Whether it is the patient themselves or their family, the first reaction to the word surgery may not be one of joy and delight. Instead, people tend to feel uneasy and nervous. Regardless of the size of the surgery, if you use industrial hemp regularly, it may seem like it could be used as a good way to stop the rumination. However, in surgery, industrial hemp can lead to some serious risks.

It is normal to feel nervous before undergoing surgery. Despite being operated on by a highly trained surgeon with even years of experience, the patient's mind may not be able to help but feel anxious about every possible adverse outcome. The benefits of surgery often outweigh the risks, and while this does little to relieve tension, it is true. If you use industrial hemp regularly, then using it in moderation before surgery seems to be an effective way to gain inner peace. There is no doubt that industrial hemp will relax you, but its use before surgery can lead to a range of complications.

Below, we look at the risks of using industrial hemp before and after surgery and whether the use of CBD alone poses any surgery-related risks.

Preoperative preparation

The vast majority of people can't help but feel nervous, panicky and worried before they get on the operating table. And patients with herniated discs, fractures or other conditions often experience not only mental stress but also severe pain during this time before surgery. Regular users of industrial hemp will crave the comfort that this plant brings during this uncertain pre-surgical time.

Although industrial hemp helps to relieve frayed nerves, inhaling or consuming industrial hemp before surgery can pose significant risks as it can alter the way the anaesthetic works in the body and may increase the severity of post-operative pain.

How does industrial hemp affect surgery?

Industrial hemp affects many different physiological systems in the body. Cannabinoids such as CBD bind in an indirect manner to receptors throughout the body, including those in the central nervous system. The physiological changes caused by this mechanism of action can increase the risks associated with surgery. The biggest surgical problems associated with industrial hemp include:

  • Desensitises the body to normal doses of anaesthesia
  • Increases the risk of airway obstruction
  • Decreases blood pressure and increases heart rate
  • May increase post-operative pain

1.Type of surgery

There are several types of surgery and the risks posed by industrial hemp will vary depending on the specific surgery. Life-saving and life-changing open surgery requires the use of general anaesthesia. The anaesthetic causes the body and mind to enter a state of unconsciousness. Physical activity, such as breathing, is slowed during general anaesthesia and the patient is usually placed on a ventilator and their vital signs are closely monitored. Because industrial hemp alters the body's response to anaesthesia and affects blood pressure, it poses the greatest risk in this type of surgery.

Local anaesthesia is generally used for other types of surgery. Rather than rendering the patient unconscious, local anaesthesia seeks to stop pain in a specific area of the body while keeping the patient awake. Local anaesthesia is often used for minor procedures such as skin and eye surgery and is less risky as the patient is able to breathe freely, which eliminates the potential complications of gas exchange.

Although there is less risk of using industrial hemp before minor surgery, you should still tell your doctor beforehand that you have recently used industrial hemp. The American Society of Anaesthesiologists has published a list of eight things to tell your anaesthetist before surgery. Smoking came in second and using industrial hemp came in third.

2.Anesthetic dose

Of all the reasons to tell your doctor that you are using industrial hemp, the effect on the amount of anaesthetic is one of the most important. The amount and frequency of industrial hemp use affects the way the anaesthetic works in the body. The plant causes changes in the central nervous system, which means that people who use industrial hemp need more anaesthetic than those who do not. Studies have shown that daily and weekly users have three times the dose of propofol (a general anaesthetic) used for sedation prior to endoscopy than the average patient.

Industrial hemp and pre-, intra- and post-surgery

There is no need to give up industrial hemp altogether if surgery is planned. Just be aware that your choice can affect the surgical procedure. At the very least, your doctor should be made aware of your industrial hemp use to help medical staff take appropriate measures before, during and after surgery.

1.Pre-operative use carries risks

The use of industrial hemp prior to surgery may increase the risk of complications. While the use of industrial hemp may help to reduce the risk of damage to the lungs, smoking industrial hemp exposes the lung system to carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. These substances are known to affect lung function.

Reduced lung function due to smoking increases the time patients need to ventilate longer after general anaesthesia and also increases the risk of post-operative pneumonia. Different methods of smoking expose the lungs to different levels of carcinogens. Cigarettes and other methods that go through combustion can cause more damage. E-cigarettes, on the other hand, greatly reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.

People who regularly use industrial hemp also experience higher levels of pain after surgery. Although some studies are exploring the effects of industrial hemp on chronic nerve pain, the plant appears to exacerbate acute pain after surgery. The American Society of Anesthesiologists reported on a study of a large number of patients with leg fractures. The results showed that industrial hemp users required more narcotics, experienced higher levels of pain and required 58% more opioids per day than non-users.

Withdrawal from industrial hemp prior to surgery significantly reduces the risks associated with it and may help reduce pain after surgery. So how long is better to abstain? There is still a lack of research on the subject and no definitive answer. However, within just two weeks of withdrawal, the lungs will start to improve, so the sooner you quit, the better.

2.Not recommended on the day of surgery

Industrial hemp is known to help people relax. You may want to use it on the day of surgery, but surgeons strongly advise against it. Smoking industrial hemp a few hours before surgery can increase the risk of airway obstruction. This increased risk of airway obstruction was described in a case study published in the journal Heliyon, that occurred in a patient who used industrial hemp four hours before surgery. The paper recommends against the use of industrial hemp at least 72 hours before undergoing general anaesthesia. (Heliyon is the general interest journal of Cell Press, covering the life sciences, physical chemistry, engineering sciences, social sciences and clinical medicine, and is dedicated to publishing valuable scientific research.)

3.Post-operative use helps with relaxation and pain relief

Some users have found that industrial hemp helps to ease their mood during the post-operative period, making it easier for them to relax while taking addictive painkillers. Interestingly, a 2006 study found that some patients who took oral industrial hemp extracts after surgery did not need additional painkillers.

CBD before and after surgery

So, what about CBD? It works differently in the body to THC and doesn't cause euphoria. So surely you can use this reliable cannabinoid to ease nerves before surgery, right? Don't jump to conclusions just yet. Some surgeons urge patients to stop taking CBD a few days before and after surgery to prevent excessive bleeding due to the anticoagulant effects of cannabinoids.CBD also interacts with many medications. Therefore, if you are taking CBD and are planning to have (whatever type of) surgery, you should consult your doctor in advance.

Industrial hemp and post-operative rehabilitation

You may have itchy joints for a few days after the operation. It is important to remember that the body has just undergone a significant degree of trauma (even if you don't feel it). During the recovery process, consider options for more beneficial use of your body, such as consuming industrial hemp foods and oils. If you are taking any medication (including painkillers) or have any potential health problems, you should consult your doctor before using CBD or industrial hemp after surgery to rule out the risk of any adverse events.