Undergoing surgery can be overwhelming in itself, particularly when you are afraid of the doctors or the four eerie walls of the hospital. However, cannabis users seem to have it harder in a sense. While constant intake of CBD oil and medical cannabis can aid in relieving pain and discomfort, this continuous intake can also alter the dose of anesthesia that will be administered for the surgery later on.
Numerous studies show that cannabis users will need at least twice the usual dose of anesthesia. This ensures that their surgery, and by extension, recovery, will go according to plan. While individuals may be tempted to refrain from disclosing the real score between using CBD oil and medical cannabis, health providers say that this can do more harm than good.
Supporting Studies
In a study authored by Mark A. Twardowski, 250 patients examined in Colorado showed that 25 were regular users of the plant. Of these number of individuals, the lead researcher found that to fully sedate patients, they would need 14 percent more analgesic fentanyl and 20 percent more of midazolam.
This groundbreaking study indicates that cannabis use affects how patients digest and take in the sedatives given to them. At the same time, this study brings to light the potential relationships that the marijuana and hemp plant can have with other types of medicine.
Keeping an Open Mind
The first step to breaking the stigma is perhaps keeping an open mind. By taking this step, individuals and patients who regularly use the plant can approach their health provider – such as doctors and nurses – regarding their use. This creates a sense of openness and honesty between the two parties involved. By extension, this provides space for discussion to ensue.
While medical marijuana is widely used and accepted in different states, it appears that a large part of society is closed off for this discussion. This stigma is a huge contributing factor as to why many individuals refrain from disclosing their use of this plant and its derivatives. In the same way, this stigma may also be one reason why individuals seek herbal and natural medicine such as cannabis and CBD oil.
To attain the best course of treatment, both health providers and patients need to go beyond discussing their current situation. But for the meantime, being open to the varying perspectives and breakthroughs in the field of medicine is a good enough start. If you are a patient and user yourself, you might want to have this talk with your anesthesiologist so you won’t suddenly wake up on the operating table.
