Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a natural plant that has been associated with psychoactive properties. Cannabinoids are the components derived from the cannabis plant (Pertwee, 2014). The two main cannabinoids of interest to the medical field are Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Niesink and van Laar (2013) suggest that in the last few years studies on CBD have indicated a protective effect against specific adverse psychological effects. The recent waves of cannabis legalization for medicinal purposes in 23 states and the District of Columbia raises the need to comprehensively understand the potential benefits and adversities associated with cannabis as a therapy for pain (Hill, 2015). This manuscript will incorporate findings from different studies, which depict the merits and demerits of marijuana therapy to patients.
Andreae et al. (2015) studied the effects of cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain. They conducted a metanalysis from some of the major databases such as Cochrane and PubMed. The findings reported that 95% of the patients demonstrated positive outcomes concerning pain relief. However, the study exposed withdrawal as a severe adverse effect due to chronic use of marijuana. The symptoms noted included anxiety, disorientation, headache, dry eyes, dizziness, and numbness. Despite there being a few limitations, the study manages to report adherence as a potential benefit to marijuana with a 95% adherence rating. However, the significant adversity with the use of cannabis is withdrawal, which has severe repercussions on the patient as stated earlier.
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Additionally, Gage, Hickman, & Zammit (2016) studied the association between cannabis and psychosis. They reviewed shreds of evidence from several longitudinal studies. They find out that increased use of marijuana predisposed an individual to psychotic disorders. They, however, stated a limitation in that the studies they used did not accommodate for the different strains of marijuana. Andrade (2016) mirrors Gage, Hickman, & Zammit’s research since he found out that psychosis cases occurred around 2 to 3 years earlier in patients who used cannabis. Andrade (2016) also found out that marijuana had a direct relationship with psychosis development; in that, higher cannabis levels are associated with increased risk of psychosis.
Lastly, Hill (2015) conducted a clinical review of medical marijuana treatment as a therapy for chronic pain. He utilized literature from the MEDLINE database and identified 28 randomized clinical trials of CBDs as pharmacotherapy indicators. Hill found out that marijuana demonstrated positive results as far as the treatment of chronic, neuropathic and spasticity pains was concerned. He however identified effects such as impaired short-term memory, motor coordination and judgment resulting from marijuana use. Paranoid ideation was considered rare but may occur in patients receiving high doses of marijuana.
In conclusion, marijuana is used to treat chronic pain especially in patients diagnosed with chronic conditions. The studies reviewed suggest significant adherence to cannabis therapy as a pain reliever. For instance, a study reported up to 95% adherence, portraying the potential benefits marijuana has on the patient. However, the articles associated cannabis use with psychotic disorders. This can be considered the major limitation that cannabis has on the patient. Marijuana is a psychoactive plant with psychoactive derivatives, neurological side effects are expected. In-depth RCT trials are however recommended due to the mysterious nature of marijuana and the recent legalization of the drug in some states. The turn to be taken; be it calamitous or beneficial, will solely depend on the understanding people will have on cannabis as a pain treatment therapy.
References
Andrade, C. (2016). Cannabis and Neuropsychiatry, 2: The Longitudinal Risk of Psychosis as an Adverse Outcome. The Journal of clinical psychiatry , 77 (6), e739-42.
Andreae, M. H., Carter, G. M., Shaparin, N., Suslov, K., Ellis, R. J., Ware, M. A., ... & Johnson, M. (2015). Inhaled cannabis for chronic neuropathic pain: a meta-analysis of individual patient data. The Journal of Pain , 16 (12), 1221-1232.
Gage, S. H., Hickman, M., & Zammit, S. (2016). Association between cannabis and psychosis: epidemiologic evidence. Biological psychiatry , 79 (7), 549-556.
Hill, K. P. (2015). Medical marijuana for treatment of chronic pain and other medical and psychiatric problems: a clinical review. Jama , 313 (24), 2474-2483.
Niesink, R. J., & van Laar, M. W. (2013). Does cannabidiol protect against adverse psychological effects of THC?. Frontiers in psychiatry , 4 , 130.
Pertwee, R. G. (Ed.). (2014). Handbook of cannabis . Oxford University Press, USA.
