I have been on Gabapentin for about 5 years and it makes a difference in my severe neuropathy . If I run out I start feeling like I have bugs crawling all over me. I started using thc about a year ago and it helps with my pain and after using it many times per day, it doesn’t seem to make me feel very “high” anymore but really helps my pain and anxiety issues. I find it ridiculous that I have to break the law to get relief. I am a homebody and not a danger to society in any way. I don’t go out driving and nobody would know I’m using thc without me telling them. By the way, my thc cost literally pennies on the dollar compared to my legal meds, even with decent insurance.

I am a veteran who lost my right leg over 5 years ago. I have severe phantom pain since the amputation! The VA prescribed to gabapentin to treat my severe phantom pain, but was doing little to help it. I was also concerned about the side effects from using gabapentin. One night after experiencing another severe episode of phantom pain, I smoked some pot! Within 15m my phantom pain stopped miraculously. My bro, who I was riding with on a road trip, noticed it as I did. This was 4 years ago. I totally agree with this presentation is essential. The only side effects that occurred, was laughter, enjoyment of being pain free, and had a nice appetite back!

Anorexia survivor here. I was stuck in the modern medicine cycle without any signs of recovery regardless of my desire to be well. 18 years ago I secretly started using a few puffs of cannabis 30 minutes before meal times and gained 10 pounds in one week! I ditched my doctors and have been recovery’s ever since ❤ Today I am a healthy 125lbs and have a healthy relationship with food without the use of cannabis.

For me, Gabapentin was equivalent to chemically induced dementia. It took the very edge off of the pain, but the loss of 'self' was unbearable.

Weed gives me an appetite as the painkillers I take affects my eating. It also helps me relax so I can sleep. In 45 years it's never done me any harm. Thank God for weed.

I blew out my back in 2000 and was treated at the VA for years. So many pills (29/day)... Ultram, Flexaril, Zoloft, Gabapentin, oxycontin, Morphine, and the next step was Methadone! I refused to go under the knife and requested medical cannabis. Can't get in South Dakota, Minnesota or Iowa, so I moved to California! I've taken only 7 naproxen in the past 8years! I smoke the cannabis from morning til night! And I'm still mobile! Had I gone with the surgery, I would have been in a wheelchair today. The world needs to open their minds to the natural medicine that is provided by our CREATOR above!

I've been on gabapentin since I was probably 13. I'm 29 now. I've had my dose upped so many times. I have tried to get off of it slowly, but it caused my pain to be terrible. But I think now it was withdrawal, not actually my nerve pain/chronic migraine. Thank you so much for this video! I'll be doing more research and talking to my doctor!

I was prescribed Gabapentin for Diabetic Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia and it has been a life saver for me. It works so well for me. I do experience side effects like dizziness, coordination issues, and other things you mentioned. For this reason I take a higher dosage at night and a low dosage during the day. The higher dosage at night helps me sleep, which has been a huge help. I went off of Gabapentin for a short time, but could not handle the pain from my conditions any longer and went back on it. It is the only thing that gives me any relief, other than Norco or Vicodin. I understand it does not work for everyone, but for me, it has been a game changer. Thank you for your video.

Fascinating. I'm a nurse and I suffer from chronic neuropathic pain. I was first tried on Lyrica to no avail. Later my spine surgeon tried Gabapentin and the pain switch was turned off. Amazing......but I was tired and started having memory problems so staying on the medication wasn't worth it. My GP wants me to try Cannabis but as a nurse I'd be fired if it showed up on a drug test. Hopefully someday the stigma will subside and patient needs will be considered.

Cannabis dramatically decreases my PTSD symptoms. Better than anything the VA has prescribed me. I've had two in my military unit commit suicide due to MAOI inhibitors they were prescribed back in the late '90s and early 2000. Cannabis works and it is my belief that had my two brothers been prescribed it, they'd still be here today. BIG PHARMA KILLS!

Gabapentin made my mom like a dementia patient. She got off it and it took a few months but she's got her cognitive function back!

I was put on gabapentin, took it for a couple of years. Then I noticed I was a very angry person and it was getting worse. I turned into a raging monster. Scared my family with my anger.. it was the gabapentin and once I got off it I slowly started to get back to my sweet caring self. Never again will I take that crap. THC has helped me so much, the pain is reduced, I can sleep and I’m calm. Natural drugs can be so much better for us.

