A recent study from Colorado has revealed an important health concern: people who regularly use cannabis may need more than twice the usual amount of sedation during routine medical procedures. This finding could have serious implications for both patients and healthcare providers, especially as cannabis use becomes more common in areas where it’s legal.
The study was led by Dr. Mark Twardowski and published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association.
Researchers looked at the medical records of 250 patients who had undergone endoscopic procedures—such as colonoscopies—after 2012, the year recreational cannabis was legalized in Colorado. These procedures typically require sedatives to help keep patients comfortable and safe.
The results were clear: patients who reported using cannabis daily or weekly needed much higher doses of sedatives than those who did not use cannabis. On average, these patients required 14% more fentanyl, 20% more midazolam, and an astonishing 220% more propofol to reach the same level of sedation.
These medications are widely used during medical procedures—fentanyl and midazolam to ease pain and anxiety, and propofol to keep patients fully sedated.
The need for higher sedation is not just a matter of comfort—it raises safety concerns. Many sedatives come with dose-related side effects, meaning the risks go up as the dosage increases. One of the most dangerous side effects is slowed or stopped breathing, which can be life-threatening during procedures if not managed carefully.
Although researchers don’t yet fully understand why cannabis use increases the need for sedation, they believe it may affect how the body breaks down and responds to medications.
Cannabis appears to interact with the body’s metabolism in ways that make standard doses of sedatives less effective. This makes it essential for patients to tell their doctors about any cannabis use before a procedure.
The study also points out that this issue fits into a broader pattern of concerns linked to regular cannabis use. Other studies have shown that people who use cannabis often may experience persistent nausea, require larger doses of general anesthesia, and have a higher chance of post-surgery complications like seizures.
Because of these risks, the researchers recommend that medical staff ask patients specifically about their cannabis use during check-ins or intake forms. This information can help doctors better plan for sedation and take steps to reduce potential side effects, leading to safer procedures and smoother recoveries.
As more states and countries legalize cannabis for medical or recreational use, this type of research becomes increasingly important. It shows that while cannabis may offer benefits for some conditions, it also comes with risks that people should understand—especially when it comes to surgery or sedation.
In fact, recent studies have also linked regular cannabis use to a higher risk of heart attacks, and strong forms of cannabis may impact memory and thinking abilities. These findings highlight the importance of staying informed and discussing cannabis use openly with healthcare providers.
In short, if you regularly use cannabis, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know—especially before any procedure involving sedation or anesthesia. This small step could make a big difference in protecting your health and ensuring that your treatment goes as safely as possible.
If you care about smoking, please read studies about smoking may increase heart disease risk by 200% and e-cigarette smoke may cause lung cancer and bladder disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the cause of weight gain after smoking cessation, and results showing smoking may cause white scars on the brain.
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