Chronic pain is known to affect many people. There has been anecdotal evidence on various cannabis uses to treat pain, suggesting that cannabis may relieve some types of pain, be it chronic or pain resulting from nerve damage and inflammation. Cannabis has cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that deal with pain relief. THC interacts with the brain cannabinoid receptors which reduces pain upon being activated. CBD also interacts with the brain pain receptors thus relieving pain and inflammatory effects. Cannabis also comes in handy when dealing with cancer pain and chronic migraines.
The Cannabis Strains for Chronic Pain
The three different types of marijuana plants are:
- Cannabis indica – said to be more relaxing
- Cannabis sativa – more energizing
- Hybrids – more balanced
THC is used in pain relief, but it’s worth noting that it leads to intoxication, or rather the “high” feeling. CBD alleviates pain and inflammation and does not cause intoxication. Concerning which strain to use specifically for treating your pain is not yet clear, as they’re both essential in the various cannabis uses to treat pain. However, you can consider the CBD: HTC ratio when purchasing these products. Normally, it’s always recommended to have a 1:1 ratio as they are said to work cooperatively.
How To Use
There are various cannabis uses to treat pain. Knowing just the exact way to use cannabis to achieve the best results is important. Firstly, you need to seek your doctor’s order and recommendations. The consumption method is important as it determines the duration of the cannabis effects. The most common methods of cannabis intake are:
- Inhalation – the most effective
- edibles – slower uptake
- oils – readily absorbed
- topicals (creams and ointments) – works best on localized pain and inflammation
The dosage is decisive on the effect of cannabis on your body. The dosage to be administered is difficult to predict due to the varying strains and their effects on your body. Here, important factors like your weight, pain, and levels of stress, even eating habits, do count. These do determine how marijuana may affect your body. However, there is yet to be a case of cannabis overdosing.
Risks and Side Effects
As is the case with any medication, the various cannabis uses to treat pain could affect you in many ways. Generally, medical marijuana is safe to use. The common side effects arising from cannabis use are:
- addiction
- memory issues
- dependence
- withdrawal symptoms
- increased heart rate
Side effects could vary concerning the individual, method of intake, the strain and dosage. Long-term effects are rare and only associated with heavy users at a younger age. If you’re on prescription, you should consult your doctor before deciding to use cannabis as it may interact negatively with other medications, particularly blood thinners.
In conclusion, cannabis may be used to relieve different forms of pain. To be more safe than sorry, before deciding to use marijuana, you should consult your doctor and have a safe strategy of purchasing the product from a reputable distributor. You should also beware of the exact method to use it and the side effects to expect.