The chances are that if you are among the millions of people who suffer from chronic pain and its accompanying ailments (fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and depression), you have possibly considered trying medical marijuana. In addition to crossing the line between pharmaceuticals and alternatives in chronic pain management, cannabis (marijuana) operates in a gray area of legality based in large part on where you reside.

There are more and more studies proving the effectiveness of the natural plant, especially for a wide variety of complex conditions, including fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.

Therefore, for those currently using marijuana or contemplating using marijuana for the first time, it is essential to develop a safe strategy for where to purchase the product, how and when to use it, and what to expect regarding possible side effects. To get started, here is everything you need to know.

How can medical cannabis be used to treat chronic pain?

A common health condition that affects 20 percent of the population in New York is chronic pain, and if the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t controlled, chronic pain is predicted to happen more frequently and more frequently.

In reality, only a limited number of pharmaceutical medications can effectively relieve chronic pain, and many of these medications also produce side effects that can compound the disease’s severity.

Chronic pain is thought to be influenced in part by the endocannabinoid system, according to recent research.

There is a genetic predisposition towards chronic pain in patients with endocannabinoid dysfunction, which may be related to chronic pain. Patients with chronic pain often experience symptoms related to loss of homeostasis and imbalances in neurotransmitter levels.

Medical cannabis can benefit chronic pain sufferers since THC and CBD work together to rebalance the endocannabinoid system.

There are more than 140 therapeutic cannabinoids present in full-spectrum medical cannabis preparations, with terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to the synergistic effects of the herb.

As a result, the entourage effect produces a powerful therapeutic effect that the individual actions of the cannabinoids cannot entirely explain.

There is evidence that medical cannabis reduces pain levels, improves mood, reduces anxiety, and promotes restful sleep with very few side effects.

Almost all patients report experiencing an improved quality of life due to the treatment, and many reports that they have been ‘reborn’ or have been ‘allowed another chance to enjoy life.

As a result of medical cannabis, these disabled patients have been able to regain their lives since it has helped them manage their symptoms better than anything they could have attempted previously.

Do doctors recommend cannabis for pain relief?

It is common for many states to require doctors to recommend marijuana to their patients before they can start using it. Healthcare providers most commonly recommend cannabis for pain relief.

Numerous clinical trials have proved that cannabis can relieve chronic pain in adults safely and effectively, including randomized controlled trials (the gold standard in medical research).

Cannabis often replaces other medications, so people seek it out. Chronic pain sufferers often take opioids and benzodiazepines. The side effects of these medications, however, are many and dangerous. When patients start using cannabis, they can stop taking these prescription drugs or reduce them substantially.

There has been a reduction in opioid prescriptions and overdoses even after recreational cannabis laws have been passed. In light of these findings, it appears that many individuals find it possible to manage their pain safely with cannabis, even without obtaining the assistance of a healthcare professional.

Conclusion

Many patients find CBD useful for chronic pain (in this case, fibromyalgia or body pain). However, controlled trials of CBD have produced contradictory results. Several studies have demonstrated that CBD does not reduce pain (arthritis).

However, other studies suggest it does (with pain in and around the TMJ or the joint where the jaw meets the skull). A further research study indicates that CBD may provide pain relief simply due to the expectation that it will work (the placebo effect).

Research indicates that THC is the main component of cannabis responsible for its pain-relieving properties. Such a connection is supported by laboratory studies conducted on animals and brain tissues.

NY Marijuana Card Team