Cannabis & Pain Relief

One of the most common conditions affecting Australians is chronic pain. 1 in 5 Australians suffer from chronic pain, and it's more likely to affect those over the age of 45. GPs have reported an increase in patients with chronic pain, and these people are often prescribed opioids (codeine and oxycodone) and other analgesics (pain relievers) to help with pain relief. This is a concern as opioids can be addictive, resulting in dependence, accidental overdose, hospitalisation or death. 

One of the solutions to this problem lies within the buds of the Cannabis plant. Despite the rumours you've heard about her, research has shown that Cannabis can be effective in relieving pain without the risk of addiction. Like other medications, the use of medicinal Cannabis depends on the type of pain as well as the individual, which is why it's important to understand conditions like chronic pain and see if Cannabis is the right solution.

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is any physical pain that lasts longer than 3 to 6 months. The pain can vary from mild to severe, but it is almost always there and is felt on most days of the week. Every day can look different for people suffering from this kind of pain. One day, the pain might be manageable, and they can go about their day-to-day life, but on other days, the severity of the pain can be debilitating to the point that getting out of bed is the most they can manage.

What causes chronic pain?

A variety of things can cause chronic pain. Bodily trauma like injury or surgery; disease and conditions including cancer, arthritis, endometriosis and migraines; in some cases, the cause may be unknown to both the patient and medical professionals. 

Arthritis

An umbrella term for types of musculoskeletal pain that specifically affect joints in the body. It is most prevalent in older populations but can also be present in children and adolescents. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, swelling and reduced movement.

Cancer pain

Cancer pain can be caused either by the disease itself or by treatment. Pain caused by the disease can appear at any stage, while pain caused by treatment is a common side effect experienced by cancer patients and survivors.

Back pain

Lower back pain is one of Australia's most common forms of chronic pain. People who find their back pain becoming unmanageable are often required to retire from the workforce early. More often than not, there is no specific cause for chronic back pain, and patients must manage it themselves.

Fibromyalgia

A musculoskeletal disorder that causes pain throughout the whole body and most commonly affects middle-aged women. Issues with sleep, memory and mood often accompany the pain.

Headache and migraine

Migraines and chronic headaches are common and affect people differently. People may experience them a few times a year, once a month, or even multiple times a week. The pain can be debilitating, but it can also include other symptoms such as sensitivity to light or sound, nausea and vomiting, and issues with vision and eyesight.

Neuropathic (nerve) pain

Nerve pain is caused by damage to the nerves in some way. It can be a result of injury, surgery, or even chemotherapy, and it can be a symptom of multiple sclerosis or even fibromyalgia. Nerve pain is usually described as a burning or cold feeling, electric shocks or numbness.

Depending on the cause and type of pain you may be experiencing, the management of chronic pain can be complicated. It can be managed with therapies (hydrotherapy, laser therapy), massage, acupuncture and medication. But there is no one-size-fits-all for pain management. If over-the-counter medications like paracetamol and ibuprofen become ineffective for treating pain, people will often turn to more potent opioids, which can be addictive and have harmful side effects, especially when misused. 

Cannabis, on the other hand, can be used to treat chronic pain without the risks presented by opioids.

How can Cannabis help with pain?

Firstly, the way that medical marijuana interacts with our bodies is a result of something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system regulates our immune response, mood, appetite, metabolism and memory. An example of this is when you get hurt, your ECS will produce more endocannabinoids to aid with pain relief. 

The ECS relies on three main components:

• Cannabinoids receptors (CB1 and CB2)

• The endocannabinoids that bind with receptors

• The enzymes that help break down and synthesise endocannabinoids and cannabinoids.

It's all pretty complicated, but basically, the THC in Cannabis interacts with your ECS in the same way that your natural endocannabinoids do to affect your body in different ways, while CBD changes the way your receptors bind with cannabinoids and boosts endocannabinoid production.

When looking at Cannabis for pain relief, THC and CBD have been found to be effective, both for different reasons. THC blocks pain signals in the nervous system, while CBD helps to regulate these signals. They can also be combined in products to get each compound's individual and combined effects.

As always, it's important to remember that medicinal marijuana affects individuals differently, and you should always speak to a medical professional about what product is right for your needs. 

Can you legally get Cannabis for anxiety in Australia?

In short, yes. 

The sale and use of medicinal Cannabis in Australia are legal. It must be prescribed by a doctor to relieve the symptoms of a medical condition. On top of this, Cannabis is heavily regulated in Australia, meaning that prescribed medical marijuana in Australia is tested, resulting in high quality and safe products with fewer side effects. Unlike recreational Cannabis, where you might not have all the information about the plant and what effects it might have. 

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What the research says

In addition to its analgesic (pain relieving) effects, medical Cannabis — specifically the CBD compound — is non-addictive and has been shown to reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. For patients who are dependent on opioids, a combination of both a low dose of the opioid and a low dose of Cannabis offers greater pain relief and can be used to wean patients off of opioids, reducing the risk of misuse.

Highlight

Medical Cannabis could be a viable option for managing chronic pain symptoms, as it is both legal and safe.

To summarise, research has shown that medical marijuana is effective in treating various chronic pain issues. When exploring options for medical Cannabis, a mixture of both the THC and CBD compounds is effective for pain relief. In Australia, it is legal to use Cannabis for medical purposes as long as you have a prescription. Not only that, but due to its heavy regulation, medical marijuana is safe to use.