Chronic Pain – Canadians are Under Siege

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Imagine always being in pain. Never being able to relax, sleep properly or feel completely well. For an estimated 20% of Canadians, this is not something they imagine; it’s something they live.

Chronic pain is a silent epidemic in this country that is stealing quality of life. The prevalence of pain has spawned the opioid crisis, illustrating the desperate need for less addictive options; but there is hope. Plant-made therapeutics, including cannabinoids, are providing pain solutions to many – solutions that patients previously felt were simply not possible. ZYUS is a Canadian phyto-therapeutics company focused on providing a compassionate, science-backed approach to pain management. The company’s CEO, Brent Zettl, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lionel Marks de Chabris, share their insights on this “pain-demic” and the positive role cannabinoids can play in offering an alternative to over-the-counter medication and opioids.

“The first step is to understand the different types of pain patients can experience, which are separated into two main categories: acute pain and chronic pain,” explains Dr. Marks de Chabris. “Acute pain is a sharp pain that comes on suddenly and does not persist; for example, breaking a bone. Chronic pain lingers and is often resistant to medical treatment. A few of the most prevalent types of chronic pain include fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and rheumatoid arthritis.”

The government’s Pain Task Force recently reported that 1 in 5 Canadians live with chronic pain1. With a lack of treatment options, chronic pain and addiction continue to increase, affecting the lives of patients. ZYUS believes this is totally unacceptable and that cannabinoids may help improve quality of life for these 7 million+ Canadians. There is a vast and growing body of scientific evidence that support the efficacy of cannabinoids to improve well-being and manage pain, with no risk of overdose or safety concerns to the patient2. In fact, in a recent study on chronic pain3, patients confirmed that cannabinoids provided improvements in pain severity and interference, repaired physical and mental health, and significantly reduced headaches, fatigue, anxiety and nausea.

“For many patients, traditional treatments simply do not work, and they continue to suffer needlessly. People are sick and tired of being sick and tired,” says Mr. Zettl. “As a society, we must shift the focus towards improving pain management options to restore health and well-being. And research is only now beginning to confirm what many patients have been experiencing already for years – cannabinoids have the real potential power to increase quality of life for those who are suffering.”

Research continues into this area and Dr. Marks de Chabris offers this perspective: “While there is no one magic solution that works for all patients who suffer from chronic pain, cannabinoids are showing promise for many. I suggest that anyone suffering from chronic pain discuss cannabinoids as a treatment option with their healthcare practitioner.”

If you are suffering from chronic pain, talk to your healthcare practitioner about all options available, including cannabinoids. “At ZYUS, we are dedicated to patient comfort and compassionate care,” adds Mr. Zettl. “We know a good outcome goes far beyond survival. A good outcome improves quality of life, and we’ve witnessed the relief cannabinoids provide to patients. If you’re suffering, you owe it to yourself to see if cannabinoids are a potential solution for you.”

To learn more about ZYUS, visit ZYUS.ca.

Anderson, M., Campbell, F., Choinière, M., El-Gabalawy, H., Hudspith, M., Laliberté, J., Swidrovich, J., Wilhelm, L. (2019). Chronic Pain in Canada: Laying a Foundation for Action. Canadian Pain Task Force Report: June 2019.

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Health and Medicine Division. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2017 Jan 12. 9, Injury and Death. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425742/

Oxford Academic; Medical Cannabis for the Management of Pain and Quality of Life in Chronic Pain Patients: A Prospective Observational Study