I live in the US and was a recreational user of cannibis illegally. I ruptured my lowest disc and had disc wrapped up up my nerve sac. After a micro-Disectomy was prescribed gabapentin. It took me all of 3 months to realize it did nothing. I took my remaining gabapentin and Percocet and gave it to my doctor. Told him I got more relief from lower back spasms and sciatica using cannibis. Was immediately added to a list of individuals they never prescribe opiates to agian for any reason and my doctor refused any further treatment of me and told me to find another general physician. I did. I use cannibis daily illegally still in conjunction with Cortezone shots into nerve sacs. Recieve two treatment injections 6months apart and it lasts around ten years before it has to be repeated. I currently have developed synovian cysts on my spine. Need injections again, but I’m forced to go through 6 months of physical therapy before they will perform the treatments. Medical system in US is disgusting profit mongering disgrace!

I broken my neck about 4 years ago and still have nerve pain in both hands. I have been on Gabapentin for almost the entire time. My dosage is high, 12 pills a day, and I'll admit it is habit forming, but other than that I have suffered no side effects. I think that you should take whatever drug that helps you the most and if it is THC then it should be legal and available everywhere.

After a decade long battle with crippling mental health disorders (depression, anxiety), I was prescribed 600mg of gabapentin at night for anxiety and I have gotten off all other medicines since. It has helped me a lot

Ive dealt with chronic pain, nerve issues, mental health issues, stomach/digestive issues and eating disorders for 20+ yrs. Have been on and tried so many different medications since the age of 11. Side effects, forming habits, and having to take medications for side effects of other medications is what made me give up on the medical field for help. Specially after doctors started getting frustrated trying to figure out whats wrong with me, turned around and blamed me, saying im making it up and its all in my head. So i turned to marijuana and havent turned back. Its been over 10 yrs and am i so thankful for the plant and its help. (And so thankful i got the chance to help make my state recreationally legal for cannabis consumption in 2012)

I'm 62 and only started smoking pot 2 years ago. I have neuropathic pain and it's getting worse as winter approaches. Today I talked to my doctor and I have scheduled a session to talk about Gabapentin. I've already decided I'm not going to use it. I smoke low-thc and high-cbd period and last night within half-an-hour my pain was gone. It is such a relief I could almost cry. This video has helped me make my decision. Thank you so much

After a fracture of my L3 at age 24, I was prescribed a combination of a high dose of gabapentin (can’t recall the amount but I know it was toward the upper limits) and hydrocodone. Not only did it not resolve the constant pain, it ruined my life . I survived and have been off all medications for 4 years. The US healthcare system (and I use that term loosely as it is really a business) is incredibly broken and corrupt.

Thank god! A fellow doctor or professor of the academics that stands up and says what's right and tells the truth! Somebody should get this guy on tv!

Thank you, for opening my eyes to gabapentin. I have been on and off this medication for over 25 years, for treatment of nerve pain. I am a pain patient with chronic nerve pain and gabapentin has been an absolute life saver in times when the opioid medication did not work.

I've had 8 back surgeries. Was in pain management on fentanyl patches and perc 10s, gabapentin etc. Got sick of feeling sick, started medical cannabis and haven't been back to pain management since. My 8th procedure, a fusion of my L3-L4,L4-L5 vertebrae in summer of 2020, they referred me back to a pain specialist for opiates. I told them no thank you and went to a dispensary.

I use both CBD and gabapentin for my migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain from lots of old injuries. The CBD was the first thing that actually put a dent of any size in my pain; adding the gabapentin took it down to the point where I can get through most days without too much misery. I thank God for both of them for more or less giving me my life back. ❤❤

I switched from Lyrica to cannabis years ago. One of the best choices I’ve made for my body and mind.

As an older person who is a compulsive law abiding citizen I always thought THC was “bad”. Even when it became legal I never tried it. I have neuropathy due to a spinal chord injury. I was shocked when my specialist suggested trying THC. I was even more shocked at how well it worked. I now sleep through the night. THC is still however stigmatized. My drug plan will not cover THC or CBD. So instead of paying twice the price for “Medical Canabis”, I just buy recreational THC oil from the website. Also I soon realized that I should not mention that I am taking THC. You end up in endless discussions about how I have started on my path to fentanyl addiction.

