How Medical Marijuana Works for Pain Relief

In a recent estimate that there are about 3.6 million legal cannabis patients in the United States, data shows that more than 62% of these people use it to treat chronic pain.

With a growing, albeit shy, use as a safe alternative to opioids, many people can use the therapeutic benefits of marijuana. With CBD in particular slowly becoming a well-accepted treatment in the medical community, patients suffering from chronic pain may now have a sustainable way to manage their discomfort.

In fact, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the National Institutes of Health, medicinal cannabis has been used as a form of therapy for over 3,000 years. Pain seems to be one of the most common causes.

How does medical marijuana work for pain relief? The human body has the natural ability to produce chemicals and neurotransmitters that have analgesic effects. Cannabis, when used in medicine, complements these efforts, helping patients get pain relief. Interestingly, CBD and THC – the substance associated with the “high” people get from marijuana – both have promising sedative properties. THC, in particular, can provide temporary pain relief through its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which can reduce pain symptoms and our perception of pain. CBD, on the other hand, has the ability to create a response of the immune system and activate certain proteins involved in pain symptoms.

From cancer-related pain to arthritis, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of medical marijuana can be extremely beneficial. In a survey of about 17,000 people with cancer, about 70% reported positive experiences using medical marijuana for cancer treatment.

In addition, there may be evidence that some types are more effective in treating pain related conditions such as joint pain, spasticity, and even headaches that are not headaches. Indica strains, for example, are often preferred for pain management, relaxation, and sleep.

Replace addiction with opioids for pain management 

Aside from the great benefits of medical marijuana for pain relief, it also has another benefit that cannot be overlooked: its ability to reduce opioid dependence. Based on research conducted in 2016, we have since learned that medical marijuana for cancer pain, in particular, led to a 64% reduction in opioid use.

In addition, researchers also found improvements in quality of life, reductions in drug side effects, and overall reductions in drug use. Given the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating pain, there seems to be a positive relationship, based on the limited data we have now, and a reduction in opioid use.

In general, it is safe to say that by increasing the number of medical marijuana in different states across the United States, we can reduce the negative effects of long-term opioid use, including death. With chronic pain estimated to affect approximately one-third of the US population and the increasing prevalence of opioid use over the past two decades, medicinal cannabis may provide a form of Pain relief that is better and more effective.

Consider new approaches to pain treatment and management 

As more research is done into the potential medical uses of marijuana, its role in treating pain may generate more clinical interest. In a variety of conditions, including debilitating diseases such as cancer and arthritis, giving patients access to safe and long-lasting treatments like cannabis could bring relief to millions of Americans.

Although more research in this area is very important, we are still excited about the potential of medical marijuana for pain relief.