Why More Patients Are Turning to for Pain Relief Why More Patients Are Turning to Cannabis for Pain Relief

Pain is the most common reason people seek medical care. In fact, one in five Canadians suffer from conditions that cause chronic pain. This ongoing pain takes a physical and mental toll on If you suffer from chronic pain, you’ve likely sufferers, affecting their work, relationships, and tried every drug or therapy possible. Have you everyday lives. considered ?

Since pain has many causes, however, it’s often Those new to the world of medical cannabis poorly understood and is difficult to treat. There’s often doubt its effectiveness and safety. Can it no one-size-fits-all solution. really treat chronic pain conditions? How can you access medical cannabis? Is it a safe alternative to No medicines are completely effective at treating opioids? all types of pain. Medication that does work often has debilitating side effects. North America is When you get medical cannabis treatment tailored currently in the midst of an opioid crisis, and it to your specific needs, you’ll be better able to shows no signs of abating—the number of opioid- manage your chronic pain symptoms. Learn why related deaths in Ontario jumped 11 percent in more and more patients are turning to cannabis the first six months of 2016. for pain relief.

2 Types of Pain

Pain can either be acute or chronic Chronic pain is often an in nature. It’s important that both incapacitating condition that patients and doctors understand affects all aspects of your life. It the differences between these two can negatively affect both your types of pain to determine the best physical and mental health. Chronic treatment option. pain patients often struggle with depression, as the condition Acute Pain becomes increasingly difficult to live Acute pain is intense and short- with. lived—it usually lasts no longer than six months. Provoked by a specific injury or disease, it comes on suddenly. Acute pain that is unrelieved can lead to chronic pain.

Chronic Pain Chronic pain refers to pain that lasts for days or years. This type of pain can be brought on by an injury, or there could be an ongoing cause such as cancer or arthritis. It’s estimated that 1.5 million people worldwide suffer from chronic pain.

3 The HOW Problem IS OPIOID with Opioids ADDICTION TREATED?

While doctors often prescribe opioids for acute and chronic pain relief, these highly addictive medications rarely help chronic pain sufferers. Even when opioids are effective, their intense side effects become a burden to long-time users. Individuals suffering from chronic pain develop a tolerance over months or years of use, and must continually increase their dosage for relief.

The current opioid epidemic in North America is largely due to doctors overprescribing opioids. An alarmingly high number of people are dying due to opioid overdoses. In fact, at least 2,458 Canadians died from an opioid-related overdose in 2016.

The opioid epidemic in North America is only growing stronger. People of all walks of life are becoming addicted to the painkillers and dying from overdoses.

than opioids. And compared to the recreational user’s intake, patients require minimal dosages of medical cannabis to relieve their symptoms.

Sixty-three percent of chronic pain patients prefer medical cannabis to opioids. One of the main reasons patients prefer medical cannabis to opioids for pain relief is that they feel safer about using it. Patients experience fewer side effects than with traditional drugs and feel more Medical Cannabis: The Safer in control of their symptoms. They also see Treatment Option improvements in their mood and quality of life.

Cannabis can have a bigger role in managing opioid The full potential of how cannabis can be used abuse than previously thought. The benefits of to relieve pain has yet to be confirmed. Its status medical cannabis are threefold: it can treat chronic under the law makes it difficult for researchers to pain, it can treat acute pain, and it can help patients study—scientists have to apply for a licence from manage opioid withdrawal. the Drug Enforcement Administration, which can take years to obtain. Using medical cannabis is a much safer way to treat pain. It presents fewer unpleasant side effects and is Nonetheless, both patients and doctors are far less addictive than opioids—there have been no becoming more aware of the benefits of medical recorded medical cannabis overdoses. cannabis. Patients are driving the trend as more are asking their doctors about it. While most Contrary to some people’s beliefs, medical cannabis physicians don’t learn anything about cannabis in does not always cause euphoria—patients don’t medical school, many are educating themselves, merely use it as an excuse to get high. You’re much and more doctors are authorizing it to their less likely to become dependent on medical cannabis patients.

