The use of marijuana, also known as cannabis, to treat chronic pain has been a controversial issue over the years. However, research is beginning to provide a considerable amount of evidence which supports the medical use of cannabis to treat pain. In particular, when medical marijuana is used in combination with prescription pain killers (e.g., opiates) it can lead to greater pain relief, which reduces the need to rely on prescription drugs. It can be eaten or inhaled, but the pain relieving effects are achieved quicker if it is inhaled. The use of medical marijuana by this means also suggests that it is taken under the careful supervision of a health care provider.
Interestingly, medical marijuana has also been shown to prevent individuals from developing tolerance to and even withdrawal symptoms from pain killers. Tolerance is defined as needing a higher dosage of a drug in order to experience the same effect that a lower dosage had when treatment began. If tolerance does develop, medical marijuana can restore the effects of pain killers when a particular dosage starts to become ineffective. Based on these findings, medical marijuana is now being investigated in terms of its efficacy to alleviate substance abuse that may have resulted from pain treatment.
Currently in North America, the use of medical marijuana to treat chronic pain is restricted to community-based cannabis dispensaries and this method has been described as a safe means of providing patients with this form of treatment. Administering medical marijuana in this type of environment also ensures that it will be used strictly for healing purposes, that patients will be closely supervised, and that the improper use of prescription pain medications can be potentially avoided.
*DISCLAIMER: These are not medical diagnoses or suggestions for any specific individuals. They are an overview of various conditions, treatments and topics discussed by New York Pain Management Group. If you would like to discuss your symptoms in greater detail, do not hesitate to contact the New York Pain Management Group. To learn more about treatment options for this and other pain conditions, contact us today at www.nopainny.com or call at 1-888-789-NOPAIN! We will be happy to assist you.