Should a Christian smoke marijuana?
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People self-medicate for emotional issues in all sorts of ways.
Drugs which affect the brain, mood, things like that, do so by mimicking natural processes. Opioids work because they are chemically alike to endorphins.
But then, running produces endorphins. One person gets hooks on Oxy, another gets hooked on running.
Many conditions create chemical deficits in the body. People take anti-depressants to compensate for these chemical deficits in the brain. People take Metformin to compensate for chemical deficits in the endocrine system. Anti-depressants have an effect on the mind, diabetes drugs don't.
Are we OK with taking drugs to prevent the effects of diabetes, but not with taking drugs to prevent suicide? OK with drugs to normalize the metabolism, but not to normalize the mind?
Eating certain foods increases Serotonin levels in the brain. That's what "comfort eating" is. Is that sin? I have depression. I know all about "carb cravings". And sometimes I allow myself to eat more than would otherwise be good for me, because I recognize sometimes when I'm in a downward spiral, and I know this is something that can help me.
Which is better? To take an Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibtor? Zanax, Something like that? Eat an entire bag of potato chips? Live with the dread of impending doom, or the hopelessness of a wasted life, all that and more?
I mean, for some people, the choices are like this. Live in a ruined brain, or take a drug to alleviate some of the mental suffering. It's the same thing as having diabetes. Either live in a ruined body, or take a drug to alleviate some of the effects of the disease.
As a sufferer of major depression, and as one who loves to research, I've come to learn that some "negative emotions" end up getting hardwired into the brain. I don't like taking drugs myself. Sometimes it seems to be unavoidable.
I know that God can give us the ability to live transcendent to these things, as if said conditions never even existed. He did that for me to show me. Then He returned me, to learn to live by faith. It's not an easy walk. My brain works against me in horrible ways.
I wonder about those who haven't suffered, how they can really understand those who have.
This thread, it seems to come up 2 or 3 times a year, I think that there's a tendency to go with sound bites and stereotypes for a lot of people. It seems like saying, some people abuse this, therefore, no one should have it. But I think there is a lot more to this than that.
Much love!
Kaz
Active Member
Peer reviewed studies have shown quite a number of medical uses for cannabis. II don't know about this abilities as an analgesic, but it is highly anti-inflammatory. It's been shown to reduce insulin resistance in diabetics. And it also replaces missing endocrine system transmitter molecules, treating metabolic disorder (overweight, hypertension, diabetic).
My understanding is that most diabetic medications (not including insulin) work by forcing the body to act in a way contrary to it's own chemical signalling. The signalling is wrong, so the liver makes too much glucose, and Metformin suppresses the liver function of making glucose. Lacking correct signalling, the pancreas doesn't make enough insulin. Metformin pushed the pancreas to produce more insulin.
Cannabis contains cannabinoids, some of which are so identical to the molecules used by the "Endo-Cannabinoid System", and actually replace the missing transmitters. So instead of forcing the body to act against its internal faulty signalling, it corrects the signalling. I forget the fellow, there's an Israeli scientist who has done tons of research. Fascinating stuff!
The "endo-cannabinoid system" was named for it's chemical similarity to cannabis. "Endo" means, naturally occurring in one's self. Last I heard, they have counted over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis. My understanding is that researchers think each of these will turn out to have use in the body. There is a long, and growing list of conditions successfully treated with cannabis, including addictions to other more dangerous drugs.
I'm still thinking in terms of, a plant that grows out of the ground, and is consumed with minimal processing, that replaces missing bits in the body enabling natural processes to resume, compared to, a synthetic molecule made in a lab, designed to force the body to do something it's not doing for itself, by tricking it in some way.
Definitely a choice each person needs to prayerfully make for themselves. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled, nothing is pure.
Much love!
It was January, 2000.
After a lifetime of major depression, and being rejected by the church as lazy, and losing my music ministry, and being mentally abused, and suffering the anxiety of Zoloft, I was put on clonazepam. I blacked out (drug amnesia), and I relapsed.
For the first time in 6 years, I stuck a needle in my arm.
When the fog cleared enough, I realized what I'd done, and that my wife, whom I love dearly, along with my two precious children, were gone. A loud thought, which I mistook for my own, said, "She's gone and she's not coming back.
At that point, my emotions went flat. I thought, "God has given me so much, and I've wasted it. I'm done." I injected enough morphine to kill ten men ( I know my pharmaceuticals), along with dozens of clonazepam tablets.
I awoke the next day, felling like I'd been hit in the temple with a sledge hammer.
After 3 weeks of horrible withdrawal from a legitimate morphine dependency for chronic pain, a work-related seriously herniated disc, which I had surgery on, I went to a 5-day retreat at a ministry called, "Jacob's Well."
God met me powerfully and in 5 days, He matured me 5 years.
I got back with my family 4 months later, pushed myself to work, ended up with Epstein-Barr and Systemic Lupus, and due to another relapse, my marriage ended 4 years later.
After 16 years of mainly isolation, and doing Luke 9:23, Jesus, with me, resurrected in my heart last September.
His Shekinah appeared in my room and knocked me off of my feet. It took 24 hours for me to remember it.
It was the most powerful experience I've ever had. Ever since, Jesus has been beaming in me!
"I died, He lives, and dwells inside of me.
I am finally assured of eternity.
He never left my side, not even when I died.
He was with me in the dark, right by my side."
Faithful is His name! - Truman Coates
After a lifetime of major depression, and being rejected by the church as lazy, and losing my music ministry, and being mentally abused, and suffering the anxiety of Zoloft, I was put on clonazepam. I blacked out (drug amnesia), and I relapsed.
For the first time in 6 years, I stuck a needle in my arm.
