Aa
Not for all, but it works great on muscle pain
"No Medical Value?" 27 Studies Show Pot Kills Pain
Cannabis and its active constituents appear to be safe and modestly effective treatments in patients suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions, including neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage), according to a literature review to be published in The Clinical Journal of Pain.
An investigator from New York University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, conducted a PubMed search to survey the percentage of positive and negative published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing cannabinoids as treatments for pain. Of the 56 hits generated, 38 published RCTs met inclusion criteria. Of these, “71 percent (27) concluded that cannabinoids had empirically demonstrable and statistically significant pain relieving effects, whereas 29 percent (11) did not.”
Cannabinoids appeared to be most effective in treating hard-to-treat neuropathic pain conditions. “[F]or notoriously difficult to treat conditions such as HIV neuropathy, … cannabinergic pain medicines, particularly inhaled cannabinoid botanicals, are one of the only treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective with the highest levels of evidence,” the review states.
Five to ten percent of the US population is estimated to suffer from neuropathic pain at some point during their lives.
The study concludes, “Overall, based on the existing clinical trials database, cannabinergic pain medicines have been shown to be modestly effective and safe treatments in patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions. … Incorporating cannabinergic medicine topics into pain medicine education seems warranted and continuing clinical research and empiric treatment trials are appropriate.”
A separate paper, published in January in the Harm Reduction Journal, concluded: “Prescribing cannabis in place of opioids for neuropathic pain may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with prescription pain medications and may be an effective harm reduction strategy.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabinergic pain medicine: A concise clinical primer and survey of randomized controlled trial results,” will appear in The Clinical Journal of Pain
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/853553/%22no_medical_value%22_27_studies_show_pot_kills_pain/#paragraph3
Cannabis and its active constituents appear to be safe and modestly effective treatments in patients suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions, including neuropathy (pain due to nerve damage), according to a literature review to be published in The Clinical Journal of Pain.
An investigator from New York University, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, conducted a PubMed search to survey the percentage of positive and negative published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing cannabinoids as treatments for pain. Of the 56 hits generated, 38 published RCTs met inclusion criteria. Of these, “71 percent (27) concluded that cannabinoids had empirically demonstrable and statistically significant pain relieving effects, whereas 29 percent (11) did not.”
Cannabinoids appeared to be most effective in treating hard-to-treat neuropathic pain conditions. “[F]or notoriously difficult to treat conditions such as HIV neuropathy, … cannabinergic pain medicines, particularly inhaled cannabinoid botanicals, are one of the only treatments that have been shown to be safe and effective with the highest levels of evidence,” the review states.
Five to ten percent of the US population is estimated to suffer from neuropathic pain at some point during their lives.
The study concludes, “Overall, based on the existing clinical trials database, cannabinergic pain medicines have been shown to be modestly effective and safe treatments in patients with a variety of chronic pain conditions. … Incorporating cannabinergic medicine topics into pain medicine education seems warranted and continuing clinical research and empiric treatment trials are appropriate.”
A separate paper, published in January in the Harm Reduction Journal, concluded: “Prescribing cannabis in place of opioids for neuropathic pain may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with prescription pain medications and may be an effective harm reduction strategy.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabinergic pain medicine: A concise clinical primer and survey of randomized controlled trial results,” will appear in The Clinical Journal of Pain
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/853553/%22no_medical_value%22_27_studies_show_pot_kills_pain/#paragraph3
i couldn't get near pot after the second week of tx...i was too out of it...i wishi could have a little...funny thing is about a month post tx i started a little bit...got a hold of iranian g 13 ...greenthumb's.....and just a little of that has been great for post tx symptoms...its indica body stuff...but i think smoking too much might be tough on your system......billy
Re: pharmaceutical ethics and greed
As far as torture throughout history, Genghis Khan, slaves and all of that; I don't see its equivalence to my reference of unethical tactics used by the establishment to propagandize the evils of MJ or to the greed driven pharms; however your "Or the fabulous 1950 before the polio vaccine, interferon, riba, antivirals for HIV and other viruses, liver transplants, effective chemo treatment when cancer was a death sentence" ties in very well to what I was referring. There is quite a difference in research of the 50s and the present.
