Why People Are Choosing Medical Cannabis
As a medical cannabis dispensary, we help 1000s of patients find medicine that helps them in their daily lives.
Medical cannabis is a unique treatment option which is based on utilizing the natural compounds from the cannabis plant to help heal our bodies. These natural compounds mainly consist of cannabinoids and terpenes.
While people can discover many positive benefits of medical cannabis, the #1 reason they may opt for cannabis is in the pursuit of pain relief.
According to the CDC, over 20% of US adults currently have or have experienced chronic pain. That means 1 out of every 5 Americans is suffering from long term pain issues that aren’t caused by an acute injury. With these staggering numbers, it’s no shock that so many people are looking for relief from pain.
So what are the current options for pain relief? Over the counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can work to stop the signals of pain temporarily, but their long term use can cause liver damage, nausea, ulcers, and gastrointestinal problems.
For more serious pains, opioids are often prescribed, and unfortunately have a range of side effects from severe dependence, nausea, constipation, and slowed breathing.
Fortunately, this is where the help of medical cannabis comes in, as patients have found the medicine effective for reducing pain, while minimizing side effects compared to opioids and even the previously mentioned over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs.
By acting on the endocannabinoid system, the compounds in medical cannabis can help regulate bodily functions such as metabolism, hunger, pain experience, sleep, and a patient’s mood, which can create a night and day change in regards to a patient’s quality of life.
With minimal side effects compared to other medications and approaches, it makes sense why so many people are turning towards medical cannabis for relief of their pain symptoms.
Another large reason cannabis is used is for anxiety and depