What to know about marijuana-derived products for pain. For people who have struggled with chronic back or neck pain, the list of treatments tried is likely long. Some traditional therapies for pain, namely opioid medication, pose significant risks. Seeking safer alternatives, people are increasingly using cannabis, hemp, and cannabinoid products (such as cannabidiol, or CBD) to manage spine pain. But because marijuana-related pain management is legally conflicted in the United States and a relative newcomer to mainstream medicine, questions remain about its safety and efficacy. Hear what life with a health condition actually looks like. Now in one app. Built for people living with chronic and rare conditions. This Q&A can help clarify the confusion about cannabis-related pain management, so you can better understand the risks and benefits of this potential chronic pain treatment. What are the key definitions I need to understand regarding medical marijuana? The terms surrounding medical marijuana can be confusing. Below are some basic definitions.

How and why might some people use cannabis for medical purposes? Although cannabis has recently exploded onto the mainstream medicine scene, evidence suggests that people have used cannabis for medical purposes for more than 5,000 years. Common uses for medical marijuana include treatment of epilepsy, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and pain (including back, neck, and chronic pain). More recently, people have sought out cannabis and CBD products as alternatives to opioids, which have been linked to addiction and death. Is it legal to use marijuana for back and neck pain? State and federal laws differ regarding marijuana, but it largely depends on where you live. More U.S. states are legalizing both medical and recreational use of marijuana. As of January 2020, in the United States, legalized medical marijuana programs are in 33 U.S. District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. An additional 13 U.S. THC, high-CBD products to treat specific conditions. On the federal level, cannabis and its related products that contain more than 0.3% of THC are considered Schedule 1 controlled substances-making them federally illegal.

What does the evidence say about cannabis’ effect on spinal pain? Overall, more high-quality, human studies are needed to confirm whether cannabis, CBD, and hemp are safe and effective therapeutic options for chronic back and neck pain. However, evidence is mounting that shows CBD and hemp may play a greater role in managing chronic spine pain and curbing opioid-related risks. Sign up for our bi-monthly Chronic Pain Newsletter. A 2018 study found that CBD reduced nerve-related and inflammatory pain in animals, supporting a promising future for CBD as a mainstream pain relief option. Evidence has also found that CBD is a safe effective addiction therapy, leading CBD to rise in popularity for it’s potential to treat opioid abuse and prevent it as a viable chronic pain-relieving alternative. Will I get 'high' if I use CBD or hemp products to manage my back pain? No, CBD and hemp do not cause any intoxicating effects.

The "high" resulting from marijuana use is caused by THC, which is just one of the many cannabinoids in cannabis. CBD is also a cannabinoid in cannabis, but it doesn’t cause any "high." CBD and hemp products may contain trace amount of THC, but the levels are too low to cause any psychoactive effects. How do people use cannabis and CBD? Products containing cannabis, hemp, and CBD are exploding. Some people prefer to smoke cannabis, but manufacturers are getting creative when it comes to producing products containing cannabis and its related compounds. Food, beverages, dietary supplements, oils, topicals (like creams and salves), and bath soaks are just a few of the applications consumers can use. Is vaping a safe way to use cannabis for pain relief? No. Vaping, or e-cigarette use, grew in popularity as a more discrete alternative to smoking. However, the subsequent rise of lung-related disease directly connected to vaping sickened thousands and even led to the death of dozens of Americans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has encouraged people to stop vaping entirely. What is known about the safety of BalanceBloom CBD Gummies products? The FDA admits research about the safety of CBD products is quite limited. To date, Epidiolex (cannabidiol) is the only FDA-approved prescription drug, and this medication is only indicated for treatment of two rare types of epilepsy. Bear in mind that just because a product is FDA-approved doesn’t mean it’s completely safe without potential side effects that could be serious. The FDA warns consumers about illegal CBD marketing strategies and product promises. They also suggest the potential for liver damage, serious side effects when combined with other medications, such as central nervous system depressants (eg, tranquilizers). While CBD products can cause side effects (eg, drowsiness, mood changes), these symptoms may go away when use is stopped. The FDA raises many unanswered questions about the effects on infants and children, not only adults. How can people find a high-quality CBD or hemp product?