9. Medical Marijuana: Benefits, Pros, Cons, My Experience and The Surprising Results

Welcome back to another episode of The Lovable Surivor Podcast. In today's episode, we're going to talk about a little something different a little. It might be a little controversial. I don't think if you're a regular listener to me or this podcast, if you know anything about my history. This may not be that surprising of a topic, but I think it is one that is worth having a conversation about. It is not the same for everybody. I think there are lots of opinions in this space. Yeah, so let's just jump right into it. So this episode is really centered about around medical marijuana, and some of the well, some of the perks, some of the some of the pluses, some of the minuses. Definitely my take, which may be different than you might be thinking right now. For those that don't know, my kind of colorful historical past, I grew up as a kid in Jersey, like most teenagers did a little bit of experimenting. I think, for me, early on, in my, my, my high school career, you got into drinking, you know, a little bit of a little bit of weed. You know, I don't think that's very uncommon, especially in the 90s. Before the real internet, boom, and before everybody has screen 24/7 We used to have cell phones and beepers. It was just different time. And I think it's probably still the same to some degree. Um, but you know, I think there are some, I don't know, I will just go through my take and my experience with medical marijuana. It was not something I initially really sought out to get off with, although I did realize when we moved here in 2019, even before my stroke, that it was something in the state of Florida that was legalized. Um, you know, I think that has been more and more throughout the country, I don't pay that much attention state to state so I apologize if I don't know your particular case. But I think it is definitely a conversation worth having on this show. If it's an option for you in your state or location, I think it's worth considering. But yeah, I think for me, I was a little resistant because I do have a colorful past with drugs and alcohol. Not really so much drugs after college. You know, I was the biggest experimenter. I think that's still is true in terms of everything I do. I like to try new things. I don't mess around with drugs anymore. So much. Definitely not be realistic kind. I'm way past that. Alcohol is no longer a thing in my life. For me, particularly, but I don't mind being around people that drink. I know, all my friends. My wife sells drinks. My daughter is in college. My boys are too young. But yeah, I mean, that's not something I shy away from. And I've really learned my lesson and I just don't have an interest in anymore. Really nothing else other than I think it played a significant role in my stroke and my kind of medical journey of last couple years, but you know, I'll find taking her off. For me, I don't really like I said, have an interest and go back to it. But I'm not against it, for anybody that can use it and enjoy it safely and without, you know, just got to the level that I was kind of taking it. So you know, you you began to talk great if you need help, you know, seek help. I could tell you you probably rather spend a little bit time you know, doing some rehab and things like that if if you're at that level I would consider that. Definitely before you get a stroke. Not that one of these the other but I think in my case, it definitely played a major role. It might not in the direct cause, but it definitely was a thing. Anyways, this show is not about alcohol, this show is about medical marijuana and some of the major benefits. You know, and I'll touch on kind of a high level. And again, we're gonna go through kind of my experience, I just I, I was hesitant to talk about it. I didn't really talk about it for a long time, because I had such a checkered past with alcohol and drugs in my college years. That, you know, when somebody mentioned to me, I very quietly sort of looked into it. And, you know, I liked the things war legal. I like things were somewhat regulated. And I think that, again, varies state. So I think when you think in terms of the benefits, there are no shortage, I think high level, you know, it's great for pain management and some aspects of the physical recovery. I think it's been proven. You know, I think it depends on what you read, what you try how your body reacts to things, it can have some mental well being benefits, some emotional benefits, some neurology some neurological benefits, I think there probably needs to be some continued research. And again, I think, like a lot of things like cancer stroke, it's really, you know, individually based, I think there, again, like stroke, I think you can group things together, I think there are things like food and pain relief. I think it probably goes without saying that, in general, I think it can help people with no better sleep is is necessarily the proper terminology. But I think it could definitely help you get to sleep if you have trouble sleeping. Yeah, I mean, there's just a ton of things like, you know, decrease sleep disturbances that can help you say the same longer. There are definitely many benefits. You know, but I think it just depends on the individual. I think for me, I will tell you that I I waited almost two years, I didn't try it until the end of 