More than 158.8 million people around the globe are using cannabis, according to the United Nations (U.N.). This is approximately 3.8 percent of the global population and the figure will undoubtedly grow as cannabis legalization spreads. First used for medical purposes sometime around 2900 B.C in China, medical cannabis is a reliable solution for patients who are suffering from chronic pain.
Chronic pain is just one example of the medical problems that can be relieved using herbs and infused products from a trusted dispensary, such as the Green Cross SF. Since cannabis is a natural, non-addictive treatment that has never been linked to death (unlike addictive opioid pain relievers,) it is worth exploring your options when it comes to getting your recommended daily dose. One such method that is proven to be highly effective at relieving the symptoms of pain is a rectal cannabis suppository.
What is a Rectal Cannabis Suppository?
For thousands of years, plant-based medicines and suppositories have been referenced in recorded history. In fact, excavations of ancient Heidelberg Castle resulted in the discovery of age-old suppository molds! Medical cannabis is gaining more popularity by the day, as scientists, researchers and advocates reveal the plant’s medicinal benefits to the world.
Rectal plant suppositories might not be anything new, but they are a fairly new addition to the menu of many medical marijuana dispensaries. This is because research is ongoing and until sufficient evidence about rectal cannabis suppositories was gathered, dispensaries were not so open about selling these products.
Although a rectal cannabis suppository might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it is a worthwhile solution for chronic pain sufferers. Why, you ask? Well, when compared to smoking cannabis, which transfers approximately 15 percent of the essential cannabinoids to the bloodstream, a rectal cannabis suppository can deliver as much as 35 percent! What’s more, suppositories work quickly, with most providing pain relief in as little as 10 minutes.
The Benefits of Treating Chronic Pain with Cannabis
As much as 20 percent of the global population endures chronic pain on a daily basis, according to The World Health Organization. These statistics demonstrate how a significant percentage of people on the planet suffer from some type of chronic pain. Examples of the most common types of chronic pain include:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica
Numerous other conditions fall under the chronic pain category. In an attempt to reduce symptoms, patients are spending money on pharmaceutical drugs, such as dangerous opioid medications like Oxycodone. Pharmaceutical industry data has exposed how the market is worth an estimated $13.2 billion in the U.S. alone. The data also shows how as much as $294.5 billion is being spent on chronic pain medication and treatment every year.
Medical cannabis, on the other hand, can be obtained for a reasonable price. Since this type of natural pain reliever tends to be more effective, the long-term savings may be substantial for someone who switches from pharmaceutical drugs to cannabis. With so many options available to medical cannabis users, the versatility of this treatment option is a major appeal for consumers.
Is cannabis a proven treatment for chronic pain?
Chemist Raphael Mechoulam from Hebrew University was the first to isolate THC and CBD and has authored many papers on its ability to heal epilepsy and pain.
Indeed it is and the evidence to support medical cannabis use is stacking up by the day. This is not to say that scientists know every single thing about the plant, because 4,000 years after early civilizations started using medical cannabis, research is still taking place to determine precisely which conditions cannabis can be used to treat.
However, one study on cannabinoids for pain relief showed a major decrease in pain when high doses were administered to a group of healthy volunteers. Cannabis for clinical pain has been widely studied, with one systematic review of cannabinoids revealing up to 37 percent reduction in pain among 2,454 patients who underwent 28 randomized trials.
How to Diagnose Chronic Pain
If you think that you might need to buy medical-grade cannabis products from a medical cannabis dispensary in SF, make sure you get a clear diagnosis beforehand. Any type of pain that persists for longer than 12 weeks is usually defined as chronic pain. The problem may manifest itself in one or multiple body parts for a number of reasons, such as an injury or underlying genetic condition. Visit a Doctor for a diagnosis and make sure you get a certificate of recommendation. This is necessary to obtain a prescription for rectal cannabis suppositories.
Finding a Licensed Dispensary to Buy Cannabis Products
Certain standards and regulations must be met to ensure cannabis products are safe for human use. Avoid working with a medical marijuana dispensary if they cannot inform you about how the plants were cultivated and processed, before being sold inside a licensed store. Thorough testing ensures that the cannabis products have not been contaminated with pesticides, solvents and other hazardous substances.
Due to the fact cannabis is highly absorbent, the environment in which dispensary products are sold will make a difference to its quality. Some other considerations to think about when finding a licensed dispensary include location (think about convenience,) product selection and pricing.