Are you aware of what it cost to get a polio vaccination after Jonas Salk discovered it in the 1950s?
Are you aware that vans drove around cities like the ice cream man calling everyone out to get vaccinated for free?
Are you aware of what Salk said in an interview when he was asked whether he had patented the vaccine?
He said, "There is no patent...this is...could you patent the sun?" and he chuckled as if to imply the absurdity of such a ludicrous question.
I implore you, and everyone else, to watch the first minute of this video and hear this stunning lesson in what ethics used to be, maybe not in every facet of the world's societies, religions, etc., but in the work to find drugs and vaccines to make people's lives better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOxhX4v_Nx4 As said in the video, researchers "had a comfortable life, but not a wealthy life, the idea was the excitement of the discovery."
I also have a background in pharmaceuticals, and yes, there are great men and women working on new meds/cures today, but what they work on (i.e., what they research) is dictated by corporate investors' interests in the potential profit margins a patent will bring. There is no doubt medical research is driven by profit...for cripes sake, just look at their profit margins!
Don't ever forget that if we have to have a virus, we are fortunate that we have one that millions of people around the world have rather than one that is rare. That is why progress has been so fast and furious on HCV. That is why the trial results are breaking news in financial publications and they make the stock market go up and down. People with extremely rare diseases are in big trouble when hoping for a cure; the potential for profits are too unattractive to drive investment for a cure.
You must not have worked in the financial offices and board rooms of the CEO, CFO or stock holders. Are you aware of the issues concerning the ethics of pharms owning biospecimens as intellectual property? That pharms sit on/monopolize molecules they own and delay research? That's a whole other ethical ballgame.
For the only negative comment I have ever made about the medical establishment, and it was strictly in reference to this thread's topic of marijuana, I have made numerous positive ones about my amazement and gratitude for the progress the profession has made in HCV. That would also be true for any comments I've ever read on this site from others (i.e., all positive except for in reference to this thread on mj.) Granted, I haven't been on here as long as you, but it has yet to happen. In the case of mj I believe it is true, but I'll save my data on that for another time.
As far as torture throughout history, Genghis Khan, slaves and all of that; I don't see its equivalence to my reference of unethical tactics used by the establishment to propagandize the evils of MJ or to the greed driven pharms; however your "Or the fabulous 1950 before the polio vaccine, interferon, riba, antivirals for HIV and other viruses, liver transplants, effective chemo treatment when cancer was a death sentence" ties in very well to what I was referring. There is quite a difference in research of the 50s and the present.
Are you aware of what it cost to get a polio vaccination after Jonas Salk discovered it in the 1950s?
Are you aware that vans drove around cities like the ice cream man calling everyone out to get vaccinated for free?
Are you aware of what Salk said in an interview when he was asked whether he had patented the vaccine?
He said, "There is no patent...this is...could you patent the sun?" and he chuckled as if to imply the absurdity of such a ludicrous question.
I implore you, and everyone else, to watch the first minute of this video and hear this stunning lesson in what ethics used to be, maybe not in every facet of the world's societies, religions, etc., but in the work to find drugs and vaccines to make people's lives better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOxhX4v_Nx4 As said in the video, researchers "had a comfortable life, but not a wealthy life, the idea was the excitement of the discovery."
I also have a background in pharmaceuticals, and yes, there are great men and women working on new meds/cures today, but what they work on (i.e., what they research) is dictated by corporate investors' interests in the potential profit margins a patent will bring. There is no doubt medical research is driven by profit...for cripes sake, just look at their profit margins!
