Study: Cannabis Can Help Treat Chronic Pain, Does So Better Than Opioids Alone

Study: Cannabis Can Help Treat Chronic Pain, Does So Better Than Opioids Alone

A study published recently by the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and published online by the National Institute of Health, has found that cannabis use for pain relief purposes is common among people living with chronic pain, and users report greater pain relieving effects when using cannabis than when using just opioids.

The study included 1514 people living in Australia who had been prescribed pharmaceutical opioids for chronic non-cancer pain. According to researchers; “Data on cannabis use, ICD-10 cannabis use disorder and cannabis use for pain were collected. We explored associations between demographic, pain and other patient characteristics and cannabis use for pain.”

Using this method, it was found that; “One in six (16%) had used cannabis for pain relief, 6% in the previous month. A quarter reported that they would use it for pain relief if they had access. Those using cannabis for pain on average were younger, reported greater pain severity, greater interference from and poorer coping with pain, and more days out of role in the past year.”

They continue; “They had been prescribed opioids for longer, were on higher opioid doses, and were more likely to be non-adherent with their opioid use. Those using cannabis for pain had higher pain interference after controlling for reported pain severity. Almost half (43%) of the sample had ever used cannabis for recreational purposes, and 12% of the entire cohort met criteria for an ICD-10 cannabis use disorder.”

Researchers conclude: “Cannabis use for pain relief purposes appears common among people living with chronic non-cancer pain, and users report greater pain relief in combination with opioids than when opioids are used alone.”

The study can be found in its entirety by clicking here.

– TheJointBlog