For many people around the world, chronic pain is the constant unwanted companion that walks at their side. Dealing with pain every single day can heavily diminish your quality of life, especially when the level of discomfort spikes unexpectedly.
With this kind of pain to deal with, it’s unsurprising that so many people rely on opioids or narcotics to make it through their days. While this can be effective in the short-term, long-term reliance on these substances creates a high risk of addiction.
So, what is the healthy approach when you are faced with such a painful reality?
There is an approach which is steadily gaining traction in the medical community: medicinal cannabis. Recently legalised in New Zealand via the Medical Cannabis Scheme in 2020, this substance presents a less addictive way to manage pain day-to-day.
In this article, we’re exploring how medical marijuana can help with pain management in Auckland, helping to provide a safer and more sustainable solution.
Relief for Opioid Dependence
To understand the gap that medical marijuana is filling, we must first understand what stood in its place.
Opioids and narcotics have been the primary methods of pain management for decades. However, these substances tend to be highly addictive. Unfortunately, the segue from someone suffering from chronic pain to someone dealing with an opioid addiction is common. After years of observing people travel this path and lose their quality of life, medical professionals may be becoming more inclined towards natural alternatives.
Even as recently as September of 2023, the Ministry of Health in New Zealand elected to change the opioid prescribing regulations to disrupt this pipeline. Now, instead of patients having access to prescribed opioids for a maximum of 3 months, they will only have access for a maximum of one month.
But for chronic pain sufferers seeking ongoing pain management in Auckland, this is of little help. After all, what else is on offer? Well, a massive benefit of incorporating medical cannabis into a chronic pain management plan is a chance to reduce that person’s need to use opioids. As a safer, far less addictive alternative with a range of holistic benefits still being researched, medicinal cannabis is the light at the end of the tunnel.
Smoke, but No Fire: Pain Management Without the High
One of the key benefits of medical cannabis is its well-documented ability to provide effective pain relief without the ‘high’. Cannabidiol – or CBD – is one of two core cannabinoids found in all marijuana. It demonstrates anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, meaning it’s excellent for combatting ongoing pain.
THC – or tetrahydrocannabinol – is the psychoactive element in marijuana. However, derived oils, vapours, and low-THC strains are growing in popularity as a way to capture pain relief without putting your head above the clouds.
This gives it an edge over even traditional pain medications, many of which have mind-altering effects.
Reducing Inflammation: A Game Changer
One of the markers of chronic pain is a lot of inflammation in the body. This is a natural part of the healing process, a sign the immune system is working as intended, but chronic pain can lead to inflammation lasting longer than is healthy.
As we mentioned, CBD is known as an anti-inflammatory substance. Taking this in prescriptive doses can help reduce unhelpful inflammation, improving the quality of life for people living with daily pain. Not only is this good for pain relief, but it also has the potential to positively affect your health long-term (though this is still being studied).
Approaching Pain on a Case-by-Case Basis
Outside of its holistic benefits, a medicinal cannabis prescription also embraces the idea that each person is a unique individual who needs a unique care plan. From trigeminal neuralgia to endometriosis, each person has a specific kind of pain they need to address.
With medical cannabis, there is plenty of scope to customise a treatment plan using different strains or formulations. Both patients and their doctors can consult on what they need from their pain management, rather than using a broad-stroke approach with prescribed opioids.
As the medical community continues to search for solutions to the opioid epidemic and its relation to chronic pain, medical cannabis is emerging as a front-runner. This is a holistic substance that may provide effective pain relief, reduce inflammation, and mitigate opioid dependence.
For chronic pain sufferers around the world who need access to medications that can stand the test of time without doing more harm, this is vital. If you are someone who struggles with pain on a daily basis, medicinal marijuana may be right for you.
Remember, it’s essential to consult a qualified physician and access any medical marijuana from a licensed purveyor to ensure its quality.
Don’t let your pain define you. Consult with Green Doctors about your pain management in Auckland.
Take Control of Your Pain with Green Doctors. Reach out to us today and discover natural relief that works for you!
