It's Official: Study Finds Mary Jane Eases Pain

[Jim Finnel]

Yeah, we know. You stoners have already done the research and, yeah, Mary Jane, she take away all the pain man. But new research gives renewed scientific validity to the use of cannabis to treat pain.

A Canadian study found that patients who were given high-potency pot reported less pain than those who were given weaker samples or placebos that contained no THC, according to HealthDay (via Business Week). New fodder for medical-marijuana dispensary and Prop. 19 supporters?

The research, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that marijuana "reduced pain in patients with nerve pain stemming from injuries or surgical complications," according to HealthDay.

Researchers tested 21 people with chronic nerve pain. Those with the potent stuff reported that the weed cut their pain in half and then some.

"Patients have repeatedly made claims that smoked cannabis helps to treat pain, but the issue for me had always been the lack of clinical research to support that claim," said Dr. Mark Ware, director of clinical research at the Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit of the McGill University Health Centre in Montreal. The study proved that "the pain reductions were modest, but significant."

NewsHawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: laweekly.com
Author: Dennis Romero
Copyright: 2010 LA Weekly, LP
Contact: Los Angeles News, Events, Restaurants, Music LA Weekly
Website: It's Official: Study Finds Mary Jane Eases Pain - Los Angeles News - The Informer

 

[MedicalNeed]

Smoked cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain: a randomized controlled trial
Mark A. Ware 1, Tongtong Wang 2, Stan Shapiro 2, Ann Robinson 3, Thierry Ducruet 3, Thao Huynh 4, Ann Gamsa 5, Gary J. Bennett 5, Jean-Paul Collet 6

1 The Department of Anesthesia, the Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
2 The Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
3 Boreal Primum, Montréal, Que.
4 The Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
5 The Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montréal, Que.
6 The Centre for Applied Health Research and Evaluation, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC



Abstract

Background: Chronic neuropathic pain affects 1%—2% of the adult population and is often refractory to standard pharmacologic treatment. Patients with chronic pain have reported using smoked cannabis to relieve pain, improve sleep and improve mood.

Methods: Adults with post-traumatic or postsurgical neuropathic pain were randomly assigned to receive cannabis at four potencies (0%, 2.5%, 6% and 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol) over four 14-day periods in a crossover trial. Participants inhaled a single 25-mg dose through a pipe three times daily for the first five days in each cycle, followed by a nine-day washout period. Daily average pain intensity was measured using an 11-point numeric rating scale. We recorded effects on mood, sleep and quality of life, as well as adverse events.

Results: We recruited 23 participants (mean age 45.4 [standard deviation 12.3] years, 12 women [52%]), of whom 21 completed the trial. The average daily pain intensity, measured on the 11-point numeric rating scale, was lower on the prespecified primary contrast of 9.4% v. 0% tetrahydrocannabinol (5.4 v. 6.1, respectively; difference = 0.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.02—1.4). Preparations with intermediate potency yielded intermediate but nonsignificant degrees of relief. Participants receiving 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol reported improved ability to fall asleep (easier, p = 0.001; faster, p < 0.001; more drowsy, p = 0.003) and improved quality of sleep (less wakefulness, p = 0.01) relative to 0% tetrahydrocannabinol. We found no differences in mood or quality of life. The most common drug-related adverse events during the period when participants received 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol were headache, dry eyes, burning sensation in areas of neuropathic pain, dizziness, numbness and cough.

Conclusion:: A single inhalation of 25 mg of 9.4% tetrahydrocannabinol herbal cannabis three times daily for five days reduced the intensity of pain, improved sleep and was well tolerated. Further long-term safety and efficacy studies are indicated. (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Register no. ISRCTN68314063)


NewsHawk: MedicalNeed: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal - August 31, 2010
Contact: Canadian Medical Association Journal - August 31, 2010
Copyright: 1995-2010, Canadian Medical Association.
Website:Smoked cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain: a randomized controlled trial -- Ware et al., 10.1503/cmaj.091414 -- Canadian Medical Association Journal

 

[free2blaze]

this was reported on the local cbs news station here where I live, it surprised me to see them report benefits of medical marijuana.

 

[MedicalNeed]

The wind has changed and will continue to do so.

Is My Medicine Legal Yet!?