The use of medical Marijuana is currently a hot topic, not only in alternative health but also with mainstream providers and in this article, we discuss it in the context of treating other medical problems. Living with chronic pain means experiencing significant changes to your physical and mental health. Finding an effective treatment to ease out this burden quickly is a real necessity, other than just a priority. However, many therapies lose their effectiveness over a short time, leaving the patient alone against this terrible suffering. And when the opiate narcotics, although effective, are currently under the eye of the storm because of the alleged opioid epidemics, the chances to find some relief keep becoming even slimmer.
Recent researchers pointed out how medical marijuana can provide the much-needed answer to the needs of the many chronic pain sufferers. Its reliable potency comes at the price of just a couple of relatively minor side effects. It’s not a surprise then that many patients are now trying it as an interesting natural alternative to other forms of traditional treatment.
How much is weed useful to treat chronic pain?
In the last few years, many doctors across the country started prescribing medical cannabis for the treatment of many different conditions. Not every one of these indications is backed up by solid scientific evidence, though. Luckily enough, the use of weed for chronic pain has been largely investigated by several research teams, who found it to be safe and effective. A clinical review of 24 trials which included more than 2,500 patients, was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study found that this natural substance is a safe and viable choice to help patients affected by neuropathic or chronic pain cope with their conditions.
Many other studies seemingly concluded that medical marijuana can provide relief to patients, usually with no adverse reactions other than minor side effects such as sleepiness, headaches and nausea.
How does medical cannabis work to reduce pain?
Chronic pain is defined as long-term pain that lasted more than three months. Chronic pain is different from acute pain since it may have serious psychological consequences. Patients’ quality of life is, in fact, severely affected since they are limited in most everyday activities.
Medical marijuana contains several chemicals known as cannabinoids, including the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and the cannabidiol (CBD). These substances are closely related to a group of chemicals found in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system (which comprises many neurons as well) is involved in the transmission of the pain signal. Cannabinoids may interrupt this signal by “breaking the circuits,” effectively providing a robust form of relief from even the most stubborn pain.
Medical weed can then be prescribed to treat many conditions associated with long-term pain such as:
- HIV/AIDS
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic or recurrent headaches
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
In addition to that, many patients also found that medical pot helped them fight off the side effects of other drugs, such as nausea caused by chemotherapy agents. Individual differences must be taken into account, however. Different people react to pain in different ways since it is a subjective sensation produced by the human brain. Some strains seem to be more efficient than others, and the method of administration and the dosage can make a huge difference.
Is it legal to acquire medical pot if I suffer from chronic pain?
Patients who suffer from chronic pain who want to try medical weed to find some relief, can do it so by requesting a special card from a doctor. 26 states have legalized medical marijuana to some degree, but each state has their individual rules for medical marijuana. In most cases, you’ll need a valid medical certificate or another recommendation written by a licensed physician before you can order it on the Internet or buy it in a dispensary.
If you’re one of the many lucky citizens of California: Medical marijuana San Francisco can be bought online, in a dispensary, or delivered to your door. Download an app like Weed Maps to find out what’s available in your area. In most cases, you’ll need a valid medical certificate or another recommendation written by a licensed physician before you can order it on the Internet or buy it in a dispensary.
Curious about using medical marijuana for chronic pain? Talk to your doctors about your options as well as the legality in your state. He or she will be able to guide you through your best method of medication, as well as give you an idea of what to expect during the process.