When the fog cleared enough, I realized what I'd done, and that my wife, whom I love dearly, along with my two precious children, were gone. A loud thought, which I mistook for my own, said, "She's gone and she's not coming back.
At that point, my emotions went flat. I thought, "God has given me so much, and I've wasted it. I'm done." I injected enough morphine to kill ten men ( I know my pharmaceuticals), along with dozens of clonazepam tablets.
I awoke the next day, felling like I'd been hit in the temple with a sledge hammer.
After 3 weeks of horrible withdrawal from a legitimate morphine dependency for chronic pain, a work-related seriously herniated disc, which I had surgery on, I went to a 5-day retreat at a ministry called, "Jacob's Well."
God met me powerfully and in 5 days, He matured me 5 years.
I got back with my family 4 months later, pushed myself to work, ended up with Epstein-Barr and Systemic Lupus, and due to another relapse, my marriage ended 4 years later.
After 16 years of mainly isolation, and doing Luke 9:23, Jesus, with me, resurrected in my heart last September.
His Shekinah appeared in my room and knocked me off of my feet. It took 24 hours for me to remember it.
It was the most powerful experience I've ever had. Ever since, Jesus has been beaming in me!
"I died, He lives, and dwells inside of me.
I am finally assured of eternity.
He never left my side, not even when I died.
He was with me in the dark, right by my side."
Faithful is His name! - Truman Coates
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
Yes but there's a difference between sativa and indica.
I think marijuana should be allowed for medical use. I do not permit recreational use, but I remember my grandmother was a cancer survivor and the doctor did the "Now you didn't hear this from me but..." Thing regarding marijuana. (This was about 20 years ago. It was still controversial.
You also hear about parents secretly healing their children from various illnesses with a type of oil. CBD, I think.
Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine for his stomach. Marijuana was found in Egyptian tombs! It is a big mystery how they ended up with it.
God gave us medicine by his design and I will trust his design. It doesn't interest me myself- I don't need it, but it helps people significantly with multiple sclerosis and other illnesses.
And there are ways to benefit from it without getting stoned.
Mantis
Well-Known Member
Yeah I am on the same page as you. It's a plant that can be used as medicine or abused as mind altering drug. I really think God has planted all sorts of natural medicines on the Earth. Probably for every ailment. I mean even poppies. We need heavy duty pain medicine for surgeries and such. But it can easily kill you and leave your body physically addicted to it(opioids). I think it's all a consequence of the curse. God thought of everything and provides. Jehovah Jireh
Opioids should, in my opinion, be used as a last choice, but not only for terminal pain.
Chronic pain can also be terminal.
If an addict can recover and learn how to live and function, while on a maintenance dose of opioid, with or without eventual withdrawal, I believe the humane thing to do is provide it.
Too many people's children are dying from opioids.
The war on drugs has failed.
It's time that we, as the people of the God of the bible, admit it. Shalom. :)
Chronic pain can also be terminal.
If an addict can recover and learn how to live and function, while on a maintenance dose of opioid, with or without eventual withdrawal, I believe the humane thing to do is provide it.
Too many people's children are dying from opioids.
The war on drugs has failed.
It's time that we, as the people of the God of the bible, admit it. Shalom. :)
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
You don't have to have the mind altering effects to benefit from its medicinal use. The plant is not a sin. It is a plant and God created it. Everything God made serves a purpose. Cockroaches serve a purpose! Rainforests would die without them.
As I said, there are different methods, but even smoking marijuana helps with different things. It helps cancer patients eat, for example. That's pretty important. I'm not going to take that away from anyone.
Watch a before and after video of a person with multiple sclerosis after using marijuana. Watch how their cognitive function changes and their speech suddenly becomes clear. Watch how children with mental illness can suddenly calm down instead of throwing themselves on the floor and throwing tantrums. Or the children with cancer being cured.
Why would anyone rather see them suffer?
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
@tsr
Don't let the dumb people who put a bad image on it make you think it's evil. It is medicine and seniors are the ones who benefit the most!
@Truman the Levite
Sorry for ranting on your post LOL
Don't let the dumb people who put a bad image on it make you think it's evil. It is medicine and seniors are the ones who benefit the most!
@Truman the Levite
Sorry for ranting on your post LOL
Grailhunter
Well-Known Member
Like I explained most anything that has the possibility of addiction should only be used in the hospital...put terminal illnesses are a different story.
First the war had to start
Grailhunter
Well-Known Member
Say a prayer about your left eye! What about that nose?
DuckieLady
Well-Known Member
Yes, thank you. :) I think it might be a side effect of my anemia because my peripheral neuropathy is back. Came on suddenly maybe optic neuropathy. I hope I don't go blind.
What's wrong with my nose? :) hmm?
Is Paul suggesting that everything is permissible? That you are allowed to do anything you desire to, however not everything is encouraging and edifying.
What are your thoughts on these scriptures here IS
Everything ~ Everything or only somethings?
1 Corinthians :23“Everything is permissible,”d but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”e
27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.
28But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—f
29the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?
30If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 32Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
What are your thoughts on these scriptures here IS
Everything ~ Everything or only somethings?
1 Corinthians :23“Everything is permissible,”d but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.
24No one should seek his own good, but the good of others.
25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,
26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.”e
27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat anything set before you without raising questions of conscience.
28But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience—f
29the other one’s conscience, I mean, not your own. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else’s conscience?
30If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?
31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God. 32Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
33as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.
Grailhunter
Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong with your nose...I love your nose....plain noses are boring! Of course, don't pay any attention to me, I like Celine Dion's nose and Cher's nose. Noses with character!
Grailhunter
Well-Known Member
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