More than a third of Americans live with chronic pain – more than the number of people who have cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. Recent research shows that the severity of chronic pain is increasing, too, with more people than ever reporting pain that disrupts all aspects of daily life. Chronic pain has many causes, and it affects people in many different ways, but whatever the source, it can be tough to treat.
Standard treatments for chronic pain include physical therapy, lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and an array of over-the-counter and prescription medications that can include potent and highly addictive opioids. But research reveals that cannabis can provide safe and effective relief of chronic pain. This is due to its many compounds and terpenes that work naturally with the body’s systems for managing pain signaling. And now, qualified medical marijuana patients in Ohio can choose from a variety of innovative cannabis products designed to provide pain relief without the side effects of common pain medications.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is a general term for pain that persists over time, usually defined as more than three months. That can include pain that continues after an injury or surgery is healed or from ongoing health conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other autoimmune disorders. Chronic pain can also be caused by stress and trauma, which causes muscles to tense and tighten. Any part of the body can be affected by chronic pain, and it’s often associated with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Regardless of the cause, chronic pain can seriously impact a person’s ability to work or just manage daily life. Because pain affects everyone differently, treatments vary widely, and pain sufferers often try many options to find relief, including natural remedies and lifestyle changes, medications, and even surgery to block nerves sending pain signals to the brain. But a growing number of people with chronic pain are turning to cannabis for relief that can be as effective as prescription medications.
Cannabis is a Natural Pain Reliever
The ancient cannabis plant contains more than a hundred different compounds and terpenes These interact directly with the endocannabinoid system, a network of cell receptors in the body and brain that respond to natural cannabinoid chemicals produced in the tissues and to cannabis compounds like THC, THCA, and CBD. The endocannabinoid system is a relatively recent discovery, but research shows that it plays a significant role in maintaining balance or homeostasis, among the body’s many subsystems, including those that regulate mood and pain signaling.
That’s why compounds in cannabis can trigger responses in endocannabinoid receptors to reduce pain signaling and boost mood, among many other functions. Because endocannabinoid receptors are found throughout the body, cannabis products of all kinds can help to provide relief from chronic pain.
The Five Best Cannabis Products for Chronic Pain in Ohio
Marijuana has been legal for medical purposes in Ohio since 2016 under the state’s Medical Marijuana Control Program, which also oversees certifying physicians to recommend medical marijuana. To buy cannabis products from Ohio’s legal, medical marijuana dispensaries, you’ll need to consult with a certified healthcare provider who confirms that you have a qualifying medical condition. After your provider creates your profile in the Patient and Caregiver Registry, you can complete your registration. With your registry card, you can purchase a variety of quality cannabis products ranging from whole flower for smoking to topical creams, lotions, and balms. Here are five of the best options for relieving chronic pain.
1:1 Relief Capsules by Remedi
Remedi’s 1:1 Relief Capsules contain equal amounts of THC and CBD at 2.5 mg each per capsule. These capsules are formulated from handpicked Indica cannabis and deliver long lasting relief from anxiety and pain.
Durban Shake Flower by High Supply
Durban Shake by High Supply is a South African Sativa strain with a high THCA content (15.71 percent) and relatively low amounts of THC (0.33 percent) and CBD (0.02 percent). Durban Shake has a reputation as an energizing, uplifting strain, but it can also provide potent relief from pain.
1:1 Pain Relief Balm by Avexia
Avexia’s 1:1 Pain Relief Balm contains balanced amounts of THC and CBD at 100 mg each. This soothing topical combines quality cannabis with sustainably sourced botanicals and other ingredients for relief from pain and discomfort.
Rescue Transdermal Lotion by Dr. Solomon’s
Dr. Solomon’s Rescue Transdermal Lotion offers full-body emergency relief from chronic pain and pain flare-ups. This hybrid topical contains 100 mg of THC along with soothing botanicals for easy application.
Unwind Transdermal Balm by Dr. Solomon’s
Dr. Solomon’s Unwind Transdermal Balm is a hybrid, high-CBD topical that contains 135mg CBD to 45 mg THC. This transdermal balm is easily absorbed for concentrated, targeted relief from chronic pain and inflammation.
Get a Medical Marijuana Card Online
It’s easy to get your medical marijuana document with the online Telehealth service HelloMD. Register, pay, and receive an online medical consultation with a licensed practitioner and purchase medical cannabis today. You don’t pay unless you’re approved!
Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash
