Neuropathy occurs when there’s damage to the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves that branches out from the central nervous system (brain and spine) into the entire body. It’s responsible for our sense of touch and for involuntary body movements, like:
- Breathing
- Blood pressure
- Digestion
- Heart rate
You can think of the peripheral nervous system as the messenger between your brain and your body. It tells you when something is too hot, and it keeps your heart beating.
When this system is damaged, the symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Twitching
- Numbness
- Burning sensations
- Muscle spasms
- Abnormal blood pressure
While folks can cure mild cases of neuropathy, in most cases there’s no such cure and the only option is to manage the pain. Unfortunately, many traditional pain medications have only limited effects on neuropathic pain symptoms or else they come with dangerous side effects.
Fortunately, there’s some evidence that cannabis can help people with neuropathy to find relief, particularly by reducing generalized pain and inflammation, and by helping muscles relax.
Granted, while much more research into cannabis’s effect on neuropathy needs to be done, cannabis is widely used for pain relief, and it may be a good option for those looking to manage their own neuropathic pain.
Let’s take a look at six of the top marijuana strains that could help manage neuropathic pain.
1. Cannatonic Is a Quintessential High-CBD Medical Cannabis Strain
Strains high in cannabidiol (CBD) have long been favoured for their medicinal properties, and Cannatonic is no exception. With a CBD content of approximately 6–17% and less than 6% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this is one of the most popular high-CBD strains on the market.
Neuropathy patients suffer from symptoms such as:
- Migraines
- Muscle spasms
- Generalized chronic pain
And these folks may find that Cannatonic provides effective relief. Because of its low THC content, Cannatonic’s cerebral effects are mild. Consumers tend to feel uplifted and slightly euphoric, but not so much so that they can’t take care of daily tasks.
2. For an Intense, Sedative Effect, Afghani Is an Ideal Marijuana Strain
On the other hand, Afghani is a cannabis strain to consume at night when you want highly sedative effects. This indica marijuana strain boasts very little CBD, but it has a THC level pushing 20%.
While there are certainly other strains with a higher THC content, Afghani has strong physical effects, which is good for those suffering from moderate to severe neuropathic pain.
Afghani is definitely not a daytime strain (unless your plan for the day is lying on the couch), but it’s a great choice for the evening when you need something to distract from your neuropathy. The sense of euphoria it imparts can also help combat the negative emotions that also tend to result from chronic pain.
3. Jack Herer Is a Cannabis Strain for Mild Neuropathic Pain
Jack Herer is a fairly mild sativa strain with a THC content usually hovering in the 18–24% range. Consumers often experience a relaxing and mellow physical sensation along with uplifting cerebral effects. If you’re new to cannabis, Jack Herer is a good introduction to how the plant can help manage pain and lift your mood.
Because it’s not the most potent cannabis strain, those suffering from mild to moderate neuropathic pain will probably get the most out of it. However, for those with more severe pain or who have a higher cannabis tolerance, then one of the stronger marijuana strains on this list is probably more suitable for you.
4. The Harlequin Cannabis Strain Can Combat a Range of Neuropathy Symptoms
Harlequin is another cannabis strain with a high CBD content of about 8–16% compared to just 4–7% THC. This, like many high-CBD strains, has helped make it extremely popular in the medical marijuana community.
For those contending with neuropathy, Harlequin is especially effective at combatting:
- Generalized pain
- Nausea
- Migraines
- Muscle spasms
Because the THC content is low, psychoactive effects are fairly mild, so you can still go about your day without feeling completely sedated. Many consumers also tend to experience a mellow body sensation, which those suffering from neuropathy may find especially useful for promoting relaxation.
5. White Widow Is a Powerful Marijuana Strain for Neuropathic Pain
White Widow is a highly relaxing sativa-dominant cannabis hybrid with a THC percentage in the low- to mid-20s resulting in a strong effect on both the mind and body.
This can be useful for those with neuropathy who are looking for something that promotes muscle relaxation—or for folks who just want something to take their thoughts off of their pain.
In most cases, this marijuana strain still allows people to go about their day without feeling too high, and many find the strain to be energizing. However, cannabis novices should use caution as the cerebral effects can be a bit strong for those with a low tolerance level.
6. ACDC Is a Staple Medical Marijuana Strain for Neuropathy
Like Harlequin, ACDC also has a very high CBD-to-THC content ratio—usually about 20–24% CBD compared to less than 6% THC. This makes it an excellent choice if you want the pain-relieving benefits of CBD without the intense psychoactive effects of high-THC strains.
While you may still experience some psychoactive effects, they’re typically extremely mild. Instead, this is a good marijuana strain for pain management, one that still allows you to go about your day without feeling an intense high. It also tends to be especially effective at combatting nausea.
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