When to Consider Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain

Medicinal use of marijuana is not new. In fact, historical records show that more than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese used cannabis to treat pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and  childbirth, along with other medical issues, like malaria and constipation. 

In the United States, marijuana was also widely used to treat certain medical conditions as early as the 19th century. Still, its medical use wasn’t formally legalized until 1996, when California was the first state to legalize medical cannabis use.

In New York, medical marijuana was legalized in 2014, and today, more than 124,000 patients have been certified to use cannabis for medical issues, including chronic pain. Still, although it’s widely used to relieve painful symptoms, you and your medical provider need to consider some factors before beginning therapy.

At Nova Wellness Health, we’re one of the state’s approved and licensed providers of medical marijuana for patients at our Wantagh, New York, practice. In this post, we explain how medical cannabis works and when it could be a good option for you.

How marijuana relieves pain

Marijuana contains many chemical compounds that act on nerve receptors called cannabinoid receptors. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are arguably the two compounds that are most widely known. 

The levels of these two compounds and their ratio to each other largely determine the medicinal effects of prescription marijuana.

When marijuana compounds bind with cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells, they alter the way your body perceives pain, relieving physical symptoms while also helping to reduce anxiety associated with chronic pain. 

Marijuana also affects serotonin and other neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.

Medical marijuana can provide effective pain relief for many people suffering from chronic symptoms due to underlying medical problems like:

• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Nerve disorders and diseases

In New York, it’s up to the licensed medical provider to decide if your medical condition qualifies you for medical cannabis.

When to consider medical marijuana

Chronic pain is just one consideration when it comes to medical marijuana use. First, you must receive treatment from a licensed provider, like our team at Nova Wellness Health. Next, you must register with the state, which assigns a patient number that you use when obtaining a prescription.

We begin that process by giving you a thorough physical examination. Typically, the exam includes a comprehensive review of your symptoms and your medical history, along with medical testing to ensure medical cannabis is appropriate. 

We also review other therapies you’ve tried to determine if another treatment might be a better choice.

While it can help relieve chronic pain, medical cannabis is associated with side effects that may make treatment unpalatable for you. These side effects include:

• Potential mood changes
• Drowsiness
• Irregular or rapid heart rhythm
• Confusion
• Memory issues
• Problems focusing or concentrating
• Slow reaction times

Moreover, medical cannabis is not an appropriate choice for anyone who’s pregnant, has heart disease, or has a history of psychosis or substance abuse.

Learn more about medical marijuana

Medical marijuana can offer long-term relief for chronic pain, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. To learn more about medical marijuana, whether you qualify, and if it’s a good option for you, call 516-308-7405 or book an appointment online with our team at Nova Wellness Health today.