Whether it’s damage from trauma, chemotherapy or diabetes-induced neuropathy, nerve pain can be debilitating to one’s day to day life. How might medical cannabis help?
Nerve pain and discomfort can come suddenly in the form of shooting pain or a burning sensations. Fortunately, specific medical cannabis products may provide much needed relief from these difficult, overbearing symptoms.
After having spoken to hundreds of people and recommending products based upon their unique needs, we have come to the conclusion that while CBD is a great anti-inflammatory, the presence of some THC in the medical cannabis product seems to yield the best results for nerve pain relief. When taking into consideration that CBD interacts primarily with the peripheral nervous system and the immune system this begins to make sense. THC interacts more directly with the central nervous system, the brain, the spine, the gut, and most importantly for nerve pain it interacts with nerve endings. The CBD present in the product will act as a buffer against intoxicating effects.
Whether it’s inflammatory pain, nerve pain, acute pain, or chronic pain we have been able to help people create regimens that are tailored to what they are experiencing. Finding the right combination of strength and CBD to THC ratio is the first step towards relief. Our team of state-certified medical cannabis consultants is here to help.
Depending on the severity and location of the pain, there are many different Medical Cannabis products that may be effective for managing nerve pain.
Smoke or Vape: Immediate Effects
Smoking flower or vaporizers can be a great way to get effects immediately. Depending on the severity of the pain, people may use different products throughout the day. Many will use high CBD with enough THC to be effective during the day as to not get any kind of intoxication or impairment, and then increase THC after work or in the evenings to relax, and even help with falling or staying asleep. While the effects are almost instant, they tend to only last 1-2 hours which is typically not ideal for a chronic condition. For more long lasting effects, edibles may be the answer.
Edibles: Long-Term Relief
A wide variety of edible cannabis products are available in an equally large amount of strengths and ratios. Chocolates, chews, mints and more, there’s an edible for every taste preference, even some savory options. They also serve as the most long-lasting relief, up to several hours based upon the quantity you ingest. CBD, THC and other cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the digestive system and take effect usually within an hour or so. We always advise the ‘start low, go slow’ method, getting to know how your body reacts to a cannabis product you’re trying for the first time. Products high in THC which most effectively address nerve pain are best used in the comfort of your home. The concentrated RSO / FECO oils are the best option for those with a higher tolerance, these oils can take some time to figure out your dosage, so we typically won’t recommend to start with an RSO / FECO but work your way up after starting with a lower potency edible.
Tinctures: Convenient and consistent
Also ingested orally, tinctures share the same benefits of edibles in terms of long-term relief and absorption into the bloodstream. They have the added benefit of easily moderating how much you use, having an easy to use dropper to dispense consistent doses. Cannabis tinctures are formulated using food-grade oils, like Avocado oil, which have a mellow flavor that can even be mixed with drinks, smoothies or food. Those who suffer from nerve pain are often able to anticipate the need for pain relief ahead of certain activities, and having a tincture around with the right combination of cannabinoids and terpenes can be a convenient way of getting ahead of debilitating pain.
Topicals: Localized relief
Through receptors just below the surface of our skin, topically-applied medical cannabis products go to work at the source of the pain. Often nerve pain is isolated. It can be in the hands and feet as in chemotherapy or diabetes-induced neuropathy, or it can be localized and isolated with something like shingles. Topicals are most effective for localized relief, and many contain additional botanicals that aid absorption and penetration into the areas most closely connected to nerves. There is a very low risk of intoxicating effects when using topicals, and they are a convenient choice for life on the go. When reaching for your vape pen or an edible isn’t a possibility, topicals can be used discreetly throughout the day.
Often it’s not just one product that is the most effective, but a combination to create a unique routine and regimen for specifically what you are dealing with. Trying to stay ahead of the pain with an edible product, using a smokable product for immediate relief, or a topical for location-specific relief can help to alleviate even severe nerve pain.