Scientific Shocker! Study Finds Marijuana Is Good for Pain Relief

(Aug. 30) -- Make sure you're sitting down for this piece of news: A study released today by researchers at the University of Montreal concluded that smoking marijuana greatly reduces chronic pain.

While the finding may seem obvious to those familiar with the concept of medical marijuana, the study was important because it adds evidence to the under-researched claim that medical marijuana is an effective pain reliever.

Researchers gave 21 patients with neuropathic pain four different strengths of marijuana over 56 days. The drug ranged in potency from 0 percent (a placebo) to 9.4 percent (the strongest dose medically available). And, wonder of wonders, the highest dose of marijuana gave the most relief.

That said, there's one important caveat: Analgesic medications did a much better job of relieving pain than medical marijuana at any strength.

But chronic pain isn't the only medical condition marijuana can help. Others include sleeplessness, anxiety, impaired bladder control, muscle spasms, spasticity, nausea and vomiting, and loss of appetite.

On the other hand, one condition marijuana does not help is employment.

Read more at Health.