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IS IT SAFE TO USE MARIJUANA OR CBD BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY?

Writer's picture: sunkissedgreenzsunkissedgreenz

Updated: Jan 2, 2023

It is normal for patients to be nervous before going through the operating room.

Although surgeons have a strict preparation process, it is natural to feel nervous before

undergoing surgery. However, one cannot help but think of all possible outcomes, no

matter how unlikely. While the benefits of surgery often outweigh the risks, it doesn't

help calm your nerves. You may find that smoking marijuana is a great way to calm your

nerves before an operation. While cannabis is a great way to feel better, it can also cause complications.


Next, we will examine the risks of using marijuana before and during surgery. We will

also see if CBD itself is dangerous for surgeries.


How to Prepare For Surgery

To avoid fear, suspicion, or worry when entering the area of ​​operations, you must be

able to show resilience. However, the time before and after an operation is often very stressful. Many people spend these days in severe pain due to a herniated disc or broken bone or other factors. Regular marijuana users will require the comfort and ease that marijuana offers in these difficult times.


While it is true that cannabis can calm the nerves, inhaling or ingesting marijuana before

surgery can present significant risks. This is because marijuana alters the way anesthesia affects your body and can increase in intensity after a procedure.


How Does Marijuana Use Affect Surgery?

Marijuana influences many physiological systems. THC and other cannabinoids bind to

receptors throughout the body. This mechanism of action may result in physiologic changes that increase the risk associated with surgery. The following are the main problems that the use of marijuana can cause in surgical procedures:


ï‚· Reduces the effects of normal doses of anesthesia.

ï‚· This increases the chance of clogging.

ï‚· Lowers blood pressure and increases heart rate.

ï‚· This could make the recovery process more painful.


Different Types of Surgery

There are many types of surgery. The risks posed by marijuana vary depending on the

procedure being performed. General anesthesia for open surgery can be used to save and improve lives. General anesthesia causes both mind and body to lose consciousness. The body's natural processes, such as breathing, slow down. Patients are often mechanically ventilated and their vital signs are closely monitored. Marijuana is known to alter the body's reaction to anesthetics and can influence blood pressure. This makes it a risky type of trade.


Another type of surgery uses local anesthesia. Instead of making the patient unconscious, these drugs block the pain from a specific area of ​​their body while keeping them awake. Local anesthetics can be used in minor surgeries, such as eye and skin operations. These drugs are less risky because patients can still breathe, which reduces the chance of breathing-related complications.


There is less risk if you use marijuana before this type of surgery, but it is still important

to report it. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has created a list of eight things to tell your anesthesiologist before surgery. The second is smoking followed by cannabis/marijuana usage.


Impact on Anesthetic Dose

You should inform your doctor about all aspects of your cannabis use. But, it is more

important to discuss the dosage. Your body's ability to use anesthetics can be affected

by how much and how often you use marijuana. Because cannabis causes changes to the central nervous system, marijuana users will need to use more anesthetics than non-marijuana users. Researchers have found that marijuana users who use it daily or weekly need three times as much Propofol (a general and general anesthetic) before an endoscopy. Communication is key when your anesthesiologist and doctors ask you about your marijuana usage so that they can account for this when dosing you for anesthetic.


Marijuana Use & Surgery: Before, On the Day, and After

It is not necessary to stop using marijuana completely if you need an operation. It is a good idea to inform your doctor about its use. This will allow the hospital staff to take appropriate measures before, during, and after your operation.


Marijuana use before surgery

Marijuana use before surgery can increase the risk of complications. Avoiding marijuana

(a common omission for many) can help minimize the negative consequences. Vaping cannabis can reduce the risk of lung injury, but smoking exposes your lungs to carcinogens.

Reduced lung function due to smoking can increase the duration of anesthesia and the

likelihood of pneumonia. Different types of smoking can expose the lungs to different

levels of carcinogens. Smoking joints and blunt wrappers that contain tobacco pose a

greater risk. While bongs or dabs can be cleaner options for burning, both carry the risk

of being used. Vaping may be the best option as it reduces exposure to harmful substances but that also depends on the vape. Always do your research on vapes as some often have harmful filler ingredients that may cause lung damage.


It is obvious that stopping the use of marijuana before surgery reduces the risk . So, How long do you have to keep that stash jar sealed up? Unfortunately, there isn't enough research to know. However, the lungs begin to improve about two weeks after quitting. Therefore, it is important to act quickly.


Consumption of marijuana on the day of the operation

We all know that marijuana calms and relaxes the mind. Although you may want to

smoke marijuana on the day of surgery, surgeons do not recommend it. Smoking just a

few hours before surgery can increase your risk of developing obstructed or blocked

airways. The phenomenon was observed in a study published in Heliyon. It was seen in

a patient who smoked marijuana four hours before surgery. The document recommends

that cannabis not be used at least 72 hours before general anesthesia.

It is unlikely that someone familiar with edibles would decide to eat a brownie right after

the operation. This type of eating can cause panic and other negative emotions. You do not want this to happen before surgery. Doctors also recommend fasting for at least six hours before surgery to prevent inhalation of food into the lungs.


Marijuana use after surgery

While you are hospitalized, it is illegal to smoke a joint. In addition, eating certain foods in the hospital may be a violation of the environment and the principles of the hospital. After you are discharged from the hospital, it is up to you what to do. This is when cannabis can help users feel less anxious and help reduce the need for addictive pain relievers. A 2006

study revealed that patients who received a marijuana extract by mouth after surgery did not need pain relievers.


CBD Intake Before and After Surgery

What about CBD? CBD acts in a completely different way than THC in the body and does not cause a high. It can be consumed before surgery. Many surgeons advise patients not to take CBD for several days before and after an operation. Researchers are still investigating whether CBD can cause blood thinning. CBD interacts with many

other medications. You should consult your doctor if CBD is taken orally and you plan to undergo any surgical procedures.


Marijuana Use and Recovery after Surgery

We know that you may be looking forward to smoking your first joint or jumping back into your CBD regimen after the operation. Acknowledge that your body has been through severe trauma, even if it wasn't obvious. You can use oils or edibles to facilitate your recovery. You should consult your doctor if CBD or cannabis is being used after an operation. This will eliminate any possibility of complications.

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