Interestingly, I stopped taking Gabapentin this year. I was prescribed it for neurological pain, tremors, and nerve issues. It’s a horrible drug. In full recommend dose, I would often feel uneasy walking (like my legs were not doing what I wanted them too), I could not trust my judgement driving, I’d be dizzy all the time. After reducing it to 1/3 of the dose myself, it was easier to deal with but still not ideal. I was then told the doctors would look at another solution and they stopped providing the drug without a plan or wind down time and the withdrawals were very real and a horrible experience. 10 days of feeling like death. Shaking, sweating, vomiting, headaches, it all came pretty quick and stayed around. While cannabis isn’t legal here in the UK, low dose CBD is and it has helped take the edge off of some of my initial symptoms without any side effects at all. It does make you wonder why it is restricted so heavily. My guess would be because it can be grown by anyone and governments would rather push money through large pharmaceutical companies, than allow someone to be able to cheaply treat themselves.

My parents shared their kitchen table with a small army of pill bottles. Some "soldiers" were part of their morning routine, some their afternoon routine, and others their bedtime routine. In the end, the pills eventually worked themselves out of a job...killing the very ones that made their use necessary. Now that my folks have passed, it grieves me deeply that they were not able to experience cannabis.

Excellent presentation. I have severe sciatica (5 yrs) and disc issues that I just had my 3rd round of nerve blocks for. Other complications brought me to GABA’s. I live in a Medical Marijuana state and just got my license, I am 67 yrs old, and finally got a good night sleep, found my appetite and my pain management (including otc, topicals, heating pad and ice help. The Marijuana is by far the least invasive and most effective for pain, mood, sleep and healthy weight gain which are all concern’s for the autoimmune symptoms that are here as well. I hope 🤞 the tide turns for more people, especially when the anxiety issues are at a all time high, and healthcare is not available to all, not to mention affordable medication. I still don’t understand why you can’t grow a couple of your own plants in your backyard. Might just help the 🌍 Thank you

Gabapentin pretty much saved my life. I had no choice. I’m grateful for it but absolutely recognize it’s downfalls and side effects. It should be used for emergency use only in my opinion. I was lucky that my surgery worked and was able to take myself off immediately. My doctors were even shocked. I didn’t study the med until I was in a place to be off of it, because I had no choice but to take it. It’s phenomenal for nerve pain. No pain meds or THC would touch that. I remain grateful but am always extremely cautious if I recommend it. THC will always be a yes from me. No need to even get into that side of this other than saying it should be legalized federally immediately. Great video! Thank you!

My father is 75 years old and suffers from spinal stenosis which keeps him in severe pain in his arms. He has muscle atrophy in both arms. He suffered through prescriptions of vicodin, Percocet and almost everything else with years of near constant agony he was finally prescribed Gabapentin. It changed his life. The atrophy is still there but the pain is gone. Luckily he doesn't suffer from any side effects. Gabapentin is known as a miracle drug around my household.

Almost over with this video and I am tipping my hat to this fellow. He has taught me so much that I didn't already know it made me feel as if I've been so arrogant and to learn that about myself I feel a calm Bliss of understanding that I needed to shed that ego. . This has been so wonderful and informative I hope he finds other topics to do things just like this just tell the truth the truth will always be the dominant

Gabapentin is handed out like candy here in NY since opioids came under scrutiny. It doesn't help my arthritis/degenerative disc disease pain much, but because it's not restricted it's prescribed to shut up patients with pain problems. I have pounds of the stuff.

Gabapentin caused severe brain fog for me, some days I couldn't even get my words out of my mouth, i slowly titrated my self off of this med, feel way better

The biggest difference in these drugs is one you can grow in your backyard and the other you have to make pharmaceutical companies rich and powerful. It’s all about freedom of the individual

In 2015 I was prescribed GABApentin for nerve pain after a broken back. My doctor at the time told me I could take all I wanted as it had no negative side effects! It made me feel like I was out of body. I stopped taking it after 3 weeks. Cannabis has brought much relief to me. Just sayin'.

As a life-long sufferer of severe Restless Leg Syndrome, I can assure you that gabapentin is very definitely effective for that condition (in my case, at least).

Thank You. I Love THC. Best part is when it wears off there are NO lingering issues!

Gabapentin obviously works very well for the pharmaceutical hustle.

Yeah, I was prescribed gabapentin a while back for foot pain. Was told it's OK to take up to 1200mg a day. Oh...and get a liver panel done every 6 weeks or so. Not sure of the relationship, if any, but my bilirubin was high and B12 was almost not existent (after the first month). Was told to drop dosage to 600mg a day. During this time, my biggest complaint was digestive issues, insomnia, and sexual disfunction. Also a low level, but constant headache. Now, oddly enough, smoking mamajuana mitigated some of the side effects such as anxiety and depression. Also brought back my appetite. (side note- during the 4 months I took gabapentin, I lost 35 pounds... just didn't like to eat !!.) Also cleaned up my diet as it was finally decided that I had gout... only took about a year to diagnose that. I'll stick with THC and CBD... and I watch my turine intake.

