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Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

THC edibles sold in dispensaries are regulated under state laws. They are far less physiologically dependency-forming than benzodiazepines.

No, they're actually not. You'd think that, but they're not.

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't some of us using beta blockers instead of being addicted to the benzos? I don't get it.

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Anonymous wrote:Benzos send more people to rehab than any other drug, prescription or not.

I have used them regularly for 20 years as needed with zero problems. Not everyone who uses benzos becomes an addict. It depends on a host of factors, notably genetics. For those who can use them responsibly, they can be a life-saver, so please don't paint with a broad brush.

Exactly. I hate these "sound bite posters" who have very little knowledge about these drugs but feel the need to chime in with "benzos bad" in every thread.

Benzos are bad. Very bad. And plenty of people with vast knowledge on this will tell you that. NP.

Like who?

Like the AMA.

The AMA does not say “Benzos are bad”. Yes taking them recreationally is bad. Taking them a couple times a year for panic attacks or episodic anxiety issues (like flying, or going to the dentist) is fine.
Signed, a doctor.

Sure, doc. But, and hear me out here, how about teaching your patients some coping skills that aren't drugs, or giving them drugs that have low or no recreational value, especially if they only need them once or twice a year?

Very few people truly need these meds. Lots of people want them. Lots of people don't want to deal with reality. These things are related, and a primary cause of addiction issues.

DP, how about you eff off. I hate ignorant people like you.

Please learn coping skills next time you get an infection or your BP is high.

Aww, the benzo addict is triggered. You can't think away an infection, and while calming down (a skill you clearly lack) can help lower your blood pressure in way, it's not going to fix any physiological problem that raised your BP in the first place.

Your anxiety is literally all in your head, and there are plenty of things you can do to wrangle it that don't involve medicating away the symptoms. And that's all your little benzo does: block the symptoms, temporarily. If you know that you get anxious when you fly (which won't kill you, BTW), you can unfsck that in your own head with therapy, meditation, breathing, simple lessons in acceptance, not being a control freak, etc. But you're a lazy candyass who doesn't want to do that work, so you pop pills. If you can admit that, there's no problem. But you can't, so you make these ridiculous arguments about how benzos "save lives". No, they save intellectually lazy people from the labor required to manage their feelings without drugs.

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Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

Its insane to me that we are not regulating pot because it can 1000 percent be beneficial for many.

To a point, under certain circumstances, used carefully and short-term, maybe. What's really insane is how little we know about the long-term impact of steady THC use, and how little is said about the downsides and dangers of cannabis use.

It’s also been very helpful to a lot of people. Certain people will abuse anything and develop an addiction. Food is one of the main ones in this country. But we study it and make recommendations based on data. A lot of the stigma around THC is just propaganda and “say no to drugs,” but in reality we have very little empirical data.

Unfortunately, unlike benzos and other drugs, we've got both the reefer madness/just say no propaganda AND an actual lack of science to explain the GI issues, cannabis-induced psychosis, cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome and legitimate addictive potential linked to cannabis. We've also got strains bred for crazy-high THC, and concentrates, waxes, shatters that will literally blow your mind in a puff or two. And don't neglect the addictive potential of methods like vapes. At least if you have to get off your ass and go smoke outside, there's some limit (especially in the winter), but you can vape basically anywhere, anytime.

Mention any of that, and some crusty old pothead and/or some newfangled gummiemuncher is going to jump right down your throat with the whole 'It's just weed!" nonsense. Cannabis users are taking a lot more risks than they know, and getting support and help if you get yourself in trouble is a lot harder than getting help with alcohol, benzos, opiates, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

Its insane to me that we are not regulating pot because it can 1000 percent be beneficial for many.

To a point, under certain circumstances, used carefully and short-term, maybe. What's really insane is how little we know about the long-term impact of steady THC use, and how little is said about the downsides and dangers of cannabis use.

It’s also been very helpful to a lot of people. Certain people will abuse anything and develop an addiction. Food is one of the main ones in this country. But we study it and make recommendations based on data. A lot of the stigma around THC is just propaganda and “say no to drugs,” but in reality we have very little empirical data.

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Anonymous wrote:Benzos send more people to rehab than any other drug, prescription or not.

I have used them regularly for 20 years as needed with zero problems. Not everyone who uses benzos becomes an addict. It depends on a host of factors, notably genetics. For those who can use them responsibly, they can be a life-saver, so please don't paint with a broad brush.

Exactly. I hate these "sound bite posters" who have very little knowledge about these drugs but feel the need to chime in with "benzos bad" in every thread.

Benzos are bad. Very bad. And plenty of people with vast knowledge on this will tell you that. NP.

Like who?

Like the AMA.

The AMA does not say “Benzos are bad”. Yes taking them recreationally is bad. Taking them a couple times a year for panic attacks or episodic anxiety issues (like flying, or going to the dentist) is fine.
Signed, a doctor.

