Since an estimated 20% of the US population (about 50 million adults) live with chronic pain, and traditionally the only pharmaceutical treatments available have serious side effects, all eyes are on cannabis.

Pain management is the most common reason that American seek out medical cannabis, according to Harvard Health, and chronic pain is the most common reason Americans seek out medical care in general. Harvard denies that cannabis has been shown to have any effect on pain, and claims the large amounts of people flocking to try cannabis for their pain are due to the positive media attention it has gained in recent years, not medical evidence. Yet they still agree that, “chronic pain is notoriously difficult to treat… ‘if something helps relieve your pain and doesn’t cause significant harm… go ahead and use it.’”

However, it is an incredibly controversial topic, with the medical field split between advocating for the compound and advocating for more careful research before any conclusions are made. The opioid epidemic has increased interest in cannabis research, as chronic pain patients want to reduce their use of the addictive substance. And there is some evidence that cannabis use strengthens the effects of opiates, which helps people reduce their doses.

Despite promising anecdotal evidence, all major medical authorities agree that more research needs to be done to understand the effect cannabis has on pain and how the properties can be further harnessed. On a basic level, cannabis, specifically compounds like CBD, are known to help reduce overall inflammation, a general source of acute and chronic pain. And THC has the potential to interact with the Endocannabinoid System in the body to inhibit pain receptors and reduce the perception of pain, particularly neuropathic pain. However, please know that the content of this blog is not medical advice, and it is always best to consult a medical professional

Are Cannabis Edibles Good for Pain?

Cannabis has been identified as a potential treatment for both neuropathic and chronic pain because of historic anecdotal evidence, and also because it acts on the body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is a vast and complex network of cellular receptors and chemical signals that affect almost every organ and muscle.

The cannabinoid receptors, which are part of the ECS, function to regulate the other neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain and body. Since cannabis acts on the cannabinoid receptors, it seems as though the compound could be used to block the source of pain, particularly for neuropathic pain, which is the result of nerve damage.

Cannabis has very few side effects besides possibly drowsiness or paranoia, which makes it a welcome alternative to opiates, which can cause addiction and death. Although, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of THC.

Types of Edibles for Pain Management:

Although we can’t advise you that cannabis is a “cure” for anything, if you are suffering from chronic, acute, or neuropathic pain, even the more conservative doctors agree that it is worth a try. For people with underlying health issues who might not want to smoke or vape, edibles are a great alternative to test out cannabis for pain.

THC Edibles

Much like traditional painkillers, THC is seen to have a greater effect on how the brain perceives pain than on the cause of the pain itself. THC acts on the brain’s pain receptors to reduce the delivery of the transmitters that send pain signals to the body.

Dosages for pain tend to be higher than dosages for recreation, so while we always recommend starting low and slowly increasing your dose if you have never tried cannabis, you ultimately could increase the THC dose to up to 40mg per day to see significant results. If you are new to THC, we recommend a 1:1 ratio CBD:THC to mitigate the potential paranoia that can occur with a large dose of THC.

CBD Edibles

CBD is a unique compound since it acts more on the source of pain in the body–inflammation–than it treats the feeling of pain. For this reason, it provides less instant relief than THC, and will probably require consistent use over a longer period of time before major results are felt.

CBD functions best when paired with THC, in what is called the “entourage effect,” but if you do not want to consume psychoactive compounds, pure CBD oil can also help, though it will need to be consumed in a much higher quantity.

Farnsworth Recommends: The Best Edibles for Pain Management

Tips for Using Edibles for Pain Management

Edibles for pain, since they tend to be stronger and have more drowsy effects than other categories of edibles, are best consumed at home, in the evening. Once accustomed, the psychoactive effects become less powerful, and many medical cannabis users are able to continue their daily lives while consuming cannabis for their chronic pain. One recommendation would be to take a smaller, low-THC dose in the morning, and a larger dose at night.

Since cannabis edibles, unlike other formats of cannabis, are processed through the stomach, diet will have a large impact on how the effects of a cannabis edible feel. If eating heavier meals, or if you consume an edible right after eating, the onset time will be much longer and the effects will be less pronounced. Consuming an edible on an empty stomach, on the other hand, can lead to a rapid onset and strong effects, which can also come with negative side effects like dizziness or paranoia.

The best way to mitigate potential side effects is to eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated. Cannabis can be very dehydrating, so it is important to supplement with extra water and electrolytes.

Alternatives to Using Edibles for Pain Management

In addition to traditional cannabis edibles, there are also two cannabis products developed specifically for pain with great results–RSO, which can be used topically or ingested orally, and CBD/CBG suppositories.

Rick Simpson Oil

RSO oil was developed by Rick Simpson in 2003 after his asbestos exposure led him to develop chronic health conditions like tinnitus and subsequently skin cancer. Inspired by a scientific journal article about how cannabis inhibited tumor growth in mice, he set out to develop this extremely potent high-THC oil. He claimed that applying RSO to his tumor growth and leaving it bandaged cured his cancer, but that has not been independently verified. Still, it is one of the most effective cannabis products for pain available today.

RSO oil can be ingested orally or topically. Topical application helps treat acute sources of pain like a muscle injury, while oral ingestion helps reduce inflammation and pain in the body overall.

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CBD+CBG Suppositories

CBD+CBG Suppositories are new to Farnsworth, but we have already heard incredible anecdotal evidence of their efficacy.

One of our team members was willing to share this testimonial–

“I have a friend who has an extremely painful case of Endometriosis. She has already had a surgery for it and will have to have another. Her pelvic floor is completely over extended and she has organs fusing together. She is in pretty rough shape. At 39 years old, she has had to accept the fact that she has chronic pain and has had to completely change her lifestyle because of it. She came to visit this past weekend and I bought her the CBD suppositories, she was really excited to use them. One day we all went out to do a little shopping and she didn't feel up to it. She laid down and took a suppository and said her pain was at a 6 and it went down to a 2. She was ecstatic and so thankful for this product. She has shared this with her pain management support group that she is a part of. The fact that we have access to this kind of medication now is truly amazing and the fact that it is our job to educate and inform people of what it can do is so special.”

CBD suppositories are inserted directly into the anus or vagina, and are recommended to treat pain locally, such as stomach or uterine cramps. This type of insertion leads to faster onset and more targeted pain relief than an edible.

FAQs on Using Cannabis for Pain Management

Can cannabis be used in conjunction with other pain medications?
- While there is interest in studying how cannabis can be used in conjunction with other pain medications like opiates, it is absolutely not advised to test this independently. If using prescription pain medications, you should ask your doctor before self-medicating with cannabis.

Are there any long-term side effects of using cannabis for pain management?

Side effects are minor and similar to any cannabis use, but often products designed for pain management are stronger than those with average recreational uses. there is the potential for dizziness, drowsiness, and short-term memory impairment, but it is best to consult a medical professional if concerned about the effects on your health.

How long does the pain relief from cannabis last?

The duration of pain relief from cannabis varies greatly depending on a variety of factors including dosage, quality of cannabis oil used, and individual physiological factors such as height, weight, and diet.

How does cannabis compare to other pain management methods?

Although there is no consensus on the effectiveness of cannabis for pain relief among medical researchers, it is attractive to patients due to its lack of addictive nature or potential for overdose.