It can often feel like the science of medicine isn’t an exact, well, science. Not all medications and treatments will work the first time out, we may have to cycle through various pills and treatments before we hit upon a solution that works for us. That can be disheartening and stressful. It can make us wonder if the problem is somehow with us, even though it very rarely is. After all, if we could will our bodies to respond properly to the very first thing we try, then none of this would be an issue. When conventional treatments don’t work, many people will turn to unconventional treatments. Some of those can provide relief, but others can do a lot of harm.
Do some research
Researching into your condition and the treatments for it is almost always a good idea. Don’t believe everything you read on the Internet, though; there’s a big difference between credible sources and junk sources. Generally speaking, the more outlandish the claim, the more skeptical you should be. There are naturopaths out there who claim they can cure your cancer by having you drink a certain tonic, but that’s bunk. It’s also very harmful bunk. Cancer is one of the most extreme examples, but it’s also one of the scariest diseases imaginable, so it makes sense that people would look for alternatives to things like radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. None of those things are pleasant. Chemotherapy can make you sick and cause you to lose your hair, but if a doctor says you need it, he’s doing it because he thinks you need it, not because he’s secretly getting a kickback from Big Cancer. There are certainly reasons to be wary of the pharmaceutical industry, and the American healthcare system is way more complicated than it has to be. But the vast majority of medical professionals you encounter are doing their level best to get you better. They want to do the right thing. If you want a second opinion, then get one, but don’t try to treat a concussion by drinking herbal tea. If your dentist suggests that your child needs braces, then hear them out. You don’t have to immediately start looking for orthodontics in Newark and New Brunswick, NJ, but at least listen to what this person with years of experience wants to tell you first.
New treatments with promise
All that being said, the medical field is constantly changing and advancing, mostly for good. Treatments that were considered outlandish a few years ago are now nudging their way towards the mainstream. One treatment is cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD oil. There are studies suggesting that it can be used to treat everything from severe epilepsy to post-traumatic stress disorder. Even cancer patients may find it helpful in alleviating their everyday pain. The evidence is compelling enough that the majority of states have legalized CBD oil, making it a legitimate and legal choice (at least on the state level) for patients who feel like they’ve tried everything else. CBD oil is derived from the marijuana plant, but it contains little to no THC, which is the psychoactive substance that produces a euphoric feeling. In other words, CBD oil won’t get you high. It should not be seen as a cure-all, but if you feel like it might help you, do some research and talk to your doctor, especially since many states require a physician’s approval first.