Sure, doc. But, and hear me out here, how about teaching your patients some coping skills that aren't drugs, or giving them drugs that have low or no recreational value, especially if they only need them once or twice a year?

Very few people truly need these meds. Lots of people want them. Lots of people don't want to deal with reality. These things are related, and a primary cause of addiction issues.

You have no idea what you’re talking about. Sure, I could tell my patient “just work with a therapist 3x a week for a year to get over your fear of flying- it may or may not work but it will absolutely cost you 10k or more out of pocket”. Or I could say, “try this essential oil instead”. Or I could just give them two 0.5mg tablets per flight, about once a year.

Tell me what medication I should prescribe then instead of 2 small doses of Xanax for one round trip flight per year. I’ll wait for your medical advice. Or, if you can’t come up with a different fast acting highly effective anti anxiety medication for panic attacks or severe episodic anxiety then I’ll keep practicing medicine the way that actually works

DP. You are one of the bad ones if you are prescribing benzos for panic attacks or “episodic anxiety.” That calls for an SSRI and therapy.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Benzos send more people to rehab than any other drug, prescription or not.

I have used them regularly for 20 years as needed with zero problems. Not everyone who uses benzos becomes an addict. It depends on a host of factors, notably genetics. For those who can use them responsibly, they can be a life-saver, so please don't paint with a broad brush.

Exactly. I hate these "sound bite posters" who have very little knowledge about these drugs but feel the need to chime in with "benzos bad" in every thread.

Benzos are bad. Very bad. And plenty of people with vast knowledge on this will tell you that. NP.

Like who?

Like the AMA.

The AMA does not say “Benzos are bad”. Yes taking them recreationally is bad. Taking them a couple times a year for panic attacks or episodic anxiety issues (like flying, or going to the dentist) is fine.
Signed, a doctor.

This is key. They work really well for anxiety. Most anxiety sufferers don’t get anxiety only a couple of times a year, end up taking them regularly and become addicted. And there are many doctors who don’t warn patients that these are to be used only occasionally for severe anxiety.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Benzos send more people to rehab than any other drug, prescription or not.

I have used them regularly for 20 years as needed with zero problems. Not everyone who uses benzos becomes an addict. It depends on a host of factors, notably genetics. For those who can use them responsibly, they can be a life-saver, so please don't paint with a broad brush.

Exactly. I hate these "sound bite posters" who have very little knowledge about these drugs but feel the need to chime in with "benzos bad" in every thread.

Benzos are bad. Very bad. And plenty of people with vast knowledge on this will tell you that. NP.

Like who?

Like the AMA.

The AMA does not say “Benzos are bad”. Yes taking them recreationally is bad. Taking them a couple times a year for panic attacks or episodic anxiety issues (like flying, or going to the dentist) is fine.
Signed, a doctor.

Sure, doc. But, and hear me out here, how about teaching your patients some coping skills that aren't drugs, or giving them drugs that have low or no recreational value, especially if they only need them once or twice a year?

Very few people truly need these meds. Lots of people want them. Lots of people don't want to deal with reality. These things are related, and a primary cause of addiction issues.

You have no idea what you’re talking about. Sure, I could tell my patient “just work with a therapist 3x a week for a year to get over your fear of flying- it may or may not work but it will absolutely cost you 10k or more out of pocket”. Or I could say, “try this essential oil instead”. Or I could just give them two 0.5mg tablets per flight, about once a year.

Tell me what medication I should prescribe then instead of 2 small doses of Xanax for one round trip flight per year. I’ll wait for your medical advice. Or, if you can’t come up with a different fast acting highly effective anti anxiety medication for panic attacks or severe episodic anxiety then I’ll keep practicing medicine the way that actually works

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

There really isn't a meaningful comparison between Klonopin and gummies from a dispensary. I mean, just listen to Stevie Nicks' experience with Klonopin. Nightmare. Benzos make you feel dead inside - and that's the point of these drugs, and what makes them addictive for some.

If you can use Klonopin for situational anxiety once in a blue moon, it's fine. But if you are using these benzos on the regular, you have a big problem. The withdrawal is even worse than alcohol. It lasts much longer. A klonopin or xanax or valium or ativan addiction is a special circle of hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. That withdrawal goes on for months.

Respect Klonopin and the other benzos. That class of drugs will destroy your life like no other.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

Anonymous wrote:The pot addicts entered the thread. Sorry, op.
game over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FYI occasional gummies work better. There are some for insomnia and some for anxiety.

FYI "gummies" have addictive potential and a host of side effects. Arguably, they're even less safe than benzos; at least benzos are regulated and you know what you're getting.

Its insane to me that we are not regulating pot because it can 1000 percent be beneficial for many.

To a point, under certain circumstances, used carefully and short-term, maybe. What's really insane is how little we know about the long-term impact of steady THC use, and how little is said about the downsides and dangers of cannabis use.