Introduction
Pain relief is perhaps the most widely known benefit of consuming cannabis.As one of the few scientifically proven facts about weed, many people believe it to be extremely useful against chronic pain and inflammation.
Overview of Cannabis for Pain Relief
The potential of medical cannabis for pain can be traced back to over 5000 years ago when the early Chinese first used it to treat pain associated with conditions such as childbirth, constipation, malaria, and rheumatic disorders.Over time, multiple studies have been carried out to address the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating chronic pain
Increasing Acceptance and Scientific Backing
With growing acceptance of the pain-relieving properties of marijuana, more and more people including medical professionals are coming out in its support as of late.Countless studies have been conducted to highlight the promising effects of marijuana against a variety of painful conditions.For example, headache, childbirth, AIDS, cancer, and acute pain that arises from a surgery or operation.According to a recent study, pain is one of the only three health problems that cannabis has proven to be an effective treatment. The other two include spasms or cramps associated with multiple sclerosis and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Why Cannabis is Effective for Pain Relief?
The effectiveness of cannabis for pain relief can be credited to its chemical composition. Two of the most active ingredients being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).THC for the psychoactive effects such as the feelings of euphoria and psychosis. CBD for medicinal use due to its anti-anxiety and anti-psychoactive properties.Yet, the therapeutic effects of weed largely depend on the concentration of THC and its ratio or proportion to CBD. Together, these compounds better known as cannabinoids suppress pain through various mechanisms.
Role of Cannabinoids in Pain Management
Cannabinoids are the main cannabis compounds that are known to have significant positive effects on pain.When inhaled or digested, these cannabinoids bind to specific receptors known as endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) that are naturally present in our nerve cells and brain.
The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis
Collectively known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), it is once these cannabinoids (THC & CBD) connect with our endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 & CB2) that they start regulating many of our bodily functions including pain modulation. Present across the nociceptive pathways of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves that detect pain sensations in the first place, these cannabinoids especially THC inhibit the production of glutamate and 5-hydroxytryptamine, and alter the dopaminergic functions, thereby affecting our pain pathways.In other words, by suppressing our pain impulses, these cannabinoids tend to ease the pain or discomfort.
Top Cannabis Strains for Pain Relief in 2024
With over 700 strains of weed worldwide, it might be confusing to find the ones that work the best against pain.To make things easy, here’s how you should choose.
Selection Criteria
The way to find the best weed strains for pain is simple. It all depends on understating a few key factors such as the type of strains and their properties, the content of cannabinoids, and terpenes.
1. Different strains and their properties
While there are hundreds of cannabis strains, two of the most basic sub-species are none other than Indica and Sativa.All of the rest are derived from either of the two and subsequent hybrids.In essence, it is the Indica strains of cannabis that are known to have soothing and relaxing effects which make them ideal for pain relief.Sativa strains, on the other hand, are more energizing and uplifting and thus may not be the right choice for pain relief.Similarly, since hybrids contain the properties of both, their pain-relieving effects may also vary based on their genetic makeup.
2. Cannabinoid content
Again, THC and CBD being two of the most common cannabinoids, play a crucial role in alleviating pain.While THC, due to its sedating effects can help you manage pain to some extent, CBD with its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties has proved to be a great pain reliever without causing the high.As a result, mixed concentrations of cannabis with both CBD and THC can also offer astounding pain-relieving properties with lighter psychoactive effects.
3. Terpenes
Known for providing plants with their unique smell and flavor, terpenes are aromatic compounds that are also found in cannabis. Aside from maintaining the aroma and taste, they also contribute to its benefits and effects.Some of the most promising terpenes for pain relief include myrcene, limonene, and caryophyllene.
Strain Profiles
Pain relief is one of the most agreed-upon benefits of consuming weed with both THC and CBD having some or other relatable properties.As such, many of the strains of weed and their byproducts come into the picture.Some of the rather popular weed strains for pain include:
Laughing Gas
Laughing Gas is a hybrid strain combining Cherry Pie and Sour Diesel, known for its potent pain-relieving and uplifting effects.
Purple Sunset
Purple Sunset, a cross between Purple Punch and Mandarin Sunset, offers relaxing effects and is effective in alleviating chronic pain.
GMO
GMO, also known as Garlic Cookies, is an indica-dominant strain with strong sedative and pain-relieving properties.
Blood Moon
Blood Moon, a blend of EmergenC and Kush Mints, delivers balanced effects with strong pain relief and stress reduction.
Apples & Bananas
Apples & Bananas is a hybrid strain known for its balanced pain-relieving effects and euphoric high.
White Runtz
White Runtz, a cross between Zkittlez and Gelato, provides potent pain relief and deep relaxation.
Ice Cream Cake
Ice Cream Cake combines Wedding Cake and Gelato #33, offering strong sedative effects and effective pain relief.
