A promising venue for managing health conditions which has emerged within the past decades is medical cannabis. With a growing awareness of the potential therapeutic properties of cannabis, more patients in Harlow are seeking out medical cannabis as an alternative treatment to more traditional pain management strategies.
There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that medical cannabis has various properties which can address various symptoms related to chronic pain and arthritis. However, research results are still speculative, especially due to the subjective nature of medical cannabis treatment. Hence, nothing is conclusive about the effects of medical cannabis, however the potential benefits are various.
What is chronic pain and arthritis?
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting more than three months. It affects a significant portion of the population, and in the UK, it is estimated that around 28 million adults suffer from some form of chronic pain, which is also the case in Harlow. This can severely impact quality of life, as it both impacts the physical and mental wellbeing. There are many reasons why people get chronic pain, with arthritis being one of the most common reasons. Arthritis is a condition which affects millions of people globally, including numerous residents in Harlow, resulting in inflammation, stiffness, and debilitating pain in the joints.
Some of the most common treatments for chronic pain and arthritis includes NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids, and opioids. However, these treatments can also result in side effects, and in some cases, they do not provide sufficient pain relief. This is due to the increasing interest in alternative treatments by residents in Harlow, which includes medical cannabis, since studies suggest this could provide pain relief.
What is the science behind medical cannabis?
Cannabis consists of hundreds of different cannabinoids, with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) being the most well-known and studied. CBD is a non-psychoactive component, which is the focus of most research due to its potential therapeutic properties. THC is a psychoactive component which is associated with the ‘high’ feeling of cannabis use.
The body contains an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, which includes pain sensation, inflammation, and immune response. Cannabinoids from cannabis can interact with this system by attaching to the receptors found in the brain and immune cells. This interaction is believed to modulate pain and inflammation, which is the main argument for using cannabis to manage chronic pain and arthritis symptoms.
What are the potential benefits of medical cannabis for chronic pain?
There are various studies that has explored the potential benefits of using medical cannabis for pain management. One comprehensive review analysed various randomized clinical trials, and the review found that cannabis or cannabinoids are associated with a modest reduction in chronic pain among adults. Conclusively, this suggests that medical cannabis could be a viable option for some patients in Harlow.
Another study examined the effects of CBD on pain and inflammation in an animal model of arthritis. The study found that topical application of CBD can reduce joint swelling and pain in the affected areas, which highlights the potential anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of CBD.
What does the research say about medical cannabis and arthritis?
When it comes to cannabis for arthritis, and especially for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, the main characteristics are chronic inflammation and pain in the joints. The most common treatment approaches focus on reducing inflammation and managing pain, but these treatments are not entirely effective for all patients in Harlow. Some patients also experience undesirable side effects. This is why medical cannabis has been proposed as a potential alternative to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. One study which investigated the effects of cannabis use among patients with rheumatoid arthritis found that patients using cannabis reported a reduction in pain and improvement in sleep quality. This was compared to those patients who did not use cannabis. Furthermore, cannabis users reported fewer effects compared to patients taking traditional medications.
In another study, researchers assessed the impact of medical cannabis on pain and physical function in patients with osteoarthritis. After six months, 80% of the patients in the study reported a reduction in pain, and 50% reported an improvement in their physical function. The findings of this study suggests that medical cannabis may help alleviate some of the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
What is being done to remove the stigma surrounding cannabis?
The growing body of evidence for the potential benefits of medical cannabis is helping to remove the stigma surrounding the use of cannabis, and in Harlow the amount of people showing interest in this type of alternative medication is growing. However, this is still not enough to change the perception of the greater population. This is why patient testimonials and experiences are important to highlight the potential benefits which has been experienced by patients. While cannabis for recreational use is still illegal, the legalization of medical cannabis has made it a growing topic among patients, which has also been the case for patients in Harlow.
The platform Releaf.co.uk is trying to remove the stigma from medical cannabis by creating a platform with patient testimonials, information about cannabis and cannabis products, and with an overview of the potential benefits these products can provide. These types of platforms are helping people in Harlow becoming more educated in the effects of cannabis, enabling more and more patients in Harlow to consider medical cannabis as an alternative form of treatment.
Concluding remarks
A growing body of research is supporting the potential benefits of medical cannabis for managing chronic pain and arthritis. Various studies suggests that cannabis-based treatments can reduce pain and inflammation, enhance the quality of life for patients in Harlow, and improve physical functions. However, more research is expected to continue to expand the evidence foundation, entailing that medical cannabis could be perceived as equally beneficial as traditional treatment methods in the future.