Hardly anything can reduce the quality of life as much as chronic pain. Many patients are faced with an overabundance of different medications that often cannot help sufficiently and/or bring a lot of side effects with them. Therefore, more and more pain patients opt for a natural way and use cannabis.
Some cannabis strains are best for daytime use, while others are better for evening or nighttime use. Some strains have the potential to reduce nerve pain and muscle tension, but they can also knock the user out.
Here are the best cannabis strains for pain at a glance:
Cannabis was made for one thing above all: to relieve pain. Studies have shown that cannabis can be helpful in combating the pain of chemotherapy or AIDS. Patients can benefit from its analgesic properties in a variety of other conditions. A review of the clinical literature in 2011 found that cannabis is a safe and effective treatment option for non-cancer pain. (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.03970.x/full)
Progressive doctors have been arguing for cannabis as a safe alternative to opioids in recent years. Research has shown that the chemical compounds in the cannabis plant interact with pain signals in cells in the body. Inflammation is reduced as a result. These valuable properties make cannabis a novel treatment option for both neuropathic and chronic pain that is difficult to treat with pharmaceutical forms of treatment.
Both the psychoactive THC and the non-psychoactive CBD are effective in treating pain. In addition, the aroma molecules, the terpenes, are considered effective natural remedies and helpful against pain.
An intense aroma of a plant therefore always also indicates that this plant is full of active substances and has a high medicinal benefit. Every fruit and vegetable contains these useful terpenes. Some terpenes are vitamins: Vitamin K is actually a terpene.
Cannabis has both: cannabinoids that become effective against pain and at the same time healthy terpenes with analgesic effects. The terpenes are different and unique in each variety and in each plant. Each variety has its own specific terpene profile. That is why each variety has its own aroma.
Organically grown cannabis generally has a greater variety of terpenes than plants grown with chemical fertilisers. The environmental conditions such as temperature, light and soil in which cannabis plants are grown have a decisive influence on terpene development.
Cannabis strains for arthritis and inflammatory pain relief
Inflammation is a natural immune response of the body. However, inflammation can also get out of control. Inflammation and pain often go hand in hand and are closely related. Relieving inflammation also relieves pain.
The two cannabinoids most commonly found in cannabis THC and CBD both have strong anti-inflammatory effects. The best cannabis strains for treating pain contain both THC and CBD. When combined, the two cannabinoids enhance each other and are very effective in reducing pain.
As early as 1988, a study conducted in London showed that CBD was 4 times more effective than aspirin in relieving inflammatory pain. Aspirin is often used in the treatment of arthritis and inflammatory pain. (http://www.ukcia.org/research/Analgesic.php). In fact, thousands of arthritis patients die each year from over-the-counter painkillers. However, to date, not a single death has been recorded due to cannabis.
The following strains contain a high CBD content, which is particularly effective against inflammatory pain:
Alegria
Alegria by Cannamed is a real must-have strain for those in pain. This sativa-dominant hybrid offers a unique experience to its users. Alegria has about 25% THC and a CBD content of 5% on average. CBD is a known antipsychotic. The cannabinoid reduces the psychoactive side effects of THC (e.g. anxiety). This makes CBD strains ideal for daily use and interesting for those who do not like the psycvhoactive effects of THC. Alegria is a special medicinal cannabis strain. It is not only a master in pain relief, but has a lot of antioxidants and neuroprotective compounds.
Cannatonic
Cannatonic is another incredible medicinal strain. It is rich in various cannabinoids and terpenes and has a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio (6.2% THC, 6.9% CBD). It is the perfect choice for patients suffering from chronic pain. This therapeutic strain has very pleasant, mild effects. It is ideal for daytime use and contains a lot of linalool, which brings relaxing and unwinding effects.
- The terpenes linalool, myrcene and caryophyllene have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Other varieties for use in arthritis:
- CBD Critical Cure (Barney`s Farm)
- Bubba Kush CBD
- Kama Kush CBD
- Prozack
- Medical 49 CBD+
- Cannagetica
- Pain Killer
- Critical Mass CBD
Varieties for use with general pain, headaches and back pain
Cannabis is an effective way to treat chronic muscle tension, pressure headaches, back pain and general aches and pains. There are many strains of cannabis that can relieve pain associated with inflammation or muscle tension.
