Summary: The Health Effects Of Cannabinoids

Neuropathic pain is the result of injury. “Neuropathic pain can occur as the result of such conditions as shingles, cancer, phantom limb pain, the phenomenon known as entrapment neuropath” (The Gazette). People with pain go see a doctor and they get subscribe to pain killers. However Pain killers can be very dangerous. For instance on can get addicted to pain killers by taking them for a long period of time. Using pain killers can be damage to your system and by the time you don’t need them anymore the body will still want them.

According to the authors, recent studies have shown that there is another compound in marijuana that is increasing the attention of both scientists and medical marijuana providers known as cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD is not an intoxicating product, and does not produce a high when alone, but some researchers claim it may calm the anxiety produced by THC. Some research suggests that marijuana with a better balance between CBD and THC is less risky than the high-THC, low-CBD strains that now dominate the upper end of the marijuana market (Caulkin 9). With scientists discovering the new compound CBD, it makes them more interested in doing further research in order to discover more roles of other compounds

Painkillers are the most common treatment option for chronic pain. However, the painkillers that are usually prescribed to patients are opioids. One of the major side effects of opioids is addiction. Canada is currently suffering from an opioid crisis because doctors didn’t fully appreciate or know the addictive properties of prescription opioids.

"Various forms of medicinal cannabis have provided mostly positive responses for patients with different types of pain: Neuropathic, chronic, postoperative, and that related to fibromyalgia, rhematoid arthritis, mutiple sclerosis and cancer" (Borgelt, Franson, & Nussbaum, 2013). In a study outlined in the article The Pharmacologic and Clinical Effects of Medical Cannabis, which evaluated smoked cannabis compared to placebo, significant improvements in pain were observed. The study included 56 patients and used cigarettes wtih varying THC contents. In general, a higher THC content (up to 9.4%) appears to be more effective for pain relief (Borgelt, Franson, & Nussbaum, 2013).

Chronic pain is a tremendous public health problem, and a costly one. As health care advances and the need for palliative care rises, patients and health care providers are constantly investigating alternative methods of pain treatment and management. Questioning and challenging traditional health policies and practices has created an interest in the use of cannabis as an alternative option to standard opioids, for the management of chronic pain. Cannabis, or marijuana, is a leafy green plant consisting of buds and leaves of the cannabis sativa forma indica plants. Marijuana has been used in holistic solutions for hundreds of years; it has also been especially prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients, who have been reported using it to alleviate symptoms like chronic pain, nausea and depression.

Cannabis is natural, while pharmaceuticals are loaded with a wide assortment of chemicals that a great number of people can't even pronounce not to mention completely understand. These chemicals can prompt myriad reactions for the patients who use them. Pain killers can be extremely addictive and ruin patients' lives, while other standard medications can bring about gastrointestinal issues, visual deficiency, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even demise from complications or overdose. Numerous patients just can't deal with the every day long term effects of prescription drugs. With medical cannabis, patients can reap the benefits managing their side effects without worrying about habit, overdose or, genuine symptoms that aren't justified

(2009) studied the effects of Sativex on those who did not find relief from typical routes of pain management, the idea that cannabinoids might have more use as a secondary method of pain management was also addressed in the article Is there a need for weed? The role of cannabinoids in managing neuropathic pain. The article cites a study of 26 MS patients who were unresponsive to other pain treatments, found “significantly better pain relief” (p.12) by using sublingual cannabis extract. However, in analyzing a study with a larger number of participants, Is there a need for weed? The role of cannabinoids in managing neuropathic pain found that there was no marked improvement of pain levels over the placebo group, however they did note some objective improvement (such as

Medical marijuana works for treating nerve pain due to its relationship with the body’s endocannabinoid system. Peripheral nerves in the body that detect pain sensations contain cannabinoid receptors—any form of cannabis consumption impacts these receptors. When THC and CBD enter the body, they activate the receptors that regulate the neurotransmitter and central nervous system, which, in turn, manages pain

THC also works to reduce chronic pain. Yet, THC extracts alone seems to produce limited relief from pain.

Research conducted at San Francisco General Hospital’s Clinical Research Center discovered that smoking marijuana effectively relieved the symptoms of HIV (“Study finds marijuana effective in treating AIDS patients”). Furthermore, a trial was conducted at San Francisco General Hospital and the study showed that marijuana can effectively treat HIV compared to other types of drugs. Marijuana was found to be better tolerated in patients and have fewer aggressive side effects (McAdoo). Based on these studies, marijuana can clearly help reduce symptoms of illnesses, reduce and manage pain associated with illnesses, reduce anxiety, and increase appetite. Its use most certainly would enhance the quality of life for individuals who suffer from significant pain which prevent them from functioning and engaging in daily living activities such as working, raising children, doing chores,

People normally use over the counter drugs or prescribed drugs to reduce pain, stiffness or chronic pain. Some people consider CBD to be a natural pain reliever. A research found that CBD was successful in reducing chronic inflammation significantly and pain in some rats and mice.

Cannabidiol oil is one of 85 natural compounds found in high concentration in the marijuana plant and extracted in oil form. Because CBD comes from the marijuana plant, this fact gave CBD the stigma, much like THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is known to give a “high.” However, the CBD compound is high in efficacy for treating people with intractable epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, and severe neurological degeneration. Clinical evidence shows that CBD also inhibits cancer pains. People favors CBD as a medical cure because of its non-psychoactive effect, which means it does not affect the brain functions and have no psychological effects on patients.

Marijuana used for medical purposes has been proven to suppress pain caused by many illnesses. Despite the claims, marijuana has not been shown to have the same addicting and harmful properties as drugs like

Have you ever felt like your prescribed medicine isn’t working? Maybe the medicine is causing even more issues than when you began? There is another answer to these problems, and a new way to ease pain. Medical marijuana may be the holy grail to medicine.

One major topic in the marijuana community is the medical use of this drug. Many people argue whether it should be used this way or not. ¨Experts report that there are currently 4.2 million medical cannabis patients in the United States, and these individuals believe they are receiving genuine medical benefits from using marijuana.¨ (Netzley 26). This is stating millions of people using this drug for medical purposes are feeling better from it. People who have cancer or any form of chronic pain should be able to use this to help them, its not only used to take away pain but is used for nausea and appetite loss. ¨Researchers have learned that this chemical binds with receptors in muscles, nerves, and the brain to reduce pain.¨ (Netzley 27). Many people use this drug to ease pain from multiple sclerosis, HIV, or inflammatory bowel disease to help relax their body. A lot of the people who use this drug for pain, can take it in many forms like smoking, eating, or in pill form.