4 How Exactly Does It Work?

The cannabis plant is one of the most pharmacologically active plants in the world. The cannabis flower contains — chemical compounds that act on the body’s receptors. As part of the larger , our body’s cannabinoids manage processes like appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory.

Medical cannabis works as a pain treatment because its active pharmacological components mimic the body’s internal chemical harm-reduction system. When the body moves into a state of stress, endocannabinoids help fix the problem. They keep our biological functions in balance. The cannabinoids found in medical help CBD the body manage crises by mimicking natural Pure CBD has medical properties endocannabinoids, providing pain relief. without any high, but it still has an effect on the brain. CBD strains help reduce There are over a hundred different inflammation and improve your mood, cannabinoids in cannabis, but the two most which in turn improves your ability to popular are delta-9 handle pain. CBD is best known for its (THC) and (CBD). They also occur ability to counterbalance anxiety. It has in the largest volume and are the most studied strong anti-depressant and antioxidant compounds. properties, and it also helps reduce nausea and control severe forms of The Difference between THC and epilepsy. CBD When used in conjunction with THC, It’s important for patients to understand the CBD helps reduce the psychoactivity difference between THC and CBD and that that some people don’t like. It provides dosage is important—down to the milligram. therapeutic benefits without the euphoria or lethargy of many high-THC strains. THC THC is the primary psychoactive component Both THC and CBD have pain-fighting in the cannabis plant. It helps patients forget compounds and work well when their pain and focus on something else. It’s a consumed together to provide pain relief. strong anti-inflammatory—THC has 20 times A qualified healthcare practitioner can the anti-inflammatory power of aspirin! It’s also help you find the right balance of THC a powerful antioxidant and muscle relaxant. and CBD to find relief.

5 HOW IS OPIOID ADDICTION TREATED?

A Versatile Treatment Method

Cannabis is versatile since it’s highly Medical cannabis can be broken down into effective at treating pain and inflammation, two sub-types: sativa and indica. Sativa has a which are common symptoms of so many more psychoactive effect and is described as diseases. energizing. Indica, on the other hand, is known for its sedating properties. It’s understandable that you may be wary of medical cannabis at first. However, after Different types of strains work better depending considering how pharmaceutical drugs on a patient’s unique situation. Here are some of have failed to effectively provide relief, the top medical cannabis strains for specific types many people are becoming more open to of pain. trying alternative treatment methods.

Since opioid painkillers are especially hazardous for seniors, individuals in their 70s, 80s, and 90s are turning to cannabis to treat a variety of issues.

6 HOW IS OPIOID ADDICTION TREATED? Strains for General Pain anxiety, hypertension, stress, and migraine headaches. Patients have seen high success rates using medical cannabis to treat various Charlotte’s Web — This popular, potent pain-related ailments. Some strains are strain is great for first-time users as the CBD known to be more effective at treating pain content ensures you won’t get high. It’s a than others, but generally, strains with high great option for daytime medicating. amounts of both THC and CBD make the most efficient painkillers. Strains for Headaches

Blackberry — High in THC, this Since some medical cannabis strains can strain will numb your body and take your intensify headaches, it’s important to know mind off your pain. Best for severe pain, which varieties of cannabis will best treat Blackberry Kush will leave you feeling this pain. According to a study by the Skaggs relaxed and stress free. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado, ACDC — With high levels of THC and CBD, about 85 percent of subjects using medical ACDC acts as a painkiller without altering cannabis experienced fewer migraines per your mind or causing mood changes. It month. increases your energy and helps you focus. Purple Arrow — This hybrid strain provides Cannatonic — This unique hybrid strain relief for severe pain while simultaneously with high CBD content produces a mellow including a sense of uplift and euphoria. high that is both uplifting and relaxing. It’s often used to treat muscle spasms, Dream Queen — This sativa-dominant anxiety, migraines, and several other strain will make you feel calm and euphoric. symptoms. It’s a good daytime medication choice that will keep you relaxed. Dream Queen also Strains for Arthritis and works well to combat nausea, which many Inflammation people experience with severe migraines.

