Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons adults in the United States seek medical attention. Living with chronic pain reduces your quality of life, restricts your mobility, and is a common cause of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
Treatment of chronic pain is a priority for many healthcare providers because it interferes with daily life for many of their patients. Pain management therapies are constantly evolving.
Medical marijuana, or cannabis, is a treatment option to alleviate symptoms of chronic pain so patients can regain mobility, maintain their independence, and get back to living their lives without constant pain.
If you’re considering medical marijuana for treatment of your chronic pain condition, you likely have some questions. In this blog, we’ll review the types of pain medical marijuana treats, discuss benefits and risks and give you some tips for discussing medical marijuana with the people in your life.
What Types of Pain Does Medical Marijuana Treat?
Medical marijuana is a viable treatment option for people with medical conditions that cause chronic, widespread pain. These patients would typically be prescribed opioid pain medication, but medical marijuana may be a safer alternative. Cannabis can effectively treat the following types of pain:
- Neuropathic pain such as that caused by neuropathy, diabetes, migraines, or fibromyalgia
- Joint pain caused by lupus or other autoimmune conditions
- Cancer pain
- Muscle spasms and stiffness such as that caused by multiple sclerosis
Medical marijuana works to reduce inflammation but can also help with pain from other causes. People suffering from depression or anxiety may experience physical pain symptoms with no obvious physical reason. Medical marijuana used to treat mental health concerns can help reduce pain symptoms as well.
Is Medical Marijuana a Better Option than Opioids?
Medical marijuana presents a safe, natural treatment for chronic pain conditions. Cannabis is an alternative to opioid medications for chronic pain patients. Opioid use disorder is a growing problem in the United States. Increased dosage of pain medications leads to higher tolerances and physical dependence. Medical marijuana is less prone to physical dependence than opiates.
Medical marijuana also has a lower rate of unpleasant side effects than other medications making it an excellent option for people in need of pain control who don’t want the sleepiness, dizziness, or lack of focus many different treatment options cause.
What Are The Risks of Medical Cannabis?
Like any medication, medical marijuana can have side effects that interfere with daily life. Finding the right type and dosage is essential to maximize pain-relieving benefits while minimizing side effects. Some of the side effects of cannabis to watch for and discuss with your doctor are:
- impaired coordination and judgment, which affects driving ability.
- Paranoia (especially in young patients).
- Increased risk of respiratory infections.
- Withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly.
Many people experience the benefits of medical marijuana for pain relief without unpleasant side effects. If you notice any of these side effects after using medical marijuana talk to your provider about adjusting the dosage or treatment plan.
Which is better? THC Vs. CBD
Marijuana plants contain many different cannabinoids, but the ones that treat pain conditions are THC and CBD. Both components have beneficial effects for pain patients. Effective use of medical cannabis requires providers to find the correct THC to CBD ratio for each individual. THC produces psychoactive effects, while CBD helps with mood and fighting inflammation.
How Do I Use Medical Marijuana?
Medical marijuana comes in many forms. Patients can smoke it using vape or pipe, ingest in oils or edibles or stick to topical creams to reduce pain and inflammation. The proper form of cannabis for you depends on your comfort level and treatment goals. You can discuss which option is best for you at your consultation.
How Can I Talk With My Family About Medical Marijuana?
Because cannabis was illegal in the United States (and still is in many states) use of medical marijuana still carries a stigma of drug abuse. Family members may have difficulty understanding your need to treat chronic pain conditions with marijuana, even after legalization. The Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve marijuana to treat any particular disease. However, they are calling for clinical research because it seems medical marijuana has positive health effects for many patients.
Your family members may find attending a doctor’s visit with you helpful. Our clinicians are skilled at educating patients and caregivers on the beneficial effects of marijuana while keeping the patients’ best interests at the forefront. Even if your family disapproves, it’s your body and your choice to try medical marijuana as a treatment option.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Call our office to schedule a consultation if you have questions or are ready to explore treating your chronic pain with medical marijuana. We’ll discuss your condition and treatment options and guide you through the process of accessing medical marijuana in your state. Our providers work with Connecticut and New York patients and speak English, Spanish, and Tagalog.
References:
Caldera F. E. (2020). Medical cannabis as an alternative for opioids for chronic pain: A case report. SAGE open medical case reports, 8, 2050313X20907015. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050313X20907015
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Understanding the Epidemic.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html.
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