Living with chronic pain is a challenge that interferes with daily life and can be debilitating. Finding the right treatment plan to successfully manage the condition can be difficult, and many of the current treatment options have negative side effects. Medical marijuana is an alternate treatment option that works well for many people and is an excellent replacement for opioids.
What is Chronic Pain
“Pain” is a broad term. It describes an uncomfortable sensation in the body, ranging from a headache to something more serious, such as a heart attack. Most pain occurs as a result of injury or illness.
For those who suffer from chronic pain, the discomfort can be longer-lasting. This can happen for many reasons. These conditions include nerve damage, arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and so on.
The best pain management is typically a combination of treatments. Some common strategies include a multitude of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and prescription medications. Patients also benefit from other therapies such as physical and occupational therapy, stress management and counselling.
Cannabis: An Alternative Treatment for Chronic Pain
There are many benefits to using medical marijuana for treating chronic pain. Cannabis has been shown to be effective in treating certain illnesses, reducing the use of prescription drugs and more.
Further research into delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) shows patients experienced a significant reduction of pain symptoms, according to the National Academies of Sciences 2017 report.
The compounds in cannabis react with the endocannabinoid system to create a variety of health benefits, activating cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) found throughout the human body. The endocannabinoid system helps to modulate certain functions of the body. Influencing important functions like learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, etc. The ECS helps to create homeostasis within the body.
Each cultivar, or marijuana strain, contains a different combination of compounds including a variety of other cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids. Components which are present in the trichome glands of the cannabis plant, providing many therapeutic uses.
Medical Marijuana is Available for Chronic Pain in Illinois
Fortunately, medical cannabis is now available to medical patients in Illinois. The initial pilot program which was launched in 2013, was extremely restrictive for patients. Since then, many enhancements to the legislation have been implemented in the interest of making the program more accessible. And as recently as 2019, the program was made permanent and the list of qualifying medical conditions was expanded.
Highlights of the Medical Cannabis Patient Program (MCPP):
- You must be a legal resident of the State of Illinois
- Have a qualifying medical condition
- Have a recommendation from a physician
- Patients under 21 years of age are prohibited from consuming inhaled products including whole flower and vapes.
- All cannabis must be purchased through certified dispensaries
The 5 Best Products for Chronic Pain in Illinois
Medical marijuana patients can access many different formats in Illinois today, each producing a different outcome. Cannabis products which are inhaled are better for immediate relief from symptoms. Whereas products which are ingested have a delayed onset time and provide more prolonged effects. For those managing chronic pain consider full-spectrum products for maximum benefits.
Browse Our Top 5 Cannabis Products in Illinois for Chronic Pain:
Bliss Tablets 1:1 (20pk]) with 100mg THC and 100mg CBD (5mg of THC and CBD per tab) by 1906 NEW HIGHS, for $35.00 per tin.
Hybrid Pink Lemonade Whole Flower (3.5G) with 17.70% THC by Aeriz, for $60.00.
Hybrid Green Line OG Premium Flower (3.5G) with THC 31.28% and CBD 0.09% from Cresco Cannabis, for $60.00.
Certified patients can purchase regulated cannabis products at a licensed dispensary in the state of Illinois.
Our licensed practitioners and customer service team have been helping patients understand and make the most of medical cannabis since 2015. Talk with an Illinois practitioner online, via the HelloMD Telehealth service today. Get your medical card.
Photo by Keenan Constance on Unsplash
