There exists a growing number of studies which show the miraculous power of the cannabis plant, while previously, studies of this kind have already been limited as it was illegal in United states and much of the entire world. Yet, these restrictions are currently being lessened to a great extent, and scientists do have more freedom to examine the results of cannabis and its particular effects on health.
The cannabis phytochemistry consists of more than 85 compounds known as cannabinoids.
The human nervous and digestive systems have endocannabinoid receptors, so the body produces its own cannabinoids which can be responsible for emotions, movements, sleep, and appetite.
Terpenes are still another family of cannabis compounds, which are also associated with pain treatment. Cannabinoids and terpenes have powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and the human anatomy can metabolize these phytochemicals.
The psychoactivity of cannabis made all its varieties illegal, including hemp, which won’t have this property.
The “high feeling” is a result of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which can be only one cannabinoid. Nevertheless , most cannabinoids aren’t psychoactive but provide medicinal effects.
The 2nd prevalent cannabinoid in this plant is cannabidiol (CBD)which may be derived from cannabis strains with low THC content, like Charlotte’s Web, for therapeutic use.
Cannabis is very effective in treating pain.
As soon as CBD enters the bloodstream, it is attached to the cannabinoid receptors in the peripheral nerves and blocks the pain signals from reaching the brain.
Despite blocking pain, cannabinoids also relieve inflammation that causes it, as well as strengthen the immune system to guide the healing.
This method also involves beta-caryophyllene, another non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which has a different molecular structure than other cannabinoids. It soothes inflammation and blocks neural pain reception, and is also found in cinnamon, black pepper, basil, and oregano.
Research conducted at the Academy of Michigan study found that the utilization of medical cannabis to handle chronic pain reduces the need for opioid painkillers:
“Patients using medical marijuana to manage chronic pain reported a 64 per cent reduction in their utilization of more traditional prescription pain medications…[patients] also reported fewer side effects from their medications and a 45-percent improvement in the quality of life since using cannabis to manage pain…
We’re learning that the larger the dose of opioids people are taking, the higher the risk of death from overdose… patients in this study rated cannabis to be equally effective [as opioids] for anyone with different pain severity. ”
This confirms the effects of the cannabis use as opioids replacements, as the legalization of medical marijuana in the usa, paid off the number of overdose deaths by 25%, which is very important discovery, as 30% of Americans suffer from chronic pain.
The results of cannabis in the treatment of pain have now been supported by numerous testimonies of patients, scientific studies, and institutions such as Oregon Health insurance and Science University School of Medicine.
United Press International writes: Opioids are highly addictive and there is a great risk of overdosing.
“Opioid use and addiction is now an epidemic in the usa due to doctors over-prescribing opioid medications to deal with chronic pain…’emerging data indicate that drugs that target the endocannabinoid system may possibly produce analgesia with fewer side effects when compared with opioids. ”
Yet, all agree that medical marijuana is safer to use than ibuprofen. A study conducted at the Université de Montreal involved 215 participants.
It estimated the safety of the use of medical cannabis to treat chronic pain, and except for one exception of adverse reaction, all other participants experienced improvements.
Namely, “Medical cannabis use over one year was associated with improvements in pain, function, total well being and cognitive function. ”
More over, fibromyalgia is a serious neurological disorder, characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, along with mood swings, memory issues, sleep, and fatigue.
The typical treatment includes:
– antidepressants
– acetaminophen
– prescription pain relievers
– anti-seizure medication.
Yet, numerous patients self-medicate using marijuana….
The findings of a survey from 2014 from the National Pain Foundations indicate that 62% of fibromyalgia patients claim marijuana helped them treat the pain and other symptoms.
On the other hand, only 8-10% of them found the standard drugs effective and 22-32%a little effective.
Medical cannabis was also scientifically found to be of good use in the case of diabetic neuropathy or multiple sclerosis.
The Cannabis Patch
Cannabinoids do perhaps not need to be absorbed only by smoking or vaping cannabis, as this plant can be applied topically, ingested, or injected, depending on the cause and location of the pain.
In November of 2016, Cannabis Science in California released their “pain patch” for transdermal delivery of medical cannabis.
This patch was marketed to be able to ease fibromyalgia and neuropathy pain, but it can be utilized in the case of other diagnoses as well. This adhesive patch should be placed on the painful area, and cannabis quickly gets absorbed by the skin and enters the bloodstream.
The headlines release stated:
“…the patch provides a controlled release of the medication into the patient, usually through whether porous membrane covering a reservoir of medication or through body heat melting thin layers of medication embedded in the adhesive that will be containing high potency cannabinoid (CBD) extract that slowly enters into the bloodstream after which penetrates the central nervous system. ”
The company believes why these pain patches are merely “the tip of the iceberg”, and therefore are currently researching one other applications of this plant.
Mary’s Medicinal already sells both transdermal medical cannabis patches and transdermal pens, and they can be purchased in Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Michigan.
Remember, pain just isn’t a cause, but a symptom, so that you can soothe it, you’ll need do find the cause. Try to manage stress, change your lifestyle and diet, and make use of the amazing properties of medical cannabis!