Im 61 and was prescribed 300mg gabapentin at 3x a day for neuropathy and sciatica. I only take 1 a day and my side affects are immediate memory loss and fatigue. I literally forget where I am going and for what reason. Imagine going to the store for a few items, then come home with not the things you needed- This happens constantly. I drink coffee during the day to keep alert but now it doesn't help. I yawn and feel like crap. Thank you for really "opening up my eyes" to what is going on. No more Gaba 4me!

I asked my doctor to prescribe me gabapentin when I had a slipped disc a few years ago. I had been bed ridden with debilitating pain for months. The pain was so bad I’d pass out, it also atrophied my left leg muscles. Within hours of taking gabapentin I was able to walk without pain. My nerve attacks stopped. I took it for a few weeks and had no side effects. I still consider it my saviour drug. I never take any drugs so I’m no drug pusher. But hey that’s my story.

I think I'll continue to be treated with CBD. I just got CBD products from Weedborn and I feel much better now: D

Gabapentin has been a life saver for me! My doctor said I was the poster child for the drug! I use it as a mood stabilizer. I take no other medications but use 6oomg two times a day. It just lifts me up, makes me more alert and social and energetic.

Interesting, I was diagnosed with diabetes and after being put on meds for the diabetes I had a major flare-up of peripheral neuropathy to the point where just about every point on my body save for my face was on fire. Gabapentin, even at the maximum dose, did not touch it. Pregabalin helped but only marginally. The doctor would not give me anything stronger and the agony was such that if I did not find a solution I would have committed suicide. I found a strain of Cannabis that had 15.5% CBD but only .81% THC provided substantial relief without causing any mental impairment. I further found Kratom also provided substantial relief without noticeable impairment. I was cautioned that Kratom attached to opioid receptors and so could be addictive, however after a couple of years and going on some intensive nutritional therapy by neuralgia subsided and I was able to quit kratom, experienced no withdrawal symptoms at all so I'm skeptical those claims were not just big pharma trying to discourage competition.

Gabapentin has been a godsend for my neuropathic foot and leg pain. Before my doctor prescribed Gabapentin I could not stand the pain in my feet and legs, which came on very quickly. Although my neuropathy has continued to slowly progress up my legs, I can walk around with only minor pain and enjoy my life with Gabapentin.

I can only go by my own experience, about five years before I retired at 55 I had burning sensations in my left tricep, fore arm back of hand and thumb, a deep ache in my Humerus and top quarter of my chest and back, about three times over the 5 year period I dropped things out of my left hand due to numbness and suffered several bouts of Vertigo, the pain increased as time went on and got to the point where I could not sleep because of it, I put all these symptoms down to a change of design of my utility vehicle which had me using my left side more than usual and thought I had torn ligaments in my back, I said as much to the Doctor, he prescribed anti inflammatory which did nothing to relive the incredible pains, he then sent me for X-ray and found that I had Arthritis in my neck that it was putting pressure on my spinal cord, He then prescribed 3x300mg of Gabapentin and every one of the symptoms disappeared within two days.

I was on gabapentin for a few years. My pain kept getting worse and I was having weakness over all. They kept raising the doses and it seemed like my over all health was getting worse. I saw an older doctor who told me basically what's being said here. I was sent to a pain doctor and he wanted me off gabpentin right away. It took about a month to stop taking it and a few months later my pain was no where as bad. Those doctors took me off muscle relaxers and pain killers. The pain doctor said I lucky I didn't OD. Physical therapy did some good and changes in diet helped with the pain.

I was prescribed Gabapentin for my anxiety/depression. My doctor called it a “happy pill” but I didn’t see any difference, just more side effects so I stopped.

Most people have an agenda when stating this type of info yet you were open and honest and being a user of bot I think you gave a very fair and honest assessment! Thank you

went to college in the 70s. there are people i still maintain contact with who smoked weed throughout college and then stopped, people who smoked who never stopped, people who stopped and started, et. al. seems to me there would be quite many test subjects for any case that needs to be studied

Having suffered chronic pain for 30+ years before taking Gabapentin, it literally scared me the following morning when I awoke with absolutely no pain at all. I was in heaven! Two weeks later I was itching so badly I wanted to scratch the skin off my whole body, especially my groin area. It was so nice having that brief pain free break. I've been on Tramadol & Baclofen now for about five years. One without the other does absolutely nothing, together they just get me by. I take care of my mother (85yrs.) so I have to keep my head about me at all times otherwise I have been offered stronger options.

