One of the best ways to deal with pain is cannabis. It is a very effective and natural way to fight off pain. And while chronic pain conditions are increasing rapidly, medical cannabis is a great option to manage these conditions. You can simply get an online medical marijuana card to buy medical cannabis to manage symptoms associated with your condition.
Chronic pain is one of the biggest problems across the United States right now. About 25.3 million Americans suffer from pain every day. This is making more and more people choose medical cannabis to deal with this problem. It is a safer and more natural alternative to other treatments of chronic pain. Pharmaceutical medication or pain-relief medications come with many side effects. And one of the best things about medical cannabis is that it does not have any major side effects. Whether a person is suffering from chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia or pain associated with treatments of other illnesses such as cancer, medical cannabis can help in managing it. Today, we are going to learn everything about how medical cannabis can help in managing pain.
What is Pain?
Before we move forward with this topic, let’s first learn about the basics of pain. Long-term pain is called chronic pain, while pain caused by an injury is called acute pain. Cannabis has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that make it an ideal choice to deal with pain symptoms. It can help in dealing with existing pain as well as preventing pain right from the onset. Pain is also a very common symptom of many other ailments and treatments, and cannabis is a natural treatment for this pain.
Traditional Treatments For Pain
Opioid problem has become a very big issue in the United States these days. A lot of people across the country are overdosing on various popular pain medications. Statistics show that about 29 percent of patients end up misusing the prescribed pain medications. This is giving rise to the popularity of medical cannabis as it is a much safer and natural alternative to these medications.
Medical Cannabis as an Effective Pain Treatment
There are years worth of anecdotal evidence that proves how effective cannabis is in treating chronic pain conditions. Scientific research is now also showing the same results. Studies show that there is quality evidence that supports the effectiveness of cannabis in treating pain-related issues. Various studies show a substantial improvement in pain-related problems after using cannabis.
In March 2016, a study from the University of Michigan showed; cannabis can improve quality of life, reduce the usage of opioids by an average of 64 percent, and decrease side effects of other medications.
Symptoms Associated With Chronic Pain That Medical Cannabis Can Manage
It becomes very difficult to deal with chronic pain without getting any help. Medical cannabis is a great way to manage symptoms associated with chronic pain. Here is the list of some of the most common symptoms of chronic pain that medical cannabis can manage –
- Low back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
- Central nervous system issues
- Pain-related to HIV/AIDS
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- General chronic pain (non-specific), such as cancer pain or chronic neuropathic pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Headaches
- THJ disorders
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Pain-related to an accident and injury
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- And more
Understand The Cannabinoids (CBD And THC)
If you are looking to manage your pain with the help of cannabis, then you must get familiar with cannabinoids. Two of the most common cannabinoids found in cannabis are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol).
THC is known for producing the psychoactive effects associated with cannabis consumption. In simple words, it is the compound that makes you high after you consume cannabis. But, it is also very effective in providing relief from pain. It can be used to manage pain caused by a wide range of conditions. CBD, on the other hand, does not produce any “high.” It comes with anti-inflammatory properties that can help in treating the pain associated with multiple sclerosis.
Various Methods to Consume Cannabis For Pain Relief
Method 1. Smoking
Smoking cannabis is one of the most common and traditional ways of consuming cannabis. As new and exciting products are coming to the market, smoking is slowly becoming outdated. But, for many cannabis enthusiasts, nothing can be compared to the standard joint. Dosing accurately with smoking cannabis is fairly easy. This is because the effects kick in pretty quickly after smoking cannabis.
However, many people do not like smoking cannabis, as it has a negative impact on the lungs. Some people even have certain conditions that do not allow them to smoke.
Method 2. Vaping
This is the perfect choice for people who want the feeling of smoking without actually smoking. Vaping is a much healthier way to consume cannabis as there are no potential risks associated with it. It is a great option for people who can not stand the heavy scent of marijuana smoke. Vaporizers are also discreet enough to be used in public. The only drawback that I see with vaporizers is that they are not as affordable as smoking joints. You also need to recharge them, which can be a bit less convenient for some consumers. But again, we also charge our smartphones.
Method 3. Consuming Edibles
Who wouldn’t like to have a delicious cookie, which also helps in managing pain? Earlier, edibles were restricted to pot brownies, but not anymore. Now you can find a lot of options when it comes to cannabis-infused edibles. You can get anything from cakes to fine dining that is infused with cannabis. There are just so many alternatives that you can try.
One of the best parts about edibles is that the effects last longer than smoking or vaping. Also, potency is often much stronger making it an ideal choice for treating pain. However, these effects will take much longer to kick in as compared to other traditional methods. And you have to be a bit careful when consuming edibles, an extra dose can be too much to handle once the effects kick in.
Method 4. CBD Oils
CBD oils are also one of the most popular cannabis products right now on the market. These products are for everyone, and both young and old people use them. They are used to treat various conditions, such as chronic pain. CBD comes with full potent properties and does not make you high, making it a great choice for medical patients.
CBD oils can be used for various types of pain, such as arthritis, MS, chemotherapy, muscle soreness, and more. They are easy to use, and you can easily dose accurate intake. But in some users, frequent use of CBD can cause diarrhea, change in weight, and tiredness.
Method 5. Cannabis Topicals
Cannabis topicals are the perfect choice for people suffering from back and joint pain. It is a great alternative for you if you do not want to consume cannabis orally. Topicals are non-intoxicating and are great for skin issues as well.