July 25, 2022
Healthline, a resource for physical and mental wellness, recently cited Sandra Guynes, MSN, RN, who teaches in Pacific College’s Medical Cannabis programs, the medical cannabis certificate and Master of Science in medical cannabis therapeutics (MS-MCT), on pain management. The article focused upon a new 80-subject study that found that cannabidiol (CBD) can relieve pain resulting from rotator cuff surgery, while remaining at least as safe as opioids.
Guynes was one of the experts that Healthline contacted for comment on the study: “Cannabis […] has been noted to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and [provide] relief without the potential for intoxication or euphoria that can be associated with medical cannabis or strains with higher levels of THC. Studies show that cannabidiol is an anti-inflammatory, anti-convulsant, anti-oxidant, anti-emetic, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic agent, and can help mediate our endocannabinoid system (a master communication system in our body) to reduce pain signaling and ease symptoms associated with pain.”
She did caution that CBD and cannabis products can still have side effects, including some interactions with warfarin and blood thinners. As another expert, Daniel Whitelocke, the owner of Ozark MMJ Cards, noted, it is however crucial to consider the effect that medical cannabis could have in mitigating millions of cases of opioid misuse and thousands of opioid-related deaths: “having another option is truly a public health concern with dire implications.”