The use of marijuana as medication has significantly increased over the years. With the states legalizing the use and possession of medical marijuana and studies suggesting that the plant has medicinal properties that can help in the management of several health conditions, the usage and popularity of marijuana are expected to grow even further.
Marijuana, for now, is divided into two categories for commercial purposes. While Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Card from 420 Doctors Oklahoma is required to get your hands over high-quality medical marijuana, recreational marijuana is available for almost anyone of legal age.
Now the question arises, is it safe to use medical marijuana?
Well, people have been using marijuana for ages. For relaxation, pain relief, and eating disorders. Researchers have enlisted health conditions like cancer, depression, AIDS, and even arthritis that can be managed with the help of medical marijuana.
Does Medical Marijuana Help With Arthritis Pain?
Yes, medical marijuana helps in managing and reducing arthritis pain. The plant is known to have anti-inflammatory properties that can directly ease the inflammatory character of arthritis thus offering relief. Not just that, arthritis is associated with severe, chronic joint pain and bone weakness, medical marijuana can also prove to be helpful in alleviating arthritis pain. Several surveys and studies have suggested that people dealing with arthritis or chronic pain have used cannabis in order to reduce its severity and there is a history of cannabis being used as a medication for pain. Even though these are anecdotal evidence, their importance shall still not be ignored.
What Does Scientific Research Say?
Although there is very limited scientific research that specifically studies the effects and benefits of cannabis for arthritis, there is enough anecdotal evidence that points in favor of cannabis use for arthritis. In addition to that, there is sufficient scientific as well as anecdotal evidence that proves the plant has a positive, beneficial role to play in managing symptoms of arthritis. Furthermore, there are studies that specifically study the effects of cannabidiol, one of the major cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, on arthritis pain.
The scientific, as well as anecdotal evidence, suggests that medical marijuana or cannabis can prove to be effective in treating arthritis and managing pain.
How Can Medical Marijuana Treat Arthritis?
To understand how medical marijuana works in treating arthritis, one should know that there is an endocannabinoid system in our body that is responsible for the proper functioning of the central nervous system and managing pain and mood, to say the least. The compounds present in the cannabis plant, called cannabinoids, have a similar chemical structure as the endocannabinoids produced by the human body. This is why, just like the endocannabinoids, the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant are able to bind with the cannabinoid receptors and influence the functioning of the central nervous system.
These cannabinoids and other compounds found in the cannabinoids like terpenes and flavonoids have certain therapeutic and medicinal properties that can alleviate pain, inflammation, and muscle stiffness. Not just that, marijuana can even reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep.
All these conditions are symptoms of arthritis and by reducing the severity of these symptoms, medical marijuana can in turn help in the treatment of arthritis.
What Is the Best Consumption Method for Arthritis?
There are several consumption methods and people can choose to administer marijuana however they feel the most comfortable. Inhaling, ingesting, sublingual administration, and topical application are the ways in which one can consume marijuana. Every consumption method has its own pros and cons. And depending on the expectations of the consumer, one can choose a specific administration method.
For arthritis specifically, consumption methods like inhaling and topical application can prove to be comparatively more beneficial than ingestion and sublingual administration.
Smoking marijuana can offer immediate effects. The effects may not last as long as they may if ingested, but for someone who is struggling with muscle stiffness, and whose movement is extremely difficult and painful, immediate effects can be more efficient and beneficial.
Topical application, on the other hand, offers localized effects. This is a great method for arthritis patients who are not comfortable with consuming marijuana. The local treatment on the area that is affected will ensure that the effects are strong and restricted to only the part where marijuana is required. The cannabinoids will enter the bloodstream but there will be no uncomfortably or intoxicating effects of marijuana involved.
However, arthritis patients can feel free to ingest or sublingually administer marijuana as well. The effects may not be immediate but they will definitely be long-lasting.
Marijuana vs CBD: Which Is Better for Arthritis?
CBD is the cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant that is extremely popular for its medicinal properties. The cannabinoid does not offer the infamous high often associated with cannabis. In fact, the cannabinoid is federally legal and is sold in almost every state of the United States.
When it comes to choosing between CBD and marijuana, it is important to understand that CBD is a part of marijuana, just like hundreds of other cannabinoids. Marijuana will offer all the benefits of CBD and much more. What’s better is that the presence of other cannabinoids along with compounds like terpenes and flavonoids can create the entourage effect which intensifies the benefits of CBD even further. So, out of marijuana and CBD, marijuana is considered a better choice for arthritis.
Nonetheless, it is essential to keep in mind that marijuana contains THC, another major cannabinoid. THC has several medicinal properties as well and it, in fact, is great for pain management, but it offers cannabis high. The high may not offer intoxicating effects but euphoric effects, if consumed in the limit, of course. Anything in excess can deliver undesired effects, THC is no exception.
That being said, in order to consume medical marijuana to treat arthritis, or any other condition for that matter, one will require an Oklahoma medical marijuana card. It is a legal recommendation by a certified medical marijuana doctor that states the patient has a qualifying condition and is recommended for medical marijuana for better health. You can easily apply for an MMJ recommendation online.