Many people use antibiotics when they have a bacterial infection. However, many people also use cannabis to help treat the same condition. Some people are wondering whether or not it is safe to take antibiotics and weed together? This blog post will discuss what doctors say about using these two substances in combination with one another.
What are Antibiotics?
Antibiotics are medications that can be used to treat bacterial infections. Many strains of bacteria create a runny nose, sore throat, and body aches. The antibiotics will help you get better by killing the bad bacteria that is causing your infection.
What Are Weeds?
Weed is a slang term for referring to marijuana or cannabis products. Weed is sometimes smoked or ingested in order to produce a high or for other medicinal purposes. Weed is made from the cannabis plant and chemicals such as THC are what cause your high.
How Cannabis Interacts with Medication
Many people use cannabis to try and help with their symptoms. In this case, they are using the weed for medicinal purposes. However, when someone is using antibiotics and not understanding that weed can interact with these medications, it can cause some issues.
The antibiotic will work to kill off the bacteria in your system but if you’re also taking weed, it may do what we call “potentiating” (increasing) the effects of the THC in your body. The CBDs found in marijuana help fight inflammation and stress that would otherwise be intensified by taking antibiotics and pot together.
Doctors warn people to wait at least two hours after taking an antibiotic before smoking or eating marijuana. Too much THC can have a negative impact on someone who also has a bacterial infection. It can make the symptoms worse and, in some cases, it could be deadly.
Is It Safe to Mix Cannabis and Antibiotics?
It was found in a recent study that for people who use cannabis products with antibiotics, the bacteria which ultimately caused their UTI became antibiotic-resistant. This is because antibiotics impaired the ability of the body to fight against dangerous bacteria.
So, is it safe to mix cannabis and antibiotics together? It’s true that some people (doctors) will say yes, while others will say no. What remains evident is that you should not mix cannabis and antibiotics together.”
What Doctors Say About Taking Antibiotics with Weed
Doctors will typically tell people not to use these substances together because they can cancel out one another’s effects. People should also be careful when using antibiotics while taking other drugs, like a weed, in order to avoid having a negative reaction.
Doctors say that it is not safe to take antibiotics and weed together because they can cancel out one another’s effects. People should be careful when using antibiotics with other drugs, like cannabis, as this could cause an adverse effect on the individual taking them.
Possible Adverse Reactions When Mixing Weed and Antibiotics
One of the possible adverse reactions that might occur when a person is taking antibiotics and cannabis together is dizziness and nausea. The danger with this is that it may increase the risk of falls, which can lead to injury or death.
Another common adverse reaction is an upset stomach. In some clinical trials, people who had taken cannabis reported more symptoms of diarrhea than those who were not taking it.
The other side of this is that there are many reports from people who have been on antibiotics for months but still experience regular episodes of UTI because they drink one glass of wine a day or so. People who are considering medication in that situation should take into consideration how much alcohol they consume daily.”
Can Marijuana Replace Antibiotics?
Doctors say yes to the idea of replacing antibiotics with marijuana. According to research, cannabinoids like delta-nine tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol, and cannabinol can be an effective therapy for bacterial infections such as MRSA. In fact, a study published in Nature found that THC is even more powerful than some common antibiotics.
“For the first time, we have found that THC has antimicrobial activity against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria,” said lead researcher David Tuber in an interview with Newsweek Magazine. “We also show a potential way to kill these superbugs using cannabinoids.”
However, there are some drawbacks as well:
For instance, there is a risk of dose-related toxicity. And because weed has a variety of cannabinoid compounds, there is potential for interactions with other drugs the patient may be on.
Furthermore, more research needs to be done on how CBD might interact with other drugs and alkaloids in marijuana plants.
So, should we be replacing antibiotics with weed? It doesn’t seem like a good idea. But before you go out and get high or take more pills for your cold, there are two important things to consider:
First of all, keep in mind that THC is not FDA-approved as an antibiotic alternative yet. Secondly, avoid mixing any drugs with alcohol.
Marijuana Alternatives for Antibiotic Users
Many patients take marijuana for recreational purposes and many people use it as an alternative to their medicine. Antibiotics can be used in place of weed. THC can also be obtained legally because it is an FDA-approved alternative to antibiotics. CBD is another good alternative for those who are interested in alleviating pain and anxiety but are not looking for a sense of euphoria.
The New Drug on the Block: CBD
CBD is not as well-known as THC, but it too has been found to have antimicrobial effects. A study published in Frontiers of Microbiology found that cannabidiol “exhibited potent inhibition” against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans yeast.
CBD has all the benefits of weed, without the euphoria. Patients may find that it is a good alternative to THC for those who want pain relief with no mental side effects.
It should be noted that CBD still needs more research before it can replace antibiotics as an effective treatment strategy. But in the meantime, patients are encouraged to explore the benefits of marijuana.
Is Weed a Safe Alternative to Antibiotics? Doctors Share Their Thoughts
Some doctors support this idea, while others are not so convinced that weed can be an effective therapy for bacterial infections such as MRSA and pneumonia in high doses.
A study published by Greenpoint Hospital found evidence that THC was a better antibiotic than the synthetic drug vancomycin.
But others say that more research is needed in order to determine how CBD might interact with other drugs and alkaloids in marijuana plants, which may make it a risky alternative for those who are on prescription meds or have specific conditions like epilepsy.
Conclusion
The doctors we asked all agreed that it is not a good idea to take antibiotics and weed together.
They also said, however, that they have seen many patients who do this for recreational purposes or as an easy way to mask the symptoms of withdrawal from another drug.
If you are contemplating taking these substances in combination with one another, please consult your doctor first so you can make an informed decision about what’s best for your health!