In the middle of the epidemic of opioids, where overdose deaths of opioids continue to increase, an interesting trend has emerged. States that legalized cannabis have found a drop in emergency visits linked to opioids and prescriptions. This raises the question: the cannabis Could it offer prospects for pain management and reduce the need for opioid pain relievers?
Paracetamol allows you to calm your ills: reality or placebo effect?
His "magic" powers will remove the abrupt concert of percussion concert that resonates in your head with a snap.
All apologies are good for swallowing this thick pearly white tablet at once!
Is there risks, overconsomer paracetamol?💊
Very (too much?) Frequently prescribed, paracetamol occupies a place of choice in the therapeutic arsenal. In medicine, "classic" pain treatments are divided into 3 levels. Like a staircase, you go up floor upstairs until the pain stops (the 3rd floor corresponds to the derivatives of morphine - #Bazooka). At the first level, we find our beloved paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs.
How does it work?
Well, uh, how to say ... we have been using it for almost a century, but we do not yet have all the elements to explain its properties in detail. It seems that paracetamol acts within the central nervous system by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins.
This molecule is involved in the transmission of pain and inflammatory mechanisms. This gives rise to two main effects: an antipyretic effect (antipyretic) and an analgesic effect (pain reliever).
Is there a risk?
"I read in the brochure that even pregnant women can take paracetamol in case of pain. So, that's sure, right?"
Although paracetamol has excellent tolerance compared to other drugs, it is still likely to cause effects unwanted, sometimes serious, when taken in excess. Degraded by enzymes, a sort of "molecular scissors", paracetamol turns into a product toxic (Napqi) when it goes through the liver.
In normal circumstances, the latter is eliminated by the organization without presenting danger. However, if we take too much (estimated to 8 to 10 grams, or an entire box of Doliprano), the body can no longer follow. Toxic products accumulate and cause The death of liver cells. This can have very serious consequences and sometimes requires liver transplantation.
⚠️ Thus, it is easier to understand the limit of 4G per day imposed in the brochure and the minimum period of 4 hours between 2 sockets (time to eliminate the toxic product).
The high consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other over-the-counter pain relievers is associated with a Increased risk of kidney disease (ibuprofen) and Gastric problems (acetylsalicylic acid). Even pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, if they are used excessively and in combination with alcohol, can cause liver problems.
Given all of this (combined with the devastation that pharmaceutical companies have left with their aggressive opioid marketing),
One wonders why no one jumped on the original discovery of cannflavin by Marilyn Barrett in the 1980s.
Flavonoids are compounds produced by many plants that influence among others on the color of flowers. Advantageous for the plant (attract a pollinator, inhibit the growth of mold, etc.)
In the 1980s, Dr. Marilyn Barrett identified two flavonoids in the CBD cannabis who were previously unknown. She named them "Cannflavin»A and B.
In 2013, Mahmoud Elsohly and his colleagues at the University of Mississippi identified a third, Cannflavin C.
THE cannflavines are currently being studied for their activity anti-inflammatory,
Barrett's team had discovered that Cannflavin was 30 times more powerful than aspirin in the cell culture test,
This discovery was taken up in the test of synovial cells, in which cannabinoids stimulated the production of PGE2 and Cannflavin had an inhibitory effect.
The operating principle of the endocannabinoid system is to maintain thehomeostasis. CBD reduces pain activators by promoting homeostasis, which reduces the release of inflammatory substance.
How opioids work
Our body has an integrated opioid system that helps manage pain. Opioids, such as endorphins, are chemicals released in response to stress or pleasant activities. Morphine, a natural opioid derived from opium poppy, was discovered as very effective in relieving pain in the 19th century. Since then, synthetic opioids such as hydrocodone and oxycodone have been developed for pain relief.
Opioids act by linking specific receptors in the body, in particular the receiver mu-opiole Present on nerve cells transmitting pain along the spinal cord. The activation of these receptors reduces the capacity of cells to transmit painful information to the brain. Opioids are also linked to receptors present in the brain, which leads to the release of dopamine, the so-called "well-being" chemical, which contributes to their addictive potential.
However, prolonged use of opioids leads to a tolerance, where the body adapts by deactivating the receptors. This requires higher doses opioids to obtain pain relief and the desired effect, thus increasing the risk of overdose.
