a substance that has evolved with the human body over millions of years… OR a compound created by some Big Pharma PhD chemists, tested to the minimum required standard on mice and humans for less than 20 years.  Your choice.  I’m going with the natural solution whenever it’s an option, but if you are in need of help with your marijuana withdrawal symptoms, Gabapentin may be the solution for you:

Gabapentin

“Gabapentin: an anticonvulsant approved by the FDA for postherpetic neuralgia and epilepsy, may have another use, according to a new study: the treatment of marijuana smokers seeking to end their cannabis dependence.”

What is more frightening is that there is something in the medical community called “The Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist”.  To paraphrase Doug Benson in Super High Me, withdrawal from marijuana smoking is basically “bummer man, I don’t have any weed”.

Here’s the claim that is being made with the FDA:

“Compared with the placebo group, the Gabapentin group had significantly fewer withdrawal symptoms, as measured by the Marijuana Withdrawal Checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory II, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Ind.

To take it one step further, here are the side effects from Gabapentin:

• COMMON side effects when using Gabapentin:
  • Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; tiredness. Seek medical attention right away if any of these
• SEVERE side effects when using Gabapentin:
  • Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); behavior changes; confusion; difficult or painful urination; fever; memory problems; new or worsening mental or mood changes (eg, depression, agitation, anxiety, panic attacks, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, irritability, hostility, exaggerated feeling of well-being, restlessness, inability to sit still); new or worsening trouble sleeping; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe headache or dizziness; suicidal thoughts or actions; swelling of the hands, legs, or feet

Conclusion: People are insane.  This should make for a nice lobbying group in Washington, DC trying to keep cannabis down.  Let’s not let that happen.

Source:

• http://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/ViewArticle.aspx?d=Up%2BFront&d_id=440&i=June+2012&i_id=853&a_id=20978