Thank you, Dr. Mitchell. I was in a car accident & broke 14 bones (seven ribs and my right arm bones, shoulder and wrist bones). After I got off the opioids I was still taking GABApentin, but I hated the way I felt on it. I decided to put up with the pain rather than continue the drug. I don't know why, honestly - just a feeling. But I trust my feelings. Later, I started to read studies about it, and I'm glad I stopped.

Additionally, I was a real stoner growing up so many years ago. But today I use the cannabis to replace the opiates that I was on for so long. I don't really get HIGH anymore, just medicated. But it doesn't show! I'm comfortable with my quality of life!

Having lived in Colorado long enough to have tried both: I would lean towards cannabis, as a better choice for chronic pain. As for gabapatin it didn't agree with me, it was in a group of meds they tried to substitute for opioid treatment. That's my recommendation of medication, which one is better, cannabis!

I take gabapentin as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, and it’s been a lifesaver. I can’t take the regular meds for the condition, as they nearly killed me. (I had NMS). I also have diabetes, fibromyalgia and RA, and it really helps with the neuropathy.

When I was diagnosed with shingles, I was prescribed gabapentin. The gabapentin didn't do anything at all for the pain. My friend gave me a tiny bit of psilocybin mushrooms and the pain was totally gone. I tried everything, and shrooms were the only thing that worked

Dr. Sir I am a combat veteran, and I use both drugs and my belief that inconjuchtion, these drugs bring relief for my condition, although my condition is very sever, and after reviewing your A Tale of Two Drugs... I understand more about this issue and living with it. my self ,you have my esteem, thank you Dr. Mitchell.

I started having migraines at 10, I spent days in terrible pain with my head in a bucket. It was only in my late 50's that I was prescribed Gabapentin. It has been amazing, I'm now 70 and haven't had a serious episode since.

This video is very informative and I appreciate the accuracy and honesty of the breakdown for both. I've smoked cannabis for over 15 years and I know it helps with a lot of things including pain, with no withdrawals or dependency (maybe mental dependency). I've been taking gabapentin for 5 months for anxiety/alcohol dependency and a torn ACL and it does help a lot with anxiety and cravings for booze but only a 20% decrease of pain. I'm a phlebotomist and cant smoke weed anymore so gabapentin is the only thing I have to help me with anxiety and preventing a relapse to alcohol. However I'm considering getting off of it and trying to live my life without it and see how I do. I've noticed the only side effects for me with Gabapentin are occasional tiredness/fatigue at high doses and skin rash that goes away with hydrocortisone cream, however I know that it makes a lot of people feel extremely tired and disoriented and "strange".

I have Fibromyalgia, diagnosed in 2004. Gabapentin has been life-saving for me. Constant severe pain has a way of making me feel like death would be less painful. If it's taken away from me, I don't know what I'd do.

I don't know how the agriculture works in Canada, but the weed I've bought from dispensaries here had the strains clearly marked (Sativa, Indica, and Hybrids) as well as several other terpenes/alkaloids. I see a world of difference between Sativa and Indica. Almost opposites.

I'm a nurse who works with chronic pain patients. I can tell you from experience that joint issues, bone issues, back/neck are better treated with marijuana. Muscle pain/Fibromyalgia patients don't seem to get a benefit from smoking pot. They seem to do better with the anti-inflammatory meds and a low carb diet. Been working with these folks for the better part of 15 years. It's amazing how they feel, have the drive to do things when using pot vs opioids. Just my 2 cents :)

Gabapentin made me feel like I was falling down a dementia rabbit hole. THC wrecks my short term memory, but I do ok on CBD oil. My pain level drops when I don’t eat sugar or anything that turns into sugar. It causes inflammation but AMA drs ignore nutrition and push drugs with side effects that often leads to new medication that treats the initial drugs side effects you started in the first place.

