{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/pain.-nausea/","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2006-markdown","title":"Marinol Versus Cannabis: Which Is More Effective?","slug":"marinol-versus-cannabis-which-is-more-effective","content":"Cannabis and Marinol are both possible treatments for the side effects\r\nof chemotherapy and the symptoms of AIDS. Each option has its own\r\nbenefits and drawbacks. However, cannabis may be a more effective\r\ntreatment for many patients, as it has extra therapeutic properties\r\ncompared to Marinol.\r\n\r\nWhat is Marinol?\r\n----------------\r\n\r\nMarinol is a synthetic form of THC, one of the main psychoactive\r\ncomponents of cannabis. In May 1985, the FDA approved Marinol as a\r\nprescription medication for the treatment of nausea and vomiting caused\r\nby chemotherapy. It can also [stimulate\r\nappetite](http://www.drugs.com/marinol.html), which led to the FDA\r\nextending the approval to AIDS patients suffering from anorexia and\r\nweight loss.\r\n\r\nHow Does Marinol Differ From Cannabis?\r\n--------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe active ingredient of Marinol is dronabinol, which is a synthetic\r\nform of THC. Marijuana contains many active compounds in addition to\r\nTHC. These include cannabidol (CBD), cannabinol, cannabichromine,\r\ncannabigerol, terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, and various oils.\r\nResearch has identified [66 naturally occurring chemical\r\ncompounds](http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/marinol-vs-natural-cannabis)\r\nin cannabis, many of which are known as cannabinoids.\r\n\r\nCBD has many potentially beneficial effects, which are not provided by\r\nMarinol. CBD has anticonvulsant, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory\r\nproperties. It also reduces anxiety and tackles psychosis, as well as\r\n[suppressing the growth of\r\ntumors](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10700234) in some situations.\r\n\r\nCannabinol is also an anticonvulsant, while cannabichromine acts as an\r\nantidepressant. Both these compounds can reduce inflammation, as can\r\nmany of the flavonoids, oils, and phenols found in cannabis.\r\n\r\nIs Cannabis or Marinol More Effective?\r\n--------------------------------------\r\n\r\nBoth cannabis and Marinol bring benefits to some people. However,\r\nMarinol has some key downsides compared to marijuana. Firstly, Marinol\r\nis more expensive than medical marijuana, which puts it out of reach of\r\nmany patients. More importantly, Marinol also causes unwanted side\r\neffects for many users, while offering only limited benefits compared to\r\nthe natural plant. The [side effects of\r\nMarinol](http://www.drugs.com/sfx/marinol-side-effects.html) include\r\ndrowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, clumsiness and trouble thinking\r\nclearly.\r\n\r\nTHC is the main psychoactive component of cannabis. Therefore, users of\r\nMarinol, which is a pure synthetic form of THC, often experience a\r\n\"high\" feeling when taking the drug. While feeling high is also a\r\nwell-known effect of taking cannabis, the other cannabinoids in\r\nmarijuana temper the effects of the THC, reducing negative psychological\r\nside effects such as anxiety. Therefore, the psychological experience is\r\noften better for people who take natural marijuana than for those who\r\ntake synthetic THC.\r\n\r\nThe other benefit of marijuana is that patients can\r\n[consume](http://www.prweb.com/releases/-medical-marijuana-/-information-san-francisc/prweb9700402.htm)\r\nit in a variety of ways, including inhalation, oral ingestion,\r\nvaporization, or in a cream or oil. In contrast, Marinol is only\r\ncurrently available in the form of gelatin capsules, which come in\r\ndosages of 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg. Each oral pill can take up to an hour\r\nto have an effect, which means that it can be difficult for patients to\r\ndetermine the right dosage. Vaporization of medical marijuana has an\r\nimmediate effect, helping patients to get quick relief from their\r\nsymptoms without the risk of taking a dose that is too strong. The fact\r\nthat the drug doesn't have to be swallowed is also an important benefit\r\nfor patients who are struggling with nausea or vomiting.\r\n\r\nThe oral administration of Marinol poses further problems. After passing\r\nthrough the digestive system, Marinol absorbs into the bloodstream and\r\npasses to the liver. The liver metabolizes Marinol into a plethora of\r\nother chemicals, including\r\n[11-hydroxy-THC](http://norml.org/component/zoo/category/marinol-vs-natural-cannabis),\r\nwhich is four or five times as strong as natural THC. This could explain\r\nwhy so many Marinol users report that its psychoactive effects are much\r\ngreater than those of natural cannabis. The lack of CBD, which reduces\r\nanxiety, could also contribute to the problem.\r\n\r\nWhat is Marinol Used For?\r\n-------------------------\r\n\r\nThe\r\n[FDA](http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/05n0479/05N-0479-emc0004-04.pdf)\r\nhas approved Marinol as a treatment for lack of appetite and weight loss\r\nin patients with AIDS. The drug is also approved as a treatment for\r\nnausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, but only for cancer patients\r\nwho have not responded to conventional anti-nausea treatments.\r\n\r\nThere are many situations in which the FDA advises against the use of\r\nMarinol. For example, Marinol must be used with caution in patients who\r\nhave heart disorders, as well as those with depression, mania,\r\nschizophrenia or a history of substance abuse. There are also possible\r\ninteractions with many other drugs, including alcohol and\r\nbenzodiazepines, which can make Marinol unsuitable for some patients.\r\n\r\nMarinol or Marijuana?\r\n---------------------\r\n\r\nThere is increasing evidence that marijuana is a more effective\r\ntreatment than Marinol for a range of conditions, including the side\r\neffects of chemotherapy and the symptoms of AIDS. The other compounds in\r\nmarijuana, such as cannabidol, cannabinol, and terpenoids, offer\r\nbenefits that extend far beyond those offered by THC, including pain\r\nrelief and a decrease in anxiety. Cancer and AIDS patients often\r\nexperience pain, in addition to the nausea and anorexia that THC can\r\ntreat.\r\n\r\nPerhaps the most important argument for using marijuana rather than\r\nMarinol is that the natural plant often causes far fewer side effects,\r\nparticularly psychoactive side effects such as anxiety. FDA approval for\r\nmedical marijuana could allow sufferers of cancer and AIDS to benefit\r\nfrom the entourage effect of cannabis, where the various compounds in\r\ncannabis work together to create an overall beneficial effect.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/14b42/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.jpg","srcSet":"/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/f836f/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.jpg 200w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/2244e/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.jpg 400w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/14b42/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.jpg 800w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/47498/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/58556/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/61e93/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.webp 200w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/1f5c5/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.webp 400w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/58556/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.webp 800w,\n/static/965cd62d0e9f5ac7ac0d21bf36e4ef7d/99238/6fdb01f8ef089b281702ea464a70efb1.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":0,"numPages":1,"currentPage":1,"id":5601,"name":"Pain. Nausea","slug":"pain.-nausea","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}