# Substitution of Medical Cannabis for Pharmaceutical Agents for Pain, Anxiety, and Sleep > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/substitution-medical-cannabis-pharmaceutical-agents/ > **Published:** 2022-01-04T15:50:07-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:16:48-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore substitution medical cannabis pharmaceutical agents for pain, anxiety, and sleep with evidence on medication reduction and patient communication. --- Until now, [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) remains a highly controversial substance, being condoned in different forms by half of the states but prohibited at a federal level in the states. A plethora of scientific, clinical and epidemiological research has corroborated its benefits for many conditions and disorders, yet the stigma associated with [medical cannabis](https://cedclinic.com/therapeutic-benefits-of-thc/) remains prevalent in the society and even among healthcare providers. For these reasons, a group of physicians at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, PA conducted a study to evaluate the extent to which patients substitute medical cannabis for opioids and other common psychoactive medications as well as the extent to which these patients communicate about medical [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) to their primary care providers and others. According to the study results, which came from self-reported online surveys of medical [cannabis dispensary](https://cedclinic.com/moved-to-a-legal-state-walking-into-a-dispensary-is-wild/) customers in New England, a majority of patients reported using less opioids (76.7%) as well as fewer medications to treat anxiety (71.8%), migraines (66.7%), and sleep (65.2%) after initiating medical cannabis. A smaller portion used less antidepressants or alcohol – 37.6% and 42.0% respectively. These findings confirmed the therapeutic effects of cannabis. However, the respondents’ spouses, families and friends were more likely to know about their [medical cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/characterization-medical-cannabis-use-us-adults/) than was their primary care provider, suggesting that as expected, many patients were afraid of the negative view physicians might hold against cannabis. 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Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Medical Marijuana Helps People Stop Using Opioids, Sleeping Aids And Other Prescription …](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-prescription-patterns-reduce-opioid-use/) This article explores how [medical marijuana](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-risk-impact/) assists patients in reducing reliance on opioids and other prescription medications. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-prescription-patterns-reduce-opioid-use/) [Study Finds Veterans With SUD Used Cannabis to Alleviate Pain, Anxiety, and Improve Poor …](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-veterans-substance-use-disorder-study/) A study highlighting [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) among veterans for managing pain, anxiety, and sleep issues. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-veterans-substance-use-disorder-study/) [Medical Cannabis Counseling for Older Adults: What Physicians Are Telling Patients](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-counseling-older-adults-guidance/) Insights into physician guidance on [medical cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/characterization-medical-cannabis-use-us-adults/) for older adults, focusing on therapeutic benefits and communication. [Discover More](https://cedclinic.com/medical-cannabis-counseling-older-adults-guidance/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Substitution%20of%20Medical%20Cannabis%20for%20Pharmaceutical%20Agents%20for%20Pain%2C%20Anxiety%2C%20and%20Sleep&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fsubstitution-medical-cannabis-pharmaceutical-agents%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fsubstitution-medical-cannabis-pharmaceutical-agents%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Substitution%20of%20Medical%20Cannabis%20for%20Pharmaceutical%20Agents%20for%20Pain%2C%20Anxiety%2C%20and%20Sleep%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fsubstitution-medical-cannabis-pharmaceutical-agents%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).