Study shows marijuana helps reduce pain.

While there is plenty of evidence from users that smoking marijuana reduces pain often officials and others have been skeptical and demanded more rigorous proof of its effects. A new randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, appearing in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, shows that marijuana really can bring pain relief and improved sleep to those in chronic pain. The trial was led by Dr. Mark Ware who is director of research at the Alan Edwards Pain Managed Unit of McGill University's Health Centre.

Ware's team studied the pain-relieving effects of smoking cannabis in 21 people with "chronic neuropathic pain": those who had constant nerve pain, caused by trauma or surgery. The participants smoked pipes containing several different potencies of THCTHC the active ingredient in marijuana and one group smoked pipes containing a placebo.

Those smoking the pipes with highest potency found their average pain reduced significantly compared to those smoking the placebo. They also experienced better sleep quality and anxiety levels. Since even the higher doses were small euphoria was reported on only three occasions.

The researchers note that larger and longer studies are needed to further verify the exact consequences of smoking marijuana on pain management but at least this study certainly suggests that skepticism about the effects of marijuana on pain relief is not warranted. Of course those who have used marijuana successfully for pain relief for ages could probably care less! For more detail see this article.