Don't ever forget that if we have to have a virus, we are fortunate that we have one that millions of people around the world have rather than one that is rare. That is why progress has been so fast and furious on HCV. That is why the trial results are breaking news in financial publications and they make the stock market go up and down. People with extremely rare diseases are in big trouble when hoping for a cure; the potential for profits are too unattractive to drive investment for a cure.
You must not have worked in the financial offices and board rooms of the CEO, CFO or stock holders. Are you aware of the issues concerning the ethics of pharms owning biospecimens as intellectual property? That pharms sit on/monopolize molecules they own and delay research? That's a whole other ethical ballgame.
For the only negative comment I have ever made about the medical establishment, and it was strictly in reference to this thread's topic of marijuana, I have made numerous positive ones about my amazement and gratitude for the progress the profession has made in HCV. That would also be true for any comments I've ever read on this site from others (i.e., all positive except for in reference to this thread on mj.) Granted, I haven't been on here as long as you, but it has yet to happen. In the case of mj I believe it is true, but I'll save my data on that for another time.
My primary purpose in sharing this article is because of the great relief cannabis has given me during tx from muscular tension.
Ideally people with ESLD would not be doing tx, and sadly cannabis usage can indeed take someone off the transplant list.
To assume that using cannabis is damaging to the liver is based on smoke.
There are many ways to benefit from medicinal mj without smoking it. Smokeless usage is the idea behind vaporizers, tincture, and of course there is ingesting it.
As you wisely say, live and let live.
Ideally people with ESLD would not be doing tx, and sadly cannabis usage can indeed take someone off the transplant list.
To assume that using cannabis is damaging to the liver is based on smoke.
There are many ways to benefit from medicinal mj without smoking it. Smokeless usage is the idea behind vaporizers, tincture, and of course there is ingesting it.
As you wisely say, live and let live.
Back on topic....
Gene53 and Can-do-man gave the best medically correct answers for people with liver disease in posts 2 and 3.
"The problem I have is since I am currently doing triple tx with incivek and my liver is stage 4 cirrhosis my transplant nurse said specifically not to smoke mj. I was told even smoking small amounts could effect my liver negatively because of the cirrhosis. I don't know what to believe but I know I want to give my liver the best chance to kill this hcv I can so for now my token days are up in smoke!
Gene"
"Being that i am also cirrhotic i was warned about it also because if problems would arise during treatment i would not have been able to be put on the transplant list.
Can-do-man"
I would waste my own time or yours by posting the clinic evidence that frequent use of any form of cannabis is harmful to the liver. A person that knows the most basics about the functionality of liver can't figure that out without being a rocket scientist. It's a no-brainer.
What is one of the main functions of the liver. To detoxify the body. As anyone who has even had an experience of a hepatic encephalopathy can attest to. As far as I know, cannabis use is not illegal in a number of places in the US, here is SF being one. Whether a drug does any harm has NOTHING to do with being legal or illegal. It is a drug that has toxic effects on the liver. So do many commonly taken OTC drugs. Most of us know that regular use of large dosages of Tylenol over a extended period of time can cause acute liver failure. Does that make Tylenol "bad" per se. No. In fact it is the only analgesic we cirrhotics can take safely following appropriate dosing and temporary usage.
Does that mean these drugs when used as directed are good or bad for the average John and Jane. No. But if John or Jane has liver disease from any cause they will create more fibrosis if they choose to ingest, smoke cannabis.
Live and let live, and let die:
Smoke, drink, do what you like. It is your life. For those of us with cirrhosis the consequences may be up close and personal sooner then we imagine. But it is still everyone's choice. No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. I know people that turned down a life saving transplant because they had no will to live and they died. It is very sad in my opinion but it is not my business to impose my opinions on anyone else. How many alcoholics choose to drink and die rather then give up their bottle. Many. Far too many I'm afraid.
I'm done.
Over n Out!
Later.
Hector
Gene53 and Can-do-man gave the best medically correct answers for people with liver disease in posts 2 and 3.
