Medical Cannabis for Neuropathy and Spasticity: Does it Work?

Millions of individuals suffer from neuropathy and spasticity which interfere with their everyday life. Sometimes conventional medicine dont treat these disorders easily. This is the reason why most individuals are seeking alternative treatments for neuropathy and spasticity beyond the conventional prescriptions. One of the therapies that have raised eyebrows is medical cannabis. There are studies indicating that cannabinoids occur to be useful in reducing pain, enhancing nerve conduction and assisting the treatment of tightened muscles.

For patients in the Sacramento area exploring these treatment options, access to quality medical cannabis through services like dispensary weed delivery Arden-Arcade has made it easier to obtain consistent, laboratory-tested products under medical guidance.

Here, the following is a simple form of guidance that cannabis can be potentially effective in the treatment of neuropathy and spasticity.

CBD relief balm being gently applied to the arm as a natural support option in neuropathy and spasticity treatment.

Table of Contents

• What Is Neuropathy?

• Why Neuropathy Treatment Is So Challenging

• The Evidence of the Endocannabinoid System

• How Cannabis May Help with Neuropathy Treatment

• Neuropathy Treatment: Cannabis Scientific Research

• Getting to Know Spasticity and Its Symptoms

• What the studies show about Cannabis and Spasticity

• Cannabis types for treating Neuropathy

• Doses, Time, and Routes of use

• Safety, Side Effects, Interactions

• Practical Tips for Patients

• Frequently Asked Questions

  
  

What Is Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is a condition in which nerves are damaged or swollen. It has an influence on the peripheral nervous system. This system transfers signals between the brain and spinal cord as well as the body. With misfiring of the nerves, signs manifest. Such symptoms are burning pains, numbness, tingling or shocks that are electric.

Diabetes is a leading cause. Although, neuropathy can also appear following chemotherapy, infections, autoimmune diseases, traumatic injuries or vitamin deficiency. The symptoms may be permanent or intermittent. Relief is something that most patients find hard to get.

Why Neuropathy Treatment Is So Challenging

Neuropathic pain is not similar to normal pain that results because of a broken or cut bone. Broken nerves transmit impure messages to the brain. Normal analgesics treat the pain in tissues but not nerve pain. This is the reason why NSAIDs are unlikely to benefit.

Prescription medications such as antidepressants or anticonvulsants tend to be utilised.

They are however, sedating, dizzy making, or changing cognitive. Opioids are associated with significant serious risks, yet the analgesic effect is short term. Tolerance develops.

Dependency is common. Patients complain of minimal benefit in the long-term. Due to such restrictions, individuals are considering holistic modalities of treating neuropathy.

The Evidence of the Endocannabinoid System

The endocannabinoid system is an internal regulatory system in the body. It assists in management of pain, inflammation and nerve care. It consists of receptor of (primarily CB1 and CB2) throughout the nervous system and immune cells and other tissues.

These receptors are the ones which cannabinoids of the cannabis plant bind. CB1 controls perception of pain under the influence of THC. CB2 inhibits nerve irritation and inflammation by CBD. These two actions make cannabis a potential treatment of neuropathy.

How Cannabis May Help with Neuropathy

Treatment

Medical cannabis works differently than normal drugs. It does not act by itself in numbing pain signals, but it has an interaction with the basis of the abnormality of the nerves. Studies may indicate that cannabis can relax nerve impulses, inflammatory activities, and nerve tissue defence.

Less burning and tingling report in patients. Many also sleep better. Sleep improves the pain sensitivity during the day. Due to this fact, cannabis can enhance the quality of life of patients who cannot withstand the traditional regimen of neuropathy treatment.

Neuropathy treatment: Cannabis Scientific

Research

Various clinical trials indicate that there is a quantifiable alleviation of pain in the patients with neuropathy with the use of cannabis. A review of the literature published by JAMA in 2015 established that cannabinoids use has moderate-quality evidence in support of neuropathic pain.

The Journal of Pain study indicated that vaporised cannabis had an impact on pain by reducing it in a dose-dependent manner.

Its use is also backed by real-life reports. When patients use cannabis besides antihypertensive drugs, they tend to decrease or replace opioids used to manage their neuropathy. States where medical cannabis is available do not have opioid prescriptions as many as 25% less.

Understand Spasticity and Its Symptoms

Spasticity is another ailment that is also disabling. It entails sporadic muscular contraction. Muscles lock up or spasm. Spasticity among individuals with MS, cerebral palsy, and any type of injury to the spinal cord complicates walking, chatting, and performing their daily tasks.

Muscles feel stiff or rigid. Pain is common. The disease cannot be easily treated using regular drugs as well. Most muscle relaxants result in sedation or weakness. That is why scientists are also investigating cannabis as a treatment of spasticity.

What the Research Knows about Cannabis and Spasticity?

Nabiximols (Sativex), a cannabinoid mixture of THC and CBD, is sanctioned in a few of the countries in the of spasticity MS. There is a moderate but significant improvement in trials.

Patients reported they slept better. Cramping decreased. Range of motion improved. Not as the cure, cannabis can assist in controlling the muscle tone and enhancing the mobility level.

The spinal cord injury research is still underway, and there are encouraging initial results.

The Cannabis Varieties for the Treatment of Neuropathy.

Various products of cannabis have varying action mechanisms.

Combination systems of balanced THC:CBD can be the most effective use of the two in the treatment of neuropathy and spasticity.

Dosing, Timing, and Methods of Use

Start low. Go slow. This is standard guidance. Always consult your physician before starting any new treatment.

Neuropathy treatment often begins with small evening doses. Patients increase only until relief appears.Individuals who are sensitive to the effects of THC might like using the CBD dominant formulas.

It benefits many people who experience sleep disturbances, which aggravate nerve pain, by using it at night. In the case of spasticity, a timed dosing can be used e.g. in advance of an activity or bedtime.

Also READ - Differences Between RSO and CBD Oil Explained: Key Distinctions in Cannabis Extracts

Side Effects, Interactions, and Safety.

Cannabis is usually well tolerated. But THC may lead to fainting or slight mental alterations. CBD for neuropathy is not likely to result in intoxication. Individuals who are taking blood thinners or the antidepressants must consult a physician beforehand.

Clinical advice also guarantees better and safer results of neuropathy treatment and avoids drug interactions.

Also READ - What Is Organic THCA? Understanding the Differences vs Other Products

Practical Tips for Patients

1. Track symptoms in a journal.

2. Trial microdose followed by standard dose.

3. Choose lab-tested products.

4. In case of lung sensitivity avoid smoking.

5. Use cannabis to stretch spasticity.

6. Be consistent. The gains tend to improve as time goes by.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rate of cannabis use in the treatment of neuropathy?

Inhalation forms take action in minutes. Edibles may take 1-2 hours. Complete systemic restitution can take weeks.

Is CBD enough by itself?

Other individuals are helped by the use of CBD. Some require THC in nerve pain and spasticity.

Is it possible to substitute drugs with cannabis?

Sometimes. This, however, is to be monitored. Each case is individual.

Is there a risk of dependence?

The risk is less compared to opioids. The withdrawal is not severe and it is not persistent.

Medical cannabis does not cure miraculously. Nonetheless, it can be used to address a significant gap in the treatment of neuropathy nowadays. It can also help treat such conditions as spasticity such as MS or spinal cord injury. There is an early indication of better pain management, sleep improvement, and muscle rigidity.