Today, chronic pain affects more people than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. Chronic pain is the most common cause of long-term disability in the United States.
There are distinct types or strains of marijuana available, and each may have slightly different effects on the user.
In this article, we look at the best marijuana strains for chronic pain relief.
Best marijuana strains for chronic pain
The three different types of marijuana plants include the following:
- indica
- sativa
- hybrids
There is limited research available on the use of specific marijuana strains for pain and other symptoms. As a result, strain specific recommendations are not medically proven.
The results of an online survey, comprising 95 participants, featured in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2014.
The researchers found that participants preferred indica strains for pain management, sedation, and sleep while they would opt for sativa strains to improve energy and mood.
Regarding pain management, participants reported a statistically significant effect when using indica for:
- non-migraine headaches
- neuropathy
- spasticity
- joint pain
It is, however, important to note that this study had several limitations. It was small in scale, anonymous, and asked people to self-report on their symptoms. Respondents did not use the marijuana in a controlled setting, potentially resulting in differences in drug composition, dosage, and potency.
Another study examined the use of organically grown sativa and indica strains in the treatment of several medical conditions. Just over half of the participants were using marijuana to treat HIV.
The study followed participants for 3 years and asked them about the effects of the drug on their condition during this time. The results indicated that indica strains are more likely to improve energy and appetite, while both sativa and indica strains can alleviate nausea to a similar degree.
It is possible to extract full extract cannabis oil (FECO) from cannabis using grain alcohol or ethanol.
People usually take FECO orally and should only need small quantities to experience benefits.
CBD is another type of marijuana-based oil that is increasingly popular among people with chronic pain.
Topical treatments
People can apply lotions, balms, and salves containing cannabinoids to the skin to relieve pain and inflammation. Transdermal patches that contain cannabinoids are also available and are typically more potent than lotions and salves.
Edibles
Edibles are one of the most popular ways to use marijuana. Edibles involve infusing food, such as cookies, brownies, and candies, with the drug.
Marijuana edibles offer an easy way to take marijuana, but the effects of edibles can be difficult to predict.
Sublingual cannabis
Sublingual administration involves placing a drug under the tongue. The drug enters the bloodstream faster using this method and so it will work more quickly.
Several studies report the benefits of marijuana use for chronic pain.
According to some research, it is as effective as opioids, which are among the most potent pain-relieving drugs.
The side effects of marijuana use are usually minimal, especially in comparison with opioid side effects.
This evidence indicates that marijuana may be beneficial for chronic pain relief.
There are several strains of marijuana available, so even if one strain does not reduce symptoms, another may. Typically, it is best for people to keep their dosage low, especially if they are new to using marijuana.
Those who wish to use medical marijuana should discuss the risks and benefits in more detail with their doctor.
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