Exploring Marijuana as a Potential Alternative to Prescription Pain Medications

In a recent study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, cannabis has shown promise as an effective treatment for pain relief and insomnia. The study, which surveyed 1,000 individuals in an American state, found that 80% of those who used cannabis for pain reported it as very or extremely helpful. Similarly, 74% of the interviewees bought cannabis to help them sleep, and 84% said it helped. Over 83% said they had since reduced or stopped taking sleep aids.

The research suggests that widening access to medical cannabis could lower the use of prescription painkillers. This is particularly significant given the serious side effects associated with traditional over-the-counter medications and painkillers, including opioids, which depress the respiratory system, making overdoses potentially fatal. As a result, 82% of these people were able to reduce or stop taking over-the-counter pain medications, and 88% were able to stop taking opioid painkillers.

However, health providers are currently behind in knowing which cannabis products work and which do not. This leaves patients often conducting their own "trial and error" experiments with cannabis products. More research is needed to understand the health benefits and side effects of cannabis fully.

The study provides evidence that cannabis could lower opioid use. However, researchers caution that more needs to be done to understand its potential therapeutic benefits. For instance, Dr. Julia Arnsten, Professor of Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, notes that people develop tolerance to opioids, which means they require higher doses to achieve the same effect, increasing their risk of overdose.

The survey was conducted among customers who purchased cannabis from two retail stores in Colorado, where it is legal for both medical and recreational use. The study's findings are particularly relevant given Colorado's adult-use cannabis law, which is associated with a relative reduction in opioid overdose death rate from 1999 to 2010. Additionally, states with medical cannabis laws have a 6.38% lower rate of opioid prescribing.

It's important to note that while cannabis may offer a promising alternative to traditional pain relief and sleep aids, it is not without its own risks. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can cause GI bleeding or kidney damage with chronic use. Although less common, sleeping pills can lead to dependence and cause grogginess the next day, interfering with people's work and social lives.

In conclusion, the study offers promising evidence that cannabis could be a valuable addition to the toolkit of pain relief and sleep aid options. However, more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks, and to provide clear guidance for health providers and patients.