There is another option that doctors are starting to recognise as more effective and less harmful than most pain medicine – medical cannabis.
Divergent Directions are Possible
As the research, pain care industry, and US government work to answer outstanding questions around and regulation. These are regarding on the use, dosing, and long-term impact of medical marijuana. As a result, veterans and other patients living with chronic pain are in somewhat of a holding pattern.
Patients must work with their doctors to determine the best path forward for their individual situation, weighing both potential benefits and risks.
The Problem with Opioids
There is no denying that opioids can help you deal with symptoms of chronic pain. However, they aren’t the best solution to your troubles. One of the biggest issues with opioids is the addictive nature of them.
Despite relieving your pain, they manage to get you hooked. Over time, you need more and more medication to fight your pain. This can lead to overdose and addiction troubles.
How Can Cannabis Reduce Symptoms of Chronic Pain?
The main chemical component in cannabis that is responsible for this is THC. THC helps stop the pain signal from sending, which leaves you feeling more comfortable. There’s another ingredient in cannabis that also helps, called CBD.
CBD binds to your brain’s receptors and may reduce drug cravings. As a result, addiction is less of a problem. Some research even shows that CBD might be an effective way to combat opioid addiction.
Exploring Cannabinoids
For those patients suffering from chronic pain that feel the benefits of medical marijuana outweigh the possible risks, there may be another option: synthetic cannabinoids. These Class II chemical compounds contain a synthetic form of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
It is the psychoactive component natively secreted by cannabis that acts on the nervous system to enhance the appetite and possibly offer other health benefits. FDA has approved a few synthetic cannabinoid drugs for targeted uses.
This includes chemotherapy-induced nausea and HIV-caused neuropathy. However, they are not currently indicated for treating chronic pain according to both Dr. Cosio and Dr. Tishler.
Before medical marijuana was legal, it wasn’t readily accessible. As a result, it wasn’t even noticed as a potential substitute. Now that people can access marijuana legally, it’s a viable alternative.
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