Tramadol and Cannabis – Why You Shouldn’t Combine the Two

Tramadol and cannabis are two substances known to offer pain relief. With their similarities, it is only natural to assume you can use them together. However, doing so could lead to disaster.

We cover everything you need to know about tramadol, why you shouldn’t mix it with cannabis, and what the future of pain relief could look like.

Tramadol Overview

Tramadol is a synthetic opioid created in a lab, like fentanyl. This pharmaceutical is often prescribed to chronic and acute pain patients. Unfortunately, like many opioids, tramadol is highly addictive. This is because it works by binding to opioid receptors, like other opioids both natural and synthetic. By binding to these receptors, it triggers the body to suppress pain signals and prompts the production of euphoric endorphins and dopamine.

At its inception, tramadol was sold as a safer alternative to other opioids. According to recent studies, however, tramadol actually holds a higher mortality rate than other opiates. Further, because it is a synthetic opioid, tramadol also comes with a heightened risk of fatality from overdose as it does not respond to naloxone — a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.

As if that wasn’t enough, tramadol use also leads to a laundry list of side-effects like:

• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty Breathing
• Difficulty Swallowing
• Difficulty Thinking or Concentrating
• Dry Mouth
• Excessive Fatigue or Drowsiness
• Fast Or Racing Heartbeat
• Fatality
• Hallucinations
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Loss Of Consciousness
• Loss Of Muscle Coordination
• Mood Changes
• Muscle Tightness
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Seizures
• Shivering
• Skin Conditions Such as Blisters, Hives, and/or Rashes
• Swelling in the Face or 4 Extremities
• Uncontrollable Shaking
• Unexplained Muscle Twitching
• Unexplained Sweating or Fever
• Vomiting

Why You Should Not Combine Tramadol and Cannabis

As we previously mentioned, both cannabis and tramadol hold pain-relieving properties. That said, it is not advised that you combine the two substances. The biggest reason is that internal systems with which these substances interact with are known to affect one another. Tramadol works with opioid receptors in the body, while cannabis works with the endocannabinoid system. When combined, cannabis can increase the severity of tramadol’s side effects like sleepiness, dizziness, and in some cases, even cause intense seizures.

Another reason you should avoid combining these substances is because they both trigger the production of serotonin. When your body produces an excessive concentration of this neurotransmitter within the brain, it can result in what is known as serotonin syndrome, a very severe and sometimes fatal condition.

Could Cannabis End The Opioid Crisis?

Though not completely conclusive, many studies point to cannabis legalization reducing opioid-related issues like prescription and addiction rates. There are even statistics showing a drop in admissions to treatment centers after cannabis legalization. Here are just some of the studies showing cannabis’ positive effects on opioid-related issues:

• A study from Harvard Health found that opiate prescription rates are lower in states with legal cannabis markets.
• This study found that opioid dependency and abuse dropped an average of 23% in states where cannabis was legalized for medical purposes.
• This study found that medical cannabis legalization is associated with a 5.88% drop in opioid prescription rates. In states with legal recreational cannabis, opioid prescription rates dropped by an even higher 6.28%. Though these figures may sound insignificant, these totals result in a reduction of over 2.21 million daily doses of opioids in a year. These results were so promising in fact, that the researchers behind the study said:
  

  “The potential of marijuana liberalization to reduce the use and consequences of prescription opioids among Medicaid enrollees deserves consideration during the policy discussions about marijuana reform and the opioid epidemic.”

• Last but not least, this study found that when states legalized cannabis, fatalities associated with opioids drastically decreased. Within 6 years of medical cannabis legalization, opiate-related deaths decreased by approximately 33%.

Studies Supporting Cannabis Efficiency in Relieving Pain

Many patients who require pain relief but are aware of the detrimental side effects of pharmaceuticals opt for more holistic nature-based solutions like cannabis. But, just how effective is cannabis at treating pain compared to pharmaceuticals like tramadol? Here are just a few of the studies into cannabis pain-relieving properties:

• This meta-analysis of clinical trials found moderate evidence that cannabis exhibited analgesic activity, especially in neuropathic pain.
• A study by researchers at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that patients suffering from various pain conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and joint pain found significant improvements in their pain levels, sleep patterns, as well as overall mood, and quality of life after using cannabis.
• A study from the University of Arizona found that terpenes, by themselves, as well as when combined with cannabinoids from cannabis, can help to reduce pain sensations.
• This study found that CBD may be effective in relieving chronic pain in conditions such as spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis over a small study group.
• Many other studies have also shown that cannabinoids offer anti-inflammatory properties. With inflammation being at the root of many pain-related conditions, it is safe to say that cannabis offers significant benefits for those with various types of pain.

As you can see, there is much evidence cannabis is an effective pain reliever. Cannabis does such a good job in fact, that it very well may help to slow down the opioid crisis.

Please don’t combine cannabis and tramadol. If you do, you’ll be in a world of trouble. Remember to consult your doctor if you are considering ditching opiates for cannabis.