Opioid addiction is a crisis in California and throughout the U.S. Many people dependent on opiates or who overdose started as pain patients. In 2019, 3,200 Californians died from an opioid overdose. However, research shows medical cannabis for chronic pain may reduce and even stop opioid use for some patients. Additionally, consumers report California medical marijuana improves their quality of life, allowing them to complete more tasks and spend more time with friends and family. Keep reading to learn more about medical cannabis for chronic pain.

Medical Cannabis & the Endocannabinoid System

Science backs medical cannabis for chronic pain relief. You have an endocannabinoid system in your body. Whether you use cannabis or not, the ECS is a part of you and all mammals. The ECS is a complex cell-signaling system confirmed in the early 1990s. So, if you don’t remember it on your science final in high school or on the syllabus for biology 101, you’re right.

Researchers know it helps to maintain homeostasis. This is when the body has the right amount of chemicals and is healthy. In addition, studies have shown that it helps with mood, pain, immunity, and reproduction. The system includes external cannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes. External cannabinoids or phytocannabinoid can activate the ECS and interact with the cannabinoid receptors like internal cannabinoids.

Why Choose California Medical Marijuana for Pain

Chronic pain is a significant problem in the U.S. In 2018, the CDC reported it as the most common reason patients 18 and older were seeking medical care. An estimated 20% of the population is living with chronic pain. Worse, 8% experience chronic pain that’s disrupting their lives. These patients report lost wages, missed celebrations with friends and family, and depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness related to their condition.

Using medical cannabis for nerve pain and other chronic conditions isn’t new. History indicates individuals have been relieving pain and other symptoms with marijuana for over 3,000 years. From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, medical cannabis was a standard treatment for many ailments. Unfortunately, prohibition removed natural medicine from the public for nearly 100 years.

The popular plant is well-known for its minimal side effects and efficiency. However, people may experience anxious thoughts, paranoia, short-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. These are temporary and will slowly fade over several hours.

What does the Research Show?

Scientific studies are essential to further understanding cannabinoid medicine. There are dozens of reports about the effectiveness of medical cannabis for nerve pain.

Research in 2020 from Rambam Maimonides Medical Journal found cannabis was effective for patients with neuropathic and central pain. The study reviewed several clinical trials over seven years involving 766 patients. The results were promising.

“Four of the trials examined the effect of smoked cannabis on neuropathic pain, all reporting positive effects with minimal or no serious adverse effects.”

A significant portion of the studies found medical cannabis was helpful for symptoms accompanying chronic pain, such as:

• Depression
• Sleep disturbances
• Fatigue

A 2019 study found positive results for medical cannabis and chronic pain.

“Six evidence-based guidelines were identified. The majority of the guidelines present recommendations for chronic neuropathic pain. The guidelines report that cannabis-based medicines may be considered as a treatment option for patients with neuropathic pain, with chronic non-cancer pain, and with chronic non-cancer, non-neuropathic pain … “

Research from Frontiers in Pharmacology offers an extensive data set from 2018. The journal article accompanying the study found,

“Cannabinoids and cannabis are old drugs, but now they are a promising new therapeutic strategy for pain treatment. Cannabinoids (plant-derived, synthetic) themselves or endocannabinoid-directed therapeutic strategies have been shown to be effective in different animal models of pain (acute nociceptive, neuropathic, inflammatory). However, medical cannabis is not equally effective against all types of pain in humans.”

The study’s conclusion found medical cannabis for nerve pain and chronic conditions is safe for adults.

“The current review of evidence from clinical trials of medicinal cannabis suggests that the adverse effects of its short-term use are modest, most of them are not serious and are self-limiting.”

This is only a fraction of the research available for medical cannabis and pain. However, enough data is available to allow more than 50 U.S. states to have medicinal use programs.

Indoor-Grown Marijuana for Pain Management

Quality plays a vital role in your plant-based medicine. Choose indoor-grown marijuana for pain relief. Premium, indoor cultivation allows growers to control the environment and boost potency. Additionally, inside operations reduce water usage, improves soil conditions, and eliminates pests. Medical patients get the assurance necessary to buy California medical marijuana that originates at a state-of-the-art growing facility.

Best Methods to Reduce Pain with Cannabis

You have several options for using medical cannabis for chronic pain. Many people assume they must smoke or eat the botanical remedy. However, an alternative to smoking is vaping. It’s healthier, has the same quick response and short duration, and is more discreet than smoking. Edibles are fun, and many recreational users prefer to pop a few candies infused with THC. However, these are very potent.

