For many people, the thought of using cannabis for pain relief can be a little bit intimidating.
It is often associated with stories of getting high and partying, so what if you drank a pot brownie to relieve pain but ended up having a seizure or worse?
The truth is that CBD-infused products like teas, creams, and oils can provide relief without any side effects and are becoming more mainstream in many countries.
Furthermore, the reason is that cannabis has been famous for medicinal purposes for thousands of years–just like any other plant, its plant has been helping people treat various ailments. CBD is one of the most common active ingredients in the cannabis plant; it is a complex chemical that provides many benefits. However, cannabis that contains a greater amount of THC can also be used in therapy. In some states, like Texas, those who want to purchase marijuana for medical use would need to get a Texas medical marijuana card.
So, is it worth using cannabis medicines to treat back injuries and different weed deficiencies? Find out the benefits, risks, and uses of cannabis as a treatment for back pain here.
Understanding CBD (Cannabidiol) And Cannabis Medicines
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most abundant compounds found in Cannabis sativa. It is a major component of marijuana and a non-psychoactive component found in industrial hemp. It is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid or chemical compound that acts on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) to promote homeostasis and protect brain cells.
It has low concentrations of THC, meaning it isn’t psychoactive. There are cannabinoid receptors throughout your body, and CBD interacts with them. So CBD can benefit people in so many ways. For example, it has helped sleep, reduced anxiety, increased appetite, and lower pain.
Cannabis Medicines are medicines made from cannabis. They are usually based on a combination of cannabinoids but can also contain other substances such as terpenes and flavonoids. They can get used to treating pain, nausea, appetite loss, inflammation, cancer, and sleep disorders.
The medicinal properties of cannabis come from a class of chemical compounds called cannabinoids.
There are more than 85 different cannabinoids, and they work together in a complex system on receptors in the human body, similar to endocannabinoids. They work on the same receptors as anandamide found naturally in your brain.
Anandamide makes you feel good and happy once released into your brain, so it’s no wonder that when you consume cannabis, these natural endocannabinoids are activated in your brain and help control pain.
Can Cannabis Medicines Treat Back Injuries?
There are many different methods of use for cannabis, and each of them has its benefits. Cannabis is a stimulant, and it does have some powerful effects on the body. However, that aside, this has also been found to play a role in dealing with back injuries.
With that said, there are multiple ways to use medical cannabis, and how a patient can use it depends on the ailment they want to treat. One should first consider what disease they wish to address with their treatment.
Some may want something more cerebral or sedating to relax and sleep easier at night or bring their pain level down when treating conditions such as chronic pain or inflammation. Other patients may even choose to treat their ailments as appetite suppressants due to other prescriptions they’re taking and the desire to lose weight through cannabis usage.
It is one of the reasons why many states in America and many other countries have legalized the use of medical marijuana across their territories.
Also, another strain, weed, is a pain-reliever in some people. However, it is not an ideal pain reliever for many because of its side effects. A person may feel foggy and lightheaded if they use cannabis. It can also cause anxiety or paranoia.
There are medical marijuana products that do not cause these effects. You can find them online and at your local drugstore or health food store by searching for “medical cannabis.” Also, there are particular strains of cannabis that have no psychoactive (mind-altering) effect, which would be preferable to some users.
Also, much of the research has been done on the topic using different strains of plants. Its various cannabinoids have helped slow muscle contraction and increase blood flow, among other things. Scientists are experimenting with different methods by which they can use variables such as dosage and strain to develop forms of medicine that could get used to treating chronic pain or non-cancerous tumors.
Potential Risks Of Using Cannabis
There are still a few unanswered questions related to the use of cannabis for treating back injuries. For example, it is unclear how much CBD should get used to achieving the desired effects. Additionally, it is unclear whether cannabis products are safe and effective for treating back injuries without side effects. Following are some potential risks associated with this:
- Addiction.
- It induces a “high” effect in some users if not used frequently.
- Dizziness and nausea if not used correctly (i.e., when taken correctly, it should feel like an excellent high).
- Red eyes and dilated pupils are side effects of cannabis that can make driving difficult.
- Sometimes memory, concentration, attention, and decision-making all suffer.
- The dependence on marijuana can increase more if you do not use it for longer.
- Motor skills get impaired after heavy use.
- Frequent drug use can create symptoms similar to schizophrenia, such as paranoia and hallucinations.
With all of the above possible side effects, it is necessary to consult with a professional healthcare advisor before its consumption.
Final Thoughts
Back injuries are common and can leave someone with chronic pain. Unfortunately, traditional treatments for back pain often rely on opiates or other addictive substances that can have adverse side effects. Also, other conventional treatments like surgery and physical therapy can help, but they come with a host of side effects.
Cannabis medicines, on the other hand, may potentially treat back injuries without any side effects that traditional treatments often entail. The short-term use of smoked medicinal cannabis helps people with chronic low back pain. It appears to improve both physical and mental function and decrease pain levels.
However, some research still needs to be done in this area before we know whether cannabis medicines have a role in treating back injuries. Until then, CBD products might offer an alternative treatment for people seeking relief from their back pain.
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Chibueze Uchegbu is a certified medical physiologist with a great passion for healthy living.