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News, Research

The AHRQ Wants to Learn About Cannabis and Kratom For Chronic Pain

Ashley Priest

by Ashley Priest

January 4, 2021 03:30 pm ET Estimated Read Time: 6 Minutes
The AHRQ Wants to Learn About Cannabis and Kratom For Chronic Pain

Have you heard of Kratom or cannabis? Chances are you have most likely heard of both and probably have knowledge of at least how one of the two works. If you’re familiar with Kratom or cannabis and what their medicinal qualities are, you might be able to lend a helping hand to the man, the US Federal Government, that is. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, or AHRQ for short, has reached out to the public to learn about Kratom and cannabis from the people who consume them. The feds are looking for information on how cannabis and/or Kratom might treat pain.

The opioid epidemic plaguing America and the world may have been silenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is still there and perhaps worse than ever. The AHRQ isn’t looking for solid input from the people in regard to the medicinal and therapeutic attributes of either of these two plants. The AHRQ is hoping to gather information on four specific questions in particular.

  • In adults with chronic pain, what are the harms of Kratom or other plant-based substances for treatment of chronic pain?
  • In adults with chronic pain, what are the harms of cannabinoids?
  • In adults with chronic pain, what are the benefits of Kratom or other plant-based substances for treatment of chronic pain?
  • In adults with chronic pain, what are the benefits of cannabinoids?

We would hope that valid answers from the public would help to shift the tides of government agencies in regard to Kratom and cannabis. All we can do is share the plethora of knowledge we have with the AHRQ and hope that this vast amount of input falls upon open minds and not closed eyes and deaf ears.

A Quick Hit of Cannabis Info

Cannabis is a plant loaded with cannabinoids like THC, CBN, CBG, CBD, and others. It comes in indica, sativa, hybrid, and ruderalis varieties with a multitude of different strains. Cannabis prohibition began in 1937 with the signing of the MJ Tax Act. It was increasingly enforced some years later under the Nixon administration with the signing of the Controlled Substance Act, which placed cannabis under the category of a Schedule 1 narcotic/substance.

Despite the illegality of cannabis, it continued to cultivate healing amongst a growing community of supporters. Cannabis has become something more than just a plant you smoke. Medicinal cannabinoid therapies are saving and changing lives for people across America and around the world. Individuals like Coltyn Turner, Alexis Bortell, and the late Charlotte Figi helped show America the power of cannabis and cannabinoid therapies, and thanks to the access we have to information today, their stories reached the masses. There are many different methods of cannabis consumption these days; it’s not just about smoking joints, blunts, bowls, and bongs.

Medical cannabis has gained strong ground over recent years in America, with states going against federal law and legalizing this Schedule 1 drug on both a medicinal and recreational level. The House passed the MORE Act, which is expected to stall in Senate, setting up the battlegrounds for ending decades-old marijuana prohibition in 2021. This shows that a change is on the horizon and offers hope that the Age of Aquarius may have good things in store for this widely misunderstood plant.

A Statement from the AHRQ

The AHRQ told media, “Some data suggest that cannabinoids may have analgesic properties, though research in this area is mixed. THC has demonstrated analgesic properties, though its psychoactive effects and abuse potential increase its risk and suitability as an analgesic.” The AHRQ went on to say that some cannabinoid therapies “may also have some analgesic or anti-inflammatory properties and are not thought to be psychoactive or addictive, but these cannabinoids may not be as potent as THC.”

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The NCBI is considered a very creditable source for medical studies and journals. They have an article published there titled “A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain” that looks at CBD, one of the many cannabinoids present in cannabis. The conclusion of this article states the following;

“Rising prevalence of the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD presents an opportunity for the treatment of intractable chronic pain for which primary treatments are insufficient or not possible.”

Kratom

Like cannabis, Kratom is also a plant that has many strains or varieties used for medicinal value. Currently, Kratom is legal in the US and many utilize it as an alternative to prescription pharmaceuticals. But the FDA is looking to change this by banning Kratom. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, “Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tree in the coffee family, found in Thailand and other tropical countries“. In certain retail stores, Kratom is often found in a ground powder substance which can be taken with food or water, or simply by itself. Many prefer to capsulate the powder. There are three colors (red, white, and green) of Kratom that each, according to anecdotal evidence, offer a different effect.

  • Red Kratom is said to be a relaxer. Many people compare the therapeutic effects to those of Valium or Xanax.
  • Green Kratom is said to be for energy and clarity. The effect is said to be similar to Adderall or Ritalin.
  • White Kratom is said to be for energy. People recovering from addiction to opioids, heroin, cocaine, or prescription drug addiction often find that white Kratom is helpful through the weaning and withdrawal process.

It’s Time to Embrace Plant Medicines

Plant medicine has been around for thousands of years and is what modern medicine is based on in many instances. The web is packed with countless reports of cannabis and Kratom helping people, young and old alike. Countries like Israel have advanced cannabinoid therapy studies that took place under GMP and GXP protocol, so why are they not accepted? The easy answer to that is the same one that is at the root of all questions when it comes to the government, and that is, of course, money. As soon as cannabis serves a place being more profitable, legalized, and regulated than illegal and criminalized, we’ll see a shift where a newfound government goes green.

