¿Es la marihuana medicinal una opción útil para las personas que viven con enfermedades graves?
Si usted o un ser querido padece una enfermedad grave, es posible que tenga preguntas sobre la marihuana medicinal (también conocida como cannabis). ¿Puede aliviar el dolor, las náuseas o la ansiedad? ¿Es seguro consumirla?
Estas son preguntas importantes que los equipos de cuidados paliativos suelen escuchar de los pacientes que están explorando formas de sentirse mejor mientras controlan su enfermedad grave.
First, What’s Palliative Care?
Cuidados paliativos is specialized medical care for people living with a serious illness. This type of care is focused on relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.
Palliative care is provided by a specially trained team of doctors, nurses, chaplains, and other specialists who work together with your other doctors to provide an extra layer of support. It is appropriate at any age and at any stage in a serious illness and can be provided alongside curative treatments.
What We Know—and Don’t Yet Know—About Medical Marijuana and Symptom Relief
As mentioned earlier, palliative care focuses on improving quality of life, which includes managing symptoms like pain, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. Some patients say that medical marijuana helps them feel better. There’s early evidence that medical marijuana may help with certain symptoms, including:
- Chronic pain, especially nerve-related pain
- Nausea and vomiting, especially during chemotherapy.
- Low appetite or weight loss
- Anxiety, stress, or low mood
These potential benefits come from the way medical marijuana interacts with your body’s natural system that helps regulate pain, mood, and appetite. For some people, it can offer physical comfort as well as emotional or spiritual relief.
However, it’s important to know that research on medical marijuana and serious illness is still limited. While there are promising results, especially for symptom relief, many studies are small or not yet conclusive. This means medical marijuana might help—but it may not work for everyone, and we don’t fully understand all the risks or long-term effects yet.
Can Medical Marijuana Help Manage Your Symptoms?
For many people living with a serious illness, medical marijuana doesn’t just help with physical symptoms. Some also say it helps them relax, feel calmer, or reconnect with a sense of peace. Some people even describe finding moments of joy or clarity they hadn’t felt in a long time.
Your palliative care team looks at your whole picture, including your body, mind, and what matters most to you. If medical marijuana could help you feel more comfortable or more like yourself again, it may be worth a conversation.
What to Know Before Trying Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana isn’t right for everyone. If you’re thinking about it, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Side effects
Some people feel dizzy, groggy, or anxious. Other side effects may include dry mouth, increased heart rate, or trouble with focus and memory.
Different forms
Medical marijuana comes in many forms, and each one affects your body differently. Your care team can help find what might work best for you.
Your goals
Be clear about what matters most to you. Whether it’s easing pain, improving sleep, or calming anxiety, your care team can help weigh the benefits and risks.
Laws vary by state
Medical marijuana laws are different across the U.S. Your palliative care team can help you understand what’s legal and available in your area.
Access and cost
Medical marijuana is sold through licensed dispensaries, not regular pharmacies. It’s also often not covered by insurance, so the cost may vary depending on your needs and location.
El resultado final
Medical marijuana may be one option to help ease the burden of serious illness—especially when used as part of a broader care plan. While research is still evolving, many people find relief from difficult symptoms. If you’re curious, the best next step is to have an open conversation with your palliative care team to see if it might be right for you.
Talk with Your Care Team
If you’re thinking about exploring medical marijuana for symptom relief, talk with your palliative care team or other health care providers. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits and make sure it won’t interfere with other treatments or medications.
Acerca de GetPalliativeCare.org
ObtengaCuidadosPaliativos.org es un recurso en línea para pacientes y familias que se centra en brindar información sobre cuidados paliativos desde el punto de diagnóstico. Para obtener más información sobre cuidados paliativos y Vea si es adecuado para usted, visita ObtengaCuidadosPaliativos.org.
Nota: Esta entrada del blog es solo para fines informativos y no constituye asesoramiento médico. Siempre consulte con su profesional de la salud antes de considerar nuevos tratamientos.
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