Inhaled cannabis can be useful for managing acute symptoms of chronic pain, but it should be vaporized to avoid respiratory harms associated with smoking. Vaporizing cannabis flower is also cheaper than cannabis oils, as dried flower is the cheapest form of product.
We recently discussed why inhaled cannabis can be useful for managing acute symptoms of chronic pain and should be included in clinical practice guidelines (read Part 1 here). However, if cannabis is inhaled through smoking, there can be harm to your respiratory system. Therefore, we recommend vaporization instead.
Here we will discuss some of the benefits of vaporization.
1. Compared to cannabis oils, vaporization is more affordable. Oils may not be accessible to everyone due to cost. Using vaporized cannabis can help patients afford their medicine while minimizing potential health risks from smoking.
2. Although there is an initial cost to buy the vaporizer, once bought, vaporizing cannabis instead of smoking it is actually cheaper, too, because it saves product. Cannabis vapor has a higher amount of cannabinoids than cannabis smoke as the decarboxylation temperatures are more idea, and there is no loss of side stream smoke (vapor stays in the chamber until inhaled through the vaporizer). These factors make vaporization more cost effective than both cannabis oils and smoking cannabis, while reducing the risk associated with smoking cannabis.
What this might mean for you:
1. Inhaled cannabis can be useful for managing acute symptoms of chronic pain.
2. If cannabis is being inhaled, it should be vaporized to avoid respiratory harms associated with smoking.
3. Vaporizing cannabis is cheaper than cannabis oils, as dried product flower is the cheapest form of cannabis.
4. Vaporized cannabis is also cheaper than smoking cannabis in the long run, as you will need to use less product to get the desired results.
Dr. Caroline MacCallum is a specialist in internal medicine with expertise in complex pain and cannabinoid medicine. In addition to serving as an advisor to EO Care, she is a clinical instructor in the Department of Medicine; Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences program; and associate member of the Dept. of Palliative Care at the University of British Columbia. An avid researcher, Dr. MacCallum is primary author of Primary Considerations for Medical Cannabis Administration and Dosing, and assistant for Cannabinoids and Pain.
Here's where you can find Dr. Caroline MacCallum online:
- Instagram: @drcarolinemaccallum
- Twitter: @camaccallum
- Facebook: Dr. Caroline MacCallum
- LinkedIn: Dr. Caroline MacCallum, MD
- Website: https://drcarolinemaccallum.com/
In the quest for relief from the burdens of cancer treatment, individuals often turn to cannabis, seeking answers amidst the chaos of symptoms.
The lack of pain relief combined with the risk of dangerous side effects, including death, has led to a need for alternative options to help treat chronic pain. Recently, there has been growing interest in the possibility that cannabis may be useful in combination or as a substitute for opioids in people with chronic pain.
Recent evidence suggests that using medical cannabis in combination with opioids to treat chronic pain may provide better treatment of pain and allow for a lower dose of opioids. It is important we find other tools that can be used to help improve the treatment of pain while keeping patients safe.
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