Medical Marijuana Benefits For Pain

The subject of using medical marijuana has remained one of the most controversial ones among doctors, politicians, researchers, and scientists for years.

The least controversial is CBD (cannabidiol). It is extracted from hemp plants and excludes or contains minimal amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the chemical that causes the “high” from smoking or otherwise consuming marijuana.

There are still arguments for and against the use of medical marijuana, including whether it should be legal, how effective it is, whether it is addictive, and which conditions it can be useful for, as well as should there be an age limit for using medical marijuana, to mention a few.

It is a fact that on a state level, marijuana is now legal in 29 states as well as in Washington DC.

At the same time, the scientific and medical research on medical marijuana is still quite restricted because the US DEA still considers it a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin, ecstasy and LCD.

The only FDA-approved use of medical marijuana-based medications at the moment is for dronabinol and nabilone used for relieving nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, and Epidiolex, a cannabidiol used for relieving and treating two rare forms of epilepsy – Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

Nevertheless, there is widespread support among the people in the USA for legalizing medical marijuana, and millions of people are already using it for treating various medical conditions.

One of the most common conditions which people are turning to medical marijuana is pain relief.

Several studies have researched, and many of them have proven that it can help relieve chronic pain, and pain associated with certain other conditions.

So, what are the medical marijuana benefits for pain?

The relief of chronic pain

This is the most common reason for the use of medical marijuana in the US.

Even though the cannabinoids in medical marijuana are not potent enough to treat severe pain, like post-surgery pain, medical marijuana has been proven to be highly effective in alleviating the pain associated with various other medical conditions.

Millions of people in the country suffer from some form of chronic pain, and as the society ages, this problem is becoming much more severe.

Medical marijuana has become a preferred method for pain relief among a growing amount of people because it is much safer than opiates since it is far less addictive and impossible to overdose with.

Plus, it can replace the use of NSAIDs, which are not suitable for people with other underlying conditions such as ulcers, GERD or kidney disease.

Relief of nerve pain and pain of multiple sclerosis

Medical marijuana is becoming an increasingly popular method among people with MS and other people with nerve ailments for the alleviation of the pain associated with these conditions.

Given that most of the alternative pain-relief methods include Lyrica, Neurontin as well as highly addictive opiates which are all highly sedative, people prefer to use medical marijuana, so that they can go on with their normal everyday life without feeling drowsy, down and completely out of it.

Medical marijuana for muscle relaxation

Since marijuana is known to help relax the muscles, many people who have Parkinson’s disease are using it for lessening the tremors associated with this disease.

Also, patients suffering from endometriosis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and other similar painful conditions, are swearing on the positive effect of the use of medical marijuana for alleviating the pain.

Using medical marijuana for broken bones

The pain relief provided by the cannabinoids in medical marijuana is just one reason why some doctors recommend it for people suffering from broken bones.

A study in Israel recently found that it can actually help mend the bones faster, and strengthen them to prevent future fractures.

Helping with arthritis pain

In recent years, you can find cannabis as an active ingredient in various gels, creams, and balms for treating arthritis pain.

It has been found that both the CBD and the THC components of marijuana can help with the chronic pain associated with arthritis, which is plaguing millions of people, and the numbers are growing as they age.

Reducing muscle aches and other side effects of Hepatitis C treatment

The treatment of hepatitis C is known to have numerous common and long-lasting side effects, including fatigue, nausea, depression and muscle aches.

The use of cannabis during and after the treatment can reduce these side effects, and can also increase the efficiency of the treatment itself, according to some studies.

Providing pain relief for people with HIV, IBS and Crohn’s disease

Some doctors recommend the use of medical marijuana for relieving some painful symptoms caused by HIV, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease as well.

Relieving pain and other symptoms of cancer

Cannabis has become an increasingly popular alternative to some FDA-approved medications for alleviating symptoms of cancer and its treatment.

Marijuana is known to help ease the pain, nausea and loss of appetite, as well as the insomnia related to cancer.

More oncologists and other doctors are prescribing medical marijuana to their cancer patients, as a much safer alternative, and one with fewer side effects than having to take a handful of different medications for alleviating each of the symptoms separately.

Plus, it can help reduce the side effects and nerve damage associated with cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation.

How does medical cannabis work?

Unfortunately, due to the long history of being prohibited, as well as the existing federal restrictions, the scientific studies on cannabis and its effect on people is still minimal and restricted.

But, there is historical evidence that cannabinoids and other extracts from cannabis have been used for pain relief and for treating various conditions for thousands of years.

But, even though the exact mechanisms of how cannabis actually works as a medical substance are still not completely clear, it is clear that humans do have numerous cannabinoid receptors throughout their bodies.

This system of receptors, known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), plays an essential role in various brain processes and, through the years, has been researched and tested as a therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple ailments affecting the central nervous system.

The cannabinoids in marijuana happen to be chemically very similar to the chemicals found in the human body and control the pain, memory, appetite and movement. These cannabinoids found in medical marijuana connect to the receptors and help produce compounds that help treat pain and inflammations.

Why do people prefer it?

People suffering from chronic pain, cancer, and other conditions that can be alleviated with the help of medical marijuana tend to turn to cannabis as a more natural and safer option than opioids.

You cannot overdose on marijuana, and it is much less addictive than opioids.

It is also a much more affordable treatment than some of the prescription medications for managing pain and relieving cancer and chemotherapy and radiation side effects.

Plus, you can choose alternative ways to take medical marijuana, which is essential for people who for one reason or another, cannot take pills or have injections administered.

Medical marijuana can be smoked, inhaled via a vaporizer, eaten, applied topically, or used in the form of a few drops on the tongue.

If it legal to grow cannabis in your area you can get the supplies from online providers such as Growace.