How does cannabis use for pain relief?

Chronic pain impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide, and scientists always try to find better remedies to cope with that. 

Cannabis use for pain relief has been known for a long time, but it’s still a topic of debate for many people. Various studies prove that smoking cannabis for pain can actually have some beneficial effects for patients struggling with chronic pain, but it’s necessary to learn more about that, find out all the side effects, and decide what product is the best for cannabis pain relief treatment.

How does cannabis for pain work?

Speaking of cannabis and pain, the way this plant works is by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), responsible for regulating various functions in the body, and the components of cannabis (CBD and THC) affect it, providing people with health benefits.

THC binds to receptors in the ECS, called CB1 receptors, which are found in the brain and nervous system, reducing pain and inflammation associated with different health conditions, from arthritis to cancer.

CBD works differently than THC, it interacts with other receptors in the ECS and also modulates the activity of THC and other components of marijuana. So cannabis pain relief definitely has a place to be, and there’s no need to be skeptical about that.

What scientists say about using cannabis for pain relief?

The review of clinical trials, published in The Lancet, found that “cannabinoids have a moderate effect on chronic neuropathic pain and spasticity” and that “cannabis-based medicine was well tolerated.”

Also, the study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has found that “there was moderate-quality evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain”.

Cannabis has been studied as a treatment option for cancer-related pain, and it has shown some positive effects in reducing pain and sleeping problems for patients with advanced forms of cancer.

Medical effects 

As discussed earlier, cannabis pain relief has been known for many years, and using cannabis for chronic pain has been popular among people struggling with sclerosis. Also, cannabis for nerve pain is beneficial for patients with neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis. Many people take cannabis for back pain, especially those who have a

sedentary work.

As for other medical effects of cannabis, many people note anti-inflammation, reducing nausea, appetite stimulation for patients who have a decreased appetite due to HIV/AIDS and cancer, sedative effects, and suppressing seizures in patients with certain types of epilepsy.

Risks and side effects

Even though cannabis has been found to have many potential medical benefits, it is important to be aware of the cannabis for pain side effects associated with its consumption. As for the short-term effects, people note dizziness, loss of coordination, increased heart rate, anxiety or even paranoia. Also, people who smoke cannabis for a long time struggle with respiratory problems and addiction, and taking cannabis products can also have negative effects for pregnant or breastfeeding women on the developing fetus or baby. Cannabis impairs cognitive function and reaction time, making it dangerous to use while doing work requiring attention and focus.

Alternatives to Herbal cannabis for pain relief?

Cannabis Oil

Cannabis oil can be considered one of the most versatile ways of consuming cannabis because it can be taken orally for precise dosing and provide more sustained relief, or added to creams for local pain relief. Also, using cannabis oil in vaporizers provides rapid pain relief and may be particularly useful for acute pain or breakthrough pain.

Cannabis Topical Treatments

Cannabis topicals are considered to be safe and well-tolerated. Cannabis creams, balms, and lotions are applied directly to the skin and are absorbed through the skin’s surface, providing localized pain relief without the psychoactive effects of THC, and it can be highly beneficial for some people who don’t want to experience euphoric high.

Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis edibles come in a variety of forms, and you can find chocolate, brownies, gummies, and even savory snacks infused with cannabis. They provide people with long-lasting effects, however, it can take up to 2 hours to feel the effects because of the digestive process, so it’s necessary to start with a small amount and slowly increase it.

Sublingual Cannabis

Sublingual cannabis consumption means placing a few drops of cannabis oil, tincture, or spray under the tongue. Such a method provides almost immediate effects for people struggling with pain because cannabis is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the effects may depend on the individual, and since sublingual cannabis consumption allows more precise dosing, it’s better to consume low amounts and increase them if necessary.

Cannabis vs. opioids for pain relief

When it comes to pain relief, the debates whether products with cannabis vs opioids are better, and it’s still not quite clear. Cannabis products and opioids are both used to relieve pain, but they work in different ways and have different potential risks and benefits.

Speaking of opioids, they are highly effective for pain relief by reducing the perception of pain. But it’s worth mentioning that they are highly addictive, and they have many side effects and hard withdrawal syndrome.

Unlike opioids, cannabis has not been associated with the same risk of addiction and overdose. Many people turn to cannabis after using opioids to cope with pain, and some of them have reported that cannabis helped them reduce or even eliminate their use of opioids for pain relief. However, it’s necessary to consult with your healthcare provider to get the right treatment and avoid struggling with undesired effects.

Is cannabis better than opioids?

Even though opioids have been widely used for pain relief for many years and are considered to be effective for severe pain, they have many side effects and subsequent addiction, and it’s better to consider using cannabis products to cope with various types of pain. Moreover, cannabis products come in many forms, so it’s possible to find the most suitable approach. However, more research is needed to figure out all the benefits and risks of using cannabis for pain relief and to determine the right dosing, and it’s better to contact a specialist before turning to any treatment.

Conclusion: How to choose best cannabis for pain relief

With a wide range of products, it’s not a problem to find the best cannabis for pain relief, you just need to consider several factors for that. You should consider the type of pain, methods of consumption, cannabis strain, your weight and age, and consulting with a specialist is the best solution for people to find the right dosage and proper treatment. It can help you decide what cannabis is good for pain relief, but it may take some trial and error before you find the most suitable cannabis for pain canada can be found in the online dispensary WestCoastSupply. Also, keep in mind that cannabis shouldn’t replace your current treatment. You can consider turning to cannabis products in case any other treatment like medicine, therapy, or massages doesn’t work for you, and it should be slowly implemented into your treatment plan if you want to give it a try.

 

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