Marijuana use has become increasingly prevalent in the United States, with more states legalizing the drug for both medical and recreational purposes. However, what many people don't know is that habitual marijuana use can have a surprising side effect: users may require more anaesthesia during medical procedures to remain sedated.
According to recent studies, people who report using marijuana require more anesthesia than those who do not. In some cases, regular users may need two to three times the normal amount of anaesthesia to remain sedated. This has led doctors to encourage patients to be honest about their marijuana use before surgeries or medical procedures.
Despite the importance of disclosure, many people do not readily mention their marijuana use, and healthcare workers in some states do not routinely ask about it. However, with the rise in marijuana use, hospitals are beginning to ask about it just as they ask about alcohol consumption, which can also affect anaesthesia requirements.
The American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine recently published guidelines recommending that all patients undergoing anaesthesia for an inpatient or outpatient procedure be screened and questioned about cannabis use, including how much they use and how often, how they take it, and when they last used it.
While the guidelines do not specify how much more anaesthesia users need or what amount of use requires changes, research has shown that both THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana, and CBD, which is often used as a remedy for pain, sleep, or anxiety, can affect anaesthesia requirements.
Researchers believe that the way marijuana is consumed plays a role as well. For example, ingesting marijuana in an edible has a longer-lasting impact and must be processed by the liver, which may interfere with sedation.
Doctors have also noted that marijuana use can interfere with painkillers after surgery, with cannabis users having higher pain scores and consuming more opioids than nonusers.
As a result, anesthesiologists are urging patients to disclose their marijuana use before any medical procedures. By doing so, doctors can adjust anaesthesia and pain medication dosages accordingly and monitor sedation levels to ensure a safe and effective procedure.
In conclusion, with the rise in marijuana use, it is important for patients to disclose their use before medical procedures, as regular users may require more anaesthesia to remain sedated. By doing so, doctors can ensure that patients receive the proper dosages of anaesthesia and pain medication to ensure a safe and effective procedure.