Restored Self: A Phenomenological Study of Pain Relief by Cannabis

Maya Lavie-Ajayi, Pesach Shvartzman

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Objective: To explore the subjective experience of pain relief by cannabis. Design: Qualitative data were collected through in-depth semistructured interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Subjects: Nineteen patients, aged 28 to 79, who were treated with medical cannabis under the supervision of a pain clinic in Israel. Results: Three key themes that emerged from the analysis were explored: 1) the Sigh of Relief, describing the corporal sensation of using cannabis, including a sense of relaxation and reduction in pain; 2) the Return to Normality, describing the comprehensive effect of using cannabis, including an increased ability to sleep, focus, and function; and 3) the Side Effects of using cannabis. Conclusions: We propose the term Restored Self to conceptualize the effect of medical cannabis. Restored Self is the experience of regaining one's sense of self, sense of normality, and sense of control over one's life.

    Original languageAmerican English
    Pages (from-to)2086-2093
    Number of pages8
    JournalPain Medicine
    Volume20
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1 Nov 2019

    Keywords

    • Chronic Pain
    • Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
    • Medical Cannabis
    • Qualitative Research

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Clinical Neurology
    • Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

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