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Cannabis offers its users a number of health benefits. From mitigating problems rooted in various forms of cancer to treating rare forms of epilepsy to managing anxiety, cannabis has demonstrated an effective treatment for a host of health problems. Recently, cannabis has been shown to treat various forms of pain, including joint pain and even stubborn, difficult arthritis pain.
Does Cannabis Help Arthritis?
Many are concerned that using cannabis to treat arthritis will result in getting high, hungry, sleepy, or simply just out of it. Most of the time, these kinds of results comes from the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) compounds available in cannabis. THC is far from the only beneficial compound in cannabis; however, the one that has shown the most efficacy in humans is CBD (cannabidiol). Cannabidiol is another compound found in the cannabis plant, but using it doesn’t make you feel loopy or high in any way.
Does CBD Have An Effect On Arthritis Pain?
Cannabidiol is a potent plant compound; however, research has shown that it may have powerful effects on arthritis pain in particular. In one 2018 study, researchers found that among the 1,483 participants, 35.8% of them reported that CBD treated their pain well.
Another study in 2021 determined that in examining the level of effectiveness of CBD in treating all types of non-cancer pain, doctors should consider CBD for their patients if their pain is unresponsive to conventional treatments. CBD may, therefore, be a useful treatment for patients who have found conventional pain treatments to be ineffective.
Furthermore, smaller studies have shown that, in treating rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, both part of the rheumatic disease family, CBD may help:
- Curb morning pain
- Improve sleep
- Lower the inflammation (swelling) in joints
Some lab testing even suggests that cannabinoids may lower the body’s immune response. As rheumatic diseases are autoimmune diseases, this may be why CBD is such an effective substance for reducing the symptoms of these diseases.
Have You Used Cannabis to Treat a Medical Condition?
Since the legalization of CBD and THC in many states, various studies have proven the effectiveness of cannabis for the treatment of medical conditions. Older adults, especially, have already begun to use cannabis to treat pain from a huge variety of sources, such as fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord injury, complex regional pain syndrome or HIV, cancer, chemotherapy, muscle and joint problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Trials showed that cannabis reduced pain by up to 40% by the 2017 NASEM reports.
This research indicates that cannabis may help reduce pain from a considerable number of sources. The previous narrative of smoking cannabis to get high and possibly get some pain relief while you’re doing so has evolved, and new considerations include variables like how cannabis is consumed, if it is more of a CBD or THC product, and also takes into account the wide world of terpenes.
What Are Terpenes?
Terpenes are naturally occurring chemicals that cause fragrance in some plants – if you’ve ever smelled the citrus oil in an orange or encountered the heady scents of thyme or Spanish sage, you’re already familiar with terpenes. Terpenes occur naturally in various plants, and one of them is cannabis. Terpenes are sometimes referred to as “essential oils”.
Terpenes have therapeutic properties of their own besides providing aroma, and they have a wide range of medical benefits. This is due to their “anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticonvulsive, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anticancer, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-mutagenic, anti-allergic, antibiotic and anti-diabetic properties”, according to research from August of 2018.
Additionally, Euphoria Wellness is happy to recommend strains with highly active terpenes from our inventory.
6 Best Cannabis Terpenes For Alleviating Pain
There are six best cannabis terpenes for alleviating pain, and they are:
1.Myrcene
A strain typically found in the cannabis sativa plant, the dominant terpene in over 40% of known cannabis strains. It shows potential as a muscle relaxant, and may have both analgesic and anxiolytic properties. It works best when taken with THC to enhance the pain-reducing properties of cannabis.
2.Pinene
Responsible for that lovely pine aroma, pinene is found in pine needles, rosemary, mint, saffron and orange peels. It inhibits pain by reducing inflammation and potentially working through opioid and GABA receptors.
3.Linalool
Linalool is frequently described as having a light, citrusy, or woodsy scent. It’s naturally found in mint, citrus fruits, rosewood, fungi, and lavender. Linalool can induce death in cancer cells by applying oxidative stress, and shows both antimicrobial effects and anti-inflammatory activity.
4.Limonene
Limonene is a bitter and citrusy terpene, often found in the peels of citrus fruits. Limonene, the most frequently occurring terpene in nature, stimulates the immune system and fights against inflammation, depression, stress, and anxiety.
5.Caryophyllene
Known for its ability to enhance the pain-reducing qualities of low-strength morphine, caryophyllene has a spicy, peppery scent with undercurrents of cinnamon. Numerous studies have shown that consuming this terpene can have a positive impact on pain management.
7.Humulene
This terpene may help reduce inflammation and pain through its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It appears to be similar to the way that over-the-counter NSAID medications function. Humulene is an effective analgesic when taken topically, orally, or by aerosol.
It’s important to know how the various terpenes can help to reduce pain, if using cannabis to relieve arthritis pain. Potent anti-inflammatory compounds, immune-boosting compounds, anxiolytic (anxiety-treating) compounds, analgesic compounds and more can work synergistically with cannabis to help treat arthritis pain.
How Does Cannabis Work for Pain?
Cannabis works by stimulating cannabinoid receptors in the brain. In doing so, the brain’s reward system is activated, and reduces pain levels. Cannabinoid receptors in the human brain are closely bound to its reward system, and THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, binds to these receptors and produces an elevated state of mind.
The other major compound that has been studied as an agent for reducing pain is cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD. While CBD consumption won’t produce a psychoactive effect like THC, it does interact with pain receptors in the brain, producing pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory effects.
Get Relief From Arthritis Pain With Euphoria Wellness
Cannabis contains multiple compounds that have been shown throughout various research to aid in treating pain and assisting with pain management. Combining these compounds with terpenes, both from cannabis and from various other essential oils, may have a profound effect on chronic pain, helping to ease the pain of arthritis sufferers.
For more information on cannabis compounds to relieve your arthritis pain, contact Euphoria Wellness in Las Vegas. Cited by multiple sources as the best dispensary in Las Vegas, such as Best of Las Vegas and WeedMaps, Euphoria Wellness is happy to assist you in finding the perfect strain for your arthritis pain. For more recommendation guides like this, visit out Strains Guide page.
This content is not intended as medical advice. The information provided is meant to encourage cannabis education, not replace direct patient-healthcare professional relationships. Always consult your primary care physician or other healthcare provider prior to using cannabis products for treatment of a medical condition. Any statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products referenced are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Products are only available where the consumption of cannabis is legal.