A study published in Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health examined veterans’ use of natural products to understand the beliefs, concerns, and medication substitutions related to managing chronic pain. The study estimated that 40 % of veterans use cannabis products to alleviate chronic pain.
The researchers from the University of California at San Francisco and Yale University surveyed 52 patients enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) primary care services program. The mean age was 57.6, and most of the respondents were men (58%). Most respondents were white (63%), and 21% identified as African American and 10% Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity. The research team developed a new survey on natural product use based on similar surveys and data collected from veteran focus groups and medical experts.
The analysis found that the most commonly used NPs included vitamins and minerals (94%) and herbal or botanical products (60%) and that approximately a third of respondents substituted NPs for conventional pain medications. Most respondents (87%) used NPs to manage two or more health indications. 40% reported that they have difficulty getting their preferred NPs for managing symptoms.
Data analysis revealed that 40% of survey respondents used cannabis products to manage chronic pain. The team pointed out that the percentage may be higher, given that the VA discourages cannabis use, and some respondents did not feel comfortable disclosing cannabis consumption. Some of the main reasons veterans use cannabis are to reduce pain (81%), enhance sleep (62%), minimize PTSD or anxiety symptoms (43%), alleviate stress (43%), and decrease depression (29%). These cannabis products often featured a mix of nonpsychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) and psychoactive tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The study also found that most respondents (98%) believed healthcare providers should discuss NP use with patients. The findings provide valuable insights that can inform policy development and healthcare practices that best address the needs of veterans.
Source: Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health, NORML