If you’re new to cannabis or not a fan of the wait time and duration of edibles, that’s okay. However, they’re not for everyone. Tinctures are an excellent alternative that allows a little more control over your pain management option. Take a few drops of the oil under the tongue and experience relief within 20 minutes. These will last four to six hours. Although that might sound similar to edibles, the tincture is more accurate because it doesn’t go through the digestive system before working.

Also, another popular item is topical. Again, there are a few types, including transdermal patches and gels. The first options, muscle balms and ointments, are localized products. You rub them into the painful area, and they work in about 30 minutes.

The next step up for topical relief is a transdermal patch. These offer time-delayed pain relief over a few hours. Again, different strengths are available, with some patches offer 24-hour pain relief.

Whatever reason you experience chronic pain, whether it’s nerve-related, connected to a condition, or a side effect of a treatment, California medical cannabis might be the answer for fast relief. Unfortunately, opioids lead to dependency, overdoses and can leave patients in a fog. Instead, choose succulent Sativa- and Indica-dominant hybrids from HITit to melt away sore muscles, joints, and other aches and pains, all day or at the end of the day.

Do you use recreational cannabis? Depending on the reason, you may qualify for a medical marijuana card in California and significant savings at the dispensary. Many consumers puff away at the end of the day on premium flowers to melt away stress, reduce anxious feelings, lower stress levels, lessen post-workout pain, and sleep better each night. If you fall into any of these categories, you’re using marijuana for all-natural healing and not for the “high.”

Medical Vs. Recreational Marijuana Use

The lines and laws between medical and recreational are changing. There was a time that all use was illegal. For many years, you needed a specific medical condition on a list to get a medicinal use recommendation. Now many states allow recreational use. At the same time, medical laws are evolving to enable physicians to make informed decisions for medical use.

The truth is many reasons people use recreational cannabis aren’t for the sole purpose of “getting high.” Consumers are changing how they relax at the end of the day or on the weekends. Individuals are learning to amplify wellness with the all-natural flowers.

Medical Marijuana to Boost Mood

Many consumers choose to use cannabis to improve their mood. The one thing every marijuana strain has in common is the ability to make you laugh. Users often report the “giggles.” Wanting to improve your mood after a long day isn’t a recreational need. It’s medicinal. Research about the euphoric effects of marijuana dates back years.

A study at Washington State University found that varying THC and CBD concentrations can improve mood and increase feelings of well-being. What makes this research different than previous studies is the method of consumption. It specifically uses inhaled cannabis and not capsules.

The lead author of the report, Carrie Cuttler, explains

“Existing research on the effects of cannabis on depression, anxiety, and stress are very rare and have almost exclusively been done with orally administered THC pills in a laboratory. What is unique about our study is that we looked at actual inhaled cannabis by medical marijuana patients who were using it in the comfort of their own homes as opposed to a laboratory.”

Cannabis for Stress Relief

Stress can be a killer — Literally. It’s essential to keep levels low. Too much can cause anxiety, depression, sleep problems, tense muscles, and even high blood pressure, leading to heart problems. Reducing stress is an excellent way to amplify wellness. Consumers have been reporting cannabis use to reduce stress for decades. A study tracking usage from 1976 to 1984 said that most were using the plant to decrease their life stressors.

Most research involving stress relief and marijuana support low to medium THC doses instead of high THC strains. Consumers might get the most benefit from cultivars with over 1% of CBD.

Reduce Post-Workout Pain

You don’t have to have chronic pain to benefit from medical cannabis. While regular post-workout discomfort may not get you a medicinal use recommendation from your doctor, a visit to the recreational dispensary can offer a natural remedy for muscle recovery.

A Harvard-trained internist and cannabis therapeutics specialist, Dr. Jordan Tishler, advised Men’s Journal

“It will definitely make delayed onset muscle soreness — or DOMS — less unpleasant, which may lead to getting you back into the gym faster.”

He continues to explain that cannabis is safer for regular anti-inflammatory use than NSAIDs.

“People tend to think they can use over-the-counter medicine however they want, but they aren’t necessarily safe in all scenarios … If you’re dehydrated, for example, NSAIDs can increase your risk of rhabdo or full-blown kidney failure. Long-term NSAID use can contribute to ulcers … Cannabis, on the other hand, is absolutely safe to use after a workout.”

