Managing Your Chronic Pain: 4 Essential Benefits Of Marijuana For Pain

Chronic pain is a condition that few understand. Most pain is fleeting in contrast to the usual you length of chronic pain. Chronic pain can include arthritis, or even unknown causes are lasting discomfort. 

How common is chronic pain in the United States? Around 20 percent of adults experience some form of it in their lifetime. 

If you suffer from pain, it can be difficult to feel relief. Especially for those who wish to stay away from pain medications. So, how do you beat the pain? 

Keep reading to find out about marijuana for pain and how it can help you.

The Types of Chronic Pain That Effect People  

Chronic pain falls under more than one classification, though most people aren’t aware. Here are two types of chronic classifications and what conditions fall under them. 

1. Neuropathic Pain 

Neuropathic pain is the type of chronic condition that affects the nervous system. This can be by disease or injury. The types of chronic pain that falls under neuropathic are: 

  • Chemotherapy 
  • Diabetes 
  • Multiple sclerosis 
  • HIV 

The symptoms for this type of pain is very specific, and they include: 

  • Tingling 
  • Shooting pains
  • Burning pains 
  • Numbness 

Neuropathic pain is difficult to endure without help. The reason is because of the severity of nerve damage. 

2. Musculoskeletal Chronic Pain 

Unlike neuropathic pain, musculoskeletal deals with more accessible parts of the body. Instead of nerve and cell damage, the affected areas are the joints, muscles, bones, and tissue. 

Some of these conditions include the usual aging symptoms of a weakened body. But, for others, injury or genetic conditions can contribute to early pain. The most common conditions include: 

  • Fibromyalgia 
  • Overuse 
  • Osteoarthritis 
  • Sports injury 
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 

There are many ways that doctors are able to treat these painful conditions. Some choose to use pain medications. And others prefer to use exercise, rest, and ice to help manage the musculoskeletal pain. 

What is Marijuana and What Does It Do? 

There is a taboo surrounding the use of marijuana. It’s still seen as the back-alley drug that’s not allowed in the house. But what if it was more than that? 

Before you can find out if marijuana relieves pain, you first have to know what it is. 

In cases of using marijuana as medicine, it’s classified as medical marijuana. Medical marijuana isn’t different than regular weed, though it can be more regulated. 

Medical weed contains THC, a psychoactive compound that affects the brain. All medications alter the brain in some way to control pain, so this isn’t different.

Marijuana has cannabinoids, or chemicals, that give you a high. It also provides other health benefits such as relaxation.

These cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system inside your body. There are cannabinoid receptors throughout the body. All these systems help keep balance in your body and keep the brain working. 

What kind of conditions can marijuana help?

  • Inflammation 
  • Pain
  • Diabetes 
  • Chemotherapy symptoms 
  • Alzheimer’s 
  • Epilepsy 
  • Glaucoma 

Of course, because of some laws, not all studies are complete on these conditions. 

Looking at the Benefits of Marijuana for Pain 

Now that you know the basics of what marijuana is, find out why people use it. There are many benefits to using cannabis for pain. 

1. No Pain Medication 

You’ve likely heard the news about opioid addiction and abuse. You also might have had a doctor tell you no more pain meds because of that fact. If that’s so, medical marijuana could be the answer. 

Using weed for pain is a great way to avoid the many side-effects of opioids. It’s even better if you’ve had your pills taken away from you and are suffering. 

2. Chronic Digestive Health Issues 

Some people think of chronic pain as relating only to the joints or injury. But, there are several ways in which chronic conditions can effect you. Digestive issues, such as IBS or Crohn’s, are both good examples. 

Marijuana is a great way to alleviate the majority of stomach issues. Nausea, IBS, and more are treatable with this plant. They help control the brain’s signals and even calm stomach issues. 

3. Cancer Treatment 

Cancer is sometimes classified as a chronic condition. But studies on how marijuana can help are still somewhat new. The hope is the effects of the plant will help slow down cancer cells. 

But, the benefits of marijuana for cancer don’t end there. Weed can also help cancer patients who are using chemotherapy. Weed helps foster an appetite in some. And it can even reduce nausea and pain from chemotherapy.

Because chemotherapy pain is neuropathic, cannabis is able to target the pain better. This means cannabis can protect the cells of the body affected by chemotherapy. 

4. Lesser Risk of Addiction 

News surrounding opioid addiction is alarming. It’s also given physicians pause when deciding how to treat pain in a safe way. This is because the ingredients of opioids make it difficult to wean someone off. 

Opioids target the pain receptors in the brain, replacing them with rewarding feelings. This affects the neurotransmitter’s in the brain and increases dependence. 

Dependence on marijuana is not often a problem. National dependence on marijuana is only around nine percent. This is low compared to other addictive substances.  

What some don’t understand is there is a difference between addiction and dependence. Addiction means the use of a substance is habitual and compulsive. But, dependence only means that over time, you might need to take more. 

More Medical Marijuana Information

So, does weed help pain enough that you should talk to your doctor about switching?

Looking at what scientific studies are available, the evidence stacks up in its favor. Why not allow this miracle plant to replace addictive medications for certain patients? 

With the right dosage, and after consulting your doctor, marijuana for pain could be for you. 

Not quite convinced about the topic of cannabis and pain? Take a look at these medicinal marijuana stories from others like you. 

Or, if you’re ready for the next step in your journey to greater quality of life, schedule an appointment here.