Medical marijuana has gained popularity around the world mainly because many people are now using it to manage chronic pain and several other ailments.

While several studies have indicated that marijuana isn’t just for recreational use as it may help alleviate symptoms of chronic pain like inflammation and nerve damage, it’s still not completely legal in most countries. Still, anecdotal evidence suggests that marijuana may help relieve symptoms of pain.

In this article, we’ll discuss how marijuana can manage chronic pain.

Cannabis And Chronic Pain 

While marijuana is known to be useful for chronic pain, especially inflammation and nerve pain, it has been difficult for researchers to find its effectiveness due to the complexity of the cannabis plant.

Cannabis has approximately 568 chemical compounds; out of these, around 60 are cannabinoids. These are compounds that interact with the receptors of your body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in creating the sensation of pain.

The two critical cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). While THC is a psychoactive compound associated with the feeling of ‘getting high’ and can lead to an increase in appetite, CBD is non-psychoactive and is used popularly to relieve symptoms of chronic pain inflammation.

Medical Marijuana Administration And Efficacy 

The first step to taking medical marijuana is to get a recommendation from your doctor. Since marijuana is still not approved by the FDA (Federal Drug administration), your doctor cannot give you a subscription to medical marijuana but may recommend it. If you live in Pennsylvania, you can also get your mmj card PA online here.

Medical marijuana comes in the form of tinctures, oils, and edibles. A dosage of medical marijuana can be administered by smoking, vaporizing, ingesting edibles, sublingually, or applied topically.

The efficacy of the different administration routes depends on the condition for which you’re taking medical marijuana. This is because the consumption methods change the way your body absorbs the active compounds of marijuana. The method of consumption may also impact the effects of marijuana and its duration.

Inhaling marijuana helps the active compounds to be absorbed in the bloodstream, making it an effective method to rapidly decrease pain sensations. However, the drawback of inhalation is that the effects of marijuana also die down quickly. While edibles may give you the same result as inhaling marijuana, the effects are slower to manifest and less predictable.

Instead, taking a dosage of medical marijuana sublingually (taken under the tongue) in the form of tinctures and oils may be more effective. This is because it’ll be easily absorbed in the bloodstream and will give you more control over your dosage. Additionally, topical creams and ointments are best used for reducing localized pain and inflammation.

Best Marijuana Strains For Chronic Pain 

The most commonly used cannabis strains for medical purposes include Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and hybrids. The cannabis indica strains are ideal for pain management and sedation. That’s why the cannabis indicia is commonly used for headaches, neuropathy, joint pain, and spasticity. On the other hand, the cannabis Sativa strain is effective for mood enhancement and improved energy.

Conclusion 

Medical marijuana is gaining popularity as a holistic alternative for pain-relieving opioids since it’s natural and has no side effects. Medical marijuana is also considered safe for use, and unlike opioids, there has never been any instance of a patient overdosing on medical marijuana.

However, before you plan on taking medical marijuana, it’s best to consult your doctor as marijuana may negatively interact with other medications.

Medical marijuana is widely being used today to manage chronic pain. Since its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve pain, taking medical marijuana for chronic pain can help you lead a healthy, pain-free life without any side effects.

Have you used medical marijuana for pain?

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