Study: MMJ, Opioids Comparable in Treating Pain––Weed Carries More ‘Holistic’ Relief

There are many recent studies supporting the effectiveness of medical marijuana. Certainly a suitable alternative to opioids, many users find that they are able to completely reduce or eliminate their opioid use after maintaining a medical cannabis regimen. Currently, a study is taking a closer look at the specific overall effects of both medical cannabis and opioids, seeking further insight into the effectiveness of each substance as it relates to chronic pain management.

Recent study“The combined effect of medical cannabis and opioids on the pain experience of chronic pain patients in Finland” was conducted by a team of researchers from Åbo Akademi University who investigated the effects of medical cannabis and opioids in the treatment of chronic pain.

Published in cannabis research journal, With the use of cannabis for symptom management becoming increasingly common in recent years, this study details how effective medical cannabis is compared to traditional opioids in treating chronic pain. The purpose is to investigate. The results show that while opioids and cannabis are both “comparably effective” in reducing pain intensity in chronic pain patients, cannabis is more “comprehensive” in improving sleep, concentration, and mental health. suggested providing relief.

Comparison of opioids and medical cannabis for pain relief

To investigate the effectiveness of both substances, researchers had subjects complete a retrospective study to measure the positive and negative phenomenological effects of both cannabis and opioids.

The sample included 201 chronic pain patients, 40 of whom used medical marijuana and 161 who used opioids to treat their pain. There was some crossover between each group, with approximately 45% of medical marijuana patients reporting the use of opioids to treat pain and approximately 4.3% of opioid users having ever used medical marijuana.

Participants were asked to rate statements detailing the positive and negative effects of the medication, with researchers comparing the scores of the two groups.

Although neither opioids nor medical marijuana are first-line treatments for chronic pain, the researchers note that both are commonly used when other treatments do not provide sufficient relief. People who use cannabis or opioids recreationally, or who use either substance to treat conditions other than chronic pain, were also “explicitly asked not to participate in the study.”

The analysis revealed three experiential factors: negative side effects, positive overall effects, and positive emotional effects. The medical cannabis group scored higher than the opioid group in positive emotional effects and overall positive effects, but there were no differences in negative effects.

Chronic pain treatment: Is medical cannabis more beneficial than opioids?

Ultimately, the researchers found that while both medical marijuana and opioids “are thought to be equally effective in reducing pain intensity,” based on self-reported data, medical marijuana , concluded that it positively influences broader factors related to pain, such as overall sensation. happiness.

“Both MC and opioids were found to equally reduce pain intensity. Group differences support the hypothesis that: [medical cannabis] “The effects on pain are more comprehensive than those of opioids,” the authors said. In this study, the strongest differences between the two groups were more commonly reported in the medical cannabis group, with deeper relaxation, better sleep, improved mood, and the ability to feel pain without responding to it. It also points out something.

“Taken together, these results support the idea that the psychoactive effects of MC are associated with therapeutic effects on pain, consistent with suggestions from previous literature,” the authors said. However, their use of “psychoactive” does not refer to anything that produces an altered state of consciousness or distorts perception, but rather “directs consciousness in a more positive direction, i.e., ‘normal.’ They pointed out that it is a systemic change towards

The researchers also said there is no indication that medical marijuana distorts cognitive processes. Instead, it is thought to improve memory, concentration, and clarity of thought.

“The results of this study highlight that: [medical cannabis] It has positive therapeutic effects and beneficial effects on mood and function,” the authors conclude. “However, this conclusion requires more robust testing, ideally in randomized controlled trials.”