The medical marijuana industry has been a boon for the United States economy, but with legalization comes new challenges — especially in terms of treatment. New research offers insights into how cannabis can be used to treat pain without side effects or dependence.
The “best strains for pain and fatigue” is a cannabis treatment that can help with aches and pains. There are many different types of cannabis, so it’s important to find the right strain for you.
Cannabis advice for chronic pain treatment from Dr. Mikhail Kogan.
Pain is the most prevalent ailment that individuals suffer from, and it is the leading cause of medical attention. Pain-related healthcare expenses exceed $300 billion each year, which is more than the combined costs of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. “There is clear or significant evidence that cannabis or cannabinoids are beneficial for the treatment of chronic pain in adults,” according to a historic study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Joint pain, migraine headaches, neuropathic pain, and even convulsions, to mention a few, have all been treated with cannabis products since ancient times. And contemporary science confirms what our forefathers always understood. The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which was recently identified, regulates inflammation, which is a primary source of pain, as well as pain caused by other factors. Cannabis may help relieve pain and inflammation by activating particular receptors in the ECS.
Cannabinoids in pharmaceuticals
Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (nabilone) are two synthetic versions of THC that are only accessible by prescription and come in tablet form. Marinol has been licensed as an appetite stimulant for HIV patients but not for cancer patients. Unfortunately, these medications haven’t shown to be particularly useful in the treatment of chronic pain. They haven’t been well received by patients, either.
Sativex (nabiximols), a natural, plant-derived tincture from cannabis that includes both THC and CBD, the non-intoxicating component of the cannabis plant, is another pharmaceutical cannabinoid medicine. Sativex has not yet been licensed for use in the United States, despite its effectiveness as an oral spray in England, Canada, and other countries for multiple sclerosis pain and spasticity, as well as neuropathic (nerve) pain.
Medical Marijuana For Pain
According to recent polls, more than 90% of medical marijuana users have taken it for pain treatment. According to a new review study, chronic pain patients prefer the good old-fashioned natural cannabis flower to the more contemporary, man-made marijuana. Those who do use synthetic cannabinoids are more likely to stop due to their ineffectiveness and/or negative side effects.
Because of their ineffectiveness and/or negative effects, most people who use synthetic cannabinoids stop using them.
Inhaled and other forms of marijuana are more preferable than Rx cannabinoid tablets since they act faster and have less adverse effects. “Scientific data shows that the inhaled (vaporized) alternative is more predictable, effective, and possibly pleasant than oral formulations,” according to the review paper. However, there are certain concerns about vaping [which are addressed elsewhere in the book]. Medical marijuana, like any other medicine, should be taken with caution and preferably under the guidance of a physician or competent healthcare professional.
Chronic pain sufferers are often not properly examined and treated for the reasons of their suffering. I often direct pain patients to professionals in manual treatment, such as osteopathic physicians, physical therapists, and massage therapists, before suggesting medicinal cannabis. As a consequence of these recommendations, many individuals’ pain has been relieved and their physical function has been restored. Furthermore, mind-body practices, particularly mindfulness-based stress reduction programs, have been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic pain.
Poor nutritional condition and inflammation are two more prevalent issues I notice with chronic pain patients. Even if they don’t have a deficit, I believe that magnesium and B complex would assist at least half, if not more, of all individuals with chronic pain. If the pain remains after these basic concerns have been addressed, I prescribe cannabis. However, the method and route of administration are critical.
CBD Alone Not As Effective
Unfortunately, little is known about which cannabinoids, combinations, and ratios are most effective for various types of pain. This is due in part to the fact that there is almost no government money available to support clinical research of this kind. Fortunately, several cannabis firms are stepping forward to do critical research on the effects of cannabis and CBD on pain sufferers.
Many individuals swear by the pain-relieving properties of CBD alone, but there is no professional proof to back this up. While I’ve observed a few people who were able to reduce their pain with CBD alone, the most majority need the addition of THC.
There is evidence that mixing CBD with -caryophyllene (BCP), a common terpene, may help reduce pain more effectively than CBD alone. Terpenes not only give cannabis its scent and taste, but they may also help it work better — a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. BCP may also help with cognition, digestion, and relaxation without the need of sedatives. Cinnamon, oregano, clove, and black peppercorns are examples of spices that contain BCP.
Animal studies have indicated that certain lesser-known cannabis components, including cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and cannabigerol (CBG), are useful for chronic pain and other diseases. Unfortunately, they haven’t been researched extensively in humans and aren’t as commonly accessible as THC or CBD. However, a growing number of professionals are reporting that their patients find them to be beneficial in the treatment of various forms of chronic pain.
Cannabinoid Combinations
CBDA has shown to be effective for inflammatory pain, and it’s now one of my go-to treatments for patients with inflammatory pain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. While CBDA alone may not provide total pain relief for certain people with these illnesses, large dosages of 100 to 200 mg/day have resulted in complete or partial remission of arthritis in others. CBDA coupled with CBD has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of osteoarthritis in older persons. I propose beginning with a 1:1 CBD:CBDA oral or sublingual dosage of 10 to 15 mg CBD and CBDA twice day and titrating up to 50 to 100 mg of each twice daily as required.
In certain individuals, combining CBG with other cannabinoids like CBD and THC may help reduce osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain.
I’ve also discovered that using full-spectrum CBDA hemp oil sublingually, orally, or topically will help relieve muscular discomfort caused by mild injuries or overtraining. I’ve lately witnessed an increase in the number of athletes who swear by CBD and CBDA for mild post-workout discomfort. Given that CBD and CBDA are safer in the long term than traditional drugs like Advil and Tylenol, this is a welcome shift.
In certain individuals, combining CBG with other cannabinoids like CBD and THC may help reduce osteoarthritis and neuropathic pain. CBG is also beneficial for reducing anxiety. It should not, however, be used at night since it is stimulating and may interfere with sleep. For people who are sensitive to any quantity of THC throughout the day, I’ve found that combining CBD, CBDA, and CBG in the morning may assist with a variety of pains, including neuropathic pain and inflammatory pain from osteoarthritis and other disorders. CBG doses are normally significantly lower than CBD, in the 5 to 10 mg range, and are taken once day in the morning, similar to CBDA.
Finally, your optimal dosage is whatever your least effective dose is! “When you reach to your destination, come to a complete stop.” You’ll save money as well.
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