Cannabis Users Require Higher Doses of Anesthetics in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

A new study has found that patients who use cannabis need higher doses of anesthetics during oral and maxillofacial procedures, such as tooth extractions or jaw tissue biopsies.

The research revealed that cannabis smokers require, on average, one-third more fentanyl and one and a half times more propofol compared to non-cannabis users. The authors noted that the growing popularity of recreational cannabis use highlights the importance of studying the effects of its active component, THC, on anesthesia.

By analyzing data from 53 patients, the researchers discovered that THC may alter the body’s response to sedative medications, making it more difficult to achieve the necessary level of pain relief. Although there were no significant differences in vital signs between the groups, the difference in anesthetic dosages was considered substantial.

As a result, dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons may now need to take a patient’s cannabis use into account when preparing for procedures that require anesthesia.