Double Cross
Double Cross is a hybrid strain with high THC content, known for its powerful pain-relieving and stress-reducing effects.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a classic indica strain, celebrated for its strong calming and pain-relieving properties.
Blue Dream
Blue Dream, a sativa-dominant hybrid, offers balanced pain relief and relaxation without heavy sedation.
Amnesia Haze
Amnesia Haze is a sativa strain known for its energizing effects and moderate pain relief, ideal for daytime use.
Purple Kush
Purple Kush is a pure indica strain renowned for its strong sedative effects and excellent pain relief.
Godfather OG
Godfather OG is an indica strain with powerful sedative effects, making it highly effective for severe pain and insomnia.
Granddaddy Purple
Granddaddy Purple is an indica strain known for its heavy relaxation and potent pain-relieving properties.
Durban Poison
Durban Poison is a pure sativa strain that provides moderate pain relief and an uplifting high, suitable for daytime use.
ACDC
ACDC is a high-CBD strain with minimal THC, offering powerful pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits without psychoactive effects.
Harlequin
Harlequin is a sativa-dominant strain with a high CBD content, providing clear-headed effects and effective pain relief.
Also Read: 15 Best Weed Strains for Relaxation
How to Choose the Right Strain for Your Pain?
Choosing a particular strain for pain depends on various factors including the type of pain you’re trying to manage and how your body reacts to weed in the first place.
Individual Needs and Preferences
Since pain can be categorized into acute, chronic, neuropathic, inflammatory, or condition-specific such as arthritis or migraine-related, it is important to figure out the type of pain you are suffering from.At the same time, you should explore and experiment with different strains until you find the right one for your pain.This includes getting familiar with the different types of cannabinoids and terpenes that are found in the cannabis plant family.
Consulting with a Healthcare Provider
You might also want to consult with a professional healthcare provider to see if cannabis should be used in your specific pain condition.Based on your medical history, a doctor or a weed specialist would be in a far better position to help you manage your cannabis use, dosage, and potential interactions with other medications.
Common Side Effects
The effects of marijuana vary from person to person based on several factors such as genes, sex, potency, method of consumption, and frequency of use.Despite that, certain side-effects of weed can be commonly experienced starting with dependency or addiction over time.Impaired cognitive and motor functions such as weakened memory, lack of perception of time, reality, and coordination can also be seen in frequent users who had started consuming weed well in their adolescence.
Interactions with Other Medications
Weed can interact with several other medications and substances, and eventually alter its overall effects. These potential interactions may increase or decrease its effects or cause unwanted side effects.For example, opioids or opiates which are commonly used for pain management, can seriously boost the pain-relieving properties of cannabis while limiting their side effects.A few other common medicines that can change the end-result include antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptics, and blood thinners.So if you are into any of these meds, it’s best to consult with your doctor beforehand.
Guidelines for Safe Use
As a common approach to managing pain, it is important to know the do’s and don’ts of consuming marijuana.Most importantly, the right dosage, no matter the strain. That is, always start slow with the lowest dosage possible which is set to be 2.5 milligrams of THC for adequate pain relief.This could be slowly titrated up to another 2.5 milligrams every 2-7 days until a maximum of 40 milligrams a day is reached.If that does not work, make sure to get in touch with a professional budtender or cannabinoid specialist.
Conclusion
Now that it’s all said and done, it is important to use cannabis with utmost safety and discipline. Coz just because you have ample quota does not mean that you need to consume it all as soon as you can.Despite the long list of potential benefits of medical marijuana, it is always recommended to spare a long and sufficient break between every pot session.For more information and to explore our products, visit West Coast Safe Delivery. We are offering a 30% discount on your first order with the coupon code ‘FIRST30’.
Recap of Benefits
Along with pain management, consuming weed can have several other potential benefits including:
- Relief from mental issues, inflammation, and epileptic seizures.
- Multiple sclerosis and muscle spasms control.
- Curing nausea and vomiting caused by cancer/ chemotherapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Out of all the patients-preferred strains for pain, cannabis indica dominant strains are the ones that are best suited for pain.Some of the best include Afghani, Alien OG, Black Tuna, and Bubba Kush strains.
Ans: By interacting with our endocannabinoid receptors in the nociceptive pathways of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves, cannabis can eventually suppress our pain modulation.
Ans: The most common concern of using cannabis for pain is developing an addiction or dependency. This can result in certain long-term effects such as memory loss, a lack of sense of reality and time, and impaired cognition.
Ans: Choosing the right strain for pain is all about finding the type of your pain and condition. Depending on it, you can either select a THC-dominant strain, a CBD-rich strain, or a balanced hybrid for complete relaxation.
Ans: Compared to other painkillers like opioids, marijuana or cannabis does not cause any respiratory depression and hence no mortality rates!
