Is Cannabis an Effective Painkiller After Major Surgery?

These days, cannabis has many applications. Apart from its usual recreational purposes, the magic herb has been credited anecdotally and scientifically for its potential health and wellness-promoting attributes. Just by looking at published research over the last few decades, you’ll find 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 rough, 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, and still today, doctors were inclined to prescribe more traditional 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, save from some side effects like nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting.

• Local Anesthetics

Anesthetics numb a particular portion of the body for a short period of time. Some of them can be taken orally, while others come in the form of a topical medication.

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.

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

You’ve likely taken some ibuprofen for a really bad toothache or some celecoxib 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 impairment. But there are possible side effects like dizziness and stomach issues to consider. They can also pose a problem for those suffering from 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.

• 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.

Homeopathic remedies like cold or heat therapy also work to reduce the swelling and make the pain more manageable. As for which one to go with, it will depend on the advice of your doctor or practitioner.

• 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 store without the need for a prescription.

One thing you will have to watch out for, however, is possible liver damage if you go over the prescribed dosage. If you’re already dealing with pre-existing liver problems, you will need to consult a doctor beforehand.

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 with opioid receptors 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 immediate. Agony is replaced by a distinct euphoric feeling.

But, like any other synthetic drug, the drawbacks are punishing, especially when abused.

• Physical Side Effects of Opioids

The first few tell-tale signs of opioid dependence are the physical side effects. A few people experience drowsiness, while others go through bouts of constipation.

Some may brush them off as a normal occurrence, but experiencing these symptoms first-hand will tell you that something is not right with your body.

• 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 unhealthy levels to feel something.

The withdrawal symptoms after you quit aren’t at all fun. They involve muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramps, just to name a few.

Now you’re in an ugly irony wherein the drugs that are supposed to provide you relief are actually causing 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 neurochemicals, 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.

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^[1], researchers found a connection between cannabis and pain control. The link? Our body’s endocannabinoid system.

See, when THC enters the body, it binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors within the ECS. The activation of these receptors has the potential to produce 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.

CBD, a non-psychotropic compound, also displays efficacy as a potential anti-inflammatory^[2] compound through its indirect action on the ECS. The full scope of CBD's analgesic potential is up for debate, but it hints at the possible effectiveness of full-spectrum cannabis therapeutics.

• Medical Cannabis to Lower Painkiller Use?

The opioids themselves 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 unpleasant side effects brought on by certain medications. But, ultimately, controlled use of marijuana for therapeutic purposes allows patients to experience relief without opioids. Therefore, the chances of developing a tolerance and dependence 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. Both bring a euphoric sensation to users, which makes them susceptible to addiction and chronic consumption. However, withdrawal symptoms from opioids tend to be much more unpleasant.

On the other hand, cannabis could be seen as a good alternative for opioid use if taken correctly. Most notably, it has no disturbing side effects and won't cause a lethal overdose.

• 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”.

• 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 trick the brain into feeling that the body isn’t in pain. This happens immediately after the drugs bind with the brain’s opioid receptors.

The process with cannabis is slightly different. Instead, it strengthens the body’s ability to reduce the sensation of pain, making it more natural, but potentially less effective.

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 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 regards to using cannabis to reduce post-surgery pain, but current findings are indeed promising. Moreover, the herb is relatively safe to use before and after surgery.

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

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