Does medical marijuana work for chronic pain?

Posted by mmoss @mmoss, Mar 27, 2021

Does Medical marijuana work for chronic pain. Looking for alternatives to Vicodin.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

@merlek2a

Here in New York, there are some gummies w a very high CBD dose and a minuscule amount of THC, which work very well for Chronic Pain for people who are sensitive to THC. Hedy is the company that makes a green apple flavored gummy that contains 1mg of THC:54 mg of CBD. I take 1/2 a gummy as a dose, and it lasts about 6 hours. This is called microdosing. I did some research on Google scholar last year and found an article about Israel doing studies on microdosing. They found it to be very helpful for many adults that don’t need a lot of THC, and are even bothered by THC’s psychoactive effects. But it’s enough THC to potentiate the combination and make it effective. In New York, products are labeled according to the ratios of CBD to THC. 1 mg of THC is enough to put my head in the soup. A pharmacist at one of our dispensaries told me about this product and how to use it.
My biggest fear is that since there’s only one manufacturer making this product, and you really have to hunt for who might sell it, that perhaps it could be taken off the market as not enough of a moneymaker, now that the adult recreational use market is legal.

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This is the product that I usually purchase at the dispensary. And you are correct, because of the low THC it’s not very popular & difficult to find.
I even go further with microdosing, and will shave slivers off the gummy.

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@lizziel1

This is the product that I usually purchase at the dispensary. And you are correct, because of the low THC it’s not very popular & difficult to find.
I even go further with microdosing, and will shave slivers off the gummy.

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Amazing!
I buy 15 packets at a time. I’ve never thought of lowering the dose even more, because the 1/2 gummy leaves me w no unpleasant psychaffective symptoms.i just feel normal, but w no pain. What state are you in?

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@merlek2a

Amazing!
I buy 15 packets at a time. I’ve never thought of lowering the dose even more, because the 1/2 gummy leaves me w no unpleasant psychaffective symptoms.i just feel normal, but w no pain. What state are you in?

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Well, to clarify, I usually start off with a fourth gummy and then add slivers if it doesn’t seem like enough. I don’t like too much THC as it makes me paranoid.
I live in Ohio.

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Please take the time to understand any contraindications with any existing drugs. As a transplant recipient permanently on immuno-suppression meds, THC interferes with the metabolism of one of my trickier drugs, tacrolimus. So that is a no go. I did try CBD oil based on the recommendation of a friend and that was a total waste. C'est la vie!
Best always,
s!

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@woojr

I recently started using gummies with the intention to back off Oxycodone. I started using amounts of the cube cut in four equal pieces. In short what I've found is the edibles affect my coordination such that I would never drive. However, after using Oxy for decades I have no issues with balance or judgement. The edibles have a similar effect in low doses for me. Lately with the cold and messy snow to move I've been more uncomfortable than back in December. I also use a 1:1 CBD-THC creme rub on called Avexia. I use that in place of Voltaren. The Voltaren makes my urine dark and I have a kidney issue. I find the Avexia works well on everything. It's pricy here in NJ at around $50. I think I'm going to split the rubs using the Avexia only on my back. The Voltaren on neck, shoulders, hands and knees. Away from my kidneys that is...

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@woojr I read your post about mixing Volteran with Avexia (I’m not familiar with it) and I wanted to point something out for you. If you’re using Volteran on the numerous spots you noted please be cautious with the amount you use. Volteran is an NSAID medication and we have a limit out livers can tolerate before damage begins. Pharmaceutical info indicates 8 grams or 8,000mg is the maximum dose per day for upper extremity single joint and 16 grams or 16,000mg for lower extremity single joint for osteoarthritis pain. Whether the brand name or generic each box contains a plastic card to assist in dosing correctly that you should use. Good luck and be safe.

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@mayoscout

Yes, I think it helps as it does for me. But everyone is different in how they respond.

Here in Texas they are even trying to add chronic pain conditions to their approved list of patients who qualify for their medical marijuana program. House Bill 1805, https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB01805I.htm

If Texas is doing this I would imagine they have some information that leads them to believe it does work for chronic pain. I am in the program and am provided edible gummies and tincture oils. The gummies, which contain just a low dose of THC, does help me take the edge off. But I think the thing that really works are the THC tincture oils. I am out of them right now because they are so darn expensive but when I do have them I sleep a little better and the pain is less.

Hope this helps some and take care of yourself.

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is Hemp gummies the same?

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@woojr

I am still learning how to use the right amount. I'm pushing 72 and had used it in my youth but understand it's stronger now. Plus I don't smoke, just using the edibles makes it easy to measure how much I use and feel the effects over different time frames. Specifically I cut a cube into quarters and a half hour after taking one quarter I decide whether I need more. Do I get a high feeling? I think it's similar to Oxycodone but if I take more in an hour I feel like my balance is off and I don't trust my judgement enough to drive a car. I guess that's a feeling that distracts from pain as I sit and watch TV. Do I laugh any more or less? I don't know. I laugh quite a bit either way. I watch a lot of old shows & movies and I'm getting pretty forgetful. I don't sit around worrying if I might get a little buzz or doze off. Well it's time to take my first dose tonight. Paranoid? What's there to be paranoid about?

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You may want to give a longer time for the gummy to metabolize before taking more. Especially as we age, it can sometimes take up to 2 hours to feel the effects of edibles.
Some people just get a paranoid feeling from THC. Unfortunately I am one of them. Even back in the 70s when weed was not as strong, I would get anxiety from it.

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@danny5

is Hemp gummies the same?

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No they are not the same.

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@lizziel1

Do the topicals give you a high feeling? I am thinking if purchasing, but THC makes me paranoid.

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No. No high from them. I also have a THC bath stuff I use and soaking it and I don't get high

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@gina54

I smoke everyday & marijuana has helped relax me & helped with my chronic pain. Good luck

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Try not to smoke it. Use edibles. It is better for your lungs. I know a well known thoracic surgeon who is generally as conservative as humanly possible. He said there is medical proof that medical marijuana is an anti inflammatory. I almost fainted when he said to use it. But as a surgeon who has had to removed so many lungs from non cigarette smokers, he strongly feels people should eat marijuana and not smoke it.

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