Pharmacists and students of pharmacy are discussing the use of products containing cannabidiol (CBD) and kratom available in the marketplace in relation to pain relief and anxiety as the market is getting flooded with these products. They are being asked to support the process of engagement between the products and the consumers.
The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacies’ Virtual Pharmacy Education 2020 conference recently discussed the educational strategies that can be derived for the pharmacy curriculum to support a comprehensive approach to student practice-readiness so that they can answer all the questions regarding the use of CBD and kratom products like the White Dragon Kratom Powder by the patients.
T.J. Sayre, PharmD, MPH, BCPP, BCPS, an assistant professor of pharmacy at Regis University, explained during the discussion that the CBD is used mainly for pain relief by the consumer. The point to be noted is that the data present on CBD for pain states that the cannabis products also contain THC along with CBD. Sayre shared that there are two published studies on CBD-only products that are for chronic pain, but they are small studies that have several limitations showing there might be some potential benefits.
According to Sayre, the data to support CBD for pain theory are severely lacking. Plus the main research is based on preclinical data using mice and models. He said during the presentation that most of the research states that the application of proposed mechanisms of action is a therapeutic rationale.
Shawn Taylor, PharmD, CPP, CDCES, an associate professor of pharmacy at Wingate University, during the presentation explained that kratom is available at convenience stores or vape shops and is being lauded in communities as being a beneficial natural tool for pain management. According to here the effects of the product are dependent on the dosage. Consumers generally start to take it on the lower end of the dose spectrum (1 and 5 grams) and get a stimulatory effect. The product acts like an amphetamine helping with the work productivity.
