Marijuana has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various ailments, but recently it has been gaining attention for its potential to provide relief from chronic pain. The active compounds in marijuana, known as cannabinoids, have been studied and found to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and provide relief from pain. This article will explore the scientific evidence behind marijuana’s ability to provide natural pain relief and how it can be used to alleviate chronic aches and pains. We will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using cannabis for pain relief, as well as potential side effects and drug interactions. We will also look at how marijuana can be used in conjunction with other treatments to maximize its effectiveness. Finally, we will look at how to get the most out of marijuana as a natural pain relief option.
Are there any known side effects of using marijuana for pain control?
Yes, there are some known side effects of using marijuana for pain control. These include increased heart rate, dry mouth, red eyes, increased appetite, and dizziness. Additionally, marijuana can also impair short-term memory, cause anxiety and paranoia, and may lead to addiction.
What evidence exists to suggest that marijuana is effective in controlling chronic pain?
There is considerable evidence to suggest that marijuana can be an effective treatment for chronic pain. Studies have shown that marijuana can be effective in reducing pain intensity and improving quality of life for those suffering from chronic pain conditions. It has also been shown to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, and to improve sleep quality. Additionally, many people who have used marijuana for pain management have reported that it is extremely effective in reducing their symptoms.
Is there any difference in the effectiveness of smoking marijuana versus ingesting it for pain control?
Yes, there is a difference in the effectiveness of smoking marijuana versus ingesting it for pain control. Smoking marijuana allows for more rapid delivery of the active ingredients to the brain, leading to quicker pain relief. Ingesting marijuana, on the other hand, can take longer to take effect, but the effects can last longer.
What is the difference between CBD and THC when it comes to controlling pain?
CBD and THC are both cannabinoids found in marijuana, but they have very different effects on pain. THC has psychoactive properties which can cause an altered state of mind, whereas CBD does not. THC binds directly to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. However, CBD works by influencing the body’s endocannabinoid system, which can help to regulate pain, mood, and inflammation. Therefore, while THC can be effective in controlling pain, CBD may be the better choice for those who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC.
Are there any alternative methods of taking marijuana for pain control other than smoking?
Yes, there are alternative methods of taking marijuana for pain control other than smoking. For example, marijuana can be taken in the form of edibles, oils, tinctures, and topical creams. Edibles are made by infusing marijuana into food, while oils, tinctures, and topical creams are made by extracting the marijuana plant’s active compounds and mixing them with a carrier oil or other base. These alternative methods are a safer and healthier way to consume marijuana than smoking.
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.
Cannabis marijuana for chronic pain management straddles the line between pharmaceutical and alternative, while also existing in a grey zone of legality that is largely based on where you live. How about heroin? The federal government says yes to both. In fact, in , the US Controlled Substances Act classified marijuana as a Schedule I drug, due to its addictiveness and propensity for abuse. California was the first state to permit legal access to and use of botanical cannabis for medicinal purposes under physician supervision with the enactment of the Compassionate Use Act. That schism makes navigating marijuana potentially confusing for consumers, and the federal classification creates many obstacles in the scientific study of marijuana for medicinal use. Luckily, researchers have found some ways to get the science done. Rheumatoid Arthritis. But understanding how marijuana works and how to use it for maximum benefit requires more information, and sometimes a bit of trial and error. There are three parts of the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoid receptors are located throughout your body and help determine how cannabinoids affect you. CB1 receptors also play a role in the signaling of pain to the brain via the spinal cord. On a physiological level, CB1 receptors can affect your emotions, memory, executive functioning, and reward. CB1 is the receptor predominantly responsible for the psychotropic effects of cannabis. These receptors are expressed in both immune cells, peripheral outer tissues, and in the CNS but in much lower levels than CB1 receptors. THC acts directly on both the CB1 and CB2 receptors, although not with the same precision as our internal endocannabinoids anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol. While most of the medicinal qualities of marijuana are attributed to these cannabinoids, other plant properties are involved as well. The first step in consuming medical marijuana legally speaking will be getting a recommendation from your doctor. Because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, doctors give recommendations or orders but are not legally permitted to give prescriptions. You can find state-by-state information regarding what conditions qualify for medical marijuana. There are three main ways to consume cannabis. Inhalation marijuana allows the active components to readily cross the blood-brain barrier and may be an effective way to decrease the CNS response to pain sensations. This can be especially useful for difficult to treat neuropathic pain or centralized pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. When people smoke marijuana, they typically begin feeling effects after 2 minutes, with that feeling peaking after 30 minutes. When people inhale cannabis via vaporization, they absorb more of the active compounds than when smoking. This is an important consideration, especially for first-time users.