Adults ” Plowpossessing and consuming marijuana for personal use.”
Since decriminalization September 2018There is growing interest in using natural products to treat pain. While the cultivation and sale of cannabis is still illegal in South Africa, licences can be obtained to grow it for the export market. According to Daily Maverick: reportwhich could potentially help “create jobs and boost economic prosperity.”
Cannabis or dagga as it is commonly known is a general term for a plant that contains the following: Over 100 compounds called cannabinoidsThe two best-known compounds found in the plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD has no psychoactive properties, THC It is the main psychoactive compound.
CBD is Wellness Shops and Retailers If the following criteria are met nationwide, 600 milligrams Per sales pack.
It is marketed as a natural remedy for pain, insomnia and anxiety. Classified as a homeopathic product, CBD is unregulated and is not currently controlled by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). This means Bad Suppliers They sell unsafe products because they don’t have to prove what’s in their products.
Doctor Michelle KingHe is a psychiatrist and current chairman of the Pain SAsays there has been a surge in the use of cannabis and CBD products to treat pain. 2022 Survey A study published in 2024 titled “Changes in Self-Reported Cannabis Use in the United States from 1979 to 2022” found that for the first time, Americans are more likely to regularly use cannabis than alcohol.
Sports enthusiasts and parents also use it as they believe it is a preferred natural alternative.
Read more from Daily Maverick: The Good Life: 80 Years of Research Explains What Makes You Happy and Healthy
Despite the growing hype, recent clinical trials have cast doubt on the effectiveness and safety of CBD and cannabis. Journal of Pain A study published in April 2024 found that CBD for pain is ineffective, expensive, and potentially harmful.
Cannabis and chronic pain
of International Association for the Study of Pain It concluded that there was insufficient evidence to recommend medical marijuana for pain relief.
Dr. Roland van RensburgThe clinical pharmacologist says the clinical trial evidence must be seen in context.
Because the cannabinoid content of plants varies widely, it is difficult to make strong recommendations about whether or not to use cannabis for pain relief, but we do know that cannabinoids can cause harm and this needs to be weighed against current findings.
Despite the most recent conclusion that there is not enough high-quality evidence to support it, this does not necessarily mean that it is ineffective.
To reach definitive conclusions, more robust studies are needed, ideally including the real-life experiences of individuals who use cannabinoids to treat pain.
Professor Sean Chetty He is Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care at Stellenbosch University and has a particular interest in pain management.
Despite the negative results of clinical trials of CBD, Professor Chetty believes that the dosages of CBD sold in stores and pharmacies are insufficient to have any significant therapeutic effect. Professor Chetty also says that if something works for you, you should keep using it as long as it’s not causing any harm.
Based on his understanding of the law, the dosages currently legally sold are probably insufficient to have a therapeutic effect.
Dr. King says treating chronic pain is complicated.
What works for one person may not be the best solution for another. Problems can also arise if patients purchase marijuana on the black market, which can be dangerous because customers don’t know what percentage of THC and chemicals are in the marijuana.
Placebo Effect in Treating Chronic Pain
Role of placebo Its importance in chronic pain management is huge and should not be underestimated.
Research suggests It is said that approximately 50-60% of a patient’s experience of pain treatment is determined by placebo.
A patient’s positive expectations usually improve their response to pain.Other factors that may cause a placebo response include the clinician’s attitude toward the treatment, the patient’s trust and relationship with the health professional, previous experience with pain treatment, the price of the drug (some people may actually believe that more expensive drugs are more effective than cheaper ones), and choosing a brand name rather than a generic.
How do CBD and placebos reduce pain?
Professor Chetty explains that an individual patient’s response to chronic pain treatment occurs on multiple levels.
CBD vs THC Activates the body’s natural cannabinoids Receptors that influence the experience of pain, reducing pain transmission and triggering a complex process that produces an analgesic effect. Placebos may also trigger similar processes that reduce pain.
Dr. King advises that people with chronic pain need to make an informed decision about the risks and benefits before deciding whether to opt for traditional or alternative treatments. DM
