Medical marijuana is offered to patients in many different forms. It can be smoked, vaporized, ingested in a pill form or an edible version (brownies, cookies and chocolate bars). Medical marijuana is considered a schedule 1 drug by the FDA (federal Drug Enforcement Administration) meaning it has a high potential for abuse. There have been a number of studies in the United States on the effects of medical marijuana as a therapeutic medicine for patients that suffer chronic pain.

Marijuana contains 60 active ingredients known as cannabinoids. The body naturally makes its own form of cannabinoids to modulate pain.

Cannabinoids

• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)TetraHydroCannabinol is a psychoactive compound contained in Cannabis, which contributes to the euphoric, or “high” feeling that is generally associated with its use by most patients. THC has analgesic (pain relieving) effects, neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory qualities, helps stimulate appetite, relieves nausea, and also contributes to other beneficial effects.
• CBD (Cannabidiol)Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound within Cannabis which reduces the psychoactive effects of THC. With qualities ranging from anti-inflammatory, to anti-anxiety, anti-arthritic, analgesic, anti-convulsive and much more, CBD works similarly to THC, but has been shown to modulate its psychoactive effects. Strains rich in CBD are less common than THC rich strains, and many are just now being developed and released specifically for the Medical Cannabis community as an alternative form of this medication.
• THCA and CBDAThe A indicates the carboxylic acid form of the molecule which is directly produced by the plant. These compounds decarboxylate with heat to form their neutral counter parts described above. These compounds are powerful anti-inflammatory agents, but only so when consumed orally, and the plant has not been heated before consumption. These medicinal compounds are most often consumed through juicing or making tea with the plant’s flowers and leaves.
• CBNCannabinol is a degradation product of THC which can lead to feelings of muscle control loss, and other generally uncomfortable physical effects. CBN isn’t readily found in fresh flowers and is often an artifact of improper analysis.
• TerpenesTerpenes modify the effects of THC and the other cannabinoids, and impact the medicinal effect of the strain. Terpenes are also responsible for some of the smell and taste characteristics. Terpenes are being used to fingerprint and identify each strain in the hopes that we can begin to understand their physiological impacts.Below are some of the highlights of what is generally known so far.
• Pinenes: Pine odor, bronchodilator that opens the lungs to more THC absorption. It also increases focus, self-satisfaction, and energy.
• Caryophyllene: Sweet, woody, clove taste responsible for anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects through CB2 receptor activation.
• Linalool: Floral smelling, is believed to provide some anti-cancer effects and is known to cause severe sedation.
• Limonene: Has a citrus scent and may possess anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti depression abilities.
• Myrcene: Effects intake of THC by brain cells to increase the overall effects of THC when ingested together.Marijuana has been found to be effective in reducing neuropathic pain, or pain caused by damaged nerves. Opiates, such as morphine, aren’t effective at treating that sort of pain. Other studies show that marijuana, in addition to opiates, led to dramatic levels of pain relief. Cannabinoids plus opiates are synergistic in their relief of pain.The American Academy of Neurology found that certain forms of medical marijuana (only in pill or oral spray form) can help treat some symptoms of pain (pain related to spasticity, including painful spasms, and painful burning and numbness) and overactive bladder.

  According to a report released earlier in January by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), that makes a lot of sense.

  One of the strongest conclusions of the report, which provides basically the most comprehensive, up-to-date look at what all available research on cannabis tell us, is that there is conclusive or substantial evidence (in general, enough to make a firm conclusion) that cannabis or cannabinoids, found in the marijuana plant, can be an effective treatment for chronic pain.

  After researching the effects of medical marijuana, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, acknowledges that medicinal plants (including marijuana specifically) aren’t a new idea: The medical and scientific communities have been studying medical marijuana since the 19th Century, and marijuana was actually used to treat neuropathic pain until 1943.

  Ask A Medical Marijuana Doctor about Qualifying For A Medical Marijuana Card In your State:
  Submit your location by state to holly@painandinjury.com

  New York Chronic pain Specialists:

• Dr. Matthew Kalter – Long Island, Suffolk County, Smithtown, NY – Medical marijuana card NY. 

  Marijuana medical health benefits – Neuropathic pain

• Cannabinoids Among Most Promising Approaches to Treating Neuropathic Pain
  http://www.redorbit.com/news/health…source=r_health
• Cannabis-based medicine in central pain in multiple sclerosis
  http://www.neurology.org/cgi/conten…t/65/6/812?etoc
• Cannabis in painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…ow.php?s_id=199
• Smoked cannabis therapy for HIV-related painful peripheral neuropathy
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…ow.php?s_id=172
• Two cannabis based medicinal extracts for relief of central neuropathic pain
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…ow.php?s_id=143
• Cannabis based medicinal extracts (CBME) in central neuropathic pain due to multiple sclerosis.
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…how.php?s_id=82
• Analgesic effect of the synthetic cannabinoid CT-3 on chronic neuropathic pain
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…how.php?s_id=85
• Smoked cannabis in painful peripheral neuropathy and cancer pain refractory to opiods.
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…how.php?s_id=96
• Analgesic effect of the cannabinoid analogue nabilone
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…ow.php?s_id=203
• The perceived effects of smoked cannabis on patients with multiple sclerosis.
  http://www.cannabis-med.org/studies…how.php?s_id=13
• Cannabis based treatments for neuropathic and multiple sclerosis-related pain.
  http://www.unboundmedicine.com/medl…is_related_pain

  Sources:

• https://www.papaganja.org/marijuana-elements/
• https://www.livescience.com/24554-medical-marijuana.html
• https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1276
• https://www.painnewsnetwork.org/stories/2017/6/14/how-medical-marijuana-is-gaining-acceptance
• https://www.kalterpmr.com/blog/marijuana-chronic-pain/
• herb.co/2015/09/20/marijuana-for-pain/
• http://www.businessinsider.com/medical-marijuana-effective-treatment-chronic-pain-2017-1
• http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2017/health-effects-of-cannabis-and-cannabinoids.aspx
• http://www.businessinsider.com/sanjay-gupta-changed-his-mind-on-weed-2014-4
• https://painandinjury.com/matthew-kalter-md.html

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