Medical Cannabis for Pain
What Is Pain?
Pain is something that all of us have endured in our lives. When we’re young and experience it with our very first playground mishap or when we’re older and suffer from chronic conditions. Pain is a signal from your nervous system that something may be wrong. It’s an unpleasant feeling, like a prick, a tingle, a sting, a burn or even a constant ache. It can be dull or sharp and sometimes, it can sneak up on us in the most insidious of forms like tissue damage and even cancer.
Not necessarily a sickness in itself, pain is a symptom that serves to alert the body about a possible illness or injury. Pain affects more people than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. Chronic pain is one of the most common causes of long-term disability, and while prescription medicines have been used to treat pain for years, researchers are beginning to unearth the abundance of the potential benefits of medical cannabis for pain.
Medical Cannabis Treatment for Pain
Pain is generally a catch-all term for symptoms caused by various physiological problems, which is why treating such a complex condition isn’t always as simple as it might seem. In a 2017 study from the United States National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine, it was found that medical cannabis oil for pain might be beneficial for the treatment of chronic conditions.
The practical application of taking CBD is done through many different avenues. One of the most popular ones is through CBD Oil. The CBD compound is taken directly from the plant and infused into different oils. Such a product can be used in a variety of different ways. Even though human studies have found benefits from the use of CBD and THC when it comes to pain relief, a lot of the evidence for this comes from user reports and surveys. A Canadian survey done on people suffering from chronic, non-cancer pain found that cannabis might well be effective at pain management.
Another survey even found that out of 3,000 participants, 97% of patients reported a decrease in their use of opioid medication. Some also state that medical cannabis has the same pain-relieving capabilities as prescription medication.
The Evidence Behind Using Medical Cannabis For Pain
Various studies done on medical cannabis oil, and the effect it has on pain, have shown promising results. One 2018 review assessed how well medical cannabis works to relieve chronic pain. The review looked at studies carried out between 1975 - 2018 and examined various types of pain including cancer, neuropathic, fibromyalgia and the impact of medical cannabis on them. Based on the studies, researchers concluded that CBD (a major compound of medical cannabis) might be effective in overall pain management.
Another study published in 2016, found that the topical application of CBD might help reduce inflammation and pain. The major compound found in medical cannabis, CBD, might also be able to suppress neuropathic and inflammatory pain since it is believed to potentiate glycine receptors, which regulates pain at the spinal level.
Additionally, more research has further proved the possible benefits of THC (the other major compound found in medical cannabis). THC seems to be effective for the treatment of pain for Fibromyalgia patients. This is a long-term chronic condition which can cause deep muscular pain in different parts of the body (back pain being one of the most common symptoms). It is still early days in regards to figuring out the practical applications of medical cannabis for diseases such as Fibromyalgia and symptoms such as back pain, but the initial research seems promising.
As mentioned before, CBD might help hinder the release of glutamates and other inflammatory drivers in the body, it might be an effective treatment to help manage chronic pain conditions. A study has shown that CBD does this by impacting endocannabinoid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
How to Get Medical Cannabis for Pain in Canada
Whether you suffer from acute pain or you have a chronic pain condition, Canadian Cannabis Clinics can help you start your journey back to Better Days.
We offer both clinic and virtual appointments. Virtual appointments are conducted through a secure and private video call with a healthcare practitioner and medical cannabis educator. They are especially convenient for those in pain as it allows you to have your appointment from the comfort of your home.
Canadian Cannabis Clinics has helped thousands of Canadians on their medical cannabis journey and can help you find the best path toward pain relief, once and for all.
Virtual Appointment
Appointment is online through a secure and private video call.
Clinic Appointment
Appointment is in one of our clinics across Canada.