How Does Medical Marijuana Help Treat Arthritis?
Arthritis is one of the leading medical conditions among adults in the United States. Annually, this often debilitating condition costs Americans $303.5 billion in lost earnings and medical care. Since over 50% of arthritis sufferers are working age, not only does it impact their quality of life but also their ability to provide for themselves and their families. For those living with arthritis, medical marijuana can offer significant symptom relief, reducing pain and allowing them to take their life back.
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis is a condition that causes tenderness and swelling in the joints. Those with arthritis experience joint stiffness and pain that worsens with use, age, and even the weather. There are two main types of arthritis: rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system attacks the lining of the joints, often worsening with time. Osteoarthritis targets the cartilage that protects the joints, causing it to break down. While rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are the most commonly occurring arthritic conditions, there are other forms, including:
- Thumb arthritis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Septic arthritis
- Gout
- Reactive arthritis
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
The Symptoms of Arthritis
The symptoms of arthritis can vary from person to person, depending on the severity of the condition. Symptoms can include:
- Limited range of movement
- Pain
- Redness
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Heat
The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Patients Who Suffer from Arthritis
Those living with arthritis frequently have to choose to live with the painful symptoms or wait months for slow-acting medications to deliver relief. Since some of the most common medications can cause devastating side effects like a weakened immune system, finding an effective alternative is often life-changing. A recent PubMed study published in the National Library of Medicine showed an exciting analysis of the impact medical marijuana use had on arthritis symptoms. These results paint a bright picture of the future of arthritis treatment in the U.S.
Pain Relief
Medical marijuana is shown to deliver significant arthritis pain relief in 83% of users. The reduction in pain is due to the body’s biological makeup. The peripheral nerves responsible for pain detection have abundant cannabinoid receptors, and since cannabinoids block nerve pain, introducing the substance results in a natural numbing effect that provides relief. Medical marijuana is known to block pain through a variety of natural mechanisms, delivering relief with little to no side effects.
Improved Physical Function
66% of people using medical marijuana to treat arthritis symptoms report improved physical function in their joints. One of the main reasons arthritis is so painful and debilitating is that it causes swelling. This swelling limits movement and presses against nerves, causing pain. Studies show that medical marijuana is an effective treatment due to its natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, further studies suggest that cannabinoids directly affect immune system regulation and are expressed within the body’s immune cells. Medical marijuana is shown to downregulate chemokine and cytokine production while upregulating T-regulatory cells, suppressing the brain’s inflammatory response.
Better Sleep Quality
Arthritis often impacts a person’s quality and quantity of sleep, but 66% of those using medical marijuana report experiencing better sleep quality. Along with its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, cannabinoids are known to significantly improve sleep. This effect occurs due to the impact tetrahydrocannabinol has on the CB1 receptors within the body’s central nervous system. When introduced to the system, medical marijuana has a biphasic effect on a person’s sleep rhythms, making it easier to fall asleep, reducing sleep onset latency, improving slow-wave sleep, and increasing the total amount of sleep time.
How Patients Who Suffer from Arthritis are Using Medical Marijuana to Find Relief
When using medical marijuana for pain relief, arthritis sufferers can choose between multiple methods to experience relief. One of the top reasons people choose medical marijuana is its flexibility of use. Unlike traditional medications, you can choose how and when to take it. Below are some common ways patients with arthritis use medical marijuana to find relief.
At symptom onset
Patients often choose to take medical marijuana when their arthritis symptoms act up. THC has a terminal half-life of around 21 hours, with low levels staying in the body for this time. While small levels remain within the body, which can offer extended symptom relief, unlike traditional medications, ingesting or inhaling more medical marijuana before it is completely emitted from the system is not known to cause negative side effects.
On a schedule
Many patients with moderate to severe arthritis choose to take medical marijuana on a schedule to help manage their pain and reduce symptoms. The timetable you choose is completely dependent on your personal situation and when you feel the most pain. By continually micro-dosing, patients can experience significant relief, improved range of movement, and a greater quality of life.
Another popular question is the best way to take medical marijuana. Users can choose to either inhale, ingest, or apply their cannabis, with all methods offering noticeable relief.
Inhalation
By far the most popular consumption method, inhalation produces almost instant relief and offers flexible dosage control. Inhalation options include vaping and metered inhalers.
Ingestion
For those who aren’t comfortable inhaling their medical marijuana, ingestion is an excellent option. While this method takes longer for the effects to kick in, they last longer than inhalation and are great for those with respiratory issues. Ingestion options include edibles, capsules, and tinctures.
Transdermals
Transdermal medical marijuana is applied to the skin and absorbed in the bloodstream. This method is an excellent option for arthritis sufferers since it allows for targeted relief. Transdermal methods include topicals and patches.
Charlotte Marijuana Doctor, is the premier medical marijuana doctor in North Carolina. Offering a network of licensed doctors, we have helped over 25,000 patients get the relief they deserve. Our face-to-face evaluations provide peace of mind, and we proudly issue Medical Marijuana Certificates to qualifying patients. Stop living with painful arthritis symptoms and experience the long-lasting relief medical marijuana offers; Contact Charlotte Marijuana Doctor, today!