Do you suffer from a painful condition such as arthritis, sciatica or hip, knee, neck, or back pain? Have you ever thought about using medical marijuana or CBD oil to help manage chronic pain? If you are suffering from any type of long lasting pain, don't hesitate to contact Mathew Lefkowitz, MD, who can provide a range of treatment options in Brooklyn Heights, NY.
What Is Arthritis?
Arthritis is an excruciating and chronic condition that affects many people. The condition most commonly affects patients' hands, feet, and wrists and causes aches and pains. It can also cause swollen joints and stiffness.
Many people who have arthritis never see a doctor about it because they think it's just part of aging. Suffers may also have stiffness in other parts of their body or symptoms, such as fatigue or weight loss.
Using Medical Marijuana To Treat Arthritis
A lot of research has been carried out recently on the benefits of taking medical marijuana to treat conditions such as arthritis.
The Marijuana plant contains more than one hundred chemicals that will affect your body, as well as your mind, in a variety of different ways if consumed. Scientists have mainly researched two of these chemicals: THC and CBD.
THC is the chemical in marijuana that will get you high if it's smoked or eaten. CBD (cannabinoids) is a more useful chemical as it doesn't affect users' brains and minds in the same way that THC does. For that reason, CBD is the chemical that doctors and scientists are most interested in for its healing properties.
CBD can be taken in tablet form, smoked, vaped, or taken as an oil. It helps to reduce inflammation and eases pain, which is why it has become popular amongst suffers of chronic painful conditions in recent years. CBD can be used to help people with rheumatic arthritis or osteoarthritis. It helps to reduce pain, including morning pain and stiffness, which is common in arthritis suffers. It can also help to improve sleep and mood and reduces inflammation of the joints.
Is Medical Marijuana Right For You?
If you are suffering from severe pain, you may like to ask your doctor if you'd benefit from taking medical marijuana or CBD. Your medical practitioner will be able to give you the benefits of taking this supplement, but can also give you details of possible side effects.
You should also take the law into consideration as CBD isn't legal in every state. However, around half the states in America have now legalized marijuana for medical use, and others are set to follow suit. Your doctor will be able to advise you on how to take CBD and at what dosage.
It's also worth noting that the FDA doesn't currently regulate CBD products, so the oils or tablets you buy may differ in their strength or even in how much THC they contain.
You may not know exactly what's is in the products you buy, and this could be unpredictable or cause unwanted side effects. For that reason, it's always better to consult a doctor about what supplements you should take rather than just buying them from a health food shop.