As a medical expert, I have been asked numerous times about my thoughts on CBD and whether or not I would recommend it to my patients. And my answer is always the same - it depends. While there is growing interest and demand for CBD products, doctors are still hesitant to recommend it as a medical treatment. There are several reasons for this, including the lack of scientific evidence, the unregulated nature of the industry, and potential drug interactions. One of the main concerns with CBD is its potential to interact with other medications.
This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, and even other cannabis-based products.
CBD
can affect the way these medications work, and vice versa. As a result, doctors must be cautious when recommending CBD to their patients. Another major issue with CBD is that it is primarily marketed and sold as a supplement, not as a medication. This means that the FDA does not regulate the safety and purity of these products.As a result, there is no guarantee that the product you buy contains the active ingredients listed on the label. In addition, there may be other unknown elements in the product that could potentially be harmful. Furthermore, we still do not know the most effective therapeutic dose of CBD for specific medical conditions. While prescription CBD oil has been approved as an anti-seizure medication, more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks for other conditions. Without sufficient evidence, doctors are understandably hesitant to recommend a treatment that may not be safe or effective. Dr.
Linda Inkpen, registrar of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador, explains that doctors must have the necessary knowledge and experience before authorizing the use of CBD in their patients. This means staying up-to-date on the latest research and understanding how CBD may interact with other medications. One of the main reasons doctors are hesitant to recommend CBD is the lack of scientific evidence. While there is growing research that suggests CBD may be effective in treating certain conditions, such as epilepsy and chronic pain, more studies are needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks. Without clear guidelines on how to manage these interactions, doctors may be reluctant to incorporate CBD into their treatment plans. Another factor that contributes to doctors' reluctance to recommend CBD is the deregulated nature of the industry.
With high demand for CBD products, there is a wide range of potency and purity among different brands. This makes it difficult for doctors to confidently recommend a specific brand or dosage to their patients. As a medical expert, I understand the potential benefits of CBD and its potential as a treatment option for certain conditions. However, I also have a responsibility to ensure that my patients receive safe and effective treatments. This means that I must carefully consider the lack of scientific evidence and potential drug interactions before recommending CBD.As research continues to develop and regulations become stricter, doctors may feel more comfortable incorporating CBD into their treatment plans.
But for now, the lack of evidence and regulation make it difficult for doctors in Newfoundland and Labrador to prescribe or recommend CBD as a medical treatment.