Consuming it in a vaporizer or inside food is particularly gentle and safe. Combining external use (infused ointments, oils, etc.) with oral ingestion offers an even better and all-encompassing pain treatment.
In the following, we introduce you to some varieties that are mainly used for general pain, pressure headaches, muscle tension and back pain.
Afghan Kush
Afghan Kush is a power plant against pain. It is a pure indica with a spicy, intense aroma. When vaped, it reliably eliminates pain and at the same time ties you to the couch. Because this strain is a pure indica, it has mainly physical effects. The high THC and terpene content has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects.
Afghan Kush is particularly high in humulene and caryophyllene, which are also painkillers. Caryophyllene also has anti-cancer effects. This makes Afghan Kush a good choice for patients with cancer. Other cannabis strains that are rich in caryophyllene are Hash Plant, Hawaiiana and Sour Diesel.
Afghan Kush contains strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect and prevent cells from damage.
White Widow
A true White Widow is a cross between a pure Sativa and a pure Indica. The result is an extremely balanced and potent hybrid. This strain inherits the best of both worlds, producing an uplifting and euphoric feeling while reducing pain. White Widow's powerful high is accompanied by several calming aroma molecules. In particular, linalool. Linalool is the terpene that gives lavender its well-known therapeutic scent. It is also a painkiller and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
For inflammation of the muscles along the spine, White Widow relieves painful swelling. Although White Widow is a strong and potent strain, you retain a surprising amount of clarity. It helps when working long hours at the PC or sitting and keeps you awake and focused.
Other varieties are:
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, affects many people. There are two main causes of chronic neuropathic pain: tissue damage and damage to the central nervous system. Basically, migraine patients and fibromyalgia patients are familiar with these distressing symptoms. Studies show that low doses of vaporised cannabis can help with neuropathic pain. In fact, research has shown that cannabis can control neuropathic pain much better than prescription painkillers. THC has been shown to be effective against diabetic neuropathy without seriously affecting cognitive function.
Both THC and CBD relieve nerve pain caused by multiple sclerosis and similar conditions. The cannabinoids reduce inflammation in the brain and regulate the pain signals emitted by your cells. Although cannabinoids are the primary pain and inflammation fighters in cannabis, all of the strains listed below have high levels of neuroprotective terpenes. Some of these terpenes can enhance the natural protective properties of THC and CBD. Terpenes and cannabinoids are powerful antioxidants. Antioxidants help repair damaged nerve and brain cells. These properties make the following strains particularly suitable for patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Jack Herer
Named after the famous activist and author, Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant hybrid that truly deserves the title. This cheerful strain is famous all over the world and has uplifting and stimulating effects. This makes it perfect for everyday use. A Jack Herer that has developed well is full of natural painkillers.
Besides THC, Jack Herer contains the terpene pinene, which is responsible for the woody pine aroma. In recent studies, pinene has been shown to have an anti-tumour effect.
A study from 2013 showed that pinene effectively prevents cancer cell proliferation in the brain.
- Jack Herer has other neuroprotective terpenes: caryophyllene (pepper) and humulene (hops).
SuperBud
It is like the super food among cannabis plants. The high content of myrcene gives the strain its fruity mango aroma and a hint of wood and spice. SuperBud is narcotic and has an extremely high THC content with a strong analgesic effect. This strain also contains CBN, which is also effective against pain.
In 2002, Swedish researchers found that both CBN and THC combat pain by triggering the release of endorphins and relaxing tense blood vessels. (http://www.jneurosci.org/content/22/11/4720.full)
Other varieties for neuropathic pain:
Varieties for pain-free sleep
Whether it is a severe headache or even muscle cramps, night sleep is disturbed and made impossible by pain. Here are some heavy indicas that are really mind-blowing and ensure a good night's sleep:
Depression can be a side effect of pain. Cannabis has an anti-depressant effect and can therefore help to improve the quality of life. Studies have shown that cannabis can help patients cope better with illness regardless of the symptoms. Patients worldwide have improved their quality of life by taking cannabis.
These varieties are considered helpful for depression:
- Amnesia Haze
- Sour Diesel
- Pineapple Express
- Girl Scout Cookies
- Strawberry Kush
- Early Maroc
- Red Cherry Berry
