Marijuana and antibiotics are two things that are commonly used in health care settings, but rarely do you hear about how the two interact with each other. This isn’t surprising. Marijuana is becoming more mainstream as medical research about its benefits continues to pour in, but it is still illegal in many states.
However, if you’re a medical marijuana user, knowing how your antibiotics might interact with your drug of choice is essential. Here you can find five vital things to know about marijuana and antibiotics going together before you take your next dose of prescription drugs.
- Marijuana has Antibiotic Properties
Several studies have been done that point to evidence that cannabinoids can kill a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is especially true for cannabidiol, which has been identified as a powerful antibiotic.
You should, however, note that these results haven’t always presented themselves on every occasion when marijuana plants or extracts have been tested against certain kinds of organisms. Some researchers are adamant that all this research isn’t entirely conclusive yet, and there’s much scope for more research for some concrete evidence.
- Marijuana and Antibiotics: Can You Take Both?
Doctors can prescribe marijuana to patients to treat various ailments, from chronic pain and stress to nausea and loss of appetite. And now, with more states allowing the sale of recreational marijuana, even more people are using it for pleasure.
While there is no solid clinical evidence assessing the health effects of using marijuana and antibiotics together, there are no significant reports of people suffering adverse effects. However, it would help if you always spoke with your doctor when using marijuana for medicinal or recreational purposes.
- How Do Marijuana and Antibiotics Work?
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is an active ingredient in marijuana, which acts on cannabinoid receptors in your brain. By contrast, antibiotics are a completely different class of drugs that work by blocking the production of a protein responsible for cell growth, and they are not chemically related.
Despite their distinct natures, antibiotics can have unintended interactions with marijuana when taken together, potentially producing side effects you wouldn’t expect from either one.
- What Drugs to Avoid When Using Marijuana?
Using marijuana while taking antibiotics isn’t a good idea! Make sure you understand which medications are affected by marijuana, such as statins for high cholesterol, anti-seizure drugs, some antibiotics, anti-blood clotting drugs like Warfarin and Aspirin. If you have chronic health conditions, it might be best not to use marijuana at all until you consult with your doctor.
- How Does Your Brain Process THC?
THC is one of many cannabinoids found in marijuana. It’s been theorized that antibiotics can reduce how much THC your body absorbs when consuming marijuana. The effect is only minor, but it’s still important to consider if you’re using medical marijuana for a chronic illness.
To make sure THC levels stay within a therapeutic range, always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medications.
Final Thoughts
You may consult with your doctor before taking antibiotics if you use marijuana. The combination of marijuana and antibiotics can cause side effects in some people. It must be noted that you can use both antibiotics and marijuana to treat various conditions.
You should not stop using marijuana without talking with your doctor first, just because you take an antibiotic or vice versa.
