Cannabis is a mid-level pain reliever
According to the study, after cannabis use, users' pain decreased by three points on a scale of 0 to 10. This research was conducted by researchers at the University of New Mexico (UNM). The study was published in the journal "Complementary Therapies in Medicine.".
Scientists have concluded that cannabis is highly effective at reducing pain. Furthermore, negative side effects are minimal. This is very useful information, as the general public has few alternative painkillers to opioids.
One of the study's lead researchers, Jacob Miguel Vigil, said that "the US has been flooded with over-prescribed opioid medications." And the financial cost of chronic pain, which affects more than 20% of adults, is very high.
Cannabis with high levels of THC improves pain.
The greatest analgesic responses were seen in people who consumed dried cannabis flower, and particularly cannabis with high levels of THC. In contrast, CBD showed little association with momentary changes in pain intensity.
“Cannabis likely has numerous components that possess analgesic properties beyond THC, including terpenes and flavonoids, which likely act synergistically for people who consume dried cannabis flower,” Vigil said.
Vigil states, “Our results confirm that cannabis use is relatively safe and effective for pain relief. It can only benefit the public if people can responsibly weigh the true risks and benefits of their pain medication options, and when given this opportunity, I have seen numerous patients with chronic pain switch from opioids, among many other classes of medications, to medical cannabis.”.
According to the study, 95% of the sessions resulted in relief from symptoms with different types of pain.
The authors caution that cannabis use may not be effective for everyone. It can also carry risks of addiction and short-term harm to cognitive and behavioral functioning. But there are multiple mechanisms by which cannabis alleviates pain. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis activates receptors located next to opioid receptors in the brain. “High-THC cannabis also elevates mood and adjusts attentional demands, likely distracting patients from the unpleasant sensations people call 'pain,'‘ explains Vigil.
Vigil points out that “when compared to the negative health risks associated with opiate use, cannabis may be an obvious value for patients.”.
Releaf App
The study is based on data collected using the Releaf app. This app allows consumers to monitor the effects of cannabis products in the US in real time. It is the only publicly accessible, non-incentive-based app of its kind. It educates patients about how different types of products, combustion methods, cannabis strains (indica, sativa, and hybrid), and cannabinoid content (THC and CBD) affect their symptoms. It also provides information on medication options, symptom relief, and side effects.
The Releaf app allows researchers to overcome limitations on government-funded clinical trials. These are typically restricted by federal regulations.
- Schedule I (no accepted medical use and with a high potential for abuse: Heroin and ecstasy)
- Using low-quality, low-potency cannabis supplied by the National Institute for the Fight Against Drug Addiction.
Co-author Sarah Stith stated that moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II would improve the ability to conduct research.
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