With the growing opioid epidemic gripping the nation and resulting in approximately 115 people dying everyday from opioid overdose1, the medical community is exploring alternative pain options to curb this tragic phenomenon. Recent studies have found that medicinal marijuana can be a reliable and safe pain alternative when compared to the harsh and addictive effects of opioids.
Marijuana, being an all-natural pain reliever, can reduce the need for opioid prescriptions and is less likely to create a strong dependency as other prescribed pain medications2. In addition, here are five key reasons why medical marijuana can be a viable and safe alternative for Americans suffering with chronic pain.
Legalization will ease access. As states debate on whether marijuana should be made legal for medical purposes, doing so will make it more readily available for a wide array of Americans with medical disorders. Studies have found that medicinal marijuana can also help manage or treat psychiatric disorders such as severe anxiety as well as help lessen the effects and frequency of neurological conditions, including epilepsy and Tourettes Syndrome3. With such a growing body of credible research pointing to the safe and pain-relieving effects of marijuana, legalization it as a proven pain solution can give doctors safer options to prescribe to their patients.
Marijuana regulation may curb opioid use. Expanding the legalization of marijuana can have positive benefits for the community as well. In a recent April 2018 study conducted by the American Medical Association, researchers found that states that allow for both medicinal and recreational use of marijuana have statistically lower rates of opioid use and overdose deaths4. This research suggests that making marijuana more accessible and putting in place clear regulatory requirements for vendors and dispensaries can be a cost-effective and successful way to reduce the harmful effects that opioid addiction is having on Americans and the surrounding communities. In addition, if patients are able to treat their pain with a less addictive medication, this can also slowly reverse the double-digit opioid addiction rates.
How does CBD help with pain management?
CBD and cannabis products are able to reduce pain largely due to how it interacts with the central nervous system, most importantly the “endocannabinoid system”. This is an electrochemical system in the brain that sends impulses to the body’s nerves. The endocannabinoid system contains important receptors located throughout the body, including in the brain, organs, and tissues. When the body is experiencing pain, this system is activated and responds accordingly, which is can either heighten the response or decrease the pain signals sent to the brain. The body naturally produces calming cells to help the pain subside over time, however, using CBD oil or plant-based pain alternatives, the body is able to increase its “soothing” response to the pain, resulting in reduced pain and inflammation. The most active ingredients within marijuana that help produce this effect are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
In this way, CBD painkillers can be more effective to naturally treat pain instead of using prescribed opioids, while allowing patients to dramatically improve their quality of life.
