EDUCATION + RESEARCH
MEDICAL MINUTE WITH NURSE JORDAN
In this column, our readers have the opportunity to ask our staff nurse anything they want to know about using cannabis plant medicine. She will provide quick and concise answers to big questions. In this issue, we dive into pain of all kinds and why people are turning to cannabis as an alternative treatment or in conjunction with their current therapy.
Pain is often broken down into two categories, acute and chronic. Acute pain tends to last a short period of time, up to 3 months, and is sharp and severe. Whereas chronic pain can last forever and can be an intense hurt or a constant dull ache. According to a study1 done in early 2019, chronic pain is currently and historically the most common qualifying condition reported by medical cannabis patients.
Currently there are 50 million2 Americans suffering for various reasons. Many suffer in silence, taking countless pharmaceuticals only to feel new compounding symptoms from the use of too many OTC (over-thecounter) or prescription pills. Read on as we explore some commonly asked questions about making the switch to using cannabis for various types of pain.
INHALED CANNABIS REDUCES SELF-REPORTED HEADACHE SEVERITY BY 47.3% AND MIGRAINE SEVERITY BY 49.6%
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON REASONS PEOPLE USE CANNABIS FOR PAIN? Pain can come from a variety of things including the common headache. A recent study released in November 2019 by Washington State University showed, “inhaled cannabis reduces self-reported headache severity by 47.3% and migraine severity by 49.6%.�3 This is fantastic news for chronic migraine and headache sufferers. Another common cause of pain is neuropathy, and science is showing great use for cannabis with this type of pain as well. A 2018 study4 by the University of California showed that using cannabis via vaporization or oral delivery was an 8
effective treatment for pain caused by neuropathy. Another common reason for using cannabis is the daily pain caused by arthritis. One in four adults report they experience pain from arthritis.5 The question of whether or not cannabis is effective for arthritis pain is so common, the organization that represents the voice and needs of those suffering, The Arthritis Foundation, now has a dedicated tab6 on their website offering guidance.
