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Aging is inevitable and a part of life but the repercussions can be terrible. Arthritis is among the most prevalent pains that people experience as they age. There are various types of arthritis. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure, therefore those who have arthritis must do their best to cope with the discomfort. Medical marijuana is a great choice for those with this illness to manage their inflammation.
What is Arthritis?
Do those who frequently hear the word “arthritis” understand what it means? Ortho, which means joint, and itis, which means inflammation, are the roots of the word arthritis. Despite the misconception that arthritis exclusively affects older people, it can affect people of all ages, including youngsters. Any joint, including the hips, knees, spine, and even non-weight-bearing joints like the fingers or eyebrows can develop severe arthritis.
How Can Cannabis Help With Arthritis?
Cannabis has proven to us that it possesses chemical components known as cannabinoids that stimulate the endocannabinoid system, a complex network of cell receptors and chemicals that regulates everything in your body from mood to immunity to food and sleep.
Cannabinoids, which are present in medical marijuana, are potent anti-inflammatory substances that help reduce inflammation. Numerous cannabinoids have been proven to lessen pain and swelling. Additionally, either by itself or in conjunction with opioid-based drugs, marijuana has benefits. There is evidence to support the idea that cannabinoids can prolong and intensify the effects of opioids, boosting their potency while allowing users to take less of them.
CBD also reduces inflammation, improves mobility, and relieves morning stiffness. When CBD is metabolized, it transforms into an anti-inflammatory molecule without the adverse effects of prescription drugs like gout.
Additionally, medical marijuana can help you in the following three ways:
Analgesic effects – The analgesic effects of marijuana are comparable to those of opioids, but they are produced more safely. Cannabis also increases pain tolerance while reducing pain sensitivity and severity.
Antinociceptive effects – Cannabis is known to have antinociceptive effects, which means that it inhibits the body’s many inhibitory circuits that affect nociception and pain in a variety of ways.
Anti-inflammatory and autoimmune effects – There is evidence that marijuana’s anti-inflammatory and autoimmune properties may be effective in treating both the symptoms and the underlying causes of arthritis.
How is medical cannabis best used for arthritis?
Cannabis can be applied topically, eaten, or inhaled. There are numerous forms of cannabis products, including:
- Tablets and capsules
- Oils and tinctures
- Creams and lotions, and foods
- Vapes
- Blunts and joints
There hasn’t been much research on the types of medications that cure pain the best. Researchers compared the effects of smoking cannabis containing 3.56 percent THC to taking 20 milligrams (mg) of dronabinol (synthetic THC) orally for pain relief. In comparison to a placebo, they discovered that both medicines reduced pain sensitivity, but the benefits of oral dronabinol lasted longer.
Efficacy
According to a 2018 cross-sectional study, chronic pain and arthritis/joint pain were the two most common medical disorders addressed among 1,483 participants who used CBD to treat a medical condition. Regarding the effectiveness of CBD treatment for their ailment:
- Almost 36% of participants said that CBD addresses their medical condition “very well by itself”.
- Nearly 30% of people said that CBD addresses their medical condition “moderately well by itself”.
- 30% of people said that CBD works “well in combination with conventional medicine” to treat their medical condition.
- Only 4% of those receiving treatment with CBD for a medical issue said they were “not very well” with it.
Where Does Medical Cannabis Fit?
Many different types of arthritis have medications that can help you manage your symptoms and stop joint degeneration. Treatment choices are based on:
the kind of arthritis you have,
which joints are affected
the symptoms you experience.
Surgery may be necessary to replace or repair damaged joints in extreme situations.
Alternative therapies like cannabis may have a place in therapy given the protracted nature of degenerative illnesses like osteoarthritis.
There are several non-pharmacological pain management alternatives, including:
- Preserving a healthy way of life
- Routine exercise to maintain joint mobility
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), massage, acupuncture, and other methods of pain management
- Therapies throughout the day that are hot (warm bath, heat pack, hot water bottle) or cold (cold pack)
- Avoiding actions that make the pain worse
These alternative therapeutic choices are becoming more widely known to patients. Natural pharmacological alternatives, including therapeutic cannabis, are less likely to have side effects than traditional arthritic medications.
According to a 2020 study assessing CBD in the management of joint disease, it is acceptable to claim that CBD is a safe, helpful alternative for the treatment of joint pain due to arthritis.
Conclusion
If you are experiencing a serious kind of arthritis pain then you should consult a healthcare provider before taking cannabis for pain management. The doctor will assess your condition and recommend you a suitable amount of dosage to overcome the pain.