2021. I'm about to be two, I want to say it was about 22 months after my initial stroke. And at that point, I was grasping at straws a little bit, because I felt like I was making progress. But you do the MS. And, and the stroke, you know, I wasn't sure. And so I'm not sure many days, what's what. You know. I will say that I continue to search for that. I know it doesn't exist, but I sort of keep trying things to get a little bit better get a little bit further. It's not so much a magic pill. But I was really optimistic. I was like, Okay, well, I've tried a lot of things. Medical marijuana is now legal in the state of Florida. I qualified, having better MS and a stroke at a young age. I I see the medical benefits. I didn't really see it. I don't think there I'll be honest, I don't think there's been a downside, I think in my experience, it just it wasn't necessarily the magic pill that I was hoping for. And some of the reasons I really pursued this initially, despite my hesitation was because things like specificity. You know, I have some still lingering issues with things are not really like I could stretch to the I could spend all day stretching and breathing but like there are some things that just my hand on any given day can be totally fine. And then the next day it says very stiff. I think that's probably BMS but again, I can't really determine always what's what you know, it doesn't even really matter. It's just that I know that there is stiffness. Sleep I've never really had an issue with I've got a pretty under neutral. The only thing I have trouble with was sleeping sometimes I get a little too have focused in the evenings, sometimes with work or dislike a different work, I would call casual working. It's like, not work that I have to do. But it's things that I could do that I like to do or hanging out with family or watching TV. You know, I guess it's kind of that it's almost like study hall in the evening. Sometimes it's like that work that you don't need to do. But it's kind of fun, and it's outside. And it's like something you're looking into. Sometimes I like doing research. Sometimes I like, you know, writing for Twitter, working on a website, which I didn't even promote this week. But I am working on the bolo boats rover, the actual main website does the podcast website. So that should be coming soon. Anyways, back on track. Yeah, I mean, there's just so many different things that medical marijuana covers, and I think, in Florida, and I don't know if this is same in every state. They seem to do a pretty good job with things. But I think when it comes to like, there's so many different, there's edibles, Berry be put there a traditional rolling paper and Bud are patches, which I have had a really hard time getting my hands on, which is something I still want to try. I've taken a little break from it. Because initially, I got my card. And I wanted to try different things. And I found a couple of things that I like, a bunch that I didn't like, B marijuana. I'm not one of those people that really got into it. I mean, I definitely did a fair amount of drugs. And that's nothing I shy away from. I'll be honest weed. And marijuana the same thing. I like the kind that let you laugh and relax and kind of, you know, you put on a comedy and you have a good time. And I think that's enjoyable for me. I don't like the kind that just makes you blah. Not really my jam. To be quite honest, I've always been a guy that's more of an upper. Which is stupid, because I don't really need any more energy. I've got a ton of energy, even for a stroke survivor with Ms. Yeah, I did. Yeah, I mean, I tried to different different times different strains, there are some consistencies. There are some inconsistencies. You know, but having MS and having had a stroke. Some of the potential benefits that I've really been interested in are the anti inflammatory. The pain relief, I don't have a ton of pain, like I said, but they're, you know, sometimes it comes and goes. I don't really like using any of this stuff during the day, this is more of an evening thing for me, which is weird because it only go to sleep. But I like it to be like obviously at home quiet just as easy as necessarily what's kind of a before bed thing to help. Again with that spasticity, that muscle tension that that Ms. You know, sometimes there's flare ups and a body with all the running and the things, you know, to help spring sell, allegedly I don't know the song represent true, but promotion of brain cell recovery. Like is that pain relief? Specificity is definitely a thing I have some issues with with ankle, ankle and foot and particularly bright side. But yeah, I think I think there are tons of benefits. I just think that like a lot of things. I was hoping it would be sort of Fitzpatrick Hill, you know, with air quotes, like I'm not saying it isn't, but I just I haven't seen a ton of benefits now. It'd be fair, there are tons of things to try. Kind of is expensive. One of the things that I really hate his head like there is a steep yard and you have a doctor and then the doctor has a prescription that runs out every couple of months so yet go to this doctor to get the prescription for another like couple months. And yeah, it would just be nice if they get it all consolidated and make it a little bit easier and a little bit less So, as you know, but I think like most things, there are good sides and bad side