Living with chronic pain is challenging, especially when opioids may be less available. If you are wondering about other pain relief options like cannabinoids let's see

 

1) Not all Cannabis products are same, there are concentrations of various cannabinoids which can affect the body in different ways. Low doses of tetrahydrocannabinol be effective for treating anxiety, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher doses are typically required for pain relief.

2) Other common conditions that cannabinoids can address include [but aren’t limited to] migraines, epilepsy, ADD/ADHD, PTSD, depression, Crohn's disease, nausea, appetite stimulant, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and autism.

3) Ask your physician to recommend the best ratio of cannabinoids to look for in a product, as well as to offer a suggested dosage and route of administration.

4) The side effects include paranoia, panic attacks, and dysphoria [a feeling of deep uneasiness or dissatisfaction]. Therefore, the best advice with medical cannabis is to "start low and go slow. These are usually seen in first time users and your physician will the best guide.

5) In India, you need to consult the physician and take the prescription before buying any cannabinoids infused medicines. Do ask your physician to add cannabinoids for pain management or learn endocannabinoid systems for their knowledge. 

6) You shouldn’t assume that your doctor is well versed in the current medical cannabis literature. One way to find out his level of knowledge is to inquire if he or she has attended any continuing education programs or workshops about cannabis recently. 

7) Most physicians have not even been taught about the endocannabinoid system [the neurotransmitter system that cannabis affects for results], let alone the medicinal value of cannabis [the plant matter] and cannabinoids [the molecules]. Even physicians who make cannabis recommendations may be unfamiliar with its value, dosing, and/or strain in treating a less common condition that may respond favorably to cannabis.

8) If your physician doesn’t recommend cannabinoids for you, you can still find a doctor who specializes in this treatment.