Cannabis; known for many things – medicinal or not – has now been found to be the main source of pain relief for 10% of the sufferers of fibromyalgia, and since my mother is herself a chronic sufferer with the condition it intrigued me how such a percentage are self-medicating with other various substances. Legal or not.
The use of cannabis in different countries carries different consequences. Whilst perfectly legal in Bangladesh, Mexico and Peru in Japan, Hong Kong and Romania possession can carry heavy fines and ‘with intent to supply’ can land you a life sentence in there infamous jails.
Currently 3% of the world population suffer with, acute or chronic, fibromyalgia (FM) and since prescribed medicines for the condition only deliver modest relief many suffers - arguably- turn to other substances to relieve pain.
Living with a sufferer of FM has made me aware of the day-to-day challenges that patients face; I witness my own mum taking a cocktail of drugs (which would be lethal for most others) since she has built a resistance to the most powerful drugs available.
Taking morphine, tramadol and a range of medicines (the names of which no sane person could spell) all at once and then feeling little side effects. My mum refuses to turn to other, non-prescribed, drugs but she would appreciate pain relief that offers more.
There are a lot of conflicting views on if the use of cannabis is justified, however you can’t deny that it is unfortunate that such a population turn to the use of these drugs.
The use of cannabis in different countries carries different consequences. Whilst perfectly legal in Bangladesh, Mexico and Peru in Japan, Hong Kong and Romania possession can carry heavy fines and ‘with intent to supply’ can land you a life sentence in there infamous jails.
Currently 3% of the world population suffer with, acute or chronic, fibromyalgia (FM) and since prescribed medicines for the condition only deliver modest relief many suffers - arguably- turn to other substances to relieve pain.
Living with a sufferer of FM has made me aware of the day-to-day challenges that patients face; I witness my own mum taking a cocktail of drugs (which would be lethal for most others) since she has built a resistance to the most powerful drugs available.
Taking morphine, tramadol and a range of medicines (the names of which no sane person could spell) all at once and then feeling little side effects. My mum refuses to turn to other, non-prescribed, drugs but she would appreciate pain relief that offers more.
There are a lot of conflicting views on if the use of cannabis is justified, however you can’t deny that it is unfortunate that such a population turn to the use of these drugs.
Hopefully – in the near, or distant, future – we can find a drug that offers more pharmaceutical aid to those suffering from FM and other degenerative conditions
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