Cannabis and Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain affects millions of Canadians yearly. The pain can be pretty debilitating that it prevents them from enjoying life, affecting their day-to-day activities and sleep. If you are suffering from chronic pain and sleep deprivation because of it, you can find relief from the painkilling and sedating effect of Indica. You can buy legal cannabis from your local dispensary or mail order cannabis online.
Alternative Pain Management – Treating Chronic Pain with Cannabis
Cannabis is a popular alternative pain management for chronic pain. Indica strains, for example, not only improve symptoms but also promote better sleep. Sativa strains, on the other hand, energize, revitalize, and invigorate while taking away the pain.
The main methods of treatment
There are different methods of administering marijuana strains for pain relief. You can either smoke it or vape it. Inhalation method delivers fast onset of pain relief.
However, if you are after a longer duration, then try edibles. The pain killing effects of cannabis edibles stay longer in the body. But it takes some time though before you start feeling pain relief from edibles.
You can also try sublingual cannabis. This method involves placing a few drops of oil or tincture under the tongue.
For chronic muscle and joint pain, you can also try topicals. Just apply a generous amount of cannabis balms or salves over the affected areas.
Types of Cannabis Pain Relief Products for Chronic Pain Management
There are many different cannabis pain relief products to choose from:
Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates are a very potent form of cannabis for pain management. According to laboratory reports done by third party laboratories, cannabis concentrates can have as much as 70% THC to as high as 95% THC levels. So if you are going to use cannabis concentrates, you should start with a very small amount. You can add a small amount of cannabis concentrate to your joint. You can even vaporize your cannabis concentrate or use with a dab rig.
Because cannabis concentrates are the most potent form of cannabis, this type of cannabis product may not be perfect for beginners.
Cannabis
For fast relief, you can try smoking cannabis. Smoking cannabis provides fast onset of pain relief. Some users say that a puff or two can already help relieve chronic pain.
There are many different cannabis strains to choose from if you want to use medical marijuana for chronic pain. Some marijuana strains have high THC levels, while others have high CBD levels. Indica strains are known to induce sleep, so they are best for bedtime use. Sativa strains, on the other hand, are known to boost energy, so they are best for daytime and afternoon use. There are also the Hybrids, which is a mix of the two.
CBD oil
The most popular marijuana pain relief product is probably CBD oil. CBD is the primary non psychoactive cannabinoid produced by the cannabis plant. But unlike THC, CBD does not cause a high. It also does not cause any psychoactive effects.
CBD has very powerful pain killing effects that can help reduce treatment resistant chronic pain. It also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory chemical that controls chronic, low grade inflammation, which oftentimes worsens chronic pain.
CBD oil is the best product for people dealing with chronic pain but do not want the high or psychoactive effects typically associated with smoking or vaping cannabis.
THC
THC, by itself, is already a very powerful painkilling and anti-inflammatory compound. Not only can it effectively control chronic pain, but it can also regulate the inflammatory process. Chronic, low grade inflammation, as mentioned earlier, also worsens pain since the process produces pain generating chemicals.
If you want to use THC but do not want its side effects, then use CBD oil with THC for pain. They both work together in reducing pain as well as inflammation. At the same time, CBD is also controlling the psychoactive as well as adverse side effects of THC such as paranoia and anxiety.
Things to Know in Using Marijuana Pain Relief Products for Chronic Pain Management
If you are going to use cannabis as a drug that relieves pain, then here are some things to consider.
Can you combine several methods of cannabis administration in one?
Yes. You can actually combine several methods of cannabis administration for your chronic pain. For example, you can buy some of the best edibles for pain relief from a trusted online weed shop and eat a small bite before bedtime. At the same time, you can also apply a generous amount of cannabis derived balm or ointment to the affected area. The topical cannabis product relieves local pain, while the cannabis edible improves your overall chronic pain. You can also use sublingual cannabis oil or tincture together with cannabis topical.
Before you combine different methods though, always check the product’s THC content, if any, to avoid adverse side effects.
What are the effects of the different treatment methods?
The methods of administration have different effects, especially when it comes to the onset and duration of effects.
Of the different methods, inhalation such as smoking and vaping offers the fastest onset of effects. After a puff or two, you can already feel some effects. However, the effects do not last that long.
Edibles, on the other hand, have the longest onset of effects, taking anywhere between half an hour to a couple of hours. However, because the cannabinoids stay longer in the system, edibles also offer longer duration of effects.
The method really depends on your preference and what you are comfortable with.
Cannabis for Pain Management – Different Ways to Manage Chronic Pain with Cannabis
There are many different ways to manage chronic pain with cannabis. You can try inhalation, ingestion, sublingual, and topical methods. You can even choose the type of strain based on your needs. You can use CBD isolates or CBD with THC oil for pain.
With cannabis, you have control over your health, including the dosage.
Final Thoughts
Chronic pain can markedly affect a person’s quality of life. Now, cannabis has many therapeutic as well as medicinal properties that can help improve the lives of many people suffering from chronic pain.
