Men’s Health & Wellness

A Look Into Medical Cannabis Therapy

By Marissa Magsino, MD, FAARMFM

Medicine is always evolving. As 2.5 million Americans struggle with opioid addiction, with 54,000 reported each year, it’s imperative to make a choice and save lives.

Opioid dependence leads to death because the receptors in the brainstem are turned off, resulting in respiratory failure. Doctors easily prescribe these types of drugs as acute treatment for pain and post-surgical procedures, but there are other options.

Medical marijuana is an alternative therapy that was legalized in Florida in January 2017. It’s effective for both men and women.

The endocannabinoid system involves two receptors: CB1 for anti-convulsions and seizures and CB2 to influence the release of neurotransmitters for pain relief. Medicinal marijuana contains THC and CBD for treatment of various medical conditions, including migraines, nerve pain and muscle spasms, glaucoma, post-chemotherapy nausea, Crohn’s disease, seizures, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

The Difference Between THC and CBD

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are both found in the marijuana plant, but they interact with the body’s cannabinoid receptors in different ways. Here’s the breakdown:

THC

• Psychoactive or “high”
• Mimics anandamide
• Paranoia potential
• Stimulates appetite
• Sleep-inducing

CBD

• Non-psychoactive
• Counters THC effects
• Anti-psychotic
• Decreases appetite
• Promotes wakefulness

Both THC and CBD can positively influence patients experiencing panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and mild to moderate depression.  

In a clinical application, the combination of THC and CBD using Charlotte’s Web medicinal marijuana affords relief of pain without the psychotropic craving for habituation or

the effect of being “stoned.” In fact, when CBD is given with THC, it can balance side effects such as increased appetite.

Through medical cannabis therapy, I’ve assisted patients in dramatically reducing their need for opiates. I have numerous stories of pain relief and increased functionality in the past year of recommending medicinal marijuana, and it’s just the beginning.  

For more information on medical cannabis therapy in Orlando, visit www.MarissaMagsino.com.

How Your Golf Swing Can Affect Your Back

By Lyndsay Fogarty

A proper golf swing can produce major results for your game, but it can also save your back. Mitchell Supler, MD, of Masson Spine Institute says it’s important to understand what the spine does in golf.  That understanding could have you playing for much longer in your lifetime.

The lower back, which is also called the lumbar spine, has five vertebrae that are labeled L1-L5. It is a common source of back pain because this portion of the spine bears most of the weight relative to other regions.

So how can your golf swing affect your back?  

“The lower back was never intended to be a big mover and shaker in the golf swing, and that might surprise people,” Supler says. “The lumbar spine was meant to be the rock, the stability. It was meant to keep everything stable while everything moved around it.”

When a golfer hasn’t had proper instruction or can’t control certain parts of the body during their swing, they tend to use the lumbar spine to rotate and drive through the golf ball. Supler says this puts too much stress on the lumbar area.

He adds, “It’s not just trying to ‘fix’ an anatomical issue that may have happened but then to retrain to understand that maybe your golf swing needs to change to spare your back.”

Supplements for Men at Every Age

By Mary Ann O’Dell, Chamberlin’s Natural Foods

Men suffer from a variety of ailments as they get older and supplements can help combat the uncomfortable symptoms associated with them. While consistently taking a multivitamin for overall health and omega-3 for heart and joint health is recommended regardless of age, the supplements below are recommended for each stage of your life.

Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to discuss any supplements you’re taking with your healthcare provider, especially if you have been prescribed other medications.

In Your 30s – Energy Boost

• Ginseng: Ginseng is a good option for the endurance form of energy. Since it’s not a stimulant like caffeine, this supplement provides more long-term energy rather than a quick burst.
• B-12: For endurance athletes and individuals who need more quick energy, B-12 is a good option that, again, isn’t stimulating. It works with your food to produce the body’s form of energy, so it’s something you will feel quicker.

In Your 40s – Hormonal Imbalance and Muscle Mass

• Maca: This Peruvian root vegetable is taken as an herb for hormonal imbalance, libido and also energy. It’s called an adaptogen because it creates more balance in the body. For example, when you’re stressed you don’t feel the negative effects of stress on the body because you feel more balanced. You can take maca into your 50s and 60s for libido issues as well.
• Protein Powder: A whey or plant-based protein powder supports muscle mass when it’s used as directed and as part of a good exercise program. Protein is required by your muscles to maintain muscle health, but you don’t get muscles from taking protein powder. It’s about muscle retention, so you have to add the exercise component to maintain the muscles that you already have.

In Your 50s – Prostate and Joint Health

• Saw Palmetto: Many men deal with prostate issues as they age. Saw palmetto, or an herbal prostate formula that contains this herb, is quite effective. It can help reduce the swelling and other symptoms, such as frequent urination, that are common with prostate enlargement.
• Turmeric and Glucosamine Sulfate: There are two approaches to dealing with joint pain. Turmeric reduces pain and inflammation through the quick approach. Then you have the repair approach, in which glucosamine sulfate provides a long-term solution by putting some of the building blocks of healthy joints back into your body and slowing down further degeneration. Since the glucosamine sulfate can take quite a while to work, its best to take it on a daily basis and add in the turmeric when you need pain relief.