Marijuana strains used for back pain Heavy strains of THC seem to work better for pain relief, while CBD works better for relieving inflammation. However, strong THC causes more psychoactive effects. Cannabis contains compounds that can relieve pain, nausea, and other symptoms. The components of cannabis that most pain relief studies focus on are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
THC resembles cannabinoid chemicals that occur naturally in the body. When people ingest or inhale THC, it stimulates cannabinoid receptors in the brain. CBD does not cause a high, although it does interact with pain receptors in the brain to exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. In recent years, many studies have looked at the effects of cannabis for chronic pain.
Some studies used parts of the cannabis plant and others used the whole plant, so more research is needed. Using parts of the cannabis plant (such as CBD oil) helps to study the specific actions of that ingredient, but when the whole plant is used there is what is called an entourage effect, in which the parts work together to have more effect. CBD is another type of cannabis-based oil that is increasingly popular with people with chronic pain. Both CBD and THC work with receptors that release neurotransmitters in the brain.
They can affect things like pain, mood, sleep, and memory. CBD is emerging as a promising pharmaceutical agent for treating pain, inflammation, seizures and anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC. Our understanding of the role of CBD in pain management continues to evolve, and evidence from animal studies has shown that CBD exerts its analgesic effects through its diverse interactions and modulation of the endocannabinoid, inflammatory and nociceptive systems (pain detection). The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors that interact with our own natural cannabinoids.
This system is involved in regulating many body functions, including metabolism and appetite, mood and anxiety, and pain perception. The change in pain intensity using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) scale was the main outcome of the study. The neurotransmitter and cytokine inhibitory actions of THC, with the serotonergic and neuroexcitatory inhibitory properties of CBD, provide a plausible new means of pain control. However, there is still a need for further research in the area of cannabis use for chronic pain, especially in the use of different strains, doses and methods of administration.
And in states where CBD is legal, laws may vary as to the amount of THC allowed in CBD products to be legally sold. There are currently no high-quality research studies that support the use of CBD for pain management alone. People with arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal pain are increasingly turning to cannabis products to relieve a variety of symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. There is little research available on the use of specific cannabis strains for pain and other symptoms.
However, this study did not achieve statistical significance for the effectiveness of dronabinol for pain relief compared to opioids. Researchers found that participants preferred indica strains for pain, sedation and sleep treatment, while opting for sativa strains to improve energy and mood. A deeper understanding of the pharmacokinetic differences between oral and inhaled forms of cannabis is needed to provide the most accurate formal recommendations towards a preferred mode of administration for pain management. Reduced stigma has led to a growing interest in pharmaceutical cannabinoids as a possible treatment for low back pain (LBP).
.
