Cannabis

Chronic Pain Has Become Common But Cannabis Can Help

Published

2 weeks ago

August 30, 2024

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Chronic pain has a more common ailment than depression, diabetes and more.

Chronic pain has become common but cannabis can help. A recent study revealed chronic pain is as common or more than diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and more. The exhaustive study discovered 52 new cases of chronic pain per 1,000 people. It is higher than the rate for high blood pressure (45 new cases per 1,000) and far higher than the rates of new depression and diabetes cases.

Roughly 50+ million American and Canadian suffer from chronic pain. The study found people ages 50 and were at higher risk of chronic pain. However, around 10% of adults who reported chronic pain in 2019 said they were pain-free in 2020.

Chronic pain is pain lasting over three months. The pain can be there all the time, or it may come and go. It interferes with daily activities including working, basic function like dressing or cooking, and your social life. It can lead to depression, anxiety and trouble sleeping, which can make the pain worse.

Common chronic pain includes:

Arthritis, or joint pain.
Back pain.
Neck pain.
Cancer pain near a tumor.
Headaches, including migraines.
Testicular pain (orchialgia).
Lasting pain in scar tissue.
Muscle pain all over (such as with fibromyalgia).

The way cannabis helps is due to the peripheral nerves, which detect pain sensations, contain abundant receptors for cannabinoids. Cannabinoids in the correct dosage can block peripheral nerve pain. And basic studies suggest opiates and cannabinoids suppress pain through different mechanisms. This means cannabis, which is not nearly as addictive as opiates, can provide a safer option.

For those suffering from chronic pain, it is important to have a conversation with you medical provider. Cannabis can be a less addictive option if taken in the correct amount and frequency. Microdosing has become common to manage anxiety and could be a solution for pain. Roughly 10% of people recover from chronic pain, so it is important to find a solid pathway to a functional life.

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arthritis

Key Information About Joint Pain And Medical Marijuana

Published

3 days ago

September 14, 2024

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Roughly 19% of the people suffer from joint pain – a daily struggle…but here is how medical marijuana can help.

Roughly 19% suffer from joint pain or some part of arthritis. Not only is it painful, it is disruptive in daily life. Some pain can be short term, like from sprains, an injury, tendinitis, or tendon inflammation, an infection of the bone or joint, or overuse of a joint. But some can be long term issues with an impact the patients like. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, bursitis, lupus and more can be long, lingering issues with pain. There is some hope, and cannabis might be one. Here is key information about joint pain and medical marijuana.

One study concluded about 20% of patients with rheumatoid diseases who actively consume cannabis report an improvement in pain. Cannabis contains key components which help reduce inflammation. More research needs to be done to to perfect treatment and dosage, but early indicators look positive for help. Another current benefit of medical marijuana or CBD with joint pain, is it helps with sleep, which is a problem with people in chronic pain.

cannabis may treat fibromyalgia pain according to new study — Photo by Ake via rawpixel.com

Medical marijuana, in the right dose can also be easier on the body. Long used as a natural pain killer, it is less addictive and the body responds positively. Currently used, orticosteroid injections have been a staple in managing pain and inflammation. With new research showcasing the long-term effects of one of the most used treatments, doctors and researchers are concerned about the risks of injections and the potential risks involved with cortisone.

A Boston University study found patients who had been given the medicine by injection found a risk for “accelerated adverse joint events after treatment.” Meaning, when a patient was treated for osteoarthritis or other joint pain via a shot of cortisone, it may have accelerated joint destruction and bone loss. The study also found certain preexisting conditions, such as older age and Caucasian race seemed to increase the risk for the outcome even more. Researchers recommended MRI pre-screening before injections were given to identify the area better and find if the danger could be accurately assessed before the dose was given.

Not only can medical marijuana be helpful, but so can CBD. The Arthritis Foundation has a guide to CBD for those that suffer from the condition. According to Dr. Daniel Clauw, a contributor to the guide, “Right now, it (CBD) appears to be fairly safe and might help certain types of pain.”

