One hundred million Americans suffer
from chronic pain.(Source)
Three to four percent of the global population suffer from
neuropathic pain. (Source)
Pain contributes to feeling depressed, concentration, energy level,
ability to sleep well and enjoyment of life. (Source)
Cannabis has been found to be an effective treatment in neuropathic
pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and pain from cancer.
Cannabis has been found to be safer with less side effects than
opiate medication.(Source)
Cannabis has been found to effectively
relieve neuropathic pain. Both Cannabis and Opiates target the
G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). These receptors effect the
Central Nervous System CNS using the CB1
and CB2 Receptors, which effect pain-sensation, and mood notably.
(Source)
Fibromyalgia is a muscleskeletal pain
resulting in fatigue and pain in the neck, spine, shoulder and hips.
Three to six million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. In 2006, a
study in Germany giving THC to patients showed a significant relief
in symptoms. A study in 2008 with 40 patients gave a synthetic
cannabinoid and showed significant improvements in pain. And in 2011
a study in Barcelona and the patients reported significant relief in
pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence and feeling of
well-being.(Source)
Cannabis has been found in studies in
Australia and Britain showed that 20% of patients suffering
from Rheumatoid Arthrites (RA) used medical marijuana to help treat
their symptoms.(Source)
Cannabis is an anti-inflammatory and helps to turn off
pain-sensations in the nerves from the interactions it has with CB1
and CB2 Receptors. Results in a study in Britain showed that
their were significant improvements in pain, sleep and
inflammation.(Source)
Cannabidiol CBD found in marijuana has shown to stop the progression
of Rheumatoid Arthritis and protected joints. (Source)
A research study showed that advanced
cancer patients were able to reduce their pain by 30% using a THC:CBD
extract. In the study, with 177 patients, opiate medications did
not provide the necessary relief. The placebo and THC alone had
similar results to the opiate medication where the THC:CBD cannabis
extract showed a noticeable relief in pain.(Source)
Cannabis has been found to have less
side effects than opiate medication. A study has found that states
that have legal medical marijuana has less mortality rates due to
overdose in pain medication. (Source)
Cannabis has been found to help patients addicted to opiate drugs
withdraw from addiction by replacing with medical marijuana, and
perceived to help pain more.(Source)
Pain sufferers that have achieved a tolerance with opiate
medication can feel a better relief by replacing treatment with
cannabis.(Source)
Cannabis can be used with opioid therapies to help lower the dose of
opiates, thereby reducing their side effects. (Source)
Source:
2006 Voices of Chronic Pain Survey.
(American Pain Foundation)
