Marijuana For Pain Management – Does it Work?

Pain can cause various problems, such as lack of sleep, fatigue, etc. Research says pain can be triggered by injuries, surgeries, migraines, arthritis, nerve damage, infections, and fibromyalgia.

Many use cannabis for pain management. Recent studies show that chronic pain is listed among the top conditions for which people use cannabis. The herb contains cannabinoids, which help in relieving pain by binding to receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Using a rec letter signed by one of the medical marijuana doctors Oceanside, you can legally access cannabis products for managing your symptoms.

Marijuana For Pain Relief

In the past years, cannabis has gained popularity as an effective treatment option for many conditions. With scientific evidence that marijuana can help relieve pain, more patients have started using the herb over traditional treatments.

Marijuana’s non-psychoactive compound CBD is effective in relieving chronic pain, joint pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia pain. CBD is known for its amazing pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) controls various functions in the body. The list includes sleep, appetite, mood, memory, pain, and metabolism. This complex cell-signaling system comprises three major parts, endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.

Endocannabinoids are chemical compounds produced by the body. They stimulate the receptors in different regions, such as organs, the brain, etc. Studies have found that endocannabinoids are similar to cannabinoids present in the marijuana plant. So, the latter can mimic the functions of the former.

Research says that cannabis compounds can help ease pain and inflammation by stimulating the endocannabinoid system.

Studies on Marijuana For Pain Management

There’s a wide range of studies conducted on cannabis use for managing pain. Here are some of them-

In 2015, a review of research on cannabinoids for treating different types of pain was published. Researchers reported that cannabinoids are beneficial in relieving some kinds of chronic pain, such as neuropathy.

A review of studies published between 1975 and March 2018 was focused on evaluating the effectiveness of CBD in chronic pain management. Scientists found that CBD was beneficial for pain relief without causing any side-effects. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant.

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine reported that CBD can help ease pain and inflammation. Researchers noted that the participants didn’t build up a tolerance to cannabidiol.

Marijuana is effective in reducing pain associated with cancer chemotherapy. The National Cancer Institute says that CBD can help in managing side-effects associated with chemotherapy, such as pain, inflammation, lack of appetite, etc.

A 2017 study published in the journal Pain determined whether CBD could help in preventing osteoarthritis pain and joint neuropathy. Researchers noted that CBD is beneficial for managing these symptoms.

Marijuana vs Opioids

Opioid medications work by interacting with the nervous system. Although they provide pain relief, they are addictive and have various withdrawal symptoms.

Cannabis can be used as a natural alternative to opioid drugs. Scientists have performed many studies on marijuana use for pain management. Here are some of them-

In a 2010 study on cancer-related pain, researchers compared the effects of THC-CBD extract and opioids. They found that the extract delivered better pain management effects.

A survey of 3000 medical marijuana users reported that 81 percent of the participants said marijuana was more beneficial alone than mixing with opioids.

Final Thoughts

Cannabis is effective in managing pain, inflammation, and various other health issues. Science says that it contains more than 100 cannabinoids, which work by binding to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system of the body. Marijuana can help reduce pain associated with fibromyalgia, arthritis, cancer, etc.

Cannabis for pain management is safer than opioids. It doesn’t cause any health issues such as addiction. There’s anecdotal evidence that marijuana provides better results. However, it’s necessary to learn how to use marijuana for medical purposes. Do comprehensive research and select the right strains, consumption methods, and dosage.

Use telemedicine technology to apply for a new card or renew MMJ card. The process involves three simple steps-

Fill a simple form online
Talk to a licensed doctor using HIPAA-compliant software
Receive MMJ recs in PDF format