"The problem I have is since I am currently doing triple tx with incivek and my liver is stage 4 cirrhosis my transplant nurse said specifically not to smoke mj. I was told even smoking small amounts could effect my liver negatively because of the cirrhosis. I don't know what to believe but I know I want to give my liver the best chance to kill this hcv I can so for now my token days are up in smoke!
Gene"
"Being that i am also cirrhotic i was warned about it also because if problems would arise during treatment i would not have been able to be put on the transplant list.
Can-do-man"
I would waste my own time or yours by posting the clinic evidence that frequent use of any form of cannabis is harmful to the liver. A person that knows the most basics about the functionality of liver can't figure that out without being a rocket scientist. It's a no-brainer.
What is one of the main functions of the liver. To detoxify the body. As anyone who has even had an experience of a hepatic encephalopathy can attest to. As far as I know, cannabis use is not illegal in a number of places in the US, here is SF being one. Whether a drug does any harm has NOTHING to do with being legal or illegal. It is a drug that has toxic effects on the liver. So do many commonly taken OTC drugs. Most of us know that regular use of large dosages of Tylenol over a extended period of time can cause acute liver failure. Does that make Tylenol "bad" per se. No. In fact it is the only analgesic we cirrhotics can take safely following appropriate dosing and temporary usage.
Does that mean these drugs when used as directed are good or bad for the average John and Jane. No. But if John or Jane has liver disease from any cause they will create more fibrosis if they choose to ingest, smoke cannabis.
Live and let live, and let die:
Smoke, drink, do what you like. It is your life. For those of us with cirrhosis the consequences may be up close and personal sooner then we imagine. But it is still everyone's choice. No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. I know people that turned down a life saving transplant because they had no will to live and they died. It is very sad in my opinion but it is not my business to impose my opinions on anyone else. How many alcoholics choose to drink and die rather then give up their bottle. Many. Far too many I'm afraid.
I'm done.
Over n Out!
Later.
Hector
James,
<>
James, I wish nobody believed it, unfortunately everybody at the DEA does believe it, and they're the ones that have it classified in the same group heroin is in. (I'm no expert on the subject either though, :)
It amazes me that they were busting kids with a joint in their sock back in 1970, and now 42 years later, we still do that.
<>
James, I wish nobody believed it, unfortunately everybody at the DEA does believe it, and they're the ones that have it classified in the same group heroin is in. (I'm no expert on the subject either though, :)
It amazes me that they were busting kids with a joint in their sock back in 1970, and now 42 years later, we still do that.
Hector: I totally understand and I hear you. I just didn't want you to think that I totally have the blinders on. While I appreciate "complementary and alternative medicine" nothing nice will kill these viral suckers and I am so grateful that we have those nasty drugs from the pharmaceutical companies cause nothing else is going to do it.
OH-I love it when the pain stops and I can relax at night but I really don't like being stupid either. I think the other potential problem with MJ is the munchies. My liver doesn't need me overeating, especially at night. I try to have an empty fridge when I vaporize.
OH-I love it when the pain stops and I can relax at night but I really don't like being stupid either. I think the other potential problem with MJ is the munchies. My liver doesn't need me overeating, especially at night. I try to have an empty fridge when I vaporize.
I don't see it as an either or situation, more so as in addition to. Where do you propose this rehabilitation takes place, the Columbine gymnasium?
Hah!
The irony is I only like the brownies when I'm really hurting because they leave me so brain-dead, more than usual :)
The irony is I only like the brownies when I'm really hurting because they leave me so brain-dead, more than usual :)
Off topic here?? Naw, never happens......... ;-)
Speaking of MJ brownies, its such a creative solution, the MJ delivered with the munchies. At least it sounds like a good approach. :)
Speaking of MJ brownies, its such a creative solution, the MJ delivered with the munchies. At least it sounds like a good approach. :)
crigger: You are too kind.
