Cannabis and Pain Management: Is Alternative Plant Medicine Becoming the New Norm?

Article by Nicole Skrobin, The Fresh Toast via Growth Op

In 2019, chronic pain had an impact on one-third of the U.S. population. This number continues to rise, as, reportedly, does the consumption of various substances to help manage and/or combat pain.

Currently, different non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen and opioids are said to be used most often to treat pain. However, there’s no guarantee that these drugs will be fully effective in eliminating pain or that they won’t cause any adverse side effects.

Nowadays, cannabis and its many cannabinoids are being pursued more because of their medicinal and therapeutic properties. Overall, though, alternative plant medicine is increasingly becoming a part of some people’s routines and lifestyles for numerous reasons. Here are some of the possible reasons why.

Understanding types of pain and how to treat it properly

Oftentimes, when someone experiences pain, their primary mission is to eliminate the discomfort by immediately using or consuming a product that promises to offer relief. Before treating pain, though, it’s important to understand the characteristics of the pain itself, including its severity and nature.

For example, is the pain acute or chronic? Is it neuropathic or inflammatory pain? Is the pain caused by an injury, illness, ailment or new medication? After understanding the type of pain, finding an appropriate treatment method is the next step.

When evaluating numerous treatment methods, it’s essential to understand the efficacies of different treatment options and potential adverse effects/reactions. From here, an individual should be able to find a suitable treatment method that aligns with the type of pain being experienced.

Traditional medicines versus alternative plant medicines

Although opioids, NSAIDs, acetaminophen and various over-the-counter drugs tend to be the norm for pain management and/or relief, cannabis and its array of beneficial cannabinoids seem to be growing in demand and usage.

Specifically, to avoid potential adverse side effects and/or the risk of drug addiction or dependency, for many, opioids are taking a back seat, and cannabinoids are being considered or pursued, instead. Despite traditional medicines demonstrating their efficacy in many different situations and among different people, issues can still arise post-consumption.

For example, NSAIDs can be beneficial, but they’ve also been associated with complications involving the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal systems. For their part, opioids have proven their effectiveness in different situations, but have also demonstrated their potential to cause cognitive deficiencies, motor impairment and respiratory depression. Opioids also, unfortunately, represent a substantial addiction and dependency risk among specific groups of individuals.

As time goes on, alternative plant medicine, such as cannabis, numerous cannabinoids and terpenes, are slowly contributing to a change in the way pain management is viewed and/or executed.

Cannabis for pain management and treatment

The cannabis plant contains over 100 cannabinoids, but some of them are more well-known than others, including CBD and THC. Numerous cannabinoids are medically and therapeutically beneficial in multiple ways, but CBD, THC, cannabichromene (CBC) and cannabigerol’s (CBG) analgesic properties stand out. So far, it has been found that CBC contains both anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, while CBG has been shown to have stronger analgesic activity than THC.

 

Read the full article here.