Cannabis is not Good for Pain relief
Rob Sims grew up hearing stories about what opioid addiction could do, and when he sustained a serious injury as a professional athlete, he decided to turn to marijuana for pain relief instead. Cannabis has been used to treat pain for centuries, but it remains unclear whether it can be an effective treatment in the long-term. This article explores the potential of cannabis for pain relief, its pros and cons, and the challenges of cannabis care.
Cannabis is believed to alleviate pain by filling up receptors in the brain designed to take in natural pain relievers. Ingesting or inhaling weed can provide relief, but higher doses don’t provide any additional pain relief and can have side effects like increased heart rate, dizziness, impaired concentration, and memory. Long-term or frequent marijuana use, particularly at higher doses, has been linked to increased risk of psychosis or schizophrenia.
Studies of cannabis for pain relief have shown mixed results, and it’s difficult to keep people in the dark about whether they’re getting high in order to conduct gold-standard studies. Dosages of cannabis are also not standardized, which adds to the difficulty of comparing one study against another. Thus, people have to use trial and error to find an effective dose for them.
Rob Sims experienced the benefits of marijuana after his injury, noting that it helped cut the pain and allowed him to recover faster. He also persuaded his wife to try cannabis when a bout with Crohn’s disease left her in an emergency room, and she now finds relief with the drug.
Cannabis doesn’t make the pain go away, but it can make it so it doesn’t bother you as much. Inhaled cannabis wears off in three to four hours, while edibles can last 8-12 hours. Doctors are becoming more comfortable giving their patients permission to use cannabis, but they rarely bring it up themselves.
More research is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of cannabis for pain relief. NFL players and owners have been supporting cannabis research to become better educated about the issues, and researchers are looking at better ways to treat cancer pain with cannabis, including smart-drug delivery systems that can target the drug directly to the tumor.
Until more is known, people have to use trial and error to find an effective dose, and they must be aware of the potential side effects and risks of cannabis use. With more research, cannabis might fulfill its potential as a safe and effective pain reliever.
Cannabis Not be better than a placebo
For many, cannabis has been used as a pain reliever for years. However, a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has identified that cannabis may not be any better than a placebo in providing pain relief. The study analyzed the results of 20 double–blind, placebo–controlled trials testing both synthetic and natural cannabinoids. The trials included 1,459 participants with neuropathic pain, multiple sclerosis, or other pain. The study revealed that participants who received a cannabis placebo tended to report a significant reduction in pain. This suggests that the pain–relieving effects of cannabis may be largely due to the placebo effect. Previous research has shown the power of the placebo effect, and it can rival common pain–relieving drugs such as ibuprofen or morphine. The placebo effect can be strongest in neurological or psychological conditions, however, it has little impact on the outcome of clinical trials to treat cancer, viruses or bacterial infections. The research team also measured how cannabis studies were covered in the media and found that an “overwhelming majority” of media coverage tended to report that cannabis had a positive effect. This could potentially contribute to the placebo effect. Ultimately, the decision of whether to use cannabis or not should be made in consultation with a doctor. Clinical trials are not the same as real life and if something helps relieve pain without causing any significant harm, it can be beneficial. However, it is important to be aware that the pain–relieving effects of cannabis may be largely due to the placebo effect.
Is It an Error from the Brain?
Pain is an innate survival mechanism, with the power to protect and teach us how to engage with the world around us. It has both sensory and emotional components, which can be manipulated to reduce pain through the placebo effect. This effect was first observed during World War Two, when American doctor Henry Beecher administered an inert saline solution to wounded soldiers and told them it was morphine. The soldiers reported a reduction in pain symptoms, leading to the discovery of placebo analgesia. Since then, placebo effects have been extensively studied in a variety of settings, with a particular focus on their potential clinical utility. It is believed that these effects are formed primarily via a combination of classical conditioning and expectations of improvement. Classical conditioning occurs when a cue (such as a doctor in a white coat) triggers a response (such as hope and trust). Additionally, there is the phenomenon of “observationally–acquired” placebo effects, where a patient experiences relief when a placebo is administered to them after observing someone apply a pain–relief cream. Human brain imaging studies have helped to further understand placebo responses. It is believed that the “source” of placebo is from a structure connecting the spinal cord and the brain known as the brainstem. Multiple investigations have revealed that placebo analgesia is associated with reductions in key pain–processing regions of the brain, changes in brainstem pain centres, and altered activation at the level of the spinal cord itself. Placebos are already in use in most clinics today, serving to support the effectiveness of routine medical treatments. The inherent deception required to elicit placebo analgesia may mean it is never an ethical option for practising doctors. However, research shows that the effectiveness of most pharmacological and non–pharmacological therapies can be enhanced with specific steps, such as positive patient–experimenter interactions, previous effective encounters with certain brands of medication, and open and thorough explanations of the potential effectiveness of treatments. Collectively, these form the power of the placebo.
Hempe may be Better
Pain management is an essential part of life. Hempe is a line of natural CBD–based gels developed to relieve chronic pain, inflammation, and stiffness of the muscles and joints. It offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional pain relief medications, such as opioids and nonsteroidal anti–inflammatories, which have serious side effects. Used by athletes and non–athletes alike, Hempe‘s range of products includes Hot Muscle & Joint Gel, Ice Muscle & Joint Gel, SOS Balm, and Firming & Toning Gel. Professional athletes, including Flex Wheeler, Magnús Ver Magnússon, and Dan “The Beast” Severn, have endorsed Hempe as an effective way to reduce pain and improve overall health. As a special promotion, Hempe is running a Christmas sale offering a 15% discount on all products with the code “Christmas15” at booth no. 969.