Is Cannabis Helpful for Nerve Pain? How THC helps?

There are over 40 countries all over the world where medicinal cannabis is legal including Thailand. Taking cannabis as a medication is becoming more popular, specifically for pain relief. 

Our article aims to provide the strains that can be beneficial for the patient who suffers from nerve pain which can be challenging to find a way of relieving pain. It’s also important to note that when considering taking medical cannabis products, patients should complete the consultation with a licensed medical professional. 

Let’s take a look at more details of how cannabis strains can soothe the pain.

Key Takeaways

• Nerve pain or neuropathy is a condition where there is damage to nerve endings which results in pain, numbness, and tingling.
• The cannabinoids in cannabis can reduce nerve pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system where it’s naturally created by the human body.
• Some cannabis strains that medical marijuana patients can look for are ACDC, Cannatonic, and Blue Dream.
• Here are some side effects that patients should consider before using medical cannabis products: dizziness, rapid heart rate, and withdrawal symptoms.
• It’s advised to consult with a professional before starting medical cannabis.

What Is Nerve Pain and What Causes It? 

Nerve pain or neuropathy is a medical condition where there’s damage in the nervous system and then it causes numbness, tingling, and pain mostly found in the hands and feet. 

The following diseases can increase the chances of causing nerve pain: chronic alcoholism, diabetes, and vitamin deficiencies. The symptoms can appear gradually and suddenly and may be mild or severe depending on the underlying cause. These are the common signs of neuropathy:

• Sharp pain
• Numbness
• Sensitivity to touch
• Tingling and burning sensations
• Muscle weakness and paralysis

How Can Cannabis Help With Nerve Pain?

According to a study, cannabis has shown a promising result in reducing nerve pain when cannabis interacts with an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signing system in the human body that regulates pain perception. The research stated that THC could reduce pain perception as the cannabinoids found in cannabis act on CB1 and CB2 receptors within the nervous system to help ease pain and inflammation.

8 Cannabis Strains Best for Nerve Pain

There are so many cannabis strains in this world. Which one to choose? Let me introduce you to the 8 cannabis strains that can help alleviate neuropathy.

1. ACDC

Yes, I know it is named like a rockstar band but it isn’t named after it. ACDC is an acronym for “Alternative Cannabinoid Dietary Cannabis”. This strain comes from a phenotype of a high-CBD Cannatonic which provides little to no intoxicating effects. It helps the medical marijuana patient treat pain, anxiety, and epilepsy and sometimes helps with the side effects of chemotherapy.

2. Blue Dream

Blue Dream cannabis strain was made by the crossing between Blueberry and Haze strains. It’s a Sativa-dominant hybrid strain that is beloved by novices and veterans with its 18% THC and little to no CBD. This strain can help those who suffer from chronic pain, anxiety, and depression.

3. Harlequin

Harlequin strain is known for its high CBD content and THC levels and due to the high CBD content, it is believed to be beneficial for therapeutic effects such as anti-inflammation, reduced chronic pain, anti-anxiety, and loosened stress. While Harlequin is reported to have minimal side effects, the effects of this cannabis strain can vary for each individual. 

4. Jack Herer

The strain was named after a famed cannabis legalization activist, it’s known for its clear-headed and creativity-boosting effects making it popular among artists. Jack Herer often offers medical properties such as analgesics, and relief of chronic pain, migraines, and muscle tension.

5. Cannatonic

Cannatonic, also known as the CBD Queen, is a hybrid from Spain’s Resin Seeds with a good balance of 50% Indican and 50% Sativa. It comes from a Reina Madre and NYC Diesel strains and received a third Sativa at the 2008 High Times Cannabis Cup. This strain gives extreme relaxation throughout the body while easing aches and pains. However, this strain has some side effects including dry mouth, and causes anxiety in some cases if consumed improperly.

6. White Widow

Green House Seeds from the Netherlands is believed to be the first to breed White Widow and has gained popularity worldwide. It is a strong cannabis strain that can deliver extremely high effects. Despite being an iconic cannabis strain, it also brings several potential health benefits as it is able to help relieve pain and muscle tension as well as reduce stress and depression. 

7. Headband 

This lemony scent with a slight hint of diesel delivers an immediate uplift of the mood and also boosts your energy. The Headband strain can battle mood disorders such as anxiety and depression with the aid of the individual with insomnia and ADHD. It also reported that Headband strain is capable of addressing physical pain like chronic pain and inflammation.

8. Sour Diesel

This cannabis strain will smack you in the face with a diesel-like aroma after the first inhale. Sour Diesel provides physical relaxation but doesn’t give you a couch-lock effect, besides, it allows you to stay active and productive. For medical properties, Sour Diesel offers relief for mild aches and pains.

Potential Side Effects You May Have When Consumed Cannabis

The effects on medical cannabis patients can vary between people, it depends on factors such as tolerance to cannabinoids, general health, and the medical conditions that each patient may have. It is best to consult with a medical cannabis healthcare professional for guidance and to ensure that the strain will align with the patient’s needs as well as to avoid the side effects it may cause. These are some side effects of consuming cannabis that should be taken into consideration before deciding to go for medical cannabis treatment:

• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Rapid heart rate
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Addiction (occur in 10 percent of people)

Conclusion

There is a piece of evidence saying that cannabis has the potential to help with pain caused by neuropathy, a medical condition of the nervous system being damaged. A research paper has discovered the way cannabis reduces nerve pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system in the body.

Among hundreds of existing cannabis strains, there are plenty of them that hold medical advantages to reduce chronic pain such as Jack Herer, Harlequin, and Sour Diesel. The patients are advised to consult with a licensed physician to avoid the bad effects of consuming cannabis which could be confusion, addiction, and nausea.