Typically, if managed medically by Kaiser, he would have been taking (he was actually offered all of these medications)

Xanax: for his sleep and anxiety.

Ambien: for his insomnia

Phenergan: for his nausea

Zoloft: for his depression

Naproxen: for pain.

Vicodin: for breakthrough pain.

INSTEAD, HE DECIDED TO VAPORIZE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DAILY.   As a result he didn’t have to take any of these medications.   This is a true story and I am not making any of this up!

If you think about it, this is really amazing.

Let’s consider the cost savings:

AMBIEN 10mg: Avg cost for 30 days = $176.00

VICODIN:  Avg cost for 30 days = $200.00

ZOLOFT 100mg: Avg cost for 30 days = $146.00

NAPROXEN 250mg:  Avg cost for 30 days = $46.00

PHENERGAN:  Avg Cost for 30 days = $7.00 (online)

XANAX: Avg Cost for 30 days: = $27.00

The total monthly cost for taking these medications is $602.00    Assuming this patient lives 18 months that comes to $10,836.00     That is a huge cost to this patient and HUGE profits to the drug companies.

Now I understand why cannabis has no medicinal value.    Because you can grow 12 plants legally for about $200 in your backyard and have enough medicine to last you two years.

If the drug companies could figure out how to profit from 12 plants in a patients garden, my bet is that marijuana would have a TON OF MEDICINAL VALUE.   It’s funny how that works.

Until then, doctors who recommend marijuana to patients are going to remain money hungry quacks who bottom feed off desperate patients.  Or better yet, glorified drug dealers!

So what is the endogenous endocannabinoid system?   Simply stated, it is our bodies own natural production of cannabinoids.   That is correct, our body actually makes compounds (the main one we know of is called anandamide) that are identical to some of the cannabinoids in the marijuana plant.   On top of that we have receptors in our central and peripheral nervous system (in addition to the immune system and embryo) that were specifically designed to bind these compounds.     It is irrefutable that cannabinoids play a role in regulating our physiology.  To what extent it does so is something that needs continued research.

Today I was studying our endogenous endocannabinoid system and learned that the developing embryo has cannabis receptors that regulate its ability to properly implant in the uterus.     This was shown for sure in experiments involving mice.    Researchers believe that having too much or too little cannabinoids can adversely affect pregnancy.   For example if a women has high levels of natural cannabinoids and uses marijuana it can induce a miscarriage.    However if a women does not have enough cannabinoids in her body and uses cannabis it could potentially promote implantation and a viable pregnancy.

The unfortunate thing about preliminary research is that there is no funding to take it to the next level.   The government does not allow grants for research regarding marijuana (with the exception of one poorly run study).   I personally believe that big-pharma (drug companies) have too much power and influence over our politicians.   I know that they don’t want people turning in their ambien, xanax, vicodin and compazine for 12 plants growing in the patients back yard.

MORE AND MORE ORDINARY PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR RELIEF.

Just this morning my first patient was a 46 year old man who has been working as a landscape architect his whole adult life.   Since 2008 he has been out of work and has had to take handyman jobs here and there just to make ends meet.   He has been happily married for 20 years but the financial strain has been “so hard on my wife and I”.   As he is telling me this story tears are forming in his eyes and his head down at his chin.   He is a very hard working, proud man.  He wants to take care of his family but “does not know how much longer I can handle the stress.”  READ ON…

I can not tell you how many patients come in to see me every day with his same story.   The economy is affected peoples health adversely.   The reason he wanted to try medical marijuana is that the Xanax made him too groggy in the morning and he has been drinking more than usual in the evenings.   He recently read of an NHL hockey player (Derek Boogard-New York Rangers) who overdosed on xanax and alcohol and he became very afraid of the same thing happening to him.   His goal is to replace both the alcohol and xanax with medical marijuana in the evenings.   He admitted to using it sporadically for the past 2 months with excellent results.

The bottom line is that medical marijuana can be an excellent sedative for sleep and an excellent anxiolytic for anxiety.    If used in small amounts, patients can still function throughout the day without having to get “high” like back in the 1960′s.    If vaporized they do not have to expose themselves to any carcinogens or carbon monoxide.

