A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) titled "Changes in Prescribed Opioid Dosages Among Patients Receiving Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain, New York State, 2017-2019" has shed light on the potential of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment for chronic pain patients who are at risk of opioid use disorder and overdose. With the increasing concerns and risks associated with traditional pharmaceutical opioids, researchers are exploring alternative or companion treatments, and medical cannabis has emerged as a potential option.
Study Details: The study involved a large cohort of 8,165 patients with a median age in the mid-50s, of which about 58 percent were female. All participants were receiving medical cannabis for chronic pain while also undergoing opioid treatment. The study divided the participants into two groups: a non-exposure group that received medical cannabis for 30 or fewer days, and an exposure group that received medical cannabis for more than 30 days. The researchers followed the participants for eight months, starting from the initiation of medical cannabis use.
Study Findings: The study found that receiving medical cannabis for chronic pain for a longer duration was associated with significant reductions in opioid dosages. The greatest reductions in opioid consumption were observed in patients who were receiving higher opioid dosages. More specifically, the daily opioid consumption level among study participants who had received medical cannabis for longer than 30 days was reduced by 48 percent.
The study concluded that patients who received medical cannabis showed a decrease in their use of opioids, particularly those who had been consuming medical cannabis for a longer duration. The researchers noted that these findings provide robust evidence for clinicians regarding the potential benefits of medical cannabis in reducing the opioid burden for patients and possibly reducing their risk for overdose.
This study adds to the growing body of research indicating that medical cannabis may be a viable alternative for chronic pain patients who are at risk of opioid use disorder and overdose. While further investigations are needed to confirm the causal effect and explore the benefits and risks of medical cannabis use in the treatment of chronic pain, these findings suggest that medical cannabis has the potential to reduce opioid dosages and improve outcomes for patients suffering from chronic pain.
As the conversation around pain management continues to evolve, medical cannabis may play a significant role in mitigating the opioid crisis and providing safer and more effective treatment options for patients in need.
Do you use cannabis for pain management?
Blog by @CryptoRick423
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