In regard to Kratom, it’s up to the people to step up and let the feds know what they think. It seems that if something holds a chance at helping a person or a chance at bringing them enjoyment these days that isn’t tobacco, alcohol, or prescription drug-related, the American Federal Government wants to crush it. It’s sad they don’t see the profit in healing people and laying the foundation for a better tomorrow by ending the mass incarceration of the American people over the simple possession of plants and their derivatives.

Post Your Comments

Megan G. says:

January 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm

It’s good to see that everywhere around the globe is taking a look at something that comes from the ground like it has in different forms for thousands of years all in one article. Eventually in time I hope that we can get out of that “pot” box we are in and move into the the 21st century where we have so much technology to use it for good and make it how the American public actually needs it instead of a here “take this pill….it works the same for everybody….side effects…..ummmm well that’s just a side effect of the pill….take this pill to cover up the side effects of that first pill.”
If I’ve seen it once I’ve seen it a hundred times.
Nice job girl. We are all proud of ya.

Reply
Ashley says:

January 14, 2021 at 1:28 pm

Thanks Megan! I couldn’t agree more with your comments. I am so thrilled to be living in a time where more and more people are becoming enlightened in this area. #OneLove

Reply
Patrick Wilsoni says:

January 8, 2021 at 6:23 pm

I have been a kratom user for 6yrs now after a 2 bad motorcycle wrecks and a few yrs in the nitemare of opaites. I have a life now am trusted to care for my grandkids. Cannabis helps me relax and disassociate from the pain both are the only reason I can function.

Reply
Ashley says:

January 14, 2021 at 1:29 pm

This is incredible Patrick! #ThankYouCannabisandKratom

Reply
Phillip Webb says:

January 8, 2021 at 6:47 pm

After 3 years of taking 15 milg. Of morphine sulphate 3 times a day prescribed by a pain doctor I found kratom and cbd oil I have my life back no more morphine thanks to kratom I manage the pain thanks to both .

Reply
Ashley says:

January 14, 2021 at 1:27 pm

This makes my heart happy Phillip! Many congratulations on finding relief and ridding your life of such a substance. Much love!

Reply
Vincent says:

January 9, 2021 at 9:31 am

Kratom is one the most addictive substances on Earth. Be careful before you try this “natural”remedy. If you don’t believe me, go in Reddit, and read the posts from QuittingKratom. There are nearly 8,000 members who are hopelessly addicted. Some break the addiction, most relapse. The withdrawals can take months which impact your mood causing sever depression, lethargy, and anxiety. I telling you this from first hand experience.

Reply
Lo says:

January 11, 2021 at 9:04 am

On earth? 🧐 From my firsthand experience, I’ve seen more people successfully use it as an exit drug to come off opiates and avoid pharmaceuticals than I have seen people struggle with it. Veriheal’s goal is to educate and promote responsible consumption. It goes without saying that if someone suffers with addiction, always approach substances with caution! Even better, speak with a medical professional about it first.

Reply
Terrin Reiss says:

January 10, 2021 at 1:55 pm

great article!!! i use both to help with my pain. kratom has been a life changer for me and so many others.

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Ashley says:

January 14, 2021 at 1:26 pm

So glad you enjoyed the read Terrin! I am ecstatic to hear that you have found relief through natural means!

Reply
Dijon Evans says:

