Medical cannabis popularly known as ‘medical marijuana’ is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative treatment for chronic pain in the US and other European countries. Chronic pain can be defined as pain that could last more than 3 months. This kind of pain affects millions of people worldwide and many people look for opioids for treatment. However, opioids can be highly addictive and many people die every year due to overdose of this medication.
But before we dive deep into medical marijuana and chronic pain, it is important you learn about medical marijuana laws in your state. Some states like California offer much more relaxation than the states where marijuana is not available without a medical card like West Virginia. If you live in West Virginia, you need to get a WV medical card online to access marijuana in the state. So, it is important you learn about your state laws before you hop onto the marijuana bandwagon.
Medical Marijuana and Chronic Pain
In contrast, medical cannabis or marijuana has shown to be a promising alternative as it not only helps with the symptoms of chronic pain, it also helps people overcome with opioid addiction, therefore improving the quality of life. 2 active compounds present in cannabis plants, known as cannabinoids have been shown to be associated with reduction in chronic pain. These 2 cannabinoids are THC i.e. tetrahydrocannabinol and CBD i.e. cannabidiol. THC is the compound which is psychoactive and also responsible to cause ‘high’ whereas CBD is non-psychoactive and has shown to be anti-inflammatory, thus having pain-relieving properties.
Numerous conditions, such as cancer, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and neuropathic pain, have shown medical marijuana to be effective in reducing chronic pain. If you have any of these illnesses then you can easily apply to get a medical card online to help alleviate any discomfort. According to a study that was written up in the Journal of Pain, those who used medical marijuana for their chronic pain reported a 64% decrease in their use of opioid medicines and an improvement in their quality of life. According to a second study that was published in the European Journal of Pain, persons with fibromyalgia who used medical marijuana reported an average 30% reduction in chronic pain.
How is Medical Marijuana Taken?
Medical marijuana can be taken in numerous forms such as smoking, edibles, vaping and topical creams. Although smoking and vaping are the most common methods of marijuana consumption, they are not suited for patients with specific health conditions such as asthma or any other lung disease.Edibles and topical creams are the alternative options that may be more suitable for patients with these medical conditions.
The possibility of adverse consequences is one potential drawback of using medical marijuana. Use of marijuana frequently causes drowsiness, dry mouth, increased appetite, and nausea. However, with the right administration and dosage, these adverse effects are typically manageable and minor. Additionally, using medicinal marijuana strains high in CBD may reduce the likelihood of negative effects.
Research and Findings
Numerous studies have shown that medical marijuana helps relieve chronic pain:
In 2015 a review was conducted on an existing research in the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults, particularly for neuropathic pain.
Another study conducted on the subject was published in the Journal of Pain in 2016 that use of medical marijuana was somehow associated with a reduction in opioid use in patients suffering from severe pain. The study was conducted after reviewing the health condition of 1000 patients in Canada and discovered that medical marijuana was able to display 64% reduction in pain.
Conclusion:
However, after all these promising results, medical marijuana is yet to be legal in all states in the US, and there is a lot of debate going on over its use, safety and effectiveness. The American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians have urged for more research on the use of medicinal marijuana as a treatment for chronic pain, among other medical groups.
Lastly, medical cannabis has demonstrated promise in treating chronic pain, especially in people with neuropathic pain and spasticity. Many people are choosing medical marijuana as an alternative to prescription painkillers, despite the fact that more research is required to properly understand its safety and effectiveness.
Despite the possibility that medical marijuana could help people with severe pain, its application is still debatable. Some contend that the use of medical marijuana could encourage drug abuse and addiction and is not a valid medical treatment. However, a growing body of data indicates that, when used properly and under a doctor’s supervision, medical marijuana may be a safe and effective treatment for chronic pain.
References:
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2015. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
- Ware, M. A., et al. (2016). Cannabis for the Management of Pain: Assessment of Safety Study (COMPASS). The Journal of Pain, 17(5), 544-556.
- Boehnke, K. F., et al. (2019). Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain. The Journal of Pain, 20(7), 830-836.
- American Medical Association. (2017). Medical Marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/medical-marijuana
- American College of Physicians. (2008). Supporting Research into the Therapeutic Role of Marijuana. Retrieved from https://www.acponline.org/system/files/documents/advocacy/current_policy_papers/assets/medicinal_use_of_marijuana_2008.pdf
- Boehnke KF, Scott JR, Litinas E, Sisley S, Williams DA, Clauw DJ. Pills to pot: observational analyses of cannabis substitution among medical cannabis users with chronic pain. J Pain. 2019;20(7):830-841. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2019
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