Why Medical Marijuana Is The Better Choice For Chronic Pain
In the 1970s, marijuana was classified as one of the most addictive drugs available. The DEA gave it a Schedule I rating, which means it has a “high potential for abuse.” Today, however, it’s legal in many states for use as a better choice than opioids and other drugs for chronic pain. The opioids that many doctors try to steer their patients away from are killing Americans at alarming rates. Medical marijuana is likely the better choice for chronic pain than any of the other drugs that at one time shared that same Schedule I rating.
For years, it was believed that the 1960s was the decade that defined the decline of the human condition in America. Young people were hippies smoking pot and hitchhiking down the highways. As it turns out, it was anything but. A recent Gallup series notes that only 4 percent of Americans had even tried marijuana in the 1960s. There was also a stigma associated with marijuana and to even suggest it had medicinal value was unthinkable.
Fortunately, those days are long gone, and we now know that marijuana, despite its less than ideal reputation earned in the 1960s and 1970s, has much to offer from a medical perspective. Chronic pain can be debilitating and ultimately affect the quality of life for a person. Lost time at work, family events that are missed and the weekends spent inside, being unable to move past the pain, all of this takes a heavy toll on a person and their family. One patient described it as a vicious cycle that builds momentum and touches every aspect of their life. Many are rightfully leery of taking strong drugs because of the dependence that could emerge, the costs of purchasing them, and the undesirable side effects. For many, legalizing medical marijuana was a solution long overdue.
Physicians today tout the benefit of medical cannabis and note patients report less debilitating pain, an easy tolerance to the marijuana, and the ability to function far better than when taking strong narcotics. Today, chronic pain sufferers have a number of options for how they might use cannabis. Smoking is an option, but cannabidiol (CDB) oil can be used, and you might also be able to consume it through a vaporizer, which many say provides instant relief. Some people say that adding into the food they consume is the best way for them and for others, a tincture or spray on the skin is the best path to relief. In recent years, medical marijuana has even been offered as a transdermal patch. If you suffer from chronic pain, any of these options might work for you. It’s important to speak with your doctor, who knows about the specifics of your chronic pain, what has worked in the past and what was less than ideal. Together you can determine the best method for consumption.
What Can Medical Marijuana Do For Your Chronic Pain?
There are many studies that show marked improvement in patients with HIV, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer and much more. Chronic pain can accompany all of these diagnoses, which is another reason why consulting with your physician your first best move towards is discovering how medical marijuana may benefit you.
Another important note is that federal law still sees cannabis as an illegal drug. Many states, including California and New York, have passed laws for medical marijuana, provided the proper steps have been taken to secure the prescriptions. The FDA has approved two medications with the cannabinoid chemicals. They are available only in pill form for now, though efforts are being made to ensure it becomes a better choice for those who cannot swallow the pills. This is where Serenity Medical Online can help. Our team stands ready to guide you through the process of securing the necessary documentation. We are experienced, understand the legalities surrounding medical cannabis, and strive to help our patients have a better life.
Contact Serenity Medical Online Today!
Clinical trials help in satisfying the many mandatory guidelines and unnecessary stigmas surrounding medical marijuana, but the legal battle still goes on to this day. For now, medical marijuana continues to be an invaluable resource for those suffering from chronic pain. Contact Serenity Medical Online to speak with a doctor to see if medical marijuana can benefit you. We’ll explore your options and discuss the best path forward so that you can get back to the business of living your life.