And here’s my gabapentin story: I had surgery and the surgeon mistakenly cut a nerve in my abdominal area. I was in excruciating pain every time I had to move. If I could lie perfectly still, I could tolerate the pain. Since I was being discharged, remaining perfectly still was not an option. My dose was eventually titrated up to 600 mg 3x /day and I enjoyed pain relief. I experienced no feeling of being ‘high’ , drowsy, or any other side effect. This effective pain relief (for me) permitted a quicker recovery. I have suffered with hypnagogic hallucinations since I was 4 yo. It’s not only frightening to me, but to anyone who is near me when I’m sleeping. I see terrible things. And they seem so real. One time I actually called the police because I saw someone standing at my dresser. There was no one. Well, I noticed that while I was on the gabapentin my hallucinations were dramatically reduced. I stopped taking gabapentin altogether, my hallucinations came back full force. I asked my doctor if I could try it again to see if I got relief from my night time visions. We agreed to try 600 mg, ONLY AT BEDTIME. what a joy it has been since 2006 to be almost totally free of those terrible visions. I do still get them 1-2x per week. I used to have them every night. Additionally, sometimes, I actually have funny or pleasant hallucinations. And that NEVER happened without the gabapentin. (I should note that I have had four sleep studies to document my sleep disorder and it’s relief.)

I can't say I agree. I have used both, and cannabis didn't help with the nerve pain I had. My Dr. put me on gabapentin and the pain went away. It also helped with my restless legs. Depending on the pain level, one has to be stoned the whole day in order to benefit from cannabis. Some of the cannabis users I know have told me that cannabis doesn't alleviate their pain 100%, but that it helps them take fewer painkillers and/or lesser doses. I recently had surgery, and I couldn't get enough pain killers. Cannabis helped, but it's not a panacea for pain control.

Vegus nerve problems all my life but weed settles it down.Especialy after a meal.Head gut issues many people have.A bad gut makes for psychological issues and a lot of people do not realize this.

My cat had such a bad case of brain seizures from feline infectious peritonitis he was attacking himself. The daily Gabapenton treatment has given him a life back for 4 years. He starts getting neurogical symptoms when it wears off and rarely has a breakthrough seizure without extreme stress. Im a believer it has a blessed place in medical treatment.

Thank you Dr. Mlller for posting this article on the new pattern of prescribing Gabapentin for multiple problems like sleep, seizures, neuropathy, etc...I live in the states so I didn't know what Canada and Great Britain did..it's very much like it used in America....Weed is my go too medication for pain.

I take Gabapentin for neuropathy in my toes and it does a great job. I only take it in the evening because it does make me sleepy. Was not aware that Gabapentin should not be stopped quickly due to possible withdrawal symptoms. I've found there is no "one" drug that works the same for everyone.

I can tell you it does help with pain. Not so much pain caused from a sore musle, but pain from a pinched nerve, oh yes, it helps alot. Every drug that really works and has any potential to be missused as a drug to get high on always has this happen to it. It's hard to get opiods for pain so docs use... If Ibuprofen would get people high they'd make that hard to get. What about alcohol? ph wait we tried that and people still drank it. What about weed? Oh, people found a way to still use that too. OK, well what about Heroin... making that illegal just made people start putting Fentanyl in it making it more likely to be Over Dosed when using... The War on Drugs is a failed war. Stop mking drugs illegal and locking people up for using them. Using drugs is a nonviolent "crime". We give child molesters less time than a Heroin addict gets for a little tar in a bag. That is messed up! Edit: or people that drink, at least not for drinking alone.

I quite enjoyed this thank you I am so tired of money profiteers blinding our health care decisions😥

I've just been prescribed Gabapentin 300MG for cervical neck headaches. Previously I had anxiety one evening so I purchased a infused cereal bar, HHC, Delta 9,Delta 8,+PHC & CBG. I was very pleased to find that it helped with anxiety also ridding the chronic headaches. I'm still hesitant about sharing this info with my neurologist because of cannabis prejudice. Spread the word ❤

I had restless leg and did not sleep for more then 3 hours every night and I became suicidal. Thanks to gabapentin I am hear happy to be able to sleep at night.

Gabapentin was the drug that made me consider MMJ - I was falling asleep at my desk at work regularly, on the toilet in the work bathroom, on public benches during my lunch break. I was also almost amnesiac with how bad my memory was. My doctor told me these are not side effects of the drug, yet these symptoms went away when I stopped taking it. It made me realize that if I was going to be impaired during the day anyway to treat my pain, I should give MMJ a try. Turns out I only need to take it at night to get the benefits the following day, so no more daytime impairment. Thanks, Gabapentin!

I broke my neck when I was 12, and it was never treated. I'm 45 now and MRI shows "degenerative nerve shrinkage". Gabepentin didn't help with the pain, only made me too high to function. After 3 months, I switched to THC. Nothing completely stops the pain of course, but weed stops it best of anything I've tried, while leaving me LESS STONED than the stuff the doctors gave me. Thank god it's legal where I am.

