Arthritis or joint pain doesn't discriminate by age; it can affect anyone. While traditional pain relievers are enough, they may not always provide the lasting relief desired. Some feel moved by this to explore other possibilities, such as cannabis via weed delivery services at Grasslife.ca.
Key Takeaways:
- Arthritis, characterized by inflammation or joint damage, often causes joint pain. Not all joint pain can stem from arthritis alone.
- Cannabis not only assists in alleviating pain and inflammation but also proves effective in addressing insomnia and depression triggered by joint discomfort.
- The collaborative action of THC and CBD produces what is known as the entourage effect, a phenomenon that allows individuals to fully experience the diverse range of benefits offered by both compounds.
Difference Between Joint and Arthritic Pain and Traditional Treatment Plan
Arthritis is damage to the joints in the body where two bones meet. It develops as a result of the normal wear and tear that various joints endure as people age. Any joint damage resulting from an injury can develop some types of arthritis.
Not every discomfort in the joints is the same as arthritis. Joint pain is an ache that spreads to multiple body areas. It could manifest in the hands, feet, hips, knees, or spine. This pain may come on continuously or sporadically. People complain about aching, stiffness, or tightness in their joints. Even a searing, throbbing, or "grating" sensation could be felt by some.
Finding Alternative Option Through Cannabis: Is It Worth It?
Cannabis plants harbour more than 100 different substances with potential effects on both the body and mind. Among these compounds, THC and CBD stand out, exhibiting comparable efficacy in pain management while eliciting distinct responses from the endocannabinoid system.
The intoxicating sensation associated with marijuana use stems primarily from THC. Conversely, CBD operates divergently by lacking the euphoric impact on the brain commonly associated with THC.
A survey conducted among Arizona users revealed notable satisfaction levels with the outcomes. Among them, 77% of fibromyalgia patients, 63% of those with arthritis, and 51% of individuals with neuropathic pain expressed experiencing substantial or near-complete alleviation of overall pain when using cannabis.
In another survey discussed by the Journal of Clinical Experimental Rheumatology, a significant portion of patients coping with these ailments—94% of fibromyalgia patients, 81% of those with arthritis, and 61% of neuropathy sufferers—reported a reduction in their reliance on other medications, including opioids.
Cannabinoids' analgesic effects happen by a complex interaction of multiple physiological systems.
These include:
- Inhibition of presynaptic neurotransmitter and neuropeptide release
- The modulation of postsynaptic neuronal excitability
- The stimulation of the descending inhibitory pain pathway
- The reduction of neuroinflammatory signalling
Orthopedic trauma surgeon Nicholas Frane and colleagues explore the benefits of CBD for individuals with joint pain. According to their survey, 60.5% of participants decided to cut back on or stop taking other prescription drugs.
Which Compound Can Manage Pain and Inflammation?
The efficacy of both CBD and THC significantly increases when taken in conjunction. When administered at a 1:1 ratio, these compounds have demonstrated notable benefits in reducing arthritis pain, mitigating inflammation, and fostering improved sleep patterns over an extended period.
Although numerous cannabis studies utilize mice and rats to assess efficacy for arthritis, research indicates that THC interacts with the CB1 receptor, while CBD interacts with the CB2 receptor—both are necessary for pain pathway signalling.
CBD aids in enhancing circulation, reducing inflammation, and soothing the nervous system, while THC complements these effects by facilitating pain relief and inducing sedation for enhanced sleep quality. This collaborative action, the entourage effect, enables patients to experience both compounds' full spectrum of benefits.
One also has to consider the positive impacts of cannabis on conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and depression. These conditions often accompany pain in patients with joint disease.
- Reduction of Anxiety: Alongside pain management, pain often inflicts mental distress on those affected. By encouraging relaxation and causing the release of chemicals like dopamine, which improves mood, cannabis can reduce anxiety.
- Better Sleep: Arthritis compromises sleep quality due to pain and discomfort, which hinders the adoption of comfortable sleeping positions. Utilizing marijuana oil can induce a soothing body high and promote relaxation conducive to sleep.
Using Cannabis Oil to Treat Chronic Arthritis Pain and Other Conditions
These oils have different compositions depending on the strains they come from. Hemp oil derived from low-THC cannabis plants is not the same as hemp seed oil from cannabis seeds. Some people like to call these products tincture.
The term cannabis oil would be more fitting for the majority of products available since tincture referred explicitly to an ethanol-containing extract. It is often used in a broader sense to describe concentrated oils with high THC levels, such as RSO (Rick Simpson oil).
Cannabis oils exhibit varying absorption rates, influenced by consumption and production techniques. They provide a versatile means of dose adjustment, which allows for precise increments by the drop. Sublingual absorption, favoured by many patients, offers the potential for partial absorption under the tongue. Consuming cannabis in a sublingual manner offers a unique advantage: it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract, where compounds undergo breakdown before metabolization. This process enhances the bioavailability of cannabis, which leads to a more pronounced impact on your system.
Among the possible advantages of cannabis oil are:
- Better delivery method (no inhaling required)
- Discreet (no overpowering smoke plumes or odour)
- Accurate dosage
- Greater euphoria (up to four times stronger than after smoking)
- Greater longevity
Conclusion
It is possible to integrate cannabis oil into existing treatments for arthritis and joint pain. This integration can contribute to symptom management. In addition to medication and cannabis, complementary strategies such as exercise and dietary adjustments are demonstrating promising advantages. Seek guidance from your healthcare provider to effectively integrate cannabis into your joint pain treatment plan and enhance your overall quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CBD with other pain medications?
While no serious safety concerns have emerged with moderate doses, CBD may interact with certain medications commonly used by individuals with arthritis. Before adding CBD to your routine, speak with your physician.
Can I get high with CBD oil?
CBD products may contain up to 0.3% THC by weight, though this doesn't necessarily correlate with dosage. Overconsumption of such products could potentially lead to THC-like effects. If you want your products not to contain THC, choose those with a label that says Isolate CBD.Can I rub cannabis oil on my skin to manage pain?
Yes, but that's not the most effective method for utilizing oil to alleviate pain. The rationale behind this assertion is straightforward: when oil is applied topically, its bioavailability is limited, and it lacks the synergistic support of additional natural pain-relieving compounds found in certain oil formulations.
While using oil on the skin might alleviate discomfort, the outcomes are unlikely to match those attainable with dedicated creams or other products specifically formulated for topical application.
How quickly can cannabis oil alleviate my joint pain?
The onset of cannabis oil, denoting the duration until its effects manifest, varies significantly. This span can extend from a swift 5 minutes to a leisurely 4 hours. Several factors influence the onset of oil.
- The serving size
- Potency
- Method of consumption
The duration denotes the timeframe during which the effects are perceptible. Following the onset period, individuals may experience the effects ranging from 2 hours to an entire day.
How many grams or amounts do I need to alleviate pain with cannabis oil?
It takes experience to figure out how much cannabis oil is right for you. There is no standard prescription for the precise dosage or quantity of drops, just like with any cannabis product.
If you're new to cannabis or experimenting with a different product, it's wise to begin with a modest amount of THC, like 2.5 mg or about 0.2 ml of oil. Allow time for the effects to manifest before adding more. This cautious approach lets you gauge your tolerance and find the ideal amount for your needs.
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