As far as the strain, patients can pick which one works best for them.   Traditionally, indica strains are more sedating and less psychoactive (less “high”) than sativa strains because of the lower concentration of THC.     I recommend that patients try multiple strains to find the one that alleviates their symptoms the most and that they tolerate the best.

If you have questions regaring medical marijuana or would like to make an appointment feel free to contact me at 877-721-0047.

Be blessed,

She was happy to report that since she started using medical marijuana she has not had to take one other medication!   Cannabis use in the elderly is rapidly increasing.    Elderly people socialize together and talk.  As soon as she told all her friends at Leisure World about her success they are ready to sign up.  READ ON…

For the first time in my 3 years of practice recommending medical marijuana, my elderly population are the majority of my patients.   This is a trend that been increasing every year.    More and more elderly patients are hearing about the benefits of using medical marijuana.   They are tired of taking pills and are jumping at the opportunity to replace all those pills with one plant.

Here are the stories of just some of the elderly patients I had in the past few weeks:

75 year old male who uses medical marijuana to increase his libido.  He is still sexually active with his wife or 40 years but requires cannabis to get aroused.  He said it works “fantastic”

85 year old women who uses a fentanyl patch to regulate severe back pain as a result of degenerative disc disease.  She is switching to marijuana.

65 year old women with systemic lupus.   She has been on methotrexate and other immune modulators but recently tried medical marijuana and felt great.

71 year old man with advanced colorectal cancer who is undergoing chemotherapy.  He is using medical marijuana to improve his appetite and reduce the nausea associated with chemo.

79 year old man who suffers from sever pain after having 9 back surgeries.  Currently taking Opana which is an opiate based pain killer.   He recently spoke to a friend who suggested he try medical marijuana.

The elderly are my favorite patients.  They appreciate life and just want the day to day/minute to minute moments to be comfortable.   They are at the point where every breath is precious.   They are SO appreciative of the care we provide and thank us the most.

This morning I took care of a 35 year old male who has been using medical marijuana for the past year to help improve his sleep and anxiety.   What he said was that his symptoms are still there, albeit not as intense, but he was renewing because he was no longer taking Ativan or Ambien to control his symptoms.    For him that was a major accomplishment because he did not “like taking pills.”

He did ask me how long he thinks he will need to stay on cannabis.   The answer is that for every patient it is different.  Marijuana will help control symptoms but is not going to fix the underlying cause of his anxiety (which are job stressors).    Until he learns skills to cope with the pressures at work his symptoms are going to be there.   So we discussed various coping issues to help him remove the “wasted worry” from his life.

The reality of the situation is that he is using one dose of cannabis 4x per week an hour before he goes to sleep.  He could realistically do that the rest of his life without having to worry about any major damage to his body.   But it should be every patients goal to completely be off all medications and be 100% healed.   That is my goal for him.

If you are wondering is medical marijuana can improve the quality of your life I would encourage you to make an appointment to see me.  877-721-0047.

Be blessed,

Dr. Breen

Today I treated a 43 year old women who came to me to try medical marijuana as an alternative to Wellbutrin, Xanax and Ambien for her insomnia, anxiety and depression.  She states that this has gone on for about 15 years.     She was tired of how those medications made her feel.  ”Like a zombie” she said.      Then she asked me “do you think this will help.”

My first response to her was: “Let me ask you this question.  What do you typically eat throughout the day and how often do you eat?”

That is when her husband started shaking his head and she became reluctant to discuss her diet with me.   To put it mildly; she ate like shit.     Skips breakfast, drinks soda and coffee, eats a ton of candy and ice cream prior to going to bed.   She ate very few protein foods and no healthy fats.  The carbohydrates she at were all high glycemic (raised her blood sugar very high very quickly) foods.

This patient is depressed and has anxiety because (most likely) her serotonin levels are all over the place.   Serotonin is the main neurotransmitter in the brain that controls mood.   It requires adequate protein and fat in the diet in order to manufacture.   Specifically you have to eat an essential amino acid (must eat, can not make) called tryptophan in order to make it.   Diets high in carbohydrates and sugar and low in protein are going to deplete stores of serotonin.

