How Cannabis Can Help Nerve Pain

Are you struggling with nerve pain and seeking relief? You're not alone! Millions of people worldwide are affected by this debilitating condition, and finding effective treatments can be challenging. 

But fear not! Cannabis is a popular natural remedy that has been gaining popularity over the years. In this blog post, we will delve into what nerve pain is, its different types, and how medicinal cannabis may provide relief from discomforting symptoms associated with nerve pain conditions. 

So sit back, relax and let us guide you through the potential benefits of incorporating cannabis into your nerve pain treatment plan! But first, what is nerve pain? 

What is Nerve Pain?

Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, is a type of chronic pain that occurs due to damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. Unlike other types of pain, nerve pain arises from problems in the brain and spinal cord to receive signals from damaged nerves.

The symptoms of nerve pain can vary widely depending on the location and severity of the damage. These symptoms could include: 

• Shooting or burning sensation
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Weakness in affected areas.

And if you’re wondering how you could get nerve pain, there are many different conditions that can cause nerve pain. This includes diabetes, shingles, multiple sclerosis and HIV/AIDS. It can also be a side effect of certain medications or cancer treatments.

Living with chronic nerve pain can be challenging and debilitating for many people. It often requires long-term management through medication and lifestyle changes to help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. So, what are the types of nerve pain you could have?

The 5 Different Types of Nerve Pain

Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic pain, can be caused by a variety of factors. There are different types of nerve pain that people can experience depending on the underlying cause. Here is a breakdown of the top five. 

Type of Nerve Pain	Affects	Symptoms
Peripheral Neuropathy	The nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord	Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Neuropathic Pain	The nerves within the brain or spinal cord	Chronic headaches or backaches
Radicular Pain	Irritation or compression of a spinal nerve	Shooting pains down one leg or arm
Trigeminal Neuralgia	Inflammation of one of three trigeminal nerves	Severe facial pain
Post-herpetic neuralgia	Arises from shingles virus replication	Burning sensations where shingles blisters once existed

It's important to identify what kind of nerve pain you have so that you can receive proper treatment and management techniques based on its specific nature. And once you have identified the origin of your nerve pain, we can get into how cannabis can help! 

How Cannabis Helps Nerve Pain

Cannabis has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries and research shows that it can help with nerve pain too. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays an important role in regulating our body's responses to pain. 

Cannabis contains cannabinoids such as THC and CBD that interact with the ECS receptors, reducing inflammation and relieving chronic nerve pain. Several studies have actually shown that cannabis can reduce neuropathic pain in patients suffering from conditions such as: 

• Multiple sclerosis
• HIV/AIDS-related neuropathy
• Cancer-related neuropathy
• And diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

So, if you have any of these conditions, cannabis might just be the solution for you. However, It's essential to note that not all types of cannabis are created equal when it comes to treating nerve pain. 

High-CBD strains are recommended for people who want relief without feeling high. On the other hand, strains with higher levels of THC may be more useful for severe cases of nerve pain.

Always talk to your doctor before using medical marijuana or any other medications for your condition as they can provide you with personalized advice regarding dosage and safety concerns depending on your individual health profile. 

And if the doctor gives you the green-light on cannabis use for your nerve pain, here is a quick rundown of how you can use it to alleviate your symptoms. 

The 4 Methods of Cannabis Use for Nerve Pain

There are several ways to use cannabis for nerve pain and the option you choose will depend on your preferences and lifestyle. Here are some of the best methods to use cannabis for nerve pain. 

Method	How to Use It	Pros and Cons
Smoking or Vaping	This requires lighting a joint, cigarette, bong, pipe, or vape and inhaling the smoke a few seconds before exhaling.	Quickest method but not recommended for people with respiratory conditions.
Tinctures or Oils	This can be ingested sublingually or you can put some drops in your drink or food.	Smoke-free method and discrete with precise dosing options, but takes a while to kick in.
Edibles	This is cannabis cooked into drinks or food. You eat or drink it.	Long-lasting pain relief but the dosage can be hard to control.
Topicals or Creams	This can be rubbed directly on the skin or scalp.	Provides localized pain relief but may not be as potent as other options.

It's essential to always start at low doses when trying any new form of medicinal cannabis treatment in order to prevent potential side-effects such as dizziness, nausea and fatigue. 

And as always, we encourage our readers to seek professional medical advice before trying medicinal cannabis so they can have a clear understanding of its benefits and risks. But now let’s on to the next topic in question: CBD or THC for nerve pain, which is better? 

CBD vs THC for Nerve Pain

When it comes to treating nerve pain with cannabis, there are two main compounds that people often turn to: CBD and THC. Both have potential benefits for managing nerve pain, but they work in different ways.

CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. It is also a popular choice for those who want relief without feeling high given that CBD isn’t psychoactive like THC is.

THC, on the other hand, has been shown to be rather effective at reducing neuropathic pain by activating receptors in the brain and central nervous system. However, it can also produce unwanted side effects such as paranoia or dizziness, which come with the psychoactive effects of THC.

The combination of CBD and THC may provide even greater benefits for nerve pain patients due to their complementary effects. Some studies suggest that combining these cannabinoids may offer better pain relief than either compound alone.

It's important to note however, that everyone's experience with cannabis will vary depending on factors such as dosage, method of consumption, and individual tolerance levels. It's best to start low and go slow when experimenting with different ratios of CBD vs THC for nerve pain treatment.

Conclusion

Cannabis has shown great promise as a treatment for nerve pain. Its ability to reduce inflammation and provide effective pain relief without the risk of addiction or overdose makes it an attractive option for those suffering from this debilitating condition. 

However, it's important to note that more research is needed in order to fully understand the benefits and potential risks associated with using medicinal cannabis for nerve pain treatment.

As always, it's essential to discuss any new treatments with your healthcare provider before trying them out on your own. With their guidance and careful monitoring, you can safely explore how cannabis may be able to improve your overall quality of life.