Physician - Canada

I've never taken an opioid in my life so I can't speak personally about the comparison with THC/CBD etc. It appears to be powerful at pain control with mood stabilizing and euphoric effects but is associated with accelerated tolerance and withdrawals that last around a month. Side issues like infection from injecting have been widespread and led to a nation-wide education campaign. Cannabinoids are very effective at pain relief. I read Jordan Peterson's thesis and went to his talk in Toronto (not about his political views) bur rather about his medical views. I believe his work is correct but far from complete. I've read many of the studies on cannabinoids and pain. I also spent 4 days with my friend to help him through a C4/5 fusion in the immediate postop period in Toronto. He used THC/CBD for pain and did not require a single pill of morphine. Issues, THC has variable effectiveness on paranoia, especially in patients with patients with a family history. Jordan said with overuse he has witness outright mental deterioration in bright individuals with a family history of schizoid personality or schizophrenia. What I witnessed with my friend was the following: THC made him vulnerable to perform actions that put them at risk of injury or damage to the operative site. He also had an episode where he fainted 3am trying to void and put himself in a position that was compromised with a neck collar. I literally caught him prior to the fall. Dangerous situation which I’m unclear if it was an orthostatic issue directly related to the drug or that he was dehydrated from surgery and was taking risks due to THC-induced euphoria. Does CBD have the same pain efficacy? I have read nothing convincing nor have experience that it does; however, if it does, it would be the way to go. I could not imagine 30 days of withdrawal from opiates; it sounds like hell. Testimonials and recovery rates from the literature would indicate severe suffering for many as they attempt cessation. In perioperative medicine and orthopaedics, research is certainly needed regarding pain, circadian rhythm maintenance, blood pressure (including orthostatic changes) and other cardiovascular effects of both THC and CBD. It's effect on bone, bone/tendon healing, tendon strength/elasticity, and muscle coordination (proprioception) should all be investigated. Consideration should be given to those with other common concurrent prescriptions. This is a lifetime of work for an international network of clinician scientists and/or academic researchers. It is, in my opinion, worth intensive investigation.