HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Does Smoking Marijuana Affect The Healing Process ?

Hello, I am a Combat Veteran of the army, with 4 deployments, and was hurt during my last deployment. I have had 2 back surgery s, my most recent was L5 S1 fusion, anyways I am a smoker, Now I know smoking effects my healing in a major way along with the many other issues it can cause. My question is this, if I only smoke between 1-5 cigarettes a day will this effect my healing lets say like smoking a pack-2packs a day? 2ND part to my question, I still have a lot of pain , and have been on all the pain meds, so now I have a very high tolerance to pain meds, and non the less that really stinks. But I have recently found that using marijuana relieves my pain in a great way. my question about that is, if I smoke that will it effect my healing or anything else like smoking cigarettes??
Mon, 9 Apr 2012
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist 's  Response

hi welcome to HCM,
Cannabis has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight Aside from a subjective change in perception and, most notably, mood, the most common short-term physical and neurological effects include increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, impairment of short-term and working memory,psychomotor coordination, and concentration. Long-term effects are less clear.
Deaths associated to cannabis overdose are exceptionally rare. Fatalities resulting from cannabis overdose are said to most often occur after intravenous injection of hashish oil.
possibility of cannabis dependence; the potential of cannabis as a "gateway drug"; its effects on intelligence and memory; its effect on the lungs; and the relationship, if any, of cannabis use to mental disorders such as schizophrenia, psychosis, Depersonalization disorderand depression.
Thus ,you must refer a psychiatric center for de-addiction process.
hope ,i answered your query.
regards
I find this answer helpful
Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Mohan Thadi's  Response
Smoking either cigarettes or marijuana will affect healing anyway because of the carcinogens in it, carbon-monoxide, carbon particles, etc. The marijuana will give you a high but will not cure the pain. You need to stop taking recourse in smoking for treating your health-problem. Its an addiction, hope you realise that. Also, besides the increased risks of lung cancer, stroke, heart attacks, Alzheimer's, Chronic lung disease, smoking also makes your bones osteoporotic--takes calcium away from the bones, which'll further weaken your spine and worsen your pain. Take up a healthy daily activity such as swimming or cycling to strengthen your back instead.
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Electronic cigarette


Loading Online Doctors....
Does Smoking Marijuana Affect The Healing Process ?

hi welcome to HCM, Cannabis has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight Aside from a subjective change in perception and, most notably, mood, the most common short-term physical and neurological effects include increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, impairment of short-term and working memory,psychomotor coordination, and concentration. Long-term effects are less clear. Deaths associated to cannabis overdose are exceptionally rare. Fatalities resulting from cannabis overdose are said to most often occur after intravenous injection of hashish oil. possibility of cannabis dependence; the potential of cannabis as a gateway drug ; its effects on intelligence and memory; its effect on the lungs; and the relationship, if any, of cannabis use to mental disorders such as schizophrenia, psychosis, Depersonalization disorderand depression. Thus ,you must refer a psychiatric center for de-addiction process. hope ,i answered your query. regards