Level of Evidence: Science-Based

Pain can be a frustrating experience to live with and can significantly impact your quality of life. There are effective prescription options available to treat pain, but many of them, such as opioids, aren’t tolerable for some people. Because of this, more individuals are turning to cannabis products to help manage their pain.

There is “regular” pain (also called nociceptive pain), which is what we experience from injuries and/or conditions like broken bones, arthritis, bruises and cuts. The other type of pain is nerve pain (also called neuropathic pain) which occurs when the body’s nervous system is malfunctioning or damaged. This can happen if we slip a disk in our spine or have deterioration of our nerves from medical conditions like diabetes. Nerve pain can be described as:

• Stabbing
• Numbness
• Burning
• Tingling
• Electric shock

Research has shown promising results that indicate cannabis can be effective in reducing both types of pain. Currently the literature shows some interesting pain management trends:

• People experiencing nerve pain may need higher doses of their cannabis product compared to those experiencing “regular” pain.
• THC plays an important role in pain management. Speak with a healthcare provider to determine if THC is a good option for you.

Make sure to connect with a knowledgeable pharmacist for a personalized pain assessment!

References for the above material are highlighted down below

Cannabis use may not be appropriate for you if have one or more of the following:

• A history or family history of psychosis in the family
• Currently taking a blood thinner such as Warfarin
• Reduced liver function
• History of addiction
• A complex medication regimen (cannabis can interfere with the metabolism of several classes of medications)
• Sedating medications such as benzodiazepines (such as lorazepam) and/or opioids (such as Percocet)

Make sure to talk to a knowledgeable healthcare professional to make sure cannabis is safe for you!

Cannabis products come in a variety of different formulations such as oils, capsules, creams, dried flower, and concentrates. With an extensive number of products available on the market, it can be quite confusing to select a product that may work for you. Our pharmacists are trained to assess which cannabis products can be safe and effective for you. Reach out to a Pharmacist today for a consultation!