A new study shows that using cannabis to manage pain is an effective treatment. More people are starting to use cannabis for pain management.
More people are turning to marijuana to help with their pain management. Recent research from McLean Hospital in Boston and Harvard University indicated they may be onto something.
Boston Hospital and Harvard University, reports that long-term use of medical cannabis proved effective to manage pain among a group of patients.
The study reported on research involving 37 patients. They used cannabis to treat pain for six months. Some of the conditions that caused the pain include arthritis, joint pain, and neuropathy. The patients used cannabis through smoking, vaping, oils, and edibles.
All of the participants in the study had either never used cannabis or had not used it for at least one year before this study. The patients reported not only a reduction in pain, but also lower anxiety and improved sleep, mood, and quality of life.
Another aspect of the study found that their use of opioids declined 13 percent after three months and 23 percent after six months. This mirrored other studies that have also found lower use of prescription medications in states where marijuana is legal.
Patients Use Medical Marijuana for Pain
Medical marijuana can be used to treat a variety of conditions, but a large majority of people use it to help manage pain.
A study containing data from patients in 36 states and the District of Columbia looked at the qualifying conditions for using medical cannabis. About 65 percent of all patients listed chronic pain. Also, 84.6 percent reported either “substantial or conclusive evidence of therapeutic efficacy.”
Many people have an interest in medical marijuana, initially, to treat chronic pain. Now with the Harvard study, we have scientific studies to support these claims. This study was published in the journal “Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology”.
Studies like the Harvard study are so important. There are so many people experiencing pain. In 2021 a study, also from Harvard, showed that 50.2 million adults in the United States reported experiencing pain on most days or every day. They also reported pain caused limits in daily function, including social activities and common daily activities.
More Studies and More Evidence
The Harvard study involving 37 patients has been seen as a step forward in marijuana research. The researchers wrote that “this naturalistic study of medical cannabis patients with chronic pain provides preliminary evidence that ‘real world’ MC treatment may be a viable alternative or adjunctive treatment for at least some individuals with chronic pain.”
While cannabis users, along with sports figures, continue to advocate using marijuana to manage pain has been successful for them for years, studies on the issue have just begun.
The good news is the Harvard study’s findings match those from previous research. A 2020 study found that marijuana works well in managing the pain from migraines. Seniors also reported that using medical cannabis works to treat back pain and other issues.
Future Potential
Research has only just begun on what medical marijuana can do for patients. There’s the possibility it could greatly improve the lives of those who suffer from many medical conditions and chronic pain.
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