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Q
I receive ketamine infusions every six weeks . There is still pain at times . What type of cannabis should be used for complex regional pain syndrome ( CRPS )?
Denise a
The most common question that we receive from Radicle Health patients is “ What type of cannabis would help with ___?” Our response , typically , is “ It depends .” Pain is an individual experience and often requires an individualized approach . Fortunately , there are multiple combinations of cannabinoids and several routes of administration that health care professionals can recommend to treat chronic pain .
WHICH CANNABINOID ?
The type of pain you want to treat will determine which cannabinoids you want to use :
CBD
CBD is not psychoactive in the same manner as THC , but it can positively influence mood and it can help manage the dysphoria associated with pain . Additionally , CBD can boost opioid-based analgesic effects , enabling patients to achieve efficacy with lower doses of opioids , reducing the risk of addiction and overdose .
THC
THC is responsible for the psychoactive and euphoric effects of cannabis , but many patients want to use cannabis without these side effects . Small amounts of THC can provide pain relief , reduce inflammation , and relax muscles without producing powerful psychoactive effects . It may not be necessary for patients to experience psychoactivity to achieve relief when using THC .
TETRAHYDROCANNABINOLIC ACID ( THCA )
THCa is a non-impairing cannabinoid that can help with inflammation and mild pain . Research suggests THCa is more water-soluble than THC , so patients can use lower doses of THCa to achieve relief , which reduces cost and adverse side effects . If THCa is exposed to heat or prolonged UV light , it will convert to THC and produce psychoactivity . Always keep THCa in a cool , dark place to prevent it from converting to THC .
CANNABIDIOLIC ACID ( CBDA )
CBDa is a non-impairing cannabinoid that has antiinflammatory properties , which may be helpful for arthritic pain . While CBDa has not been studied as rigorously as CBD or THC , observational reports suggest CBDa helps with mild pain and fatigue . CBD is more water-soluble than CBD , so patients can use lower doses of CBDa to achieve relief , which reduces cost and adverse side effects . Always keep CBDa in a cool , dark place to prevent it from converting to CBD .
CANNABIGEROL ( CBG )
CBG is a non-impairing cannabinoid that can inhibit the uptake of the neurotransmitter GABA , which can decrease anxiety and muscle tension . Also , CBG has anti-inflammatory properties that might help patients suffering from intestinal bowel disease . Finally , CBG might offer therapeutic potential as an antidepressant , for the treatment of psoriasis , and as an analgesic .
ET
Eloise Theisen , AGPCNP-BC , has been a dedicated and patient-focused nurse specializing in aging , cancer , chronic pain , dementia , Alzheimers , Parkinsons , anxiety , depression , fibromyalgia , and various auto-immune and neurological diseases for more than 17 years . The founder of Radicle Health , she started her career at John Muir Medical Center caring for patients suffering from cancer , terminal illnesses , respiratory failure / complaints , drug overdoses , acute alcohol ingestion , gastrointestinal bleeds , traumatic brain injury , and multiple traumas and from there worked her way up to management . Following that , her work with Aunt Zelda ’ s and the American Cannabis Nurses Association gained her an extensive knowledge of the Endocannabinoid system and how cannabis and cannabinoids can be used successfully to treat patients .
48 Maximum Yield