Chronic pain is one of the most common health-related issues that affect adults worldwide.
Estimates suggest that 1 in 5 people experience some type of chronic pain. At over 1 billion affected individuals, it’s no wonder why health agencies classify chronic pain as a severe threat to public health.
Luckily, medical marijuana is legal in many states, including Florida. Read along and discover everything you need to know about cannabis and pain relief.
A Brief History of Medical-Related Cannabis Use
Cannabis has long been used as medicine to treat chronic pain.
As early as the 1st millennium B.C.E., traditional Chinese medicine classified cannabis as a numbing substance. Additionally, the Chinese surgeon Hua Tuo was the first to use cannabis as an anesthetic between 140 and 208 C.E.
Going further back, the ancient Egyptians used medical marijuana to treat hemorrhoids and sore eyes. Overall, the ancient Egyptian texts that describe a medical cannabis plant date back to 2,000 B.C.E.
As we travel throughout history, the ancient Greeks and Ancient Indians harnessed the medical properties of medical marijuana. Both cultures were recorded via preserved text to use cannabis to treat inflammation, migraines, and other forms of chronic pain.
As you can see — every major civilization that has walked the Earth has harnessed medical marijuana to treat chronic pain.
How Medical Marijuana Reduces Chronic Pain
Before we describe how medical marijuana reduces chronic pain, let’s first provide a few examples of chronic pain issues.
- Migraines
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Back Pain
This list is not exhaustive. However, it shows many chronic issues that result in deep-seated pain.
The Endocannabinoid System
To understand how medical marijuana assists individuals with chronic pain, you must learn about the endocannabinoid system.
The ECS (endocannabinoid system) is located throughout the body, such as the spinal cord, bone marrow, brain, connective tissues, immune cells, and organs.
Additionally, the endocannabinoid system interacts with the immune response and the central nervous system.
As you consume medical marijuana, cannabinoids like THC and CBD interact directly and indirectly to reduce the severity of localized pain. In other words, the body’s immune response and central nervous system are triggered to provide analgesic effects.
The Best Medical Marijuana Strains for Pain
If you’ve obtained or renewed your medical marijuana card in Florida — it’s time to search for the best medical marijuana strains near you.
However, not all medical marijuana strains are created equal when it comes to pain management. Below, we’ll list a variety of tried-and-true medical marijuana strains for chronic pain.
- Granddaddy Purple (Indica)
- Blue Dream (hybrid)
- MK Ultra (Indica)
- White Widow (Hybrid)
- Bubba Kush (Indica)
- Purple Punch (Indica)
As you can see, most of the medical marijuana strains that assist with chronic pain are indica-dominant varieties. However, sativa-dominant strains like Jack Herer are well suited for individuals with chronic pain.
The Best Type of Medical Marijuana Products for Pain Relief
Now that we’ve talked about some of the best medical marijuana strains for pain management let’s talk about the best type of products for reducing pain.
Medical Marijuana Extracts
There’s nothing more potent than medical marijuana extracts when you need maximum pain relief.
From THC distillate to live resin, medical marijuana extracts are packed with pain-reducing cannabinoids. Luckily, you’ll find a massive selection of top-rated medical marijuana concentrates at local Florida medical marijuana dispensaries.
However, you must be aware that medical marijuana extracts require specific tools. From dab rigs to vape pens, medical marijuana concentrates are a unique way to nip pain in the bud.
Medical Marijuana Flower
Most medical marijuana patients are familiar with flowers (buds).
However, medical marijuana flower is significantly less potent than concentrates. Although less powerful than concentrates, medical marijuana flower is potent in its own right — especially if you’ve never tried extracts.
From joints to bongs and other smoking devices, medical marijuana flower is a battle-tested method to reduce chronic pain.
Medical Marijuana Topicals
Unlike medical marijuana concentrate and flower — topicals are not smoked or vaped.
Instead, medical marijuana topicals come in the form of lotions or oils. The cream or oil is placed directly on the skin, and the cannabinoids move directly through the skin to reduce localized pain.
However, medical marijuana topicals are for external use only. In other words, joint pain is a prime example of using medical marijuana topicals.
Which Type of Medical Marijuana Product is Best for Pain Relief?
Due to the wide variety of chronic pain-based issues — it’s practically impossible to name one type of medical marijuana product as the winner.
Instead, all medical marijuana products play a crucial role for patients with various types of pain-related issues.
For example, an individual suffering from arthritis in the wrist may benefit from medical marijuana topicals. In another case, a cancer patient may benefit from using a high-potency medical marijuana extract for maximum relief.
Lastly, a patient that experiences migraines may prefer to smoke medical marijuana flowers for long-lasting relief.
In other words, you’ll need to experience different types of medical marijuana products to find which one works best for you. However, one thing is certain — always buy lab-tested medical marijuana products to ensure the best results possible.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in Florida Today
If you’re ready to shove pain to the sideline — it’s time to renew or apply for a medical marijuana card at Compassionate Healthcare of Florida.
From risk-free consultations to top-rated medical marijuana doctors, you’ll find everything you’re looking for when applying for an MMJ license with Compassionate Healthcare of Florida.
With over 100 qualifying conditions — there’s no better time than now to reduce chronic pain with Florida’s best medical marijuana doctors.
