Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain Management

Medical marijuana is an alternative medicine that has been proven to be effective for those with a chronic pain diagnosis. Chronic pain refers to pain that continues past the anticipated healing time such as those suffering from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, severe burns, cancer, AIDS, or fibromyalgia. Medical marijuana for chronic pain management is now legal in the following 14 states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

Effects of marijuana as an alternative Medicine for chronic pain management

Marijuana has been proven to help pain sufferers, insomniacs and also helps fight nausea that accompanies severe chronic pain, opiod drugs and chemotherapy treatments. According to Everydayhealth, 40 percent of those ingesting or inhaling cannabis for medicinal purposes use the drug to treat chronic pain. Pain Management of America reports that 70-80% of patients experienced pain relief according to a 2000 study.

Life is a constant cycle of choices. Those suffering chronic pain that use opioids, like codeine, for pain management can suffer severe side effects. However, those using medical marijuana can regulate their dose and use a vaporizer to avoid severe side effects.

Clinical Studies confirm benefits of medical marijuana

The Neuroscience and Behavior Program in the Psychology Department at the University of Georgia, reviewed studies of neuropathic pain and the effect of Cannabinoids. Neuropathic pain is a debilitating, mysterious and challenging form of chronic pain. Cannabinoids share the same target as Delta(9)-THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The Program revealed that clinical studies largely affirm chronic pain sufferers derive benefits from cannabis treatment.

British researchers revealed that cannabis extract sprayed under the tongue was effective in reducing pain in 18 of 23 severe pain sufferers, according to Medical Marijuana Testimonials.

Disable World reports that recent studies show cannabis to be efficacious in treating mood disorders and mental health issues such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Vaporize marijuana for fewer side effects

Like most pain management, medical marijuana does have side effects. To curb the negative effects of inhaling marijuana, many are turning to vaporizing. Vaporized cannabis is a safer alternative medicine to treat chronic pain than some prescription drugs. Vaporizers heat cannabis to the exact temperature to create a thin mist vapor, which is held in a glass dome until it is ready to be inhaled via a tube. Ebay has herbal vaporizers for $40, free shipping. Some vaporizers are priced much higher, as much as $300.

Sources

Everydayhealth
Neurotherapeutics. 2009 Oct;6(4):713-37, Cannabinoids as pharmacotherapies for neuropathic pain: from the bench to the bedside, Rahn EJ, Hohmann AG. Pubmed.gov
Chronic pain and cannabis
Legalizing Marijuana - Tax Cannabis 2010 - Tax Revenue Through Regulation, Ranee Wright, Associated Content
Massachusetts Act to Tax and Regulate Cannabis, Ranee Wright, Associated Content
Medical Marijuana, Disabled World
Chronic Pain Treatment and Management with Medical Marijuana, Pain Management of America