MEDICAL LITERATURE
This is the page to come to for a widespread collection of news, articles, and research papers on opiate harm reduction. Come back often, as the collection is continually growing. The original articles are kept on file at Blue Door.
Peer Reviewed Literature for Professionals
Lower Opioid Overdose Death Rates Associated with State Medical Marijuana Laws
August 25, 2014 Abstract A study published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association in 2014 found that in states with Medical Marijuana programs there was an almost 25% reduction in opioid overdose deaths when compared with states …read more»
Do Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Addictions and Deaths Related to Pain Killers?
July, 2015 “Overall we find strong consistent evidence that medical marijuana dispensaries lead to reductions in opioid-related mortality.” Abstract “Many medical marijuana patients report using marijuana to alleviate chronic pain from musculoskeletal problems and other sources. If marijuana is used …read more»
Cannabidiol, a nonpsychotropic component of cannabis, inhibits cue-induced heroin-seeking and normalizes discrete mesolimbic neuronal disturbances
Abstract This study was published by the National Institutes of Health in 2009. The research was a collaboration between Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the University Nacional de Educacion a Distancia in Madrid, Spain. It was an experimental …read more»
Cannabis for the Management of Pain: Assessment of Safety Study (COMPASS)
Abstract This is a 2015 study out of Canada, published in The Journal of Pain by the American Pain Society. It was a prospective cohort study. They gave cannabis to patients for 1 year with a matched control being patients …read more»
Cannabis as an Adjunct to or Substitute for Opiates in the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Abstract This is a review paper published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs in 2012. It’s a great summary article whose findings include: “When used in conjunction with opiates, cannabis provides a greater cumulative relief of pain, resulting in a …read more»
The Effect of Medicinal Cannabis on Pain and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Chronic Pain: A Prospective Open-label Study
Abstract This is a 2016 study that was a collaboration between the Washington University School of Medicine, The Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center published in the Clinical Journal of Pain. Findings included: “the treatment of chronic pain with medicinal cannabis…resulted in …read more»
Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opiate Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain
Abstract Retrospective study at the University of Michigan, published in the Journal of Pain by the American Pain Society in 2016 found that patients surveyed in Michigan using cannabis for chronic pain had a 64% decrease in opioid use, decreased …read more»
Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study
External Reference Degenhardt, L., Lintzeris, N., Campbell, G., Bruno, R., Cohen, M., Farrell, M., & Hall W.D. (2015). Experience of adjunctive cannabis use for chronic non-cancer pain: Findings from the Pain and Opioids IN Treatment (POINT) study. Drug and Alcohol …read more»
CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Abstract Intended to improve communication between providers and patients about the risks and benefits of opioid therapy for chronic pain, improve the safety and effectiveness of pain treatment, and reduce the risks associated with long-term opioid therapy, including opioid use …read more»
Extended release Opioids are intended for severe, long-lasting pain from cancer
Abstract FDA announces safety labeling changes and postmarket study requirements for extended-release and long-acting opioid analgesics. Source Snippet Snippet from FDA Source: New Safety Measures Announced for Extended-release and Long-acting Opioids [5-11-2017] FDA released the original postmarketing requirement (PMR) for …read more»
Opioids increase the risk of fall and fracture in the elderly
External Links Aparasu RR, Chatterjee S. Use of narcotic analgesics associated with increased falls and fractures in elderly patients with osteoarthritis. Evid Based Med. 2014 Feb;19(1):37-8. doi: 10.1136/eb 2013-101401. Epub 2013 Aug 13. PubMed PMID:23942986. Read Here Rolita L, Spegman …read more»
Opioids are associated with a higher risk of postoperative death
External Links Fouladpour N, Jesudoss R, Bolden N, Shaman Z, Auckley D. Perioperative Complications in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Review of the Legal Literature. Anesth Analg. 2015 Jun 23. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26111263. Opioids …read more»
Is cannabis use associated with less opioid use among people who inject drugs?
“The mean and median number of times using opioids in the past 30 days were significantly lower for people who used cannabis than for those who did not use cannabis” Abstract “Clinical, experimental, and ethnographic research suggests that cannabis may …read more»
Absence of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Dysphoric Effects in Dynorphin-Deficient Mice
Source The Journal of Neuroscience Zimmer, Valjent, Konig, Zimmer, Robledo, Hahn, Valverde, Maldonado, 2001. Absence of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Dysphoric Effects in Dynorphin-Deficient Mice. The Journal of Neuroscience, 21(23), 9499-9505.
CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
Source CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016 Recommendations and Reports / March 18, 2016 / 65(1);1–49 Dowell D, Haegerich TM, Chou R. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain — United States, 2016. …read more»
Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D
July, 2016 “…we found that the use of prescription drugs for which marijuana could serve as a clinical alternative fell significantly, once a medical marijuana law was implemented.” Abstract “Legalization of medical marijuana has been one of the most controversial …read more»