While many students can be found in line at the Ashe Center or in a doctor’s office at the UCLA Medical Plaza, students may now have another source for treating, as well as preventing, common illnesses.
With the ever-increasing popularity of organic, herbal and natural products, a growing number of people across the country are looking into complementary and alternative medicines for better ways to treat illnesses and to stay healthy.
Complementary and alternative medicine include medical practices and products not part of conventional medicine practiced and prescribed by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy, according to the National Institute of Health.
The Farmacy, a medical cannabis dispensary and global medicine shop, opened on Gayley Avenue in May.
“We felt that people should have safe access to quality, natural products,” said JoAnna LaForce, a pharmacist and director of The Farmacy.
“We have stores in Santa Monica and West Hollywood, but we opened up in Westwood because we felt that we could help improve the health of college students,” LaForce said.
The store offers all types of natural and organic products for people based on their individual lifestyles, she said.
Students can also find a vast selection of products at The Farmacy, including formulas for energy, mind clarity and focus, immune boosters and sleeping formulas. The Farmacy even offers several hangover remedies.
The Farmacy has a licensed herbalist on staff, allowing people of different ages and lifestyles to consult with an expert before deciding on what types of products best fit their needs.
The natural and organic formulas developed by The Farmacy can help students live overall healthier lives, LaForce added.
The last 15 years has seen an increase in the use of complementary and alternative medicine, mostly among patients with higher levels of education, Stangl said.
The popularity of alternative medicine has risen mainly because it allows for people to take care of themselves without having to see a doctor, said Susan Stangl, associate professor of family medicine at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine.
“Though some over-the-counter products may be helpful for some people, it is important to understand that patients taking other medications at the same time need to be careful of drug interactions that could have undesired effects,” Stangl said.
College students generally use alternative medicine for different reasons than other people who might use it, said Michael Goldstein, professor at the UCLA School of Public Health.
While most people use alternative medicine for things that can’t otherwise be treated or cured, college students generally use it to maintain good health rather than treat an illness, Goldstein added.
Complementary and alternative medicine includes a wide array of treatments and products, many of which can be found on UCLA’s campus. Yoga, a form of preventive medicine, is taught at the John Wooden center, and Airborne, an immune booster formula, can be found at the UCLA store in Ackerman Union.
However, anyone who is thinking about taking alternative medicine products should do as much research as possible before taking anything, advised Stangl.
“People should definitely be aware before they purchase any over-the-counter products for themselves. It’s always wise to ask the opinion of a pharmacist, and consult with a doctor if you’re taking other medication,” she added.
The Farmacy allows people to take control of their health while helping them make informed decisions on what natural and organic products can help them live better lives, LaForce said.
“College life consists of fast food, staying up late, studying and partying, and we really believe that we can have a positive impact on students so that they could better take care of themselves and improve what they put into their bodies,” LaForce said.
While The Farmacy stresses its ability to improve the health of college students through herbal formulas, not all students at UCLA agree with its location being so close to campus.
“I think the location is questionable,” said Sherin Mermash, a first-year graduate student at the UCLA School of Public Health.
“I don’t completely disagree with having such a store exist, but I do disagree with the location of it being so close to a student surrounding,” Mermash said.
“Some students do want to get high and having a store like this close to campus may increase the likelihood of students developing dependencies,” she added.
Still, others feel that a store that allows students to get help in choosing what alternative and herbal medicines to buy should be close to campus.
“If a store is trying to help college-aged students, it needs to be in the proximity of the college,” said Joshua Ghiam, a fifth-year psychology student.
“Those who are really seeking access to such a store will really benefit from the fact that it is located in Westwood,” he added.