Suboxone for Marijuana Use?

[YanChosela]

Hi Dr. Steve,

I was wondering.. since smoking weed releases endorphines, and since endorphines are opioids, can subuxone help those addicted to marijuana ? If not, is there anything that could help ?

Thanks.

[Dr Steve]

Hi Dr. Steve,

I was wondering.. since smoking weed releases endorphines, and since endorphines are opioids, can subuxone help those addicted to marijuana ? If not, is there anything that could help ?

Thanks.

Although cannabis may affect the endorphine system, its main effect is on the cannabinoid receptor system. These receptors are involved in all kinds of stuff from hunger and pleasure to programmed cell death and embryonic development. Cannabinoids are fascinating and the research is just now scratching the surface.

So all I can say is that there's no evidence for suboxone use in cannabis "addiction" (that I could find in the medical literature). I put "addiction" in quotes because there are many authorities who will argue that cannabis use does not lead to classic "addiction", unlike alcohol and narcotics.

This doesn't mean that Suboxone is worthless in helping people stop marijuana use, just that I can't find a study that justifies its use in this setting.

your pal,



steve