In recent decades, researchers have taken aim at the multitude of possible health benefits that cannabis may carry. Prescription drugs utilizing cannabinoids have emerged in the fields of epilepsy, cancer palliative care, and more. One area of particular interest is marijuana’s possible ability to alleviate chronic pain.
One in five Canadians lives with chronic pain, according to a Health Canada report from June of 2019. Marijuana may offer these people a way to manage their pain, vastly improving their quality of life.
In this post, we’ll recap how cannabis may be able to alleviate chronic pain. Then, we’ll list five of our favourite topical cannabis products to control recurring joint, nerve, and muscle pain.
Cannabis and Chronic Pain
Humans have used cannabis to treat chronic pain for thousands of years. Some 5,000 years ago, Chinese emperors used cannabis-infused tea to alleviate toothaches, headaches, and a variety of other ailments. In about 1,000 BC, practitioners in what is now India began to use marijuana to soothe pain. Today, we still use marijuana to treat chronic pain. In fact, pain relief is the most common reason for patients seeking a medical marijuana prescription.
Currently, researchers believe that cannabis is most effective at treating neuropathic pain. This type of chronic ailment occurs when damage to nerves send inaccurate pain signals through the body. Researchers believe that cannabinoids may be able to reduce this type of chronic pain by “hacking” the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to reduce swelling and perception of pain.
One study involved administering cannabis to a group of 15 participants to study how it affected their level of chronic pain. Researchers in this study said that the majority of participants reported reduced pain at a medium dose of cannabis, while a low dose reported no pain-reducing effects. Interestingly enough, high doses of cannabis seemed to increase the pain that participants in the study perceived.
In addition to the cannabinoids present in marijuana, terpenes may have some effect on weed’s pain-fighting abilities as well. Terpenes like caryophyllene, limonene, linalool, and myrcene have been found to possess the ability to reduce chronic pain as well. These terpenes may enhance the natural pain-fighting abilities that are possibly inherent to marijuana.
All in all, there’s still more research to be done involving cannabis as a chronic pain treatment. However, initial results are extremely promising, and medical patients worldwide have self-reported that weed may be an effective painkiller.
Marijuana Topicals for Chronic Pain
Now that you have a basic understanding how weed may be able to reduce chronic pain, let’s look at some topicals that exemplify this property. Topicals can be an effective way to target marijuana’s possible healing abilities to a single area of the body, rather than the body as a while. They’re also useful for patients who want to utilize weed’s possible benefits without getting high.
CannaLife Joint Balm
With an extra-strength recipe that includes cannabis, CBD, lemongrass, ginger, and cedarwood, this Joint Balm by CannaLife is loaded with a wide variety of natural pain-fighting remedies. This muscle rub comes in three sizes – 10 mg, 30 mg, and 70 mg – so any patient can find the right dose.
CannaLife’s Joint Balm ideal for medical patients who suffer from arthritis or other forms of chronic joint pain. These kinds of ailments can greatly reduce a patient’s mobility, dexterity, and overall quality of life. As a result, it’s critical to alleviate the symptoms of chronic joint pain. This Joint Cream’s recipe only includes natural, organic ingredients, so users won’t need to worry about how it’s made.
CannaLife Muscle Rub
The perfect complement to CannaLife’s Joint Balm is their Muscle Rub. It’s great for anyone who needs to reduce muscle soreness after a workout, or anyone who recently pulled or strained a muscle. It comes in two sizes: a 10 ml stick with 29 mg THC and 14 mg CBD and a 70 ml stick that boasts a whopping 200 mg THC and 100 mg CBD.
Like joint pain, chronic muscle pain can severely hamper a patient’s quality of life. However, this Muscle Rub’s recipe, featuring cannabis, CBD, arnica, wintergreen, peppermint, and eucalyptus, make it easy to get around again. It has two different modes of action – not only does it utilize cannabis’ possible pain-reducing effects, but it also makes use of typical icy and hot compounds to relax and sooth muscle aches.
United Greeneries LivRelief
LivRelief is a line of infused topical creams by United Greeneries. It boasts a variety of makeups, from CBD-dominant formulas to recipes featuring equally-proportioned ratios of THC and CBD. A fast-acting salve that’s environmentally friendly, United Greeneries is making a name for itself with this topical.
FeelCBD Full Spectrum Relief Stick
There’s never been an easier way to apply a hugely potent CBD salve. FeelCBD’s Relief Stick boasts 300 mg of full spectrum CBD in every one-ounce bottle. Along with a recipe that also features menthol, lemongrass, and eucalyptus, this rub-on topical is a great option for users seeking a discrete CBD delivery method. FeelCBD rounds out its home-run formula with beeswax, cocoa butter, and camphor.
As a full spectrum hemp extract, each FeelCBD infuses each Relief Stick with more than just CBD. Full spectrum extract also includes an array of terpenes and minor cannabinoids that can enhance and empower the final product, thanks to a phenomenon called the entourage effect. It only comes in one size, but that’s all you’ll ever need.
Mother & Clone Spray Bottles
Here’s a unique take on topical solutions. Mother & Clone’s spray-on salves offer users a new way to get the CBD and THC they need. These easy-spray bottles come in THC and non-THC variants, so users can select the cannabinoid and terpene profiles that correspond best with their needs.
Cure Chronic Pain With Chronic Weed
If you’re looking for a natural, low-impact way to help manage chronic pain, cannabis may be able to help. However, if you’re currently taking any medicine to manage your chronic pain, consult your doctor before you make any changes. Although there’s still more research to be done about cannabis and its relationship with chronic pain, you can take solace in the possible restorative powers of these infused topicals.