I basically removed and re-shingled my entire roof by myself. I was a 55 YO women at the time. My shoulder developed severe pain afterwards. Went to the doctor. The first thing he did was prescribe GABApentine. I always research any therapies my doctor prescribes. When I realized how dangerous GABA is, I refused to take it. That doctor was furious!!! I never went back.

I was glad to see this presentation added to KZfaq. It is obvious to most that Cannabis is a useful drug, but isn't a Panacea. The drug Gabapentan has had some extremely adverse effects on the population of the UK, particularly Ireland.

Another thing professionals need to start doing is treating human beings as individuals, not a monolith. Some people get physically ill and have harmful reactions to cannabis, and as you mentioned, a minor percentage of people helped by Gaba. There are so many factors, blood type, metabolism, personality type. Gaba almost killed me, BTW.

In my experience THC triggered panic attacks and psychosis, whereas Gabapentin helped with stress and anxiety without noticeable side effects.

I was prescribed gabapentin as an anti depressant and for nerve pain in my back. THC helps both issues much better, yet my doctor refused to help me get medical cannabis because of research studies that say it makes depression worse. Yeah, ok. Its literally the only thing that's saved my life on the worst days.

The fact that placebos are so effective ought to say something about the mind's ability to heal the body. No medicine in the world heals, they only allow for healing conditions to occur. I didn't grow my garden, it grew on it's own, but I did plant it and set up conditions for its health. Best garden yet. :-)

Thank you for this thoughtfully presented information!! This bias the MDs have to the $$ & education given by the pharmaceutical companies and medical associations blinds them to REAL health care. Thank you again for your wonderful presentation.

Thankyou for this info. I was on gabapentin for severe pain. I had 6 back surgeries plus severe arthritis. I started having seizures and the doctors kept saying it was my heart. I said no but went through major tests. It was ruled out but doctors did not know what was causing them. I was driving one day and had a seizure. My daughter grabbed the wheel and within seconds it stopped. Now before this I had gone to my druggist and asked them to o a study of my meds. I was on hydramorphone for years and very high doses. They told me meds were fine. So I did my own research checking out all meds. I finally found that morphine and gabapentin can cause seizures. What a relief to find this. I quit the Gabapentin instantly. I was on hydramorphone for over 20 years. I wanted off of that as well. I hated the side affects I was having. I almost died doing that and ended up in hospital. There I was put on suboxone and it didn't do anything for me. 2 years ago I got on cbd oil and now pain is managed where I can have a life. I am 76 years and for the first time in years I have some relief. I am now very leary of all drugs. I did have 4 back surgeries in B.C and 2 in Edmonton. I do need another but.... Thanks again for your info.

Read through many of the comments, lots of personal history. Thc, not a personal choice. Gabapentin , prescribed by assorted doctors, thought it was somewhat benign. Of course each individual has different reactions to assorted meds. As for gabapentin here's my little story. First reaction was finding myself slapping myself uncontrollably. Sounds insane. Next reaction lying in the back of an ambulance feeling like I was on a acid trip. Emerg was unable to evaluate. Next incident was while driving stopping at green lights. Last incident about 3 years ago totally froze absolutely no body control for about 15 minutes. Will never use this poison again , the most distructive med on the market. Seems benign, nonetheless it completely f*cks up your brain. Might as well take LSD 24 hours a day. Seriously , this is an overprescibed drug that most DR',s don't even know what it's for.

A fantastic, well researched piece. Ironically mostly based on a drug that has not been allowed to be diligently researched. I was on 2,700 mg of Gabapentin a day when I left hospital, combined with maximum doses of a bunch of others including Tramadol. I could not string a sentence together and wold fall asleep during a conversation. I independently took Gabapentin down to 900mg a day. I did not have a prescription review for three years, now I understand why? I was introduced to cannabis a year ago which I use every night to temper my chronic leg and body spasms. It really has been a game changer for me. I haven’t used cannabis in the day for pain relief but intend to start forthwith. Thank you for the independent information.

Never suddenly stop taking Gabapentin, The withdrawal symptoms are horrible. This is a very good video

In 2019 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and my Doctor put me on gabapentin at first it was 3 a day and 3 tramadol. I changed Doctors and apparently 3 tramadol was bad for my health but 9 gabby a day wasn't, so she took me off tramadol and every appointment after if I was still in pain she just added another gabapentin a day. It didnt help me with pain still suffered with nerve pain. I slowly weened myself off and refused to take any of these meds that didnt help. I was risking side effects with no gain. I did start smoking cannabis and found relief but it only lasts so long so you have to use every couple hours and it can be costly through the stores. I'm thrilled to see someone talking about this drug. It is over used for everything almost and it isnt right med most the time.