like that it is somewhat regulated. I obviously I know it's growing in the earth, it's hard to be 100% consistent, I'd love to see it be a little bit more consistent. And what I've tried. With time, it'll get better, because I believe there's still I'm not even. Yeah, I mean, what, what, maybe four or five years? So yeah, I think there are improvements that can be made. And again, I think it's worth trying for any number of reasons, especially at a stroke, or brain injury or really anything, but you know, again, pain relief, moods, a lot of mood issues, I, you know, my mood things are under control. Like I said, anti inflammatory. I do not have epilepsy, but I've definitely had a seizure back in 2020. I think that is, I think that was kind of, I wouldn't say a fluke, but I think it was that I got diagnosed with MS. And I was not on all the medication that I should have been, until I had the seizure, which if you've ever had one is scary, as fuck. To be quite honest, I did not know what was happening at the time, I will never make that mistake again to be off the medication. So it's clear that I need to be on that for a long time. And I'm fine with that. Because I don't need to go through that event again. So yeah, I think I think it's worth trying, if you've tried a lot of things if you're still having some issues in your journey. And, you know, you've heard a lot of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy. I think it does come down to body chemistry and finding the right kind of maybe the right strain guests and what works with your body. And that's just the right screen, but also on the right application. Because like I said, there's a number of applications that are edible or based or traditional, like so many things are patches. I mean, you go on there, it's like any one of these facilities depending on where you go, some are bigger than others. But yeah, I mean, it's it's, I would say the the downside to the realization is that there's so many options which is nice in the beginning, but it can get expensive. If you don't really find what's working for you initially. It's a little frustrating. But I wouldn't Yeah, I mean, like I'm taking a break right now. So I think I've found some other alternative things breathing has been a huge thing for me. So again, it's not off the table. It's just kind of like a break for me. I just haven't gotten the benefits immediate takes more research, am I and like I said, there's a lot of information, there's a lot of different things you can try. There's a lot of different strengths. I mean, there's so you know, it's such diverse world want to get into it. I'm not downplaying any of the significant benefits of medical marijuana. I just think that it's just like, again, there's so many different types. There's so many different benefits and it's, it's a it's a lot of trial and error. You know, you read stuff online and somebody says one thing they had the greatest experience with this one, they loved it, you know, that made them feel so great. And then you go and try that. And then you come home and you try it and this is like the worst experience I've ever had, you know, and it's just it's just such it's unfortunately it's a little bit hit or miss. And this is coming from a guy that you know, went to college in Miami. I grew up in Jersey I have not we it was not my baby jam in my teens and 20s but I will tell you I have certainly tried none of it to know the vast quantities and differences I have tried it overseas. I mean I I spent time in Amsterdam numerous times. I think I've been to Amsterdam four or five times now for multiple days and multiple weeks. You know, I lived in Italy for a year. It's not hard. It was never hard to get overseas. In Europe on the mainland, especially. So, you know, I am not a rookie, although I feel like they want to go into these places. And yeah, it's just a really interesting thing. But I do think it has tons of benefits. And I think if, like I said, you live somewhere where this is an option is certainly worth exploring. I would say, you know, if you do your research, talk to your doctors, you know, see what, what they recommend? You know, I think you're gonna think it's an interesting industry, because I don't know. You know? Yeah, because I think it's still it is regulated, like, are some people you know, sell that world, right? You don't know, if somebody's recommending something, because it's gonna make them more money, somehow, they get something on the back end, is it really going to help the need? I found that in most of these places, the information that the people are providing is pretty good. But you still have the, I think they're giving you just like a lot of online websites, a lot of different, you know, medical marijuana directories online, I think you're getting the you know, it is crap kind of crowdsource Right. Like, I think if somebody, if a bunch of people are saying, This is great, it's great for pain, that it probably is great pain for the majority. But that just doesn't mean it's going to work out for her the pain that you have necessarily, or your body may react differently. So I think that is something to be mindful of. But it is, you know, I think it's a, it is promising, I think we're still in the very, sounds crazy, but I think we're still in the very early days of this kind of this world. And I think that people who are able to do research