Cannabis use is becoming increasingly popular due to its potential health benefits, particularly in the area of pain relief. With the legalization of marijuana in many states, more and more people are turning to cannabis products as an alternative form of treatment for chronic pain. In this article, we’ll explore the possible benefits and risks associated with using cannabis for pain relief, including the potential side effects, drug interactions, and legal implications. We’ll also discuss how to find quality cannabis products and the importance of talking to your doctor before using cannabis for pain relief. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of cannabis and its potential role in treating chronic pain.
Does cannabis provide long-term relief from chronic pain?
Cannabis may have the potential to provide some short-term relief from chronic pain, but its long-term effects on pain relief are not yet well understood. Studies have suggested that cannabis may be effective in reducing neuropathic pain and inflammation, but more research is needed to determine its efficacy in providing long-term relief from chronic pain.
How does CBD compare to other pain relief medications?
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CBD is a natural compound derived from the cannabis plant and is not the same as traditional pain relief medications. CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, which is the underlying cause of many types of pain. Additionally, studies have found that CBD has fewer side effects than traditional pain relief medications, making it an appealing option for those looking for a more natural option.
How quickly does CBD start providing pain relief?
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The effects of CBD on pain relief can be felt within minutes after consumption. However, it may take several hours or days for CBD to take full effect and provide maximum relief. The amount of time it takes for CBD to provide pain relief depends on the individual and the severity of their pain.
What is the optimal dosage of CBD to achieve pain relief?
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The optimal dosage of CBD to achieve pain relief is not clear-cut, as it can vary depending on the individual and the type of pain. Generally, it is believed that taking 10-25mg of CBD twice daily is an effective starting point. It is important to start with the lowest dose and increase gradually as needed in order to find the most effective dosage. If taking CBD in the form of oil, it is recommended to start with one full dropper and increase as necessary.
Even though pain management is one of the most common reasons people report for using medical marijuana in the United States, 1 there is limited evidence that marijuana works to treat most types of acute or chronic pain. A few studies have found that marijuana can be helpful in treating neuropathic pain a specific type of chronic pain caused by damaged nerves. Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain and include prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. More than 70, people died from drug overdoses in in the United States, and two in three of these overdose deaths involved an opioid. Although some research suggests that states that legalize marijuana use for medical purposes experience a reduction in opioid prescribing and opioid-related deaths, other research that examines the impact of medical marijuana policies over a longer period of time indicates marijuana legalization is not associated with decreases in opioid overdose deaths and that prior research findings could be coincidental. Importantly, using marijuana either alone or in combination with opioids has been shown to increase risk for opioid misuse. FDA-approved medications are available to treat opioid use disorder. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Marijuana and Public Health. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Opioids and Marijuana Opioids are a class of drugs used to reduce pain and include prescription opioids, heroin, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination websites privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website. Cancel Continue.
In recent years, the number of states that have approved cannabis for both medicinal and recreational use has grown substantially. Yet many doctors are still reluctant to endorse cannabis as a treatment for various ailments and with good reason. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. To get a better understanding of why the IASP issued the statement and what the group is looking for in the future, we spoke to psychologist Judith Scheman, PhD. Made up of over 7, pain specialists from countries, the IASP is the primary organization for pain specialists in the world. As the availability of cannabis increased thanks to legalization efforts, the IASP recognized the need to assess the risks and benefits of using it to treat pain. A systematic overview of cannabis and cannabinoids was especially important in light of the opioid epidemic of the last few decades. In , the organization assembled a task force to focus on the topic of cannabis and pain. A year later, in , that task force commissioned a pair of reviews One focused on previous studies that showed the potential harm of using cannabis and one focused on randomized controlled trials of cannabis use. The IASP took a detailed, methodical approach to their work especially given the prevalence of anecdotal evidence that claims cannabis can help patients deal with pain. Referring to the pharmaceutical companies that fueled the opioid crisis and the trauma caused by the resulting addictions, Dr. In taking this systematic approach to reviewing studies and trials, Dr. What does the science tell us? Scheman adds. What the group found, she notes, is a wealth of literature demonstrating that cannabis can be an analgesic a drug that relieves pain. They also found evidence from lab studies that cannabis and cannabinoids might, biochemically speaking, be effective in helping with pain. The problem, Dr. Scheman points out, is that when they looked at the evidence from clinical trials, they concluded the data that was available was of insufficient quality. That high rate muddies the results quite a bit. While dozens of states have legalized cannabis for medical use, far fewer have legalized it for recreational use. And at the federal level, cannabis is still classified as a controlled substance. These legal obstacles mean there are far fewer studies available to review than with other potential medical treatments. And even then, Dr. Scheman notes. Other risks noted by research suggest there could be a negative connection between cannabis and mental health conditions as well as cannabis and episodes of psychosis. There is also the risk of addiction and, as Dr. For the IASP, the research continues into how cannabis and cannabinoids could potentially help patients manage pain.