I have suffered from severe ocd and anxiety since 11 years old now 32. When I take any form of thc my ocd gets bad during the high, hard to control compulsive behaviors etc. Lack of control and also alittle depressed after the high ends. I take a small dose of Gabapentin and it chills me out enough to work on my therapy but I doesn't make things worse. It helps take the edge of my anxiety but does make me pretty tired if I'm not moving or exercising. All in all gabapentin has got me thru hard times. I don't take any other medications except Lexapro for ocd etc.. been on gaba for about 9 years

I suffered from really bad neuropathic pain in my legs, my doctor perscribed Gabapentin and it instantly stopped the pain. It works for me 100%

Gabapentin helped me through my opioid withdrawals. Now I am 5 years clean .and overcoming my anxiety .

The fact that cannabis is "frowned upon" in America and Canada is enough for me to know it's a good, safe drug for me to use. And I've felt this way for 50 years.

For my very bad back, I was subscribed Gabapentin by my pain doctor. I tried it for a week and had never had such bad feelings of depression in my life! I got so bad I was afraid to be left alone while my husband went to work and I had recently retired due to my horrific pain. The depression got so bad it turned into suicidal ideation and while driving I thought of driving right into a telephone pole. Scared me to death that my thoughts had come to this!! I called my doctor and he wanted me to stay on it in spite of what I told him. I had to stop!! And I did. I have never had those feelings again thankfully! I realize my case may be rare but want others to know it could be the drug and not them if they feel these horrible thoughts coming to them. Thanks! BTW, I am a retired science and health educator and a drug/alcohol counselor.

I have had extreme neurology spasms in hands, arms and face for 7 years now. A couple of weeks ago, I went to a pediatrist recently for foot pain. Seems I have arthritic nodules on my toe joints. The first question the Dr. Ask me was am I on Gabapentin. I was told long term use can lead to calcium deposits. The problem I have with cannabis is psychological. The cannabis today is so potent it's difficult for me to handle even a small amount. Edibles are to inconsistent.

I've taken gabapentin for 10 years. It was prescribed, when the doctor diagnosed me with peripheral neuropathy. One thing the doctor said is that you need to start that medication in small doses & slowly increase it. And also to slowly decrease in dosage when you want to stop it. I never had any withdrawal symptoms with it, but my neuropathy pain sure came back with a vengeance. The only thing I really dislike about it is, it causes weight gain.

After a month on GABApentin for peripheral neuropathy, I gave it up in hope that my mental fogginess would clear up and it did! As soon as I got off Gp, I stopped being so forgetful and regained control over my legs, which had begun to speed up when walking, causing me to having to grab hold of something in order to stop!

Gabapentin almost ruined my life after being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2012. Bring HEAVILY over medicicated in The USMC for years caused me to gain a lot of weight, while active duty, You could not pay me to take gabapentin or Lyrica ever again. Thc gave me my life back. It's a shame that the VA won't give it to Vets, but will give us 30 different medicines to take at the same time.

Thank you Dr Miller. You've helped to expose bias and lack of knowledge among physicians, and the corruption of drug companies.

I had to have a lumbar fusion L4 - Si and have "failed back surgery syndrome" resulting in chronic pain everyday. I was prescribed gabapentin as an alternative to opiods and it didn't work as well as I and my doc hoped, I took it for 3 years - tried several dosing strategies and finally stopped taking it when I had a problem with a scheduled Rx refill that was interrupted due to wildfires/business closures that forced having to withdraw unexpectedly over a weekend (worse than alcohol, cannabis or opiates). I have used cannnabis for many years but became tired of dealing with the cost and the escalating tolerance level requiring more frequent use, now I only use it occasionally. Unfortunately for me the only meds that help my pain are the opiates but tolerance and efficacy are an issue but ultimately it still helps.

We use Gabapentin a TON in veterinary medicine. It's used for pain and as a mild sedative for fractious or anxious patients.

If I could properly write down the dreams I've while on this medication I'd win an Oscar for best screenplay!

I hope this reaches the right people. The drugs they give to treat you are what you need but dealing with the side affects is a different circumstance. Appetite, pain relief, sleep, inspiration, munchies, reading, and comfort. Hope shouldn't be a blank screen or a dull trip.