canadian studies find cannabis may help with chronic pain
non-inhaled cannabis led to small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning and sleep quality.
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another recent study from mcmaster, published in bmj open, found that attitudes toward medical medical cannabis from prospective patients were highly variable, with familial influence and social stigma playing a role.
tinnakorn jorruang / istock / getty images plus
by: sam riches
medical cannabis may provide some relief to individuals who live with chronic pain according to two new studies from mcmaster university.
scientists analyzed data from 32 randomized controlled trials and found, when compared to a placebo, non-inhaled cannabis led to small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning and sleep quality.
those who used medical cannabis as a treatment option also experienced very minor side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, impaired attention and nausea.
both studies were published in the british medical journal.
“future research should compare long-term and serious harms of medical cannabis with other management options for chronic pain, including opioids,” said jason busse, associate director of mcmaster’s michael g. degroote centre for medicinal cannabis research and associate professor of anesthesia.
another recent study from mcmaster, published in bmj open, found that attitudes toward medical cannabis from prospective patients were highly variable, with familial influence and social stigma playing a role.
“the variability of patients’ attitudes and preferences reflects the need for shared decision-making with clinicians when considering medical cannabis for chronic pain,” said busse.
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a survey published in the journal of primary care & community health last year found evidence that few people view doctors as good sources of information when it comes to cannabis.
a thousand primary care patients in vermont, a state that legalized cannabis in 2004, took part in the survey. about 18 per cent responded positively that their physician was a good source of information regarding cannabis despite nearly half of respondents saying they consumed cannabis in the past year.
only about 20 per cent of medical cannabis patients in canada access treatment with a medical document from a healthcare practitioner, according to health canada’s 2020 canadian cannabis survey.
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