Everything You Should Learn About Marijuana For Pain
Chronic pain is a common condition, affecting 1 in 5 people in America. 8 percent of the adults in the country are suffering from high-intensity pain.
Studies have found that marijuana use can be helpful in fighting pain. The herb works better than opioid medications. If you want to legally use it, simply get a marijuana evaluation from medical marijuana doctors in New Jersey.
So, how exactly marijuana help chronic pain patients? What are the top cannabis strains for pain management? Let’s learn.
What is Medical Marijuana?
Marijuana is obtained from the cannabis plant, and is available in various forms. You can find cannabis buds, concentrates, oils, etc. at state-licensed dispensaries.
In the cannabis plant, there exist more than 100 chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. For instance, THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid that provides various health benefits while making users high.
In the United States, cannabis is still illegal. However, more than half of the US states have legalized marijuana for people who want to use it for medical purposes. Cannabis laws may vary from state to state.
Cannabis For Pain Management
Marijuana is packed with ultimate health benefits. Studies show that the herb can help ease chronic pain. In fact, pain is one of the top conditions patients use marijuana for.
Scientists have found that CBD has helped the majority of patients to ease pain conditions, such as arthritis, joint pain, etc.
When you consume marijuana, its cannabinoids bind to receptors present in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This helps in easing pain, inflammation and various other health issues. The endocannabinoid system controls various functions associated with physical and mental health. It comprises endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes.
Cannabinoids in marijuana mimic the roles of endocannabinoids. For instance, THC can bind to receptors, thus regulating mood, sleep, etc.
The National Cancer Institute says that CBD is beneficial in managing side-effects of cancer chemotherapy, such as pain, nausea, vomiting. In fact, the country has approved two cannabis-based medications, Nabilone and Dronabinol.
Additionally, marijuana is helpful in boosting mental health. Studies show that anxiety and depression can cause various physical symptoms. The list includes, lack of sleep, headache, muscle tension, pain, nausea, etc. Thus, by managing anxiety, you can get off health issues linked to this mental illness, such as pain.
Marijuana vs Opioids
For managing pain, opioid medications are often prescribed by medical professionals. Opioids work by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord and various other parts, thus relieving pain.
Although opioids can help in managing pain, they can lead to side-effects, such as drowsiness, nausea, sedation, etc.
Since marijuana delivers natural results, more patients are opting for it over other pain management techniques.
In recent years, states where medical marijuana is legal have shown a significant reduction in opioid use.
In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of cannabis on cancer and rheumatological patients. They found that 41 percent of the participants reduced dependence on opioids. In fact, 63 percent of them reduced opioid use by 25 percent.
How to Use Marijuana For Pain?
If you want to use marijuana for pain management, getting a doctor’s recommendation is the first step. It allows you to access cannabis products legally in your state. Other benefits include-
- Get high potency marijuana products
- Save cannabis taxes
- Get age relaxations
Online Medical Card is a leading online mmj clinic that can help you get recommendations from medical marijuana doctors New Jersey in just 10 minutes. Here’s the complete process-
- Sign up for an account online
- See a marijuana doctor via video call
- Receive recommendation letter in PDF format
Get The Right Strains
There’s a lot of cannabis strains available. Each strain has different levels of cannabinoids and terpenes. Different strains deliver different effects. So, you should carefully select the strains for managing pain effectively.
Here are some of the best strains for patients suffering from chronic pain-
- ACDC
- Blue Dream
- White Widow
- Bubba Kush
- Sour Diesel
- Northern Lights
- Master Kush
- Blueberry
- Harlequin
- Afghan Kush
Consumption Method & Dose
Science says that the consumption method and the amount of cannabis you take have a great impact on marijuana’s effects. So, make sure you consider these factors when using cannabis for pain management.
Smoking and vaping are popular methods of delivering cannabis compounds into the body. Inhaling cannabis allows you to receive its medicinal effects instantly, but it can damage the lungs & cause other health issues.
Edibles are absorbed through the digestive tract and then reach the bloodstream. As a result, cannabis-infused foods & drinks take 30-60 minutes (even more) to kick in.
Tinctures and oils are absorbed sublingually. They allow you to dose cannabis properly, thus reducing the risks of overdose.
If you are using cannabis for the first time, take lower doses. Analyze the effects of marijuana on your body and mind, and adjust the dose accordingly.
Key Takeaways
As compared to opioid medications and other pain management techniques, marijuana treatment is better and safer. Cannabinoids work by interacting with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
To ease your symptoms completely, learn how to use marijuana for pain. Try different strains and doses. Consume cannabinoids through different methods, i.e. smoking, vaping, edibles, tinctures, etc. Seek professional help for using cannabis for medical purposes.
Talk to Medical Marijuana Doctors New Jersey to apply for 420 evaluations.
Source: https://mdganja.com/blog/everything-you-should-learn-about-marijuana-for-pain/