Patients Say Cannabis Outperforms Traditional Pain Meds

Study Shows Cannabis More Effective for Musculoskeletal Pain Than Traditional Medications

A recent study reveals that over 20% of patients visiting orthopedic surgeons for chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain are using or have used cannabis to manage their pain. The study, published in the Journal of Cannabis Research, explores the effectiveness and use patterns of cannabis among these patients.

Effectiveness of Cannabis

The study found that nearly two-thirds of cannabis users felt it was very or somewhat effective for pain relief, with over 90% rating it as at least slightly effective. Additionally, 57% of patients reported that cannabis was more effective than other analgesic medications, and 40% reduced their use of other pain medications after starting cannabis.

Usage Patterns

Among those using cannabis, CBD was the most common cannabinoid (39%), followed by hybrid cannabinoids (20%). However, 23% were unaware of the specific composition of their cannabis. In contrast, 65% of non-users expressed interest in trying cannabis but cited barriers such as lack of knowledge and access.

Side Effects and Additional Benefits

Common side effects included dry mouth (43%), fatigue (23%), and lack of motivation (15%). Despite these, 39% reported no side effects. Users also noted improvements in symptoms beyond pain, such as sleep disturbances (44%), anxiety (26%), and headaches (18%).

The study underscores that a significant number of MSK pain patients find cannabis to be an effective alternative to traditional pain medications. Future research through double-blind, placebo-controlled trials is needed to further validate these findings.