The quicker your muscles recover from a challenging workout or weightlifting session, the faster you can get back to the gym and work on meeting your daily fitness goals.

Sleep Better with Medical Cannabis

Sleep is essential. Individuals that have trouble sleeping seven to nine hours per night have an increased risk of disease. Many of the conditions above can contribute to sleeplessness. Stress, anxiety, and pain can all affect how well you sleep. By reducing these factors, you can boost the quality of rest you get nightly.

Traditional sleep methods can involve dangerous, habit-forming medications and over-the-counter drugs that can leave you in a fog for half the day. You need to be awake and refreshed in the morning to have a productive day. This is especially true for parents that have many duties to complete before noon every day. Marijuana won’t leave you in a fog and reduce overnight alertness. The all-natural option is not habit-forming. You don’t need to take it every night like some traditional medications.

Research shows that reducing stress and anxiety can help patients sleep better. Most people don’t go to the doctor for occasional sleepiness. They try to work it out on their own. A medical marijuana card can help you get a good night’s sleep without taking pills that can leave you near-comatose overnight. Improving sleep quality can boost productivity, reduce daytime sleepiness, and improve your overall life quality.

Recreational Marijuana to Amplify Wellness

It’s time to reconsider what defines medical and recreational cannabis. If you’re reducing any type of pain, from the occasional muscle spasm to chronic pain, it’s medicinal use. If you’re lowering stress levels to improve your overall quality of life, it’s medical. If you’re enhancing your mood after a long, terrible day, it’s not recreational. Additionally, using the potent plant to sleep better at night isn’t about the high. Instead, it’s about boosting your wellbeing.

Skip the recreational dispensary and save money with a medical marijuana card in California. HITit medical-grade cannabis is hand cultivated in a controlled environment to amplify the wellness of all consumers. Our premium flowers may help you control and relieve conditions you didn’t realize were medicinal. Reduce stress, boost mood, relieve your post-workout soreness, and improve sleep with high-quality marijuana from HITit.

New and seasoned medical marijuana customers are continually debating Indica vs. Sativa. However, when reviewing the best weed strains grown in California, patients’ answers will always vary. Several dozen Indica, Sativa, and hybrid flowers are available, each with unique characteristics. For example, some medical consumers prefer the sedative effects of an Indica, while others want a more uplifting and energizing Sativa. Choose from premium, and potent buds include OG Kush, Blue Dream, GSC, Wedding Cake, Purple Punch, G-13, Blueberry, and Gelato. Another excellent option and one of the best weed strains on the West Coast, GG#4, a top flower from HITit. that’s a 50/50 hybrid, offering the best of an Indica and Sativa.

read more about popular Indica strains.

Growing cannabis indoors and outdoors both have advantages. However, growing indoor medical cannabis in California is a winning method for everyone. Premium flowers get maximum growth, are pest-free, and don’t use as much water as outdoor operations. With California in a drought, which is a reoccurring problem, keeping plants hydrated without wasting water is the best option for California and the environment.

A high-tech indoor facility provides excellent climate control that ensures brands can create the perfect environment for plants, producing high-quality flowers. Controlling the environment eliminates exposure to extreme weather events, increasing the trichome count. Additionally, it offers security and safety for the premium buds, limiting outside exposure and contaminants while preventing theft. The extra protection helps keep prices affordable for patients. Although the start-up costs are high, it reduces overhead and assists in stabilizing expenses in the future.

Read more about indoor growing.

PTSD is a serious mental health condition that affects many people in their lifetime. Most of the time, individuals respond well to conventional treatments, such as psychotherapy and prescribed medications. However, not everyone is so lucky. A growing number of PTSD patients commit suicide when they can’t get their symptoms under control. In addition, the disorder can devastate families. Research is already available for cannabis and depression, anxiety, and sleep. Additionally, a large portion of PTSD patients experiences chronic pain that worsens the other symptoms. In California, PTSD is a qualifying condition for medical cannabis. Some of the more premium strains for PTSD include Pennywise, Grandaddy Kush, Sour Kush, Pineapple Express, and ACDC. Each flower offers a different level of benefits for patients, such as reducing stress, improving sleep quality, and busting pain. For premium cannabis strains grown indoor, consider HITit buds at your local retail location.

For more information about PTSD look here.

Cannabis is one of the oldest plants cultivated in the world. Originating in East Asia, it’s been providing everyday wellness benefits for civilizations for thousands of years. In 2019, scientists uncovered physical evidence of smoking weed approximately 2500 years ago.

