As the usage of recreational cannabis has been legalized in some of the states of the US, there is a constant increase in the number of Marijuana users among the Americans. According to some of the recent studies, the habitual users of Marijuana are supposed to discuss their conditions with their doctors before undergoing any medical procedures. As a team of scientists in Colorado has come with a study that shows the regular Marijuana users will need a higher dose of the sedatives as compared to the others prior to undergoing any surgery.
As per the research reports published by the Journal of the American Osteopathic association around 250 people went through the endoscopic surgery, out of which 25 people were customary smokers of marijuana or consumed edible cannabis required a higher dose of the anesthesia in order to obtain minimal sedation level.
Some of the studies proved that on an average the regular cannabis users required 14 percent more fentanyl than usual, midazolam dose was increased by 20 percent more while 220 percent extra of propofol was given before any of the conventional medical surgeries were performed.
The doctors say that the increased dosage of the sedatives will result in excessive side effects too. One of the researched named Mark Twardowski said that if the side effect is particularly related to suppression in the respiratory functioning it can affect the health of the patient severely.
The scientists of Colorado, based their research mainly on colonoscopy in which midazolam and propofol are given to the patients for sedative effect, while fentanyl is prescribed as a painkiller. Therefore, they could only speak about the effects of marijuana interaction with these drugs. They aren’t sure about any of the interactions of cannabis on any other drug. The scientists could not provide any definitive answers regarding how marijuana interacted with the three drugs. Nonetheless, they disclosed that the psychoactive chemical compound contained in marijuana is affecting the endocannabinoid and opioid system of the human body. These two systems are mainly responsible for the neurotransmitters that help in processing pain and other sensation. However, when the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in marijuana affects them, any sedative given to the body passes out being unreactive.
According to the reports provided by the Colorado scientists, the THC combines with the cannabinoid receptors of the brain which is why the patients need higher doses of sedatives.
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