A recent study combining a literature review with a survey of university students has found
support for the potential of cannabis as a harm-reduction tool for opioid use disorder (OUD).
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Conducted as part of a master’s thesis by Clark Furlong at Augsburg University, the research highlights the potential of cannabis to alleviate opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms, suggesting its value in helping individuals reduce or manage opioid use.
The literature review points to evidence that cannabinoids may reduce opioid tolerance, cravings, and dependence. Findings from studies and anecdotal reports indicate that some individuals are already turning to cannabis as a substitute for opioids, with research supporting cannabis's effectiveness in enhancing opioid analgesic effects. Animal studies also show cannabinoids can mitigate withdrawal effects, and human data aligns with these findings, although further research is warranted to understand cannabis’s impact comprehensively across various patient demographics.
Key survey results among students revealed a growing understanding of cannabis's benefits for pain management and withdrawal symptoms associated with opioids:
- Over 70% of respondents indicated they believe opioid use poses greater harm than cannabis.
- 65% had known someone using cannabis for an “off-label” medical purpose, underscoring its perceived therapeutic value.
- 80% of respondents supported cannabis legalization, reflecting shifting public perceptions on cannabis’s potential medical applications.
Despite the general support, there were mixed perceptions regarding cannabis’s impact on mental health. While two-thirds believed it benefits mental health, an equal portion reported concerns over potential negative effects.
The study also draws attention to challenges within current OUD treatments, such as long-term methadone use, which has been linked to side effects including cardiovascular issues and sleep disorders. In comparison, cannabis appears to offer a more favorable side-effect profile, with fewer associated long-term health risks than opioids. This, combined with emerging evidence of a synergistic relationship between cannabis and opioid receptors, suggests cannabis might play an important role in future harm-reduction strategies.
Federal interest in cannabis's therapeutic potential is growing. For example, researchers at the University of Southern California recently observed that cannabis helped people manage withdrawal pain and reduce opioid injections, while other studies have shown cannabis as an alternative or supplement for chronic pain relief, cancer pain, and palliative care. Additional federally funded research has linked CBD, a component of cannabis, to pain relief on par with some opioids and to a reduction in opioid prescriptions in states where CBD is legally accessible.
These findings indicate that public and scientific interest in cannabis as an alternative to opioids will likely continue to increase, especially with the potential rescheduling of cannabis on the federal level. While more extensive studies are necessary, this body of evidence suggests that cannabis holds promise as part of a more nuanced and less harmful approach to managing opioid addiction and chronic pain.
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