Using Marinol for Anxiety

There are many different types of drugs used for the treatment of anxiety. One of the more interesting started as a way to help AIDS victims eat more food to prevent weight loss. Today, marinol is considered one of the more prescribed drugs in the fight against anxiety.

What is Marinol?

Basically, marinol is a man-made form of cannabis that was developed for use to treat people who sustained a loss of appetite which caused weight loss due to having AIDS. In addition, it is also used to treat people who suffer from nausea and vomiting that is caused by chemotherapy which is a common treatment for cancer. In these particular cases, marinol is considered a last resort after other drugs have been tried and failed.

As with many different drugs, the use of marinol was expanded to include those who suffer from anxiety because of its recorded effects on patients who were using marinol for other illnesses. Because it did have a calming effect on people, marinol was rather quickly used for those who suffer from general anxiety.

The Potential Side Effects of Marinol

For those who take marinol, it is important to remember to not mix it with any other drugs that might affect the central nervous system. Otherwise, the potential reaction may be very serious and require immediate medical treatment. This includes any form of stimulants, diet pills, pain and cold medicines, muscle relaxers, mental illness and even other drugs used in the treatment of anxiety.

There are also a number of conditions where marinol should not be used. Your doctor will have a complete list and it is vital that you report any medical condition that you have before taking marinol to avoid any potential reaction.

As part of the cannabis family, marinol may be habit forming especially if taken over the long term. However, for the most part marinol does not produce any serious side effects for most people. In certain cases it may cause the following to occur.

  • Confusion or delusions or hallucinations
  • Mood changes
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Memory loss
  • Depression
  • Feelings of unreality
  • Nervousness

In certain circumstances, marinol may actually cause what it has been prescribed to prevent. However, these particular cases are generally rare. In even fewer cases, people have reported becoming dizzy, having chills, blurred vision, sweating and feelings of weakness.

Overall, most people will find marinol effective in treating their anxiety as it provides a calming feeling similar to that of people who use cannabis where the drug is derived. However, the most important side effect that people should be wary of is potential addiction. Much like cannabis, marinol may become a habit that is hard to kick if taken over a long period of time. For those who feel that this product may cause such a habit to form, there are other drugs that can take the place of marinol instead. Be sure to discuss with your doctor all the alternatives available before taking marinol.