Chronic pain affects millions worldwide, and effective management is crucial for improving quality of life. Opioids, once seen as the gold standard for pain relief, have been a primary option for years. However, with the rise of the opioid crisis, cannabis is emerging as a safer alternative for pain management. Let’s explore why.
Benefits of Cannabis Over Opioids
Cannabis offers pain relief with fewer harmful side effects compared to opioids. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with the body's endocannabinoid system, helping to reduce pain, inflammation, and discomfort. Unlike opioids, which can cause respiratory depression, cannabis doesn’t carry the same risk of fatal overdose.
Further, cannabis can be used long-term without the severe dependency issues associated with opioids, making it a better option for chronic pain sufferers who need ongoing treatment.
The Dangers of Opioids
Opioids are highly effective for acute pain but come with significant risks. These drugs work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain to block pain signals. Unfortunately, this same action triggers the brain’s reward system, creating feelings of euphoria that can lead to misuse. Prolonged opioid use increases tolerance, leading to higher doses and a higher risk of addiction. Opioid addiction is life-threatening, as these drugs can slow down breathing, leading to fatal overdoses.
The CDC reports that from 1999 to 2021, over 1 million people have died from drug overdoses in the U.S., with nearly 75% of those deaths involving opioids. This alarming statistic highlights the dangerous potential of opioid addiction.
Scientific Data on Addiction Risks
Multiple studies indicate that cannabis is far less addictive than opioids. According to the American Medical Association, up to 19% of people who take prescription pain medications develop an addiction to them. On the other hand, research suggests that cannabis has a much lower potential for addiction and none of the fatal side effects.
In terms of overdose, opioid overdoses are fatal due to their ability to suppress the body’s respiratory function, which cannabis doesn’t do. A study published in JAMA Psychiatry showed that opioid overdoses have risen drastically in the last decade, while there are no recorded cases of fatal cannabis overdoses.
Based off statistical evidence of opioid addiction, prescription overdose and rising death rates caused by these harmful medications, it raises questions as to why isn't the medical industry putting more time and resources into studying the effects of cannabis as an alternative to opioids. One of the few studies that have been conducted as seen below provides a comparison between the effects of cannabis and opioids when treating pain:
"In a subsequent study the same researchers compared the effects of a single potent dose of THC with that of a relatively weak narcotic pain reliever, codeine. They found that 10 milligrams of THC gave the same pain relief as a 60-milligram (moderately strong) dose of codeine and that 20 milligrams of THC worked as well as 120 milligrams of codeine. The two drugs produced similar side effects, but THC appeared to be more sedating than codeine. On the other hand, patients tended to have a greater sense of well-being and less anxiety after taking THC than they did under the influence of codeine. (National Library of Medicine, Marijuana as Medicine? The Science Beyond the Controversy)."
While there are studies being done, it does not appear to be a hard push to solve one of the most urgent societal issues in America today.
Conclusion
While both opioids and cannabis have pain-relieving properties, cannabis offers a safer, less addictive alternative with fewer life-threatening side effects. Given the dangers of opioid addiction and overdose, it’s clear that cannabis deserves more consideration as a viable pain management option for those seeking long-term relief without the risks.