While inflammation is a natural immune Blueberry Headband — This strain offers response that helps the body heal, it a cerebral effect that goes directly to the easily gets out of hand and makes you crown of your head. Delivering focused relief, feel worse. Inflammation and pain often Blueberry Headband eases your migraine or go hand in hand. When THC and CBD headache immediately. cannabinoids are combined, they amplify each other’s effects and do wonders for relieving pain.

Harlequin — This sativa-dominant hybrid will leave you feeling uplifted and clear- headed. It’s a perfect choice for daytime use.

Blue Widow — This indica-dominant strain will relax your mind and muscles. Blue Widow can also help relieve

7 HOW IS OPIOID ADDICTION TREATED?

Strains for Back Pain Cataract Kush — While this indica strain is not recommended for the new medical The most common causes of back pain are cannabis user, it’s ideal for patients needing strained muscles, strained ligaments, and to alleviate pain associated with spinal muscle spasms. Other causes can include injury. ruptured disks, sciatica, arthritis, and poor posture. Medical cannabis can help reduce Bubba Kush — This indica-dominant strain or eliminate back pain so you can remain with high levels of THC helps relieve muscle active. It can also help combat side effects tension and decrease stress. of back pain including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Skywalker OG — Skywalker OG helps reduce pain and any symptoms related to chronic back pain. It’s an indica-dominant hybrid between Skywalker and OG Kush.

Strains for Insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by a wide variety of psychiatric and medical conditions. To find the right strain that will ease your insomnia, it’s best to find the root cause. Known for its sedative qualities, THC will help promote sleep. For those who also struggle with anxiety, it’s important to find strains that feature some CBD to balance out THC’s psychoactive effects.

Girl Scout Cookies — Take it slow with this potent indica strain. Girl Scout Cookies is known for its full-body relaxation and sleep- inducing qualities.

Northern Lights — Northern Lights is a highly popular indica strain. It gives you a mellow high and complete body buzz. Take this strain about an hour or so before going to bed for an amazing sleep.

White Widow — This well-balanced hybrid strain is particularly helpful at relieving insomnia associated with pain and depression.

8 Talk to Your Doctor

While there’s still stigma attached to producers, however, provide medical cannabis, more and more cannabis under Health Canada patients are asking their doctors regulations. about it. Have an open discussion with Keep in mind that it’s crucial to your doctor about how medical avoid self-medicating with medical cannabis can help treat your cannabis. When attempting to condition. If you’re frustrated by treat themselves, individuals often medications you’ve used in the past, don’t know which strain of medical be prepared to talk to your doctor cannabis they’re using. To get the about it. You should never change best pain treatment possible, you’ll your treatment regimen without need to know what strain works consulting your doctor, as sudden best for you and how you should changes can have damaging effects. ingest it. Many people tend to prefer edible cannabis products, such as oils or pills.

It’s important to understand the difference between licensed producers and cannabis dispensaries that operate as illegal businesses. Storefront dispensaries have no quality control. Licensed

9 Discover the Benefits of Medical Cannabis with Aleafia Inc.

Aleafia Inc. is a network of healthcare clinics that takes a coordinated, programmatic approach to medical cannabis treatment. We’re committed to reducing opiate use, meeting chronic disease patients’ ongoing needs with custom care, and encouraging total health management. Driven by our distinguished leadership team, we treat medical cannabis as one component of an integrative healthcare platform that includes medical management, lifestyle management, self-care management, and more.

Our organization has a deep knowledge of medical cannabis therapy. With the overall goal of improving our patients’ quality of life, Aleafia’s total health network provides support before, during, and after treatment. We analyze the patient’s condition and assist in obtaining the most effective product that will provide relief and symptom management.

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