A new study found that cocaine dependence can be treated with the Medical Marijuana. Researchers from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver are studying the effects of marijuana on cocaine addicts. The results show that the intentional use of marijuana can reduce the frequency of cocaine use among volunteer cocaine addicts.
Cocaine is a type of narcotics that is very addictive and is one substance whose addictive levels develop rapidly. If misused, the substance can cause various health, psychological, neurological problems and even death.
According to the lead researcher from this study, Dr. Michael-John Milloy, he and his team used an initial reference from several studies between 2012 and 2015 about research into Medical Cannabis for controlling cocaine addiction. Then in this study, they developed through a thorough analysis, the researchers detail evaluated the frequency of cocaine intake before, during, and after the use of marijuana in volunteers.
Their research was published in the Journal of Addictive Behaviors, the end result showing that out of 122 cocaine addicts who participated in the study, 89{79e93ec43980050f77eeb9a944ea1136ae9da640b8280092b189d9c20f25af5f} experienced a frequency of cocaine use which dropped drastically to 35{79e93ec43980050f77eeb9a944ea1136ae9da640b8280092b189d9c20f25af5f} to 20{79e93ec43980050f77eeb9a944ea1136ae9da640b8280092b189d9c20f25af5f} only. While the remaining 11{79e93ec43980050f77eeb9a944ea1136ae9da640b8280092b189d9c20f25af5f} can stop altogether. These results seem quite promising considering marijuana is a substance with a low level of addiction, so addicts will be easy to break away without having to make themselves addicted to other substances.
“This shows us that marijuana use can help some of them who want to stop altogether or survive not to use cocaine,” Milloy said when presenting the results of his research at the Harm Reduction International Conference in Montreal, Canada.
Because until now there has been no effective treatment to overcome addiction to cocaine, this latest research is clearly a major breakthrough in the world of narcotics rehabilitation that can help cure heavy cocaine addicts. Through this study, it is known that cannabinoids can reduce and even eliminate the strong urge to use cocaine in the CB2 receptor in the endocannabinoid system of the human brain. In addition, in a separate study, marijuana has also shown its effectiveness in reducing tobacco use, opioids and alcohol.
The team then plans to do more research to ensure that marijuana can be an efficient way for those who want to stop using cocaine or other addictive substances.