Chronic Pain and CBD

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Chronic pain is a condition characterized by excessive pain that persists beyond average levels of discomfort. Although it is common to feel pain immediately after an injury, chronic pain lasts for longer durations of time. Chronic pain may not occur because of an injury or disease, but instead manifests as an issue of its own.

Symptoms of Chronic Pain

Those experiencing chronic pain may feel pain signals that last for weeks, months or even years at a time. Because constant pain is physically uncomfortable and draining, this condition can significantly impair one’s ability to perform daily tasks with ease.

These aches and discomforts stem from a sequence of messages that run through the nervous system and signal pain. Although these responses are ordinary immediately after hurting yourself from an injury, chronic pain usually elicits these signals without an immediate cause.

Although the immediate symptom of chronic pain is aching, other common side effects include:

  • Burning sensations
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Soreness
  • Lethargy
  • Mood changes
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness

With more than 11 percent of the American population alone suffering from the symptoms of chronic pain, scientists and researchers have worked meticulously to help these patients find some form of relief. As medical practitioners begin to study the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, CBD has become an option many individuals turn to in an attempt to lessen their symptoms.

How Chronic Pain Affects the Endocannabinoid System

Although the endocannabinoid system has only recently been discovered, researchers and medical professionals are in the process of uncovering the full purpose of this system. Recent research studies support the notion that the endocannabinoid system is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body. This means endocannabinoids help ensure the body fulfills its daily functions while responding to internal and external factors usually.

However, issues in the endocannabinoid system for chronic pain patients manifest when receptors responsible for signaling pain undergo irregular regulation.

Because chronic pain often manifests without a known cause, it’s crucial to examine what’s occurring in the body to find effective treatment. A closer look at the endocannabinoid system may show a nonstandard method of processing vital sensory information that causes heightened feelings of pain.

CB1 and CB2 receptors are two main cannabinoid receptors responsible for ensuring bodily regulation. Because these neurotransmitters demonstrate irregular signaling in many chronic pain patients, the patient’s brain processes pain even when an injury is not present. However, CBD products can help patients find effective relief by normalizing these receptors and reducing feelings of pain.

How CBD Regulates the Endocannabinoid System of People With Chronic Pain

While some patients may turn to OTC pain relievers to find relief from normal pain, chronic pain patients often need a more effective form of treatment that targets the variety of symptoms their condition causes. When traditional medicine fails to offer a long-lasting effect, many turn to cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant, to treat their symptoms.

Today, CBD is widely known for its pain-relieving properties. In the endocannabinoid system, cannabis stimulates a normalized regulation of pain-controlling circuits that may be otherwise damaged or imbalanced. These neurotransmitters can efficiently emit and receive the proper signals, lessening feelings of unwarranted pain.

Forms of CBD for Chronic Pain

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing chronic pain, it’s crucial to consider CBD as a viable form of pain management.

After speaking with a health professional about your condition, you can access the medicine you need to alleviate your side effects in a variety of forms. If you experience chronic pain, consider using one of the following ingestion methods to take CBD products:

  • Smoking: Patients who smoke cannabis or CBD products will experience an almost immediate feeling of relief. The endocannabinoids are stimulated rapidly, creating fast support.
  • Vaporizers: Vaporizers are similar to smoking and deliver rapid-producing relief. One major perk of vaporizers is that the user does not experience lung or throat irritation since they are inhaling water vapor instead of smoke. Smoking may cause throat or lung discomfort for some patients, so vaporizers provide an ideal alternative.
  • Edibles: You can ingest oils, food products or capsules infused with CBD. The effects of edibles are long-lasting and ideal for those seeking prolonged relief.

The Best CBD Products for Patients With Chronic Pain

Finding the right CBD variety for each patient will often depend on the series of symptoms they need to treat. Those with chronic pain should seek CBD varieties that target pain, inflammation or any of the other side effects that manifest from their condition.

The following cannabis strains are ideal for treating chronic pain symptoms and similar side effects:

  • Blue Dream
  • ACDC
  • White Widow
  • Girl Scout Cookies
  • Grandaddy Purple
  • Afghan Kush
  • Jack Herer

As with any other illness or condition, be sure to consult with a trained medical professional first. Meeting regularly with a doctor or physician allows you to discuss side effects or any worries you may have in the process of finding your ideal treatment plan.

Learn More About CBD and Chronic Pain at MarijuanaDoctors.com

Want to learn more about how you can benefit from medical cannabis? At MarijuanaDoctors.com, we provide you with the resources and latest medical marijuana news in the industry so you can stay up-to-date on alternative medicine options.

Learn More About Chronic Pain

Learn more about Chronic Pain and what makes medical marijuana an effective treatment for Chronic Pain’s symptoms.