Medical cannabis has been legal in California since the Compassionate Use Act passed in 1996. More than 25 years of regulated cannabis farming and use have made California cultivation a leader in producing high-quality bud.

If you’re wondering why marijuana is good, look no further than these physical effects of marijuana on the body and the positive effects of THC. There are dozens of conditions and symptoms that the potent plant can treat.

Cannabis flower also has plenty of everyday wellness advantages. These side benefits include improving sleep quality for patients experiencing pain, depression, and anxiety. Many potent strains are excellent for nighttime use and deliver a knockout punch that helps consumers fall asleep faster and sleep longer.

Speaking of anxiety, consumers experiencing high-stress levels also deal with anxious feelings that increase tension, which causes painful muscle spasms and can reduce sleep quality. Smoking weed can relieve stress and anxiety quickly. By choosing a nighttime cultivar, patients can diminish these symptoms and get a great night’s sleep.

Another positive effect of marijuana is the natural boost in mood. Chronic pain, sleeping difficulties, high anxiety levels, skyrocketing stress, and other conditions can be depressing. Every HITit cannabis strain will wipe out your sad feelings and put a smile back on your face. In fact, picking medical marijuana over pharmaceutical remedies may be the safer option. With an all-natural option, you may be able to free yourself of antidepressant dependence.

These are just a few of the reasons why marijuana is good for you. Here are some medical weed facts to help you get started.

Physical Effects of Marijuana

Cannabis has a physical response. You may have asked yourself, “Should I smoke weed?” The popular plant has mixed reviews from consumers. Some find the physical effects of marijuana to be overwhelming. But the effects of THC offer many wellness benefits that directly connect to specific conditions, such as those listed below. For patients with these debilitating ailments and symptoms, smoking weed completely transforms their quality of life.

Migraines: Treating migraines with cannabis dates back hundreds of years. Studies in modern history show the popular plant can reduce the number of migraines patients experience monthly and significantly lessen their severity. A 2018 report explains, “Formal approval of a cannabinoid-based drug for other pathologies opens a possibility for repurposing these agents also to treat migraine.”

Cancer: One of the first approved conditions for medical marijuana was cancer-related pain. Studies show cannabis relieves discomfort from the ailment and harsh treatments patients go through, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Another positive effect of THC is its ability to reduce nausea and improve appetite.

Chronic Pain: The largest group of medical cannabis users suffer from debilitating chronic pain. One of the most remarkable effects of THC is its ability to ease inflammation and joint discomfort significantly for patients. Medical marijuana also helps eliminate and reduce opioid dependence, an advantage that can prevent overdoses and save lives.

Arthritis: Millions of Americans have arthritis. The chances of developing the painful joint condition increase with age. It can also occur following a traumatic injury. The safest treatment for arthritic pain is cannabis. Many patients are smoking weed for the fast relief the potent flowers provide.

Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders: “Seizures are sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.” Some seizure disorders can be controlled with medications. But for patients with uncontrollable seizure disorders, cannabis can provide the answers to reduce symptoms and even protect the brain from damage during each event. Instead of THC, patients may get more relief with high-CBD cultivars.

Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a serious, progressive medical condition that can lead to blindness. Studies regarding the vision-related condition date back to the 1970s. Dr. Hughs, a professor for the Department of Ophthalmology at Wayne State University, Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit, explains,

“Synthetic and natural molecules that react with the endocannabinoid offer a new perspective for treating glaucoma, IOP control, and neuroprotection. In the future, cannabinoids may reveal themselves to be a more comprehensive treatment for lowering IOP, preserving the microcirculation, preventing apoptosis, and minimizing free-radical activity.”

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Also known as IBD, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis are the two main types. These conditions cause nausea, appetite changes, and other gastrointestinal issues. Studies also support the use of medical marijuana to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for IBD patients.

Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid addiction is an epidemic in America that’s increased substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people experience opiate dependence while treating chronic pain. Many states have approved medical cannabis for pain patients to reduce addiction and overdose rates. Even those with severe conditions can lessen opioid use with marijuana, which can help prevent accidental overdoses.

Neuropathy: Neuropathy is a pain type caused by nerve damage. The often excruciating pain is hard to treat with typical treatments. Over a decades’ research shows cannabis can provide relief for these patients. Patients smoking weed for pain achieved the fasted relief.

Multiple Sclerosis: One cause of nerve pain is MS. A 2020 survey found half of MS patients in the U.S. were using medical cannabis for pain and to improve sleep quality. Research shows marijuana may be effective in helping roughly 50 percent of MS patients that experience chronic nerve pain and other persistent symptoms.

Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s disease patients have a celebrity endorsement for medical marijuana. The Michael J. Fox Foundation has been studying the potent cannabis flowers’ potential to help with pain relief, sleep, and other symptoms, such as tremors, stiffness, and slowness, for several years.

Huntington’s Disease: Scientists have been studying the effects of cannabinoids on patients for decades. The first clinical trial using CBD was conducted with 15 patients in 1991. Some reports show the plant can help with tremors, pain, blurred vision, impaired cognition, and mood.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): ALS is a devastating disease that causes extensive brain and spinal cord damage. Studies involving cannabis and ALS indicate it may help patients control muscle movements better and reduce pain from cramping without causing severe side effects. The research also demonstrated improvement in people with ALS’s quality of life.

Medical cannabis patients deserve potent, top-shelf buds that melt away multiple pain types, inflammation, nausea, and other approved conditions. HITit offers high-quality, THC-rich cannabis flowers derived from perfect indoor California cultivation techniques. Safety is critical for smoking weed.

Growing medical marijuana plants in a controlled environment allow cultivators to monitor all conditions vital to the California cultivation process. This includes nutrient levels, temperature, humidity, moisture, and ventilation. HITit works to provide dispensary customers with 100% assurance that their cannabis products are safe.

The California cultivation company sends each batch of handpicked flowers to an independent lab to complete a thorough inspection and verification process. The rich, flavorful, and intoxicating medical marijuana buds are ideal for patients experiencing a wide range of conditions and symptoms.

Marijuana Effects on Mental Health Conditions

The effects of marijuana on the body extend to mental health matters. There are cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, including in the brain. The endocannabinoid or ECS regulates all the body’s systems.

This complex regulatory process includes essential brain functions, such as sleep regulation and serotonin levels that can alter moods. It also monitors the chemicals involved in activating the fight or flight response that increases anxiety and boosts stress levels. Cannabis has over 140 unique cannabinoids that interact with the ECS. Similar to the endocannabinoids in the body, these phytocannabinoids interact with the cannabinoid receptors.

Depression/Mood Disorders: Depression is a terrible condition robbing people of happiness and often leaving them dependent on pharmaceuticals with troublesome side effects. One of the most known positive effects of marijuana is the plant’s ability to put a smile on nearly everyone’s face. Studies support the findings but caution patients to watch the THC levels that can increase some consumers’ anxiety.

Chronic Fatigue: There aren’t any formal studies available about chronic fatigue syndrome and cannabis. But patients report success using specific sativa strains. Many of these varieties also offer people with CFS help with associated conditions, such as depression and anxiety.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Over the past decade, PTSD has received much attention. Several studies are available that show the potential for cannabis to help patients who aren’t responding to traditional treatments. A report published in 2021 followed 150 Colorado residents with PTSD and found the patients using cannabis from a dispensary saw the best symptom reduction results.

How to Use Medical Marijuana Safely

There are many positive effects of marijuana. But potent strains can be overpowering for new users and even for some patients with experience smoking weed. It’s essential to know what happens when you’re high. The effects of THC-dominant cannabis flowers offer excellent pain relief. But it also increases anxious feelings and paranoia for some users.

To enjoy the positive effects of marijuana, always start with two or three hits of the joint, blunt, pipe, or bong. Smoking weed works in a minute or two. When you inhale the smoke or vapor into your lungs, it goes directly into the bloodstream, working immediately to relieve your ills.

Choose top-shelf marijuana products from HITit. The trusted California cultivation company focuses on high-quality plants to improve the lives of patients throughout the state.

Cannabis is a complex plant that contains over 500 naturally occurring chemicals. The compounds responsible for the weed smell and taste are terpenes. These are also found in hundreds of everyday products, such as cosmetics, skincare, foods, and cleaners. There are about 200 cannabis terpenes. Terpene benefits are widespread and similar to the advantages of phytocannabinoids. The most common include antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antianxiety. These work together with the other compounds, such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, and nutrients, to provide a better therapeutic response for patients. The most common cannabis terpenes are myrcene, limonene, alpha-pinene, linalool, and caryophyllene. Caryophyllene is slightly different from the other terpenes found in cannabis strains. It can interact with the endocannabinoid system by connecting to the cannabinoid receptors. This internal action activates the ECS.

Find more information about Cannabis terpenes.