Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences have published new insights into how cannabis use influences sedation requirements during medical procedures and affects symptoms in cancer patients.
In one study published in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, researchers analyzed sedation during endoscopies for 976 patients, finding cannabis users required significantly higher doses of anesthetics compared to non-users. Specifically, cannabis users needed 77% more propofol and 57% more midazolam, with increased supplemental use of diphenhydramine.
Similarly, a separate study led by OU’s College of Dentistry revealed that cannabis users undergoing oral surgery required higher doses of sedation medications, including propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and fentanyl, despite undergoing similar procedures as non-users.
Additionally, research conducted at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center found that approximately 26% of surveyed cancer patients used cannabis, primarily for pain relief, sleep improvement, anxiety, and nausea control. While users reported some perceived symptom relief, regular cannabis users generally experienced more severe physical and psychological symptoms than non-users, raising questions about cannabis’s efficacy in cancer symptom management.
The researchers caution that the preference among patients for smoking cannabis could exacerbate adverse health effects, recommending future clinical trials to better understand cannabis’s true impact on cancer-related symptoms and overall well-being.
