Health

Cannabis Use Lowers Injury Risk by Two-Thirds, Swiss Study Shows

by Brinna | February 19, 2009 at 03:27 pm

1878 views | 7 Recommendations | 5 comments

Researches uncovered some surprising results in a cross-over study of accident victims in a Swiss hospital ER: Cannabis use is inversely proportional to injury risk. In other words, the more cannabis used, the less chance of accidental injury.

This same study showed a dose-dependent increase in injury risk from alcohol use. For example, alcohol use within six-hours prior to injury was associated with at mean relative risk of 3.00 compared to no alcohol use (1.00), That's an increase of 300% based on comparison of the numbers of similar injuries sustained by non-drinkers.

What researchers did not expect to see was the effect cannabis use had on accidental injuries. When they reviewed accidents treated in the emergency room, and looked at whether the patient used cannabis or not, they found that cannabis users were only one third as likely to be injured in the same circumstances as those that had no cannabis in their system. Dosage, in this case, was inversely related to risk of injury, with a mean relative risk factor of only 0.33, (or 1/3) compared with non-cannabis users.

So what does that mean? In plain terms, if you are hammering a nail your are three times more likely to hit your thumb if you take a drink within six hours of beginning your carpentry, whereas, if you light up a joint prior to your building project, you have two-thirds less chance of smashing your digit, than your completely sober buddy.

The study, published online in the January 29, 2009 edition of BMC Public Health, looked at 486 subjects (332 men and 154 women) who had received emergency room treatment for different kinds of injurious from various causes.

Researchers could supply no reasons for the results, but speculated that people might be a little more careful when they are stoned.

UPDATE: though employers justify random drug tests to ensure workplace safety, this Swiss study was actually the third one to show that cannabis use does not increase risk of injury. Prior studies with the same results include one in Missouri, and one in Buffalo, NY.

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Amy Judd

at 15:36 on February 19th, 2009

I suppose they could be a bit more careful if they are stoned, although I would just imagine that if you are going to be working with tools and hammers and saws, it would probably just be best to not do any any illegal substances or drink any alcohol.

Uwe Paschen

at 17:48 on February 19th, 2009

We could legalize all drugs and It may even reduce crime and other problem. however the penalty for driving under the influence of drugs and or working under such influence should be be raised and the tolerance should be zero.

Further does Buying and using drugs would have to accept second grade health care and no major help nor costly treatment if contracting Cancer or other illness related to the use of those drugs.

Last but not least they children should they have some, will have to be taken away for adoption or foster care and this for all drug abuses.

Fripouille

at 03:14 on February 20th, 2009

It's hard to explain these results other than by imputing them to the fact that people may be more careful when they have smoked, and that they work less quickly. I smoke much less now, but I always used to do things more carefully if they involved possible danger, including driving, I'm ashamed to say.......

My personal mean relative risk factor is 0.000.

How do I do that? Simple. On the rare occasions that I do smoke these days, it's in the evening, when all the work's done! :)

Geneva B

at 11:19 on February 20th, 2009

This ties in with something I came across earlier: the 10 most successful potheads on the planet cool enough to admit it

Ted Turner was a bit of a shocker!

Brinna

at 15:24 on February 26th, 2009

Thanks, Geneva for the link. I noticed that the Governator was on the list. Ahnold may have been cool enough to admit that he used it, but he definitely wasn't cool when he vetoed the bill that would have protected the working rights of medical cannabis patients. I call that hypocrisy at its worst!