Young Adults With Chronic Pain Are More Likely to Use Cannabis to Manage the Condition
by Chane Leigh
A national survey showed that cannabis is America’s “illicit drug” of choice, medical professionals released the first ever cannabis consumer-specific anesthesia guidelines, and Prince Harry spoke about his experience with psychedelic therapy.
Let’s dive into this week’s cannanews.
The Federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) just released the findings of its 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). The survey’s biggest finding? America loves cannabis!
According to the survey, 52.5 million Americans ages 12 and older used cannabis over the last year. That massive figure amounts to 1 out of every 5 Americans using the substance, making cannabis the most-used “illicit drug” in the U.S.
The SAMHSA’s report further broke down cannabis usage by age group, showing that:
Beyond cannabis, the survey also showed consumption habits for alcohol and opiates. In 2021, 133.1 million Americans ages 12+ consumed alcohol. Of these folks, 45.1% we considered binge drinkers. Lastly, 9.2% of individuals ages 12+ (9.2 million Americans) reported misusing opioids in the last year.
Check out the SAMHSA’s report to see its full findings.
What do you think of the survey results? Were there any figures that surprised you? Let us know in the comments!
Attention all cannabis users! The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) released its first set of guidelines related to cannabis consumers.
Going forward, the organization recommends that all patients be screened for cannabis use prior to surgery. Per the release, increased caution is necessary with these patients as studies have shown regular cannabis consumers experience more pain and nausea following surgery.
ASRA Pain Medicine recommends the screening process include questions about the product(s) consumed, the amount consumed, how frequently consumption happens, and at what frequency.
In a new interview on 60 minutes, Prince Harry confirmed that he used psychedelic therapy to cope with the grief of losing his mother, Princess Diana.
The prince revealed that he turned to psychedelics after trying traditional therapy for years. Harry tried substances like ayahuasca, psilocybin, and mushrooms. The substances, Harry told Anderson Cooper, “…cleared away this idea that I had in my head that—that my mother—that I needed to cry to prove to my mother that I missed her.”
When asked if he would recommend psychedelics to others, Harry said, “I would never recommend people to do this recreationally.” However, he clarified that “…doing it with the right people, if you are suffering from a huge amount of loss, grief or trauma, then these things have a way of working as a medicine.”
What do you think about Prince Harry’s illuminating interview? Do you think it will help remove the stigma around psychedelics? Let us know in the comments!
Thanks Harry! Lots of people are following you.
Looking to find your medical cannabis in a state that hasn’t yet legalized it? It may be tempting to drive across neighboring state lines with more cannabis-friendly laws. However, the number of states that will authorize qualified patients from out-of-state medical marijuana programs is still relatively small. Which States Accept Out-of-State MMJ Cards? States That…
The war on drugs facilitated by the federal government has been an utter failure. Despite cannabis remaining a Schedule I classification according to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning that it has no medicinal value, over 30 states in the United States have legalized it for its medicinal use. While this classification will remain…
Gone are the days when cannabis was just an occasional treat—today, it’s a powerful source of holistic healing. According to a 2021 review published in Current Neuropharmacology, targeting the endocannabinoid system with CBD may offer those affected by borderline personality disorder newfound relief and understanding about managing their condition. What Is Borderline Personality Disorder? Borderline…
Three different types of cannabidiol (CBD) oils produced by Charlotte’s Web have been banned by British regulators. The British Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also disqualified approximately 100 CBD products for undisclosed reasons. In 2018, legislation was passed by the British Parliament that effectively legalized cannabinoids like CBD and CBDA. Despite the law’s passing, CBD…
Bipolar disorder is a complex condition that impacts millions worldwide, leading to extreme mood swings, intense emotional episodes, and difficulty managing day-to-day life. But there may be some good news for those coping with this mental health issue. According to recent research, cannabis could offer unique benefits as part of an approach to managing bipolar…
We sat down with the team at TerraLeaf, a medical cannabis dispensary servicing West Virginia, to ask them the Veriheal 5—five questions…
We all know that cannabis and prednisone can affect our bodies differently when used separately. But if you’re dealing with a pretty…
There’s quite a bit of research supporting cannabis’ effectiveness in reducing anxiety. But did you know that certain strains can actually make…