Many individuals value cannabis and its derivatives for their potential in supporting a variety of health concerns. With the numerous possible benefits it offers, it has recently emerged that cannabis may be considered for use with chronic pain management due to its THC and CBD content.
That said, cannabis may have short-term and long-term effects for those using medical marijuana for chronic pain. Understanding and considering the possible effects is important as you weigh the benefits and risks associated with cannabis.
Here is a breakdown of all you need to know about the potential long-term effects of medical marijuana.
Medical Marijuana and Chronic Pain
Various research provides evidence that medical marijuana can help in treating chronic pain. What’s more, the body of research suggests that cannabis activates CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body which hinder the release of pro-inflammatory factors.
That said, medical marijuana has been found to provide pain relief for the following types of chronic pain:
- Neuropathic pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Migraines
- Fibromyalgia
- Acute and Chronic musculoskeletal pain
What Could Be the Immediate Effects of Cannabis?
Cannabis can have immediate effects on users. However, this depends on several factors, such as the amount of strain, potency, and amount. Put briefly, the following are some of the immediate effects that cannabis might have on your body when ingested;
- Increased appetite
- Increased relaxation or pleasure
- Impairment in attention.
Understandably, people who experience chronic pain find it imperative to use medical marijuana because of its immediate effect. In other words, the increased relaxation that comes after you ingest cannabis is known to help with pain relief.
What Could Be the Long-term Effects of Cannabis?
Generally speaking, cannabis could have long-term effects in the event that it is taken in high doses and over a long period. This is because chronic use of cannabis may cause the brain to adapt and lead to the development of tolerance. As such, your body would require regular ingestion of a high amount of cannabis in order to achieve the desired effect.
Regular ingestion and chronic use of cannabis may have the following long-term effects on your body:
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Cannabis tolerance
- Low motivation
If this should happen, cannabis users may reduce their intake or may stop using the substance altogether. This can consequently lead to symptoms associated with withdrawal. Some of the common symptoms you may experience upon withdrawal include sleeplessness, irritability, and decreased appetite. Although uncomfortable and inconvenient, these signs are not medically severe and will eventually resolve on their own.
However, it is imperative to note that the potential long-term effects of cannabis are reversible. Therefore, your condition could improve within a few weeks after stopping.
Could There Potentially Be Permanent Effects of Cannabis Use?
In the long term, cannabis may have permanent effects on users. This mainly occurs in users who have ingested cannabis for an extended period, and thus their bodies have become accustomed to the substance.
Put briefly, users who ingest cannabis for an extended period may experience permanent effects characterized by debilitating conditions such as:
- Psychiatric disorders
- Deficits in verbal memory
Final Thoughts
As cannabis continues to gain traction, more individuals are increasingly becoming aware of and more open to its use. This is especially true for people experiencing chronic pain who are searching for an alternative method of pain relief
However, there could be potential risks posed by regular and high ingestion of cannabis. To understand these potential risks, you have to look at the possible benefits and side effects of cannabis on the body. However, these aren’t always obvious, and you may require help from a professional or physician if you are considering medical marijuana use.
Understanding risk factors and dosage is essential before using medical marijuana for the potential support of chronic pain. Contact Transformative Health today to learn more about medical marijuana for chronic pain.
