By Miguel Ordoñez Reviewed by: Carles Doménech

These days, cannabis has many applications. Apart from its usual recreational purposes, the magic herb is beginning to gain scientific credit for its potential health and wellness-promoting attributes. Just by looking at published research over the last few decades, you’ll find quite a lot of literature on it.

For this article, we’ll talk about how cannabis could be effective for pain relief after major surgery. Is it a better alternative to over-the-counter medication? Or are we better off with opioids and other pharmaceutical drugs?


We’ll delve into this topic by going through what the scientific research says, as well as the other options people opt for. If you’re considering CBD or THC to alleviate your post-op pain, this piece should begin to answer your questions.

Current Treatments for Post-Surgery Pain

Not all surgeries are a smooth process. Some procedures are a bit aggressive, but you end up doing fine afterward; other surgeries will leave you aching like you just went through a six-round boxing match.

Before cannabis legalization, doctors were inclined to prescribe several options for pain relief; some of them drug-induced, others not.

The type of treatment one undergoes depends on the type of surgery, as well as one's pain tolerance. Most of these forms of treatment are generally safe, but all drug-based treatments can have side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting.

  • Local Anesthetics

Anaesthetics numb a particular portion of the body for a short period of time. Some of them can be administered by subcutaneous injection, while others come in the form of a topical medication like drops or creams.

In some cases, nerve blocks are offered to patients who find their pain to be unbearable. Similar to most anesthetics, a nerve block desensitises the particular region of the body from which the pain radiates. It is usually administered through a catheter.

What’s great about nerve blocks is that they lessen the amount of opioid medication administered. That means fewer, less intense episodes of nausea, drowsiness, and other side effects.

  • Regional Anaesthetics

In some cases, nerve blocks are offered to patients who find their pain to be unbearable. Similar to most anaesthetics, a nerve block desensitises the particular region of the body from which the pain radiates. It is usually administered through an injection.

What’s great about nerve blocks is that they lessen the amount of opioid medication administered. That means fewer, less intense episodes of nausea, drowsiness, and other side effects.

Local Anesthetics
  • Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

You’ve likely taken some ibuprofen for a really bad toothache or some aspirin to rid yourself of a migraine.

All of these are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (otherwise known as NSAIDs), and, as the name suggests, are used primarily to reduce inflammation. You can purchase them even without a prescription.

The main advantage of taking NSAIDs is that they do not cause any cognitive impairment. But there are possible side effects, such as increased blood pressure and digestive issues, to consider. They can also pose a problem for those suffering from asthma, stomach ulcers, or those taking blood thinners.

Even with the accessibility of NSAIDs, it would still be best to consult a professional before using them.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

  • Relaxation Techniques

For those who aren’t a fan of loading their bodies with drugs, there are relaxation techniques to help alleviate post-surgery pain.

One good example is guided imagery, wherein you draw up a calm, soothing image in your mind. The purpose of this technique is to provide you with a pleasant distraction from the pain, therefore reducing its intensity.

Non-drug remedies, like cold or heat therapy, also work to reduce the swelling and make the pain more manageable.

Relaxation Techniques
  • Non-Opioid Analgesics

If you’re dealing with mild to moderate pain that you no longer want to feel, analgesics are the way to go. They are often effective on their own and lessen the need to take other medications, thus reducing the potential for side effects.

Like NSAIDs, most analgesics are safe for consumption. You can purchase them from your local drug shop without the need for a prescription.

One thing you will have to watch out for, however, is possible liver or kidney damage if you go over the prescribed dosage.

Non-Opioid Analgesics

Opioids for Post-Surgery Pain Relief

Certain opioids are commonly used to relieve post-surgery pain. Those experiencing intense pain are usually prescribed these medications.

Upon taking these drugs, they bind to opioid receptors mainly situated in the brain and spinal cord. Signals are then sent through the entire body, telling it that it’s not in pain. The biggest advantage of taking opioids for pain relief is that the effects are almost immediate. Agony is replaced by a distinct and sometimes moderately euphoric feeling. But like any other synthetic and semi-synthetic drugs, the drawbacks can be punishing, especially when abused.

  • Physical Side Effects of Opioids

Besides pain relief, opioid users are prone to experiencing physical side effects. Some people experience drowsiness, while others go through bouts of constipation. Some may brush these side effects off as a normal occurrence, but experiencing such symptoms first-hand is not a comfortable situation, especially after a surgery.

Physical Side Effects of Opioids

  • Tolerance and Withdrawal

The more frequently you take opioids, the easier it is for your body to build a high tolerance to them. So, what do you do? You increase your dosage to feel the same effects.

The withdrawal symptoms that occur after suddenly stopping opioid intake aren’t at all fun. They involve muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramps, to name but a few.

If you decided to abruptly quit the opioid treatment, you’re in an ugly irony wherein the drugs that are supposed to provide relief actually cause you these excruciatingly uncomfortable moments.

  • Mental and Behavioural Changes

Prolonged opioid use will lead to the body’s dependence on these drugs. The brain stops its production of certain hormones and neurotransmitters, and instead relies on the opioids to do the work.

The result? The brain also begins to respond to the environment differently. Certain cues and triggers may remind the person about the drug, which ultimately builds up an unwanted craving.

