Medical cannabis laws in many states allow people to purchase and use marijuana for chronic pain management and to ease symptoms related to other medical conditions. As medical marijuana increases in popularity with more states continuing to legalize it, many people want to know how it can help their chronic pain. The research studies surrounding medical marijuana for chronic pain display a promising potential for anyone suffering from daily health issues.
At LeafMed, a Mississippi medical marijuana dispensary, we want to help everyone learn more about the potential of medical cannabis. We’re passionate about how medical marijuana can transform lives by easing chronic pain symptoms and other debilitating medical conditions. Below, we discuss how medical marijuana can help chronic pain, the conditions it may ease, and the research supporting these claims.
Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain: Is It Legit?
Among many other ingredients, Marijuana contains a component called THC that triggers psychotropic “high” feelings. Because of this long standing association, people often falsely assume that marijuana’s only qualities are high-like reactions, like relaxation. In reality, however, the many complex cannabinoid compounds in marijuana interact with the body in multiple beneficial ways, resulting in whole-body effects.
How Cannabinoids Interact With Pain Receptors
Chronic pain is an extremely common condition affecting millions of U.S. adults each year. The umbrella condition can come in many forms, resulting in various bodily pains that last several months or longer.
The cannabis plant contains two primary compounds: cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). You can find products either with isolates of these compounds or with both combined for synergistic effects.
Medical marijuana can ease chronic pain because CBD and THC compounds influence responses in the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a critical signaling system in your body that controls and regulates your body’s pain, immune, inflammatory, hunger, emotional, sleep, and temperature responses. THC and CBD can mimic how natural cannabinoids in your body communicate, influencing various bodily responses, including pain signals.
Ultimately, the compounds in marijuana can interact with pain receptors and many other bodily functions, offering pain relief and whole-body benefits.
Chronic Pain Conditions That Medical Marijuana Can Ease
Marijuana can help reduce chronic pain related to damaged nerves, arthritis, spinal cord disease, joint and muscle injuries, and other underlying health conditions. Because of its wide applications, doctors may recommend medical marijuana for many different conditions. So, what can medical cannabis be used for?
Healthcare professionals may recommend medical marijuana for chronic pain and the following conditions:
- PTSD
- Depression or anxiety
- Multiple sclerosis
- Cancer pain
- Parkinson’s or Huntington’s disease
- Glaucoma
- AIDS, HIV, or hepatitis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Spinal cord injuries
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Autism
- Sickle-cell anemia
- And more
While medical marijuana cannot cure these conditions, it may ease the pain and other associated symptoms. If you suffer from chronic pain, consult your doctor about how medical marijuana can help.
Clinical Studies Supporting Its Effectiveness
Many studies exist surrounding marijuana’s effectiveness, so analyzing them all can feel overwhelming. One systematic review combined data from the top 25 studies with over 14,000 participants to seek a more definitive conclusion on whether or not medical marijuana for chronic pain is legitimate.
The study concluded that products with high or equal THC-to-CBD ratios can offer short-term pain relief. Approximately 30% of study participants reported pain reductions.
The potential to use medical marijuana for pain relief, rather than opioids, also can ease the adverse reactions associated with such harsh drugs. One clinical research study found that 64% of chronic pain participants reduced or stopped their opioid intake by using marijuana instead.
Need Medical Marijuana for Your Chronic Pain? LeafMed Can Help
Clinical research supports the potential of medical marijuana for chronic pain and medical marijuana for depression. If you need relief from your pain or condition, medical marijuana may help. Visit one of our LeafMed medical marijuana dispensaries in Mississippi or contact us today to learn more.