July 24, 2021 at 1:53 am

A little bit of why it matters to me:
You have taken away my pain meds. Put me through withdrawals, without a thought of what that may be like.
I am not a slacker. I am educated, and if I had things my way, wouldn’t be taking anything. I used to be extremely active, I had plans and goals for my life.
But when I turned 16, my first real job was a lifeguard. I got my foot caught on the outside of the pool, as I went in to get a little boy. I dislocated my ankle. I had a cast put on too tight and it cut off the circulation and killed the nerves.
My leg was allowed to remain on too long, and the nerve damage spread, it’s now full body, including trigeminal and ocular nerves- as well as now being documented in my brain.
It’s shutting down my organs one by one and it will eventually kill me. It has caused me to have gangrene, pulmonary embolisms (2), sepsis, blood poisoning,  infections so bad I’d spend 2 months in the hospital,  and 4 months in a nursing home- with debris occurring 2 times a day, every day. A wire brush scrubbing on my bones because I’ve had 9 bouts of osteomyelitis. Pic lines for 6 months to a year. Because of the damage to my sympathetic nervous system, I have such brittle bones because of the nerve damage that I have 9 broken/compression fractured vertebrae, an artificial hip – my other hip and knee need to be replaced. But the doctors won’t perform any surgical procedures unless it is life saving.
That’s not even mentioning the amputations…
It’s called CRPS 2 w/ additional complications; that’s what the cast caused.
There’s not one aspect or person ( family/ friend/ co-worker/ or even doctors) that hasn’t been negatively affected by the pain or medical events that I deal with every second, of every minute, every hour of every day – week- month and year since I was 16.
I am now 54 years old.
However, you actually did me a favor by helping me find other methods of pain relief through your false opioid prescription action…..
Until now…
Yes, this nerve damage is going to kill me, and I’ve been on death’s door far too many times to count!
Because of your “new guidelines,” I don’t fall into your terminal cancer pigeonhole.
Even if I wanted to be back on opiates, I wouldn’t be able to-  my doctors and medical coverage just dropped all of the pain management patients. Unless you are a terminal cancer patient.
So I found something ” other than opioids.”
Just as the CDC GUIDELINES state to do… and are being acted upon as if they are law.
Kratom:
lets me have a clear head
Helps with the pain
(far more than the pills).
I am able to get myself out of bed [the past 10 years I’ve been bedridden].
NOW I can get into my wheelchair and into the front room.
I have been sincerely smiling.
Laughing.
Trying to find a way to do a hobby or something.
At least I have a desire to try,
instead of arguing with the doctors about quality of life/vs no quality of life.
I take a total of 1 1/2 tsp a day, of kratom.
Not all at once.
No, it doesn’t get rid of all of the pain
but I am able to tolerate what I have, far more than I ever could have on the pills!
I can once again see beauty, feel joy and experience the intense differences between colors.
Kratom has allowed me to find a little saving grace in my world of sheer agony
Why do you want to take that away?
Why don’t you do an experiment: for one month… Just one.
Put yourselves in a wheelchair, tie your legs together so you can’t use them.
Get up, get dressed, fix your food, go to work ( no servers, no drivers, nobody doing anything for you….) It’s only 30 -31 days.
In fact: get by on 876 a month… take buses, go from pharmacy to pharmacy, and doctors office – pay copays, rent. You know that kind of thing.
Do it while you’re in so much pain, you have to remember to breathe
.. all the while remaining by yourself because you are just as tired of talking about the pain and “what now” things, as everyone else is, hearing about it.
Only 30 days. ..
It’s Not a lifetime, like, we are subjected to.
Most of all because of Kratom I found a very special group of people! The love and appreciation that I have for you is beyond deep!
I’ve gained so very much, in a short amount of time…
I learned more,
discovered more,
felt more.
I have experienced more love and acceptance then I have in my entire life.
Now, instead of fearing the “KNOWN”  stalker that’s about to pounce, & by no means do I want to be back in its grip! The unrelenting excruciating torture.
But a big part won’t be with it!
All of the self doubt
the worthlessness unimportant insignificant shadow of chronic pain/illness/ the glances of disgust…
And now, once again  I have that peace back
Because of
all that you’ve taught me
My self discovery
I’ve gained so much!
I Was safe enough to be vulnerable, So I was able to process all of that “stuff” THE stuff that my system and mind was to overwhelmed by just existing, mere survival; to simply getting thru each minute: that as I “growing up” even though I know of my stated intelligence-
I was retarded by the pain
The pain that is once looming in my near future, but my disease has now progressed.
Just not to fit your definition of “terminal,”
as I am not a cancer patient
it’s okay
It’s acceptable
That MILLIONS of people like me, SUFFER and DIE a slow, intolerable agonizing death
Or we are turned into felons
Agonizing suffering
Or the black market, the streets, or prisons
BECAUSE imho, history is about to repeat itself…
Prohibition of Alcohol, and how well it worked…
How much it accomplished..
How safe it made the streets…
How many entrepreneur’s it created…
That history SHOULD BE A clear and obvious BLATANT EXAMPLE of what is NOT a good thing for THE PEOPLE
I’m curious….
Is our Justice system set up for MILLIONS of people who are SICK, INJURED, have CHRONIC DISEASES. People with MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES or  people who HAD been dealing EFFECTIVELY  with ADDICTIONS..
DO WE have prisons set up for that?
Aren’t the prisons currently Overcrowded
Yeah, GOOD IDEA
Make something Natural – Illegal,
when it is cheap,
effective,
creates reliable, working people
Decreases crime
has no side effects, that more synthetic drugs are needed, and more, and more 
All of the people who have found recovery,
found a much more effective and safe manner that helps with pain: mental or physical…
It doesnt cure
It doesn’t get you “High”
As PERSONS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA..
THE LAND of the FREE.
We are Individuals
We are free
We are over 18
We are adults
We are not committing crimes
We are contributing members of society
We ARE IMPORTANT
WE ARE NOT PROPERTY of the United States
WE ARE “FREE” from torture
Free from undue taxation
Free to choose
We were created with the ability to make decisions.
I know right from wrong
I am over 21
I can buy Alcohol
I can buy cigarettes
I can drink and cause myself brain and liver failure
I can smoke and cause myself AND THOSE WHO DON’T SMOKE, major health issues
AND THROW the butts( filters) down and kill  children, animals, and pollute the water
Healthy
Natural or
Free

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