Medical cannabis to reduce opioids
Of the studies Show that medical cannabis can be used to relieve chronic pain and replace opioids, which can reduce the risk of overdose and illicit drug consumption. In this study, the researchers analyzed the data of 8,000 participants to assess the effect of the consumption of medical cannabis on the consumption of opioids.
The results have shown that patients who consumed medical cannabis for a longer period reduced their consumption of opioids on average by 48 %, while those who consumed medical cannabis for a shorter period reduced their consumption of opioids only 4 %.
Researchers have concluded that medical cannabis could indeed replace opioids in the treatment of chronic pain. Some patients have even reduced their opioid consumption by 50 % after 8 months of medical cannabis consumption.
Powerful pain relievers (opiates) are known to create an addiction, with considerable risks for health. Two recent studies suggest that its use can be associated with overweight and obesity.
THE opioids are powerful analgesics derived from opium: morphine, codeine, oxycodone, tramadol, fenanyl ... They can only be bought on prescription.
Initially, these drugs were indicated for intense pain, but were gradually prescribed for moderate pain. Beyond the side effects of these drugs (constipation, nausea, drowsiness ...), one of the main problems is dependence and the risk of overdose (volunteers or accidental), which can lead to coma and death.
There CDB becomes very popular because of its properties analgesic And anti-inflammatory. It is able to relieve certain chronic neuropathological or muscular pain. It can very well replace aspirin or paracetamol. In addition, be aware that this product is able to relieve certain health problems, such as migraine, THE diabetes, liver problems, cardiovascular disorders. It is also in great demand by athletes, because it helps them to recover well after an intense physical effort.
In short, taking Cannabidiol, a product to the many benefits for health, is legal In the treatment of mental disorders, insomnia and pain. Consumption mode (inhalation, herbal tea, CBD oil...) Varies depending on your goal. Know that it is now possible to order CBD online or specialized store.
The exploration of the combination of cannabinoids and opioids
Researchers are currently studying the potential to combine THC and CBD with existing opioids for pain management. Of the studies On animal models and humans aim to understand the advantages, such as a relief of increased pain, as well as the risks, mainly the potential for addiction and overdose. The preliminary results suggest that the combination of cannabinoids and opioids could reduce the dose of opioids necessary for effective pain relief, which could potentially reduce the risk of dependence and overdose.
However, it is important to note that research on the combined use of cannabinoids and opioids in pain management is still in its infancy. The studies are limited and the results are variable. In addition, there are concerns about the interaction between the two substances, in particular with regard to undesirable side effects and the increase in the risk of sedation and respiratory depression.
Despite these limits, many patients indicate effective pain relief when they use cannabinoids and opioids, which justifies the pursuit of research in this area.
An interesting study reveals that patients prefer CBD to drugs
It is not a secret for anyone that products from the pharmaceutical industry kill a large number of people around the world each year.
In fact, theWorld Health Organization Considers that in 2017 only, more than 115,000 people died of an overdose of opioids.
This does not mean that all pharmaceutical drugs are harmful in all cases for each patient. Honestly, some prescription drugs help some people.
However, pharmaceutical companies and the rest of the medical industry greatly encourage the use of pharmaceutical products, which leads to a lot of suffering and misfortune.
At the same time, the much safer cannabis plant remains prohibited in most regions of the world.
Patients who replace pharmaceutical products with cannabis
A team of Dutch researchers recently carried out a study with more than 2,800 patients with medical cannabis on the European continent.
The objective of the study was to assess the frequency to which patients replace medical cannabis with prescription drugs.
According to the survey, 56% of participants said they had replaced pharmaceutical drugs with medical cannabis.
The most common types of prescriptions that replaced medical cannabis were opioids, antidepressants and arthritis drugs.
Safer medicine
As researchers' conclusions show, cannabis is a better medication than pharmaceutical products, if only because it does not have as many side effects.
Side effects in drugs can go from rational to death, and there are many other side effects.
On the other hand, cannabinoids have never, in the history of humanity, led to the death of a person. According to all the indications, it is a safe and effective drug. As always, tell your doctor to find out if cannabis is right for you.
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Conclusion
Overall, cannabis has an interesting potential as an alternative to opioid pain relievers for pain management. Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, have shown promising results in pain relief and can also have beneficial effects on other medical conditions.