and testing, you know, it's just such a, I think when you're in the testing in that kind of world of really team, the scientific approach here, you are at the mercy of same as any other industry where something in the ground, you know, whether that be food or food is where I was thinking here, like, you know, there are common treats, but then there's like, organic and non organic, and, you know, this thing uses this pesticide and that pesticide, Nate all get very complicated, but the overall benefits of certain things are true. So I think just keep that in mind. When, when you're starting to do explore this, if it's something you're interested in. Like I said, I think my biggest surprise about medical marijuana benefits is that it I think I just had really high hopes for something that I didn't initially really consider, um, you know, and it may be that I have not tried the right thing. I mean, it probably is. Um, it may be that the benefits that I wanted just weren't enough. Um, there's that maybe there hasn't been enough time around? I don't know. I mean, I will say, you know, really not too many downsides. When I had everything that I've tried in the last couple of years, when it comes to medical marijuana has been a good experience. There are definitely certain types of strains that I know I don't want EAD or really jive with. You know, I think they said that earlier. The ones that really just kind of I mean, is, I would say, in general, any pain I've had as a residual side effects from a stroke or MS has been relatively mild. I'm not heavy pain, so I don't really need anything to knock me out or things like that, like any pain that I've had over the last couple years has really been kind of equivalent to I hate to say this, but kind Like my mom, you say to stay tuned to Advil and suck it up? You know, take a little Tylenol, and that's all I really need. You know, I think, and again, I got into the medical marijuana path because somebody who I know who also had a stroke recommended it, I was like, Oh, I really should look into that. And I think this is so true. I was I was looking for it to instill I meant to some degree looking for it to replace some of the medications or if I have some kind of pain wire up for you know, I do see that benefit. Yeah, and I think to the other part, where emotional mental, I'm sure, but I don't know, it's interesting. I have no interest in it replacing or taking over any part of my life at this point. You know? Yeah, I mean, I guess some of the benefits I'm still looking for are, are getting off some of the medications. And one of the things I'm thinking of, is it because I still have some spasticity, which for those that don't know, is like I have, my hand gets a little crappy, by like gets a little grumpy. There's a some kind of stiffness that feels like I could stretch for a month. And sometimes I feel like I am searching for a month and things are still not good. And I wouldn't say not good. I just say not as good as I like to beat. So I do take what's called backup plan, which is a muscle relaxer to help me. You know, basically unbox by hand you know, and I think if all things considered, I like that, you know, marijuana does grow in the ground the same way as as, you know, zucchini, cucumber, or whatever, you know, a lot of vegetables. And not that I'm some by no stretch, am I what you would consider a hippie at all. In fact, I'm the exact opposite of a hippie but I do like, I think when you're on a number of medications, and you're only 40 You know, I'm not against taking the back when I I do take it daily. I just wouldn't mind knotting it, if that makes sense. And I think I hope that makes sense. Makes sense. Anybody I would just love to see if I could get some of the benefits of the medical marijuana and it doesn't have to be you know, way. I actually you know, and I I wouldn't say that this was some hesitation but what I like that I don't have any desire to smoke or vape or you know, anything with nicotine anymore. Zero zilch. Like none. Just like I have no desire to drink. I think my my initial relief, like I tried some edibles, and I just find even at 683 125 pounds that often. When I have tried it, it's been a little much for me. So I do like a little quick vape because I feel like that is the fastest, easiest way to get a very little smidge and maybe that's the problem too. Maybe I don't have enough time. Like you know, I have kids I have responsibilities. When I try this I got a I got a wife. No. Hey. Yeah. Trying this tonight, we're gonna do this for a little bit. See if it helps a little and sometimes it does, but maybe maybe. I don't know how much you know, I only do what I feel like it's comfortable, which I think it's wise, right. You know, so I don't know. Maybe I'm a winner. I mean, I don't think I have anything left to prove. I am a stroke survivor living with Ms. 633 and 25 pounds I run 10 plus miles a day at this point. The fact that I'd be running at all isn't saying, Yeah, I've done just about every dumb thing you could do on the planet, I've done just about every drug on the planet. So far not so good, not off weed, to get the benefits, yeah. Okay. But that's, that's a valid statement, but I don't really care. Because I don't make it about that it's really just about finding the things that work for you. And unfortunately, like I said, many times throughout this episode, I had high hopes, I, I