While CBD and THC can be used as part of a pain management regimen, they currently can not be the entire plan. Studies like the one conducted on cortisone treatments are bringing the conversations of cannabis and CBD to greater light and offering less stigmatization, but until more research is done, the best path for joint pain is still unknown.

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anxiety

Boomer And Gen Z Consume Marijuana For Similar Reasons

Published

3 days ago

September 14, 2024

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Cannabis has become popular for every adult age group- but the surprise is Gen Z and Boomers are using it for similar reasons.

Cannabis is fully legal to over 50% of the population and all groups are embracing its use. Proven healthier than alcohol, it has become much more common in all sets. Even Florida looks like it is going to vote for recreational cannabis. Long stigmatized as a way to get high, be lazy and lay about on the couch, it turns out it is become part of every day life…and part of a health regime. An example of how it is being used, Boomer and Gen Z consume marijuana for similar reasons.

It is become so accepted, AARP did a study about use among Boomers. AARP is the largest print magazine with 38 million readers…and their bulletin has 33 million. A huge validator for the demographic. It also shows they are more open to more mainstream cannabis. This falls in line by the positions of the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

gummies — Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

The AARP study revealed 21 percent ages 50-plus used some form of cannabis — be it food, drink, flower or another type— at least once in the last year, a report from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found. That’s up from 1 in 8 (12 percent) in 2021. In 2015 and 2016, roughly 3 percent of adults 65 and older used cannabis, according to research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Roughly 68% of poll respondents who used cannabis products did so for help with sleep, the researchers found. Many also cited pain relief (63 percent), mental health, anxiety, and mood (53 percent) and relaxation (81 percent) as reasons for using cannabis.

What is interesting is Gen Z, the youngest adult generation, Gen Z, is an also a big fan of marijuana. They helped fuel the California Sober trend where you reduce or stop drinking and use weed instead. One reason Gen Z has embraced weed is it helps with anxiety and mood. They also use it for relaxation, way more so than other generation who tend to lean into alcohol.

What is interesting is some Boomers and Gen X are consume marijuana in a more traditional way by smoking. Gen X and Boomers new to consuming tend to vape and use gummies. The later two are more “on the go” and discreet and doesn’t have the smell. It is interesting the marijuana is bonding together two generations.

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Cannabis

Should You Add Hemp Beverages To Your Tailgating

Published

4 days ago

September 13, 2024

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Fall is football season which means it is time for tailgate parties! Maybe you should add hemp to the buffet!

Football season is here – and whether college or professional, tailgating is a thing. It takes place around sporting events, festivals and concerts. There is usually food, drinks, music and a good time. But, should you add hemp beverages to your tailgating? While marijuana is slowly becoming legal across the national, some big football states aren’t there. But hemp is legal and even some deep anti-marijuana states are embracing it. Texas, a huge football state, has hemp beverages sold at local and national chains. Hemp beverage can be seen as taking a bite out of the White Claw market, yet a bit healthier.

The nemesis of marijuana, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is proud of his blocking federal progress, but he has ensured hemp has a green light. Hemp beverage have become a billion dollar market. Wana Brands, a leader in the cannabis industry, has rolled out 3 beverages. Bayou Beverages out of Texas has taken the state by storm with products in Total Wine and convenience stores around the state. Hemp is sold like alcohol with restrictions on age and how it is sold.

Hemp or CBD drinks are created by infusing hemp extract, derived from the cannabis plant, into a liquid base. The most popular hemp-infused drinks include water, juice, tea, and coffee. One of the big differences between marijuana and hemp drinks is the “high”. With Delta-9 hemp, consumers tend to have a more intense experience and comes on faster than THC. It is a euphoric high when altered sensory perception and a sense of relaxation.

California Governor Newsom is supporting emergency rules to curb sale of hemp products with potent high. The state is struggling with their cannabis industry, high taxes and allowing the black market to run free have hurt mom and pop businesses. While consumers have been high, the states oversight has been driving them to hemp and to the marijuana black market.

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