stormy456: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, where did that come from?" Please read my post to rivil and I hope that helps to explain where I am coming from. And yes, I may have over reacted. I am human and I make mistakes. I didn't mean to offend you or anybody for they point of view. My comments were based on my years of experience here on Medhelp and all the posts that get posted about the bad, evil or ignorant pharma and medical professions are.
rivll: I understand. I just get a little peeved when I here blanket statement about the medical profession and pharma. I worked in pharma for 6 great years. I can tell you I felt good knowing we were bring new drugs to market that have helped people who are suffering. This was before my illness became apparent. Ironically we were the developer of one of the most common drugs every transplant patient post transplant which prevent organ rejection. I don't want to get too personal about my own medical delema but only 10 years liver cancer was a death sentence. It is still one of the deadliest cancers and unfortunately becoming more and more common. But thanks to medical progress I can now receive chemo treatment to keep my cancer under control. One tumor has been eliminated and I will know in a few weeks how my second treatment went. I still have a year to wait for transplant. My team of doctors are all focused on keeping me alive for the next year so I can get transplant. I am sorry if I got upset but the medical profession and pharma are keeping me alive every day while I fight live another day. Without my doctors, nurses, admin staff along with friends and family support I may not be here much longer. I understand we all have our own health issues. I have never said "oh poor me" because I have hepatitis C caused End-Stage Liver Disease as well liver cancer. Or asked anyone to walk in my shoes for 10 minutes. I do what I have to do and take responsibility and control of my own life to the best of my ability. I am not nor claim to be perfect. I am not that deluded. (Yet?) haha
I understand we are ALL dealing with our own situations as best we can. I just wish that people could be a little more sensitive when decrying the medical profession. When you are fighting for your very life things may appear differently.
Yes, I could tell you many horror stories myself as I have heard the stories of I would guess about 150 transplant patients. I am not a pollyanna, and I am not saying all medical professional are equally educated, skilled and compassionate.
I understand and respect your point of view and appreciate your feedback.
Cheers!
Hector
stormy456: "Whoa, whoa, whoa, where did that come from?" Please read my post to rivil and I hope that helps to explain where I am coming from. And yes, I may have over reacted. I am human and I make mistakes. I didn't mean to offend you or anybody for they point of view. My comments were based on my years of experience here on Medhelp and all the posts that get posted about the bad, evil or ignorant pharma and medical professions are.
rivll: I understand. I just get a little peeved when I here blanket statement about the medical profession and pharma. I worked in pharma for 6 great years. I can tell you I felt good knowing we were bring new drugs to market that have helped people who are suffering. This was before my illness became apparent. Ironically we were the developer of one of the most common drugs every transplant patient post transplant which prevent organ rejection. I don't want to get too personal about my own medical delema but only 10 years liver cancer was a death sentence. It is still one of the deadliest cancers and unfortunately becoming more and more common. But thanks to medical progress I can now receive chemo treatment to keep my cancer under control. One tumor has been eliminated and I will know in a few weeks how my second treatment went. I still have a year to wait for transplant. My team of doctors are all focused on keeping me alive for the next year so I can get transplant. I am sorry if I got upset but the medical profession and pharma are keeping me alive every day while I fight live another day. Without my doctors, nurses, admin staff along with friends and family support I may not be here much longer. I understand we all have our own health issues. I have never said "oh poor me" because I have hepatitis C caused End-Stage Liver Disease as well liver cancer. Or asked anyone to walk in my shoes for 10 minutes. I do what I have to do and take responsibility and control of my own life to the best of my ability. I am not nor claim to be perfect. I am not that deluded. (Yet?) haha
I understand we are ALL dealing with our own situations as best we can. I just wish that people could be a little more sensitive when decrying the medical profession. When you are fighting for your very life things may appear differently.
Yes, I could tell you many horror stories myself as I have heard the stories of I would guess about 150 transplant patients. I am not a pollyanna, and I am not saying all medical professional are equally educated, skilled and compassionate.
I understand and respect your point of view and appreciate your feedback.
