Millions of people around the world suffer from chronic pain, which is a significant public health problem. It’s a pain that doesn’t go away in three months or less, and many things, like arthritis, cancer, back pain, or nerve damage, can cause it.
Pain that doesn’t go away can lower a person’s quality of life, making it hard to do everyday things like work, sleep, and enjoy life. It can also make you feel alone, depressed, and anxious.
Medications like opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stimulants are commonly used to treat chronic pain. On the other hand, these medicines can cause side effects like abuse, dependence, and stomach issues.
Cannabinoids
In the past few years, people have become more interested in using cannabis to help with severe pain. Cannabis is a plant that has many chemical substances, some of which are cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids work with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is made up of endocannabinoids, which are natural lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that attach to cannabinoid receptors and cannabinoid receptor proteins found all over the brain and the rest of the nervous system in vertebrates.
Different parts of the ECS
Three main parts make up the ECS:
Biochemicals called endocannabinoids are molecules that the body makes itself. The two most well-known are endocannabinoids like anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG).
The proteins that make up cannabinoid receptors are found outside cells all over the body. Cannabis receptors come in two main types: CB1 and CB2. The brain and the central nervous system have a lot of CB1 receptors. The defense system and the peripheral nervous system have a lot of CB2 receptors.
In the body, enzymes are in charge of making and breaking down endocannabinoids.
Cannabis Treatment
More and more evidence suggests that weed may help people with chronic pain. From 2010 to 2020, researchers looked at the research and found that weed helped people with nerve pain, back pain, and arthritis feel less pain.
There are several ways that cannabis can be used to treat long-term pain. It can be vaped, burned, eaten, or put on the skin. The best way to give something relies on the person’s wants and needs.
It’s important to remember that weed won’t help with long-term pain. But it can be helpful for many people to treat their condition. Talking to your doctor about the pros and cons of using cannabis for chronic pain is essential before you start treatment.
What are the risks and effects?
Cannabis is safe for most people as long as they don’t use it too much. You might get a dry mouth and red eyes, feel dizzy, and have trouble coordinating your movements. Cannabis can sometimes also make people anxious, paranoid, or psychotic.
Before you use cannabis, you should talk to your doctor, especially if you already have a medical problem or are on any medicines.
In Conclusion
Cannabis is a new and hopeful way to treat chronic pain. Talking to your doctor about the pros and cons of using cannabis for chronic pain is essential before you start treatment.