Now consider this.  Her doctor put her on a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor to improve her mood.   But the problem is that there is most likely not enough serotonin in the first place.   What this patient needs first is to fix her nutrition.   Once she does that her mood HAS to improve.

There depressive and anxious states are the result of poor nutrition compounded by life stresses that patients do not have the ability to deal with (mostly because of poor nutrition and lifestyle habits)

My recommendation: fix your nutrition first.  Give your body everything it needs and stop giving it toxins and THEN see what happens.   If you are still symptomatic then and only then should you consider medications.

Be blessed,

GROWTH HORMONE, is a chemical that is produced in the pituitary gland in the central area of your brain.    It’s normal function and secretion is essential to a healthy life.  Specifically growth hormone:

1. Causes the growth of bones and cartilage in growing children.

2. Stimulates the growth of skeletal muscle by increasing the uptake of amino acids.  It facilitates the healing and regeneration of healthy connective tissue.

3. Breaks down fat.

4. Supports the immune system by influencing the production of anti-bodies and the function of many immune cells.

5. Effects mood and behavior.

6.  Effects the production of a compound called IHG-1 in the liver which has MANY important metabolic functions.

So as you can see, GH is essential for living a healthy life.   It’s secretion peaks in adolescence  and slowly declines over time.    THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT CAN EFFECT THE PRODUCTION OF GH IN THE BODY.

SLEEP HAPPENS TO BE THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR IN ENSURING THE HEALTHY PRODUCTION OF GRAOTH HORMONE IN THE BODY.   GH is primarily secreted in the first few hours of deep sleep at night.  LIke many other hormones GH is triggered by a circadian rhythm and when we fall asleep the body inherently knows to ramp up GH production.

If patients are lying in bed staring at the ceiling until 1 or 2 am and then have to get up for work in 3-4 hours they are missing out on the peak time when their bodies should be secreting growth hormone.   THE RESULT:  breakdown of muscle mass, increases in fat stores, weakened immune systems and overall feeling and looking “much older”

Understanding the importance of getting a good nights sleep, you can now see insomnia in a new light.     Growth Hormone is only ONE of MANY hormones that are triggered by sleep.    Medical Marijuana has some incredible properties.  One of them is sedation.   I can not tell you how many patients of mine use a cannabis INDICA strain 30 minutes prior to going to bed and tell me they “had the best sleep in years.” The good news is that unlike many other sleep pills, patients do not report waking up feeling groggy or feel tired throughout the day.  Most can use a very small dose of the right stain of marijuana and do really well.

So I challenge those who mock physicians who provide medical marijuana recommendations for patients who can not sleep well to do the research and really study what the cost of not sleeping is on the body.   I CAN TELL YOU THAT DOCTORS IN GENERAL LIVE 15 YEARS LESS THAN THE GENERAL PUBLIC…mostly because of not enough sleep, overcompensating with caffeine and poor diets, which leads to chronic disease and early death.

With that… BE BLESSED AND GO GET SOME SLEEP——> If you are not using cannabis to help you sleep and would like to come in and see me feel free to contact us through our website or toll free number 877-721-0047

Dr. Breen

The first night she vaporized (inhaled smoke free) one pinch of a cannabis strain called OG Kush.  She described lying down and falling asleep almost immediately.  Prior to that she would “toss and turn” for a few hours before finally falling asleep.  She reported that she slept 8 hours for the first time in 2 years!   As a result she woke up feeling rested and was able to be more productive the next day.  She plans on using marijuana for the duration of her menopausal symptoms and is “so relieved” that she has a “more natural alternative.”

Menopause occurs because of decreasing estrogen levels in the womens body.   It typically occurs around the age of 51.   Many women experience hot flashes, vaginal dryness and nights sweats.   Many women also report feeling anxious or even depressed.   It can be a very difficult time for women as there reproductive organs “shut down” for good.   Typically doctos try giving their patients SSRI’s (antidepressants such as Paxil), Ambien to improve sleep and benzodiazepines to treat anxiety.   Hormone replacement therapy used to be the gold standard to reduce the typical symptoms but recent studies showed an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer.

