Over the past couple of years, medical cannabis has become a topic of conversation when discussing treatments for chronic pain. More and more patients are turning to medical marijuana instead of long-term prescription opioids to relieve chronic pain and for a good reason. According to data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, medical marijuana consumption helped patients decrease their daily use of prescription opioids. Medical marijuana can be an effective alternative to addictive opioid pain medications. Opioids can come with unpleasant side effects and withdrawal symptoms. The relationship between medical cannabis and prescription opioids might not be as complex as researchers originally thought.
Medical Cannabis and Opioid Use Relationship
“The relationship between cannabis and opioid use is among the best-documented aspects of marijuana policy,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “In short, the science demonstrates that marijuana is a relatively safe and effective pain reliever. The science also shows that patients with legal access to it consistently reduce their use of prescription opioid medications.”
Research published earlier this month in the same journal reported that nearly one in three patients with chronic pain use cannabis as a pain reliever and many of those who do substitute in place of opioids.
In clinical trials, researchers with the State of New York University at Albany discovered that vaporized medical marijuana was shown to increase the pain-relieving agents of morphine and oxycodone in patients with chronic pain. This information opens the door to the possibility of using lower dosages of prescription opioids. Not to mention, lowering the dosages of prescription opioids could also mean fewer side effects.
Treating Chronic Pain in Maryland
Suppose you suffer from chronic pain, and you’re looking away from pain management that depends on prescription medications, including opioids. Medical marijuana may help you decrease your dependence or completely eliminate the need for these addictive painkillers.
At Dispensary Works, our highly trained staff is here to help you select the best cannabis for your particular needs. We are here to guide you as you uncover the world of marijuana. If you would like to learn more about who we are and what we do, contact us today!
