Would medical marijuana have been a better pain relief option for singer Prince?

Prince was a famed American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and actor, who enjoyed huge success and popularity. He died on April 21, 2016.

Prince is well-known to have suffered from debilitating pain in his hips, which has been attributed to years of dancing on stage in high-heels. The recipient of double hip replacement surgery in 2010, he is said to have relied heavily on opiate pain medications to provide him with relief from his chronic pain. Although was no sign of suicide or foul play regarding his death, the icon had struggled with opioid dependence, and in fact, was scheduled to meet with an opioid addiction specialist the day after he was found dead.

Chronic pain management requires, in many cases, the taking of strong, often-opiate based medications. Patients who take these pain killers on a daily basis can become seriously dependent on pain killers over an extended amount of time. Withdrawals from pain killers are not pleasant to go through or see anyone go through, with severe body aches for hours as a result of withdrawal.

There is a long list of side effects of Percocet, the pain-killer Prince was apparently taking, which include: chills, dizziness, fever, itching, tiredness, headaches, muscle tremors, numbness in the hands, pains in the abdomen, vomiting and more. One can easily overdose on Percocet, and complications include liver damage, liver failure and death.

How can marijuana manage pain and is it possible to overdose on marijuana?

There is scientific evidence that cannabinoids possess pain-relieving properties and some clinical evidence to support their medical use for patients suffering from painful conditions. More and more influential medical associations support cannabis and its derivatives for pain management and other medical conditions because research has shown it to be effective.

Is it possible to overdose on weed? The answer is no, according to the National Cancer Institute who state: “Because cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.”

Perhaps, had Prince taken medical marijuana to treat his chronic pain, he may have enjoyed a better quality of life and found an effective way to manage his condition.

Sources:

http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/autopsy-reveals-percocet-found-in-princes-system-criminal-investigation-underway-news.21465.html?

http://www.harborsidehealthcenter.com/learn/chronic-pain-medical-cannabis.html

http://prescription-drug.addictionblog.org/can-you-overdose-od-on-percocet/