Is It Safe To Use Cannabis After Surgery?
Going under the knife is never a good time. And no matter if it’s spinal surgery or tumor removal, surgery recovery can be painful. Doctors may prescribe opioid pain killers to treat pain after the procedure. But these drugs can be addictive and come with many side effects. As a result, many people want a different pain reliever. Relying on research that shows weed helps ease pain for other medical conditions, those who must get surgery want to know. Is it safe to use cannabis after surgery?
Opioids: An Addictive Option
The opioid epidemic is no longer some shady secret. Many in the United States suffer an addiction to these powerful pain relievers.
But many of them began the road to their addiction after being prescribed painkillers like oxycodone or hydrocodone after surgery.
Though many surgeons now hope to prescribe less of these drugs, some patients still face the consequences of these prescription painkillers.
But how about weed? Is it safe to use cannabis after surgery?
Pre-Operation: Know The Body
It only makes sense that prior to getting sliced open that rolling up a fat J and smoking some THC and CBD would not only ease anxiety but also put you in a place of comfort.
But don’t smoke weed before getting into that surgical gown. Smoking can have negative effects with anesthesia,
Smoking can also increase the amount of coughing and sputum in a person which can be an issue for surgery. If a very loyal user of Mary Jane, it is crucial to tell the doctors and anesthesiologists about your use.
It may seem crazy to talk to your doctor about using pot, but it’s worth it for your health.
Is It Safe to Use Cannabis After Surgery?
Plenty of research has shown the negative effects of prescribed opioid painkillers after surgery. But research is still in the works on the effect of weed use after a procedure.
Just across the pond in the UK, they have tested the effect of a cannabis plant extract for healing pain after surgery. This extract called Cannador was given to a total of 65 patients who had just recently had surgery.
The researchers gave them different levels of the drug. The results were clear and positive. As the dose increased, patients experienced less pain.
But Cannador did have some side effects like nausea or increased heart rate along with these higher dosages.
Still, cannabis showed it was beneficial for use after surgery, providing ideal pain relief with few side effects. Not to mention, cannabis is still also less addictive than opioids.
Final Hit: Safest Ways to Consume Cannabis After Surgery
The medical industry and marijuana policy still have a long way to go before just anyone can get a weed prescription after surgery.
But for those who just had surgery looking to use weed to treat pain, consider healthier ways of getting high. Instead of smoking a joint or puffing on a bong bowl, try edibles, tinctures, or oils.
Coughing can interrupt the healing process. And even though you might be a master at bong rips, choosing something like vaping might keep your body more relaxed and open to healing.
No matter what, choose what works best for your pain management with your doctor.
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