A new study by Dr Mark S. Wallace of University of California is showing that while smoking moderate does of marijuana helps to reduce pain, smoking larger amounts actually increases pain.
"Our study suggests that there is a therapeutic window for analgesia, with low doses being ineffective, medium doses resulting in paid relief and high doses increasing pain," said Wallace.
The study evaluated the effects of smoking cannabis on pain response in 15 healthy volunteers. Research subjects smoked low, medium high doses of marijuana, or a placebo on different days. Pain was then induced by injecting capsaicin into the skin and recording the pain response. After 5 minutes of having smoked there was no effect on pain response however, after 45 minutes those having smoked a moderate dose pain response decreased. The study found that the pain response in those having smoked a high dose, 45 minutes earlier, was higher than the placebo.
Wallace is calling for further research but based on the findings of this study he said he would not recommend marijuana as a pain reduction method.
[Source: Fox News]
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