Too much cannabis 'worsens pain'

[Lunar Loops]

This from the BBC News website:

Too much cannabis 'worsens pain'

Smoking large amounts of cannabis for therapeutic reasons may increase rather than reduce pain, a US study suggests.
The pain-relieving qualities of cannabis have long been hailed, and several countries have made it available for medicinal purposes.
But quantity is key, according to the study in the journal Anesthesiology.
University of California researchers found moderate use had the greatest impact on pain in 15 volunteers, while large doses actually made pain worse.
The team recruited 15 healthy volunteers, in whom pain was induced by injecting capsaicin - the "hot" chemical found in chilli peppers - under their skin.
They were then given cannabis to smoke. The strength of the dose was determined by the tetrahydrocannabinol content, which is the main active chemical in cannabis.
Some of the volunteers were given a placebo.
High, but in pain
Five minutes after smoking the drug, none of the doses had any effect on the pain felt.
But 45 minutes later, those who had smoked the moderate dose said their pain was much better, while those who consumed high doses said it had got worse.
They did, however, feel "higher" than counterparts who had taken moderate doses.
Dr Mark Wallace, the lead researcher, said the findings could have implications for the way medicinal cannabis was offered, both in pure and drug form.
Some experts are concerned that results on healthy volunteers could not be translated into how cannabis works in the bodies of those with cancer or multiple sclerosis, for whom the drug is increasingly seen as a potential form of pain relief.
Dr Laura Bell, of the MS Society, said: "Many people with MS report benefits to symptoms such as pain from taking cannabis, however studies to date on the effects of cannabis on pain are small and difficult to draw firm conclusions from. "We would be interested to see the results from larger scale studies focused on people with MS."

[MrG]

Hmmm, a US study of 15 volunteers. Hardly extensive research now is it?

If any other medical group were to publish a study on such a small subject base they would have their ass handed to them on a plate for making spurious claims.

[Nature Boy]

Not exactly a conclusive study. Capsaicin does not replicate deep muscular pain so I guess this trial only shows that you shouldn't get too high if you intend to rub chilli peppers under your skin. Useless really.

[Lunar Loops]

No, but they have to keep rattling the cage don't you know. Any negative propoganda, no matter how spurious, is good for their crusade......not even sure this negative really (more a non-event of a study).

[podge]

Originally Posted by shroomonger

They did, however, feel "higher" than counterparts who had taken moderate doses.

WOW !!! Thankfully we have trained professionals to look into such matters for us . Who would have guessed smoking more cannabis would get someone more stoned.....

[Revancheshepherd]

SWIM hates smoking marijuana for pain, because:

Time seems to go by longer...

Pain hurts more...

Maybe its just SWIM?

[Lethargy]

What I'd like to see:

Cannabis as pain relief in those with meditation or other "mind over body" training vs. the "average joe" without such training.

SWIM has had such experiences as altering actually watermelon flavored candies into what tasted like chocolate flavored candies whilst intoxicated on cannabis. He has also made applesauce taste like chocolate without cannabis but it took more mental focus.

Alas such research seems far far away...

[snapper]

Who the hell cares what healthy volunteers think. If someone has chronic pain and it helps improve their quality of life, let them smoke what they need and figure it out. Cannabis is essentially harmless otherwise and if this study is valid (ahem.), those who overindulge would be punishing themselves ... what's the problem?

[FuBai]

Such a small scale report only highlights an avenue for further research, it is, in no way, conclusive and it's results are very limited.