I see many women who get great results by using small amounts of cannabis in the evening to reduce their symptoms.  Because cannabis is such a benign medication (very little unwanted side effects) I believe that it is a great alternative to try.   It is not addictive, is not toxic to any major organ system and be used as often as necessary.  In addition if vaporized (vs smoked) there are no harmful side effects from smoke which limits most patients from even trying it.

If you are in menopause or would like more information on whether you could benefit from using cannabis feel free to make an appointment at 877-721-0047.  There is NO FEE if you do not qualify or decide not to use it.

Respectfully,

Dr. Breen

Xanax is a drug that is most commonly used to treat anxiety and panic disorder.  It falls into a class of drugs called benzodiazepines.   It works by binding to areas in the brain that regulate a compound called GABA.  GABA has an inhibitory affect on the brain, meaning it slows everything down.

Unfortunately benzodiazepines have a plethora of side effects.   The first is that patients build up a tolerance and dependance which means they require more and more to get the same effect over time.   Xanax can become highly addicting and patients can experience withdrawals when they try to stop.  On top of having to worry about becoming addicted to xanax patients most commonly experience the following:   DROWSINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, DEPRESSION, HEADACHE, CONSTIPATION, DRY MOUTH, CONFUSION, NAUSEA AND VOMITING, AMNESIA

MORE SERIOUSLY PATIENTS CAN HAVE: INCREASED HEART RATE, SEIZURES, BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

Most commonly patients tell me they walk around feeling like a “zombie” and they “can not function on it.”

Cannabis has been shown to have incredible anxiolytic properties.   It is NOT addicting, you can not overdose and it has very few unwanted side effects.  It can be used daily in small doses with better results than xanax.  Patients report using it prior to bed time and they say it not only helps them sleep but regulates their mood for 24-48 hours following.

If you would like more information on how cannabis can treat your anxiety I would be happy to discuss the benefits of using cannabis with you.  Give our Irvine or Long Beach office a call at 877-721-0047

www.mcsocal.com provides medical marijuana recommendations to patients who qualify under California Proposition 215.

Dr. Sean Breen

1.  Because cannabis is psychoactive, meaning it affects a patients judgement, balance, perception, coordination and cognitive functions like concentration and short term memory, there are risks inherently associated with its use.  For example, elderly patients who use cannabis have to be extremely careful when using cannabis.  They can lose their balance, fall and fracture their hip or other bones.  Patients who use cannabis and drive are more susceptible to accidents.  I often tell my patients “‘just because no one has overdosed doesn’t mean you can’t lose you balance and fall down a flight of stairs and break your neck.”  So that is the first and most important risk associated with using cannabis.  That risk can be reduced by taking basic safety precautions.

2. Cannabis can speed up your heart rate (medically termed tachycardia).  Have you ever used cannabis and felt like your heart was racing?  If so it is because cannabis has what is referred to as anti-cholinergic affects on the body and can seep up your heart rate.   This is a concern if patients have had a significant cardiac history such as a heart attack or stroke.    I always ask my patients that have cardiac histories if they currently exercise at all.  If so then the risk is limited, but certainly something to consider.

3.  Cannabis should not be used with other central nervous system depressants like alcohol and benzodiazepines such as Xanax/Valium and because of the increased risks associated with compounding the psychoactive effects of the medication.

4. If you speak with addiction specialists who treat patients who have been using cannabis chronically for long periods of time they often describe a syndrome where patients lack motivation and have a general apathetic mood.  This is certainly concerning if people are truly not reaching the full potential of what God intended for them.

Overall, cannabis is a much safer drug then the majority of medications that patients take for pain, anxiety, sleep etc. but I just wanted to share some of what I think are the real risks associated with its use.

If you would like more information on the medicinal use of cannabis please feel free to visit our website at www.MCSoCal.com  You can pre-qualify for free online from the comfort of your home.  Our clinics are located in Encinitas, Irvine and Long Beach.   877-721-0047