still believe that there are things that could work on. And again, there have been not been downsides to this for me, at the very least, you know, I get a little bit better sleep, I get to sleep quicker. I, when I do do it, I tend to want to go to bed earlier. So that in and of itself is a win in my book, is sometimes I just have a hard time wanting to go to bed. But once I lay down, it's a non issue for me. So I think it's a really interesting conversation, I think it's worth exploring if it is something that you've been considering, if it's something that is legal in your state, I wouldn't dismiss it. You know, and one of the things that I think I think it's important to know, all the obviously, all the risks of the possible potential upsides, knowing some downsides, and just sort of setting the bar like a lot of things where, you know, like, I think I, this is still when I started this, it was a year and a half. And I think I was just, I had to borrow a little high for what I got. But in the last year, you know, I found running, I found breathing, both are amazing. For me. In fact, I think, next episode, we will talk, finally, about some breathing and some of the main benefits. Because, you know, this, this, this whole podcast is about sharing sort of the successes and the failure or, you know, the the downfalls and like, I would say medical marijuana, like I said, is worth trying. It is for me, it was not a home run. It wasn't not a home run, but it was just sort of a middle of the road. Didn't really move the needle hasn't yet moved the needle for me in the way that I had hoped. But I would say I put it back on the shelf. And I'm going to, you know, keep checking it out. Every so often, I think, the initial wave of the excitement. And yeah, so I think the initial wave of an excitement of it. It's kind of by the wayside, but it will be something I will be keeping my eye on and always kind of reassessing, like a lot of things. And I think as as more things rollout, and as I talk to our doctors, or my doctors, and they find out new information, again, this is really a team effort, because I'm really interested on you know, I don't know how much the brain will be able to rebuild, but I think there are lots of different conversations happening in similar spaces about different parts of the brain taking over. You know, and I do with that specificity in general and specifically that. Like I said, it's not a high level of pain that I'm experiencing on a daily basis, but there's just annoying things that honestly, I don't care if it's medical marijuana, I don't care if it's a pill, it's like it's just these things that I would like to get better under control if possible, Ani I'm also aware that there are things that are way outside of my control by bass disease in general. So yeah, I think it's always keeping an open ear keeping open eyes and hoping for the best and honestly, I hope you tried. I hope it works out for you. I hope this has been helpful on Epic. It's an ongoing conversation, especially as each state or even the country you know, kind of mature in this in the cannabis space. Because I think there there's a lot of upside of course, given the history of medical marijuana or Iran generally this country definitely has connotation but I think are great upsides here. And I think it's really worth keeping an eye on. For anybody who's had a significant major medical life bent. You know, I think there are, like I said, there's tons outside and I'm just kind of excited about what the future holds and what people you know, where this space grows over the next 235 years and years and and even if it doesn't work out great for me, I like I said, I hope it works out great for people behind me people, maybe similar spaces that just have a different reaction. So yeah, I think we'll leave this episode at that. I do want to remind you, if you've enjoyed this episode, or any of the other episodes, if you would not mind, leaving a reading a review on your favorite podcast app, I am working on some new things. Like I've said, last couple of episodes, I'm working on some things that will hopefully, you know, I'll be able to share with you in the coming weeks, I believe the next episode, we are going to jump into breathing, which is something I'm really excited to talk about, because I get a lot of questions about it, even from nonsurvivors. So I think next episode is gonna have a lot of great information on breathing. If you haven't heard me talk about it before see me on Twitter talking about it. It's kind of my jam is the game changer for me. In the last year, which was year, two slash three of my stroke recovery, which is typically where things start to really slow down, and I had quite a good last year in terms of overall development and my stroke recovery. So again, I'm excited to talk about that. And if you aren't necessarily into leaving a podcast review or rating on your favorite podcast app, that's totally cool. Definitely go to podcast dot levels. survivor.com Sign up for the newsletter. And if you're interested in joining the community that we're working on building for stroke survivors and survivors of any brain injury you can do to VIP that survivor science.com That is sort of complimentary community or local survivor. Both are owned by me. I'm working on kind of consolidating everything. So yeah, hope you liked this episode and look forward to next week.