An important study just came out in the periodical “Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes” which demonstrated an increased risk of fatal and non-fatal heart attack and stroke for healthy patients who routinely use NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as motrin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, voltaren, celebrex, naprosyn, aleve etc. to treat pain.  This is a very important study and you those patients who routinely pop motrins or take dicofenac to treat pain need to read.    Marijuana has for many years been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects without any of the increased risks associated with commonly prescribed NSAID’s.

The study examined the risk of heart attack and stroke in over 1 million patients who averaged 39 years of age and had no significant health problems (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes etc) over an 8 year period.    They found that patients who regularly used NSAID’s to treat chronic pain were 29% more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.   This is significant because how many people do you know (you included) head to the local CVS and pick up a bunch of Motrin for that chronic pain or ache without considering the side effects??  They estimate that 20% of the population has been PRESCRIBED (not including those who get it over the counter) NSAIDS at one time or another for pain.

We are beginning to understand in medicine that many treatments that we used to believe were safe are actually significantly dangerous to patients (for example hormone replacement therapy in post-menopausal women).   NSAIDS can cause significant gastro-intestinal bleeding and now we find out increase the risk of heart attack and stroke significantly.

One thing the study did find is that if you really need to use an NSAID for pain the safest one in the study was Naprosyn, commonly known as Aleve.

You may not know that there are over 60 cannabinoids in the cannabis (marijuana) plant that exert their effects on the body.  Many of them specifically decrease the inflammatory response and thus reduce pain.   Cannabis has very few unwanted side effects.  You can not overdose from it!   It does not effect your kidneys or liver.  It is not addictive.  It does not cause ulcers or bleeding.  It is one of natures best remedies for pain and inflammation.

I can not tell you how many older patients I see everyday that want to stop taking their “pain pills” for chronic pain.   The stories I hear about how cannabis has improved the quality of their life are truly remarkable.  They love being able to vaporize it as opposed to having to smoke it.

I HIGHLY recommend that if you are suffering from chronic pain (for any reason) that you come into my office and we can discuss the benefits and risks of using marijuana to treat your symptoms.   Simply call 877-721-0047 or pre-qualify for free online and one of my staff will contact you shortly.

Dr. Breen, Medical Director, Medical Cannabis of Southern California