You’ve tried marijuana recreationally in the past, and now that it’s losing its stoner stigma, you’d like to try it again.
However, these days you’re much less interested in zoning out with your friends thanks to marijuana and much more interested in how it can help you to deal with severe, disruptive pain.
Recent studies show that more than 60% of medical marijuana users are using it to manage the symptoms of chronic pain.
Others use it for pain relief after a singular surgery or injury, and even to recover after tough workouts. Cancer patients, in particular, are turning to marijuana in high numbers to help them to deal with the pain of chemotherapy and the disease as a whole.
If you’re thinking about using medical marijuana for pain relief, you need to do your due diligence to make sure it’s a good fit for you. Understanding more about how cannabis for chronic pain works will also make you feel much more confident about the safety of using it.
Read on to learn how it works, how to choose the right strain, and the many different ways that you can consume marijuana.
How Does Medical Marijuana for Pain Work?
Medical marijuana for pain management may be a hot topic, but if you’re considering it for yourself, make sure you take the time to study up on the science behind its success.
So, how exactly does marijuana work? First of all, you need to understand that marijuana is not a cure for your chronic or acute pain. Instead, it’s a pain management tool that’s free from many of the frightening and serious side effects of many pharmaceutical pain medications.
Your brain’s endocannabinoid system is responsible for creating your body’s response to pain. If you have a healthy level of endocannabinoids, you’re less likely to experience chronic or severe pain.
But if you don’t make enough naturally? Then you can benefit from the cannabinoids found in marijuana, which “fill in the gaps” in your body’s natural supply. This means you’ll feel pain less often, and with less intensity.
Marijuana also stimulates the production of serotonin and dopamine, AKA those “feel-good” chemicals, thanks to the THC it contains. This means you’ll feel happier, more relaxed, and of course, less focused on your pain.
Check out this article for more in-depth information about the ways in which marijuana interacts with your body’s natural chemicals and provides powerful relief.
Indica vs. Sativa
When you’re using medical marijuana for pain relief, choosing the right strain is incredibly important. Each strain provides slightly different effects on the mind/body, a different taste/smell, and even a unique balance of THC and CBD.
There are two main types of marijuana plants: indica and sativa.
If you’re using cannabis for chronic pain, then we strongly suggest that you go with an indica strain. This is because indica offers more of a body high than a mind high. So, you’ll get the physical relaxation you need without feeling mentally confused or unable to continue on with your day as needed.
Indica strains help to relax the muscles, decrease nausea, and can even manage acute pain within a specific area of the body. We especially suggest trying an indica strain before bedtime, as it can also help you to fall asleep.
You’ll still get a bit of the mental benefits of cannabis when you go with an indica strain. You should expect to feel less anxious and more relaxed thanks to the increase of dopamine that both indica and sativa strains provide.
How to Take Medical Marijuana
So, you’re curious about weed for back pain or another illness, but you’re looking for a simpler, more discreet way to take it than rolling a joint.
The good news is that there are tons of different methods of using cannabis aside from smoking or even vaping it. With a little trial and error, you’ll easily be able to figure out the method that works best for you.
The simplest way to take marijuana is in an edible form. Yes, brownies are still popular, but you can also try gummies, mints, and even lollipops. You can also take it in capsule form, or place a few drops of a tincture underneath your tongue.
You may also want to try cannabis-infused lotions and balms that you can apply to your pain points directly.
One quick thing: make sure you buy your medical marijuana only from a trusted, licensed dispensary. Not only will you have the benefit of expert advice, but you’ll also avoid buying marijuana that may be laced with other drugs.
Additionally, always make sure that you talk to your doctor about the best dosage for you. Your metabolism, age, weight, activity level, and more will all impact which dose is a good fit.
As we hope you’ve learned from this post, taking medical marijuana for pain is safe, effective, and most of all, fun!
Just do your research to find the right strain for your needs, ensure that it’s safe to take with any other medications you’re currently on, and only buy from reputable dispensaries.
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