94% of Colorado medical marijuana patients have had marijuana recommended to them as a treatment for chronic pain. Some will say that this is an indication of patients fraudulently obtaining their medical marijuana license, but Denver Relief believes this to be an indication of the powerful relief that cannabis provides.
Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain and many do not wish to use opioid painkillers and so turn to cannabis as a safe and effective alternative treatment to prescription painkillers.
Those who use opioid pain killers develop a tolerance over time which minimizes the effectiveness of the drug and increases the likelihood of addiction.
Analgesic options like aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), and anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen aren’t addictive but in many cases are insufficient.
Why is cannabis so effective in treating pain versus these other options? To answer the question we need to explore how the compounds in cannabis work physiologically within the body.
Cannabinoids are naturally found in both our body and in the cannabis plant, and have been synthesized in drugs like the cancer medication Marinol. However, synthetic cannabinoids do not have the breadth of effectiveness due to a minimal variety of cannabinoids unlike their natural counterpart.
Endocannabinoids are produced by the body and activate two types of receptors. CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain, spinal cord, and periphery. CB2 receptors are on the immune tissues.
When cannabis is consumed the phytocannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant activate these receptors resulting in the reduction of muscle spasms, inflammation, and tension that may be a result of trauma, surgery, or damage which are the primary sources of chronic pain.
Varieties of cannabis that have a higher CBD (Cannabidiol) content have been shown to be most effective in treating pain as this specific cannabinoid has a synergistic effect with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) producing powerful anti-inflammatory effects and restoring balance to the nervous system while extending the period of effectiveness.
Denver Relief carries a number of Indica strains known for their powerful pain relieving qualities, such as Hashberry, Valley OG, Bio-Jesus, Gumbo, Ultimate ‘91 ChemDawg, Headband, and more.
Resources:
The American Alliance for Medical Cannabis