Cheers!
Hector
Proactive sure come for lunch but don't get me started about the system of making money off of locking people up instead of rehabilitation or care.
hrspwr:
Cannabis isn't cheap here either, but it's a lot cheaper here than in Colorado. And if you grow plants for yourself, outside, it can be very cheap.
desrt: Thanks !
hrspwr:
Cannabis isn't cheap here either, but it's a lot cheaper here than in Colorado. And if you grow plants for yourself, outside, it can be very cheap.
desrt: Thanks !
"Lock a dog in a cage for 5 years, beat on the bars every day, let him out and he bites you on the @ss, and no one wonders why. Do the same thing to a human being and everyone wonders why he wasn't rehabilitated."
John Maher
John Maher
"The privatization of prisons also fuels the propaganda to keep mj an evil and dangerous drug." Say what? Your tax dollars pay regardless, whether it's to build new prisons to house inmates or pay a private corp to hold them.
As a side note, the first stock I ever bought was Corrections Corp., a very profitable trade.
As a side note, the first stock I ever bought was Corrections Corp., a very profitable trade.
efficient not effeciant
(vbg, just playing with ya--it's mud season here, a bit giddy)
(vbg, just playing with ya--it's mud season here, a bit giddy)
Thanks for that...I was a little dazed by the passion of Hector's post.
To Hector, didn't mean to say that established medicine and pharmacology is evil, but we all have our horror stories which I will spare you and though some of us have been fortunate to get superb care and access to life saving drugs, there is another side to that which is not about healing.
No one is speaking about individual medical professionals. They for the most part are wonderful and I am nothing but grateful to them. In fact, much of the negativity mentioned in our posts regarding medicine has been heard from these very professionals.
All the best...Peace
To Hector, didn't mean to say that established medicine and pharmacology is evil, but we all have our horror stories which I will spare you and though some of us have been fortunate to get superb care and access to life saving drugs, there is another side to that which is not about healing.
No one is speaking about individual medical professionals. They for the most part are wonderful and I am nothing but grateful to them. In fact, much of the negativity mentioned in our posts regarding medicine has been heard from these very professionals.
All the best...Peace
Co laws are a little dirrerent
I) No more than two ounces of a usable form of marijuana.
(II) No more than six marijuana plants, with three or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a usable form of marijuana.
However Co also has a clause that states
(II) Engage in the medical use of marijuana in plain view of, or in a place open to, the general public.
Meaning that you can't grow outside in the veiw of anyone
So if you add in the cost of a green house or the space and lighting, nutrients, electricity ect ect for an indoor grow... it doesn't become that cost effeciant for quiet awhile.
Not that I know anything about that kind of thing though.
I) No more than two ounces of a usable form of marijuana.
(II) No more than six marijuana plants, with three or fewer being mature, flowering plants that are producing a usable form of marijuana.
However Co also has a clause that states
(II) Engage in the medical use of marijuana in plain view of, or in a place open to, the general public.
Meaning that you can't grow outside in the veiw of anyone
So if you add in the cost of a green house or the space and lighting, nutrients, electricity ect ect for an indoor grow... it doesn't become that cost effeciant for quiet awhile.
Not that I know anything about that kind of thing though.
"Just for the record anyone who thinks MMJ is cheap, you are confused."
Actually, it depends on the state and laws governing MMJ. Here for instance, one can grow their own.
"4.9.1 Comply with possession limits and possess up to 2 ounces of useable marijuana
4.9.2 Comply with possession limits and cultivate no more than two mature marijuana plants, and seven immature marijuana plants if the registered patient elects to cultivate marijuana"
Actually, it depends on the state and laws governing MMJ. Here for instance, one can grow their own.
"4.9.1 Comply with possession limits and possess up to 2 ounces of useable marijuana
4.9.2 Comply with possession limits and cultivate no more than two mature marijuana plants, and seven immature marijuana plants if the registered patient elects to cultivate marijuana"
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