Chronic Pain
Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts longer than three months. It may be hard to believe that a plant could manage the pain caused by arthritis, cancer, or other chronic illnesses. But when you look at how cannabinoids (chemical compounds found in cannabis) interact with the human body it makes more sense.
What is Medical Cannabis?
Medical cannabis is the use of cannabis and its cannabinoids to treat disease or improve symptoms and overall health. This is accomplished by either consuming cannabinoid products or by using them topically. The use of medical cannabis is safe, as no significant side effects or adverse reactions have been reported from this form of treatment.
Generally speaking, medical cannabis is prescribed for a variety of health conditions. It can be used to relieve symptoms of conditions such as epilepsy, chronic pain, sleep apnoea, multiple sclerosis and many more. In November 2018, new regulations were introduced which proposed a definition for the use of medical cannabis – “Cannabis-based products for medicinal use in humans”. The different products introduced into the market would have to follow this regulation. The products that meet this definition would be then moved to schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Furthermore, medical cannabis is made up of many cannabinoids. The 2 familiar cannabinoids are CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). Both CBD and THC contain properties similar to a body’s cannabinoids. It allows them to interact with the cannabinoid receptors, causing the neurotransmitters in the brain to be released. Neurotransmitters carries, boosts and balances different signals between neurons and target cells in the body. They work together to keep the overall functionality of our brain in-tact; managing different tasks from breathing to controlling our heartbeat.
What is Chronic Pain?
Cannabis is still a controversial treatment for chronic pain. One reason for this controversy is that there are different kinds of chronic pain and different kinds of relief. There’s the kind of pain you get in your knee, which may or may not have been caused by arthritis but which responded well to cannabis. There’s the kind of pain caused by nerve damage, which responds less well to cannabis but is helped by certain cannabinoids.
If you are suffering from chronic pain, then you surely know that it is one of the worst things in life. As bad as the pain may be, there is a lot of help on its way. There are several different ways that you can treat your chronic pain. One of these ways takes advantage of medical cannabis.
Possibilities for treating chronic pain are becoming more widespread and varied. Many people who live with chronic pain have turned to using medical cannabis for their treatment. This type of treatment has proven to be effective for people without causing any serious side effects. Although cannabis is often considered a risky drug, it can prove to be very helpful in treating some types of chronic pain such as those related to muscle spasms, arthritis, and back or neck injuries. If you want to learn about how medical marijuana can help you to manage your chronic pain, then keep reading.
The Medical Benefits of Cannabis for Chronic Pain:
Medical cannabis can be used to treat a variety of health conditions. Cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, when combined together can provide an effective treatment for a number of medical conditions. They can help manage conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and etc.
Patients are also able to see a huge difference in using medical cannabis for chronic pain as opposed to using opioids to manage pain levels. Medical cannabis has been proven to mitigate patients pain levels, in some cases a significant drop in pain from a 10 to a 4. There are many studies being convened which aim to bring to light the benefits of being prescribed cannabis for chronic pain.
CBD can be used to help conditions such as:
- Seizures
- Depression
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Inflammation
- Mental Disorders
THC can be used to help conditions such as:
- Muscle Spasms
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Appetite issues
The different uses of medical cannabis outlined above helps proves its efficacy in being represented as a conventional method of treatment for patients who suffer from those conditions on a daily basis. Although it is still early days for the UK, there are a number of clinical trials which are being held to help prove the use of medical cannabis for patients within the UK.
For example, currently there is a clinical trial undergoing called “Project Twenty21” which aims to create the UK’s largest body of evidence for the efficacy of medical cannabis. There is also another trial that is taking place which is held by LVL Health. They are aiming to unlock the ability for patients to access medical cannabis for chronic pain. A revolutionary study which has the possibility to open the doors for many patients suffering from chronic pain.
How to get Medical Cannabis in the UK?
It must be prescribed via a specialist who is on the GMC (General Medicine Council) register, whilst also complying with all existing rules and regulations for controlled drugs. The prescription can only be approved once all medical information has been provided, consent has been given for diagnostics test and then successfully reviewed by the multi-disciplinary team. Only then are patients put forward to book their initial consultation.
Find out more information: Medical Cannabis Legality
