About 50 million American adults experience chronic pain – long-standing pain that can profoundly impact daily life. Chronic pain comes from many sources and affects people in different ways, but it’s often tough to treat.
Conventional approaches to treating chronic pain range from lifestyle changes and natural remedies to potent prescription pain medications that can become addictive. But many people are finding relief from chronic pain with cannabis, thanks to its many compounds that work with the body’s natural systems for managing pain, stress, and anxiety. Now, qualified medical marijuana cardholders in Missouri can choose from a variety of cannabis products designed to relieve chronic pain.
What Is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is a general term for a condition that can have many causes. It can include pain that persists after recovery from an injury or surgery or the ongoing pain of chronic health conditions like arthritis. Chronic pain can also arise from stress and trauma that put the nervous system on high alert, leading to painful sensations from tight muscles, digestive issues, and conditions such as migraine or fibromyalgia.
Whatever the cause, chronic pain can compromise a person’s ability to work, socialize, or get through the day. Living with pain can impact relationships and interfere with self-care. Chronic pain can affect just about any part of the body, and it can vary from day to day or in response to changing circumstances. Because chronic pain affects everyone differently, treatments also vary widely and can include:
- Physical therapy
- Talk therapy
- Wellness approaches like meditation
- An array of over-the-counter and prescription medications, including highly addictive opioids.
Cannabis Can Relieve Chronic Pain Naturally
An extensive body of research reveals that cannabis may be able to relieve chronic pain as effectively as pharmaceuticals, without the risk of addiction and severe side effects. The cannabis Sativa plant contains over a hundred compounds and terpenes that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of cell receptors found throughout the body and brain that help to maintain homeostasis, or balance, among numerous subsystems, including pain signaling.
Endocannabinoid receptors respond to natural cannabinoid substances produced by the body’s tissues, and they respond in similar ways to cannabis compounds such as THC (delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). In that way, cannabis can help moderate pain signaling and provide significant relief for chronic pain from a variety of causes. Now, chronic pain sufferers can choose from various ways to consume cannabis for pain relief, from traditional smoking to topical creams that deliver cannabis compounds to endocannabinoid receptors in the skin.
The 5 Best Cannabis Products for Chronic Pain in Missouri
Cannabis became legal in Missouri for medical use in 2018, so adults can now visit dispensaries throughout the state with a valid medical card. Now, anyone with a card can choose from a variety of quality cannabis products designed to provide relief from chronic pain. Here are five of the best options from legal, medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state.
Care by Design 1:1 Pain Cream by 1620 Inspired
1620 Inspired’s Care by Design 1:1 Pain Cream contains an even balance of THC and CBD at 75mg each. This soothing topical is also enhanced with aloe vera, shea butter, and other botanicals for easy application and relief from pain anytime.
RR Hemp Relief Cream by Rural Route Hemp Co.
RR Hemp Relief Cream is a soothing, moisturizing cream that’s high in CBD at 2500 mg per jar. This topical uses Rural Route Hemp Co’s Entourage Booster system, which enhances the delivery of its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory CBD content for faster absorption.
Chem 91 Flower by New Growth Horizon
Chem 91 is an evenly balanced hybrid (50 percent indica and 50 percent sativa)
with a THC content of 27.08 percent. Chem 91 is an uplifting strain that reduces stress and helps to relieve chronic pain and conditions such as nausea, depression and insomnia.
Amend 1:1 Tincture by Beleaf Medical
Beleaf Medical’s Amend 1:1 Tincture contains an even ratio of THC to CBD at 100 mg each per vial. This rapid-relief tincture offer relief from pain associated with conditions such as menstrual cramps, arthritis and gout.
Wana Gummies (Blueberry Indica) by Green Four Ventures
Wana Gummies by Green Four Ventures contain 10 mg THC per piece in a tasty blueberry flavor that’s often associated with Indica strains.
These vegan gummies offer easy dosing to relieve headaches, cramps, and other aches and pains.
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 JIUN-JE LIN
