Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb to alleviate various ailments, including pain. However, with the prohibition of cannabis in the 20th century, it became difficult for researchers to conduct studies to explore its potential benefits. Over the past few decades, scientific research has shown that cannabis may be an objectively safer pain reliever than prescription drugs.
Prescription drugs, such as opioids, are commonly used to treat pain, but they come with a host of risks and side effects. Opioids are highly addictive, and their abuse has led to a nationwide epidemic of overdose deaths. In addition, they can cause respiratory depression, constipation, and mental confusion, among other adverse effects. These risks make opioids a dangerous choice for pain management.
On the other hand, cannabis has been shown to be a relatively safe alternative to opioids for pain management. Cannabis contains compounds called cannabinoids, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to modulate pain, inflammation, and other physiological processes. One of the most well-known cannabinoids is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. However, another cannabinoid called cannabidiol (CBD) does not produce a “high” and has been shown to have analgesic properties.
A systematic review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2015 found that cannabis was effective in treating chronic pain in adults. The review included 79 trials with 6,462 participants and concluded that cannabis was associated with statistically significant reductions in chronic pain. Moreover, the review found that cannabis was generally well-tolerated, with few serious adverse events. (Insert joke about the munchies!)
Another study published in the Journal of Pain in 2016 compared the use of opioids and cannabis for chronic pain management. The study found that cannabis was associated with lower opioid use and better quality of life outcomes, such as decreased anxiety and improved sleep. In addition, cannabis was associated with fewer side effects than opioids.
Furthermore, cannabis has a much lower risk of addiction compared to opioids. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, only 9% of cannabis users develop a dependence on the drug, compared to 32% of tobacco users, 15% of alcohol users, and 23% of heroin users. In addition, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2017 found that states with medical cannabis laws had a lower rate of opioid overdose deaths compared to states without such laws. And the best part is the cannabis is non-toxic – meaning it literally cannot kill a human being, no matter how much is ingested and no matter how much indoctrination the government & media force down our throats.
In conclusion, cannabis has been shown to be an objectively safer pain reliever than prescription drugs. While prescription drugs such as opioids carry a high risk of addiction and serious side effects, cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating chronic pain with few serious adverse events. Furthermore, cannabis has a much lower risk of addiction compared to opioids and has been associated with a lower rate of opioid overdose deaths in states with medical cannabis laws. And cannabis cannot kill a baby. Can alcohol or opioids say the same? As more research is conducted on cannabis, it is likely that we will discover even more potential benefits for pain management and other health conditions.
logical thinking in an illogical world 