That dependence also tends to lead to desperate acts just to get the fix. It could be stealing money from family members or other crooked acts. Luckily, that is not a common occurrence among opioid users when they are perceived by patients as a medication and not as a recreational drug.

What Does Research Say About Cannabis for Pain?

Now, let’s get into the meat of the matter. How exactly does science view medical cannabis for post-surgery pain?

As it is with other findings on cannabis, experts have found some positives and some negatives.

  • Medical Cannabis for Pain Control

In one study conducted in 2008, researchers found a connection between cannabis and pain control.[1] The link? Our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).

See, when THC or CBD enter the body, they interface with cannabinoid receptors within the ECS. The activation of these receptors theoretically could have the potential to produce analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that relieve pain and reduce hyperalgesia (abnormally heightened pain sensitivity). Those who suffer from fibromyalgia and migraine are all too familiar with it.

That’s not all. THC can also modulate both dopamine and serotonin levels, which could also help in pain reduction.

Ongoing studies are also testing CBD[2] (a non-psychotropic cannabinoid) in cell and animal models of inflammation to see if it has a future role to play in this area.

Medical Cannabis for Pain Control

  • Medical Cannabis to Lower Painkiller Use?

The side effects of opioids aren’t the only issue. Another major issue is the accessibility to such drugs, and the ease with which they can be misused and abused.

However, recent studies[3] show how medical cannabis could potentially lower the likelihood of opioid use. One study observed that 82% of 1,000 respondents taking cannabis to manage pain were able to either reduce or completely stop taking over-the-counter pain medication. Another 88% were able to quit opioid painkillers completely.

In some cases, people resort to medical cannabis to avoid the eventual unpleasant side effects brought on by certain medications. But ultimately, and depending on the case, controlled use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes could allow patients to experience relief with less, or even without, opioids. Therefore, the chances of developing a tolerance to and dependence on opioid drugs are significantly lessened.

  • Medical Cannabis as a Possible Gateway to Opioid Use

On the flip side, the negatives of medical cannabis use also need to be taken into account. As this 2016 retroactive pilot study[4] shows, chronic marijuana consumption may lead to eventual opioid use.

The study involved motor vehicle crash patients in Colorado and Texas hospitals, and ultimately concluded that chronic cannabis use possibly affects the pain response by requiring higher doses of analgesic opioids to achieve relief.

However, it is worth noting that these findings were specifically seen in chronic users. Episodic users showed no differences in their desire to use opioids.

Opioids vs Cannabis for Post-Surgery Pain Relief

On paper, there is a compelling argument behind medical cannabis for post-surgery pain relief. But, if you look at it side-by-side with opioids, things become a bit more complex.

  • Addiction Tendencies

Opioids and marijuana have a high likelihood of excessive use. Despite being a bit different, both induce a euphoric sensation, which makes them susceptible to addiction and chronic consumption. However, withdrawal symptoms from opioids are definitely much more unpleasant.

On the other hand, cannabis could be seen as an alternative for opioid use in some patients. Most notably, its side effects are less disturbing, and the threat of lethal overdose is basically non-existent.

  • Accessibility

Here’s where opioids have a bit of an upper hand. Regardless of where you are in the world, these drugs are available for purchase as long as you have a doctor’s prescription.

That isn’t the same case with cannabis, which is still considered a “dangerous” substance in many countries, and warrants hefty punishments for possession, growing, and sale. It also remains a Schedule I drug in the United States, alongside ecstasy, heroin, and LSD. Simply put, the government has deemed these substances to have “no accepted medical use” and a “high potential for abuse”.

Opioids vs Cannabis for Post-Surgery Pain Relief

  • The Process of Pain Relief

There is a difference in how cannabis and opioids provide pain relief. If you remember reading about it in an earlier section of the article, opioids interfere with nociceptive neurons, resulting in the feeling that the body isn’t hurt. This happens immediately after the drugs bind to the distinct opioid receptors.

The process with cannabis is slightly different. Here, CB2 receptors appear to be implicated. The activation of these sites could reduce the sensation of pain via other not well-understood mechanisms, though potentially less effectively than opioids.

Should You Use Cannabis for Post-Surgery Pain Relief?

There are at least two schools of thought in this discussion. One group of people will prefer cannabis because, unlike opioids, its side effects are generally much less severe. On the other hand, another group would go for opioids because of its accessibility and the legal issues surrounding marijuana.

Cannabis does have therapeutic promise, but it can also present some complications, depending on what type of surgery you had. Smoking, for instance, is definitely a no-no if the procedure relates to anything with the respiratory system.

More research is needed in regard to using cannabis to reduce post-surgery pain, but current findings appear promising. Moreover, the herb appears relatively safe to use before and after surgery. However, more studies should be conducted in this regard.

To be on the safe side, it would be wise to consult your doctor before taking cannabis post-surgery.

Medical DisclaimerInformation listed, referenced or linked to on this website is for general educational purposes only and does not provide professional medical or legal advice.

This content is for informative purposes only. The data are extracted and gathered from external sources. Royal Queen Seeds and associated personnel are not responsible for the use or interpretation of the provided information.

External Resources:
  1. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Could marijuana be an effective pain alternative to prescription medications? -- ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com
  4. The grass is not always greener: a multi-institutional pilot study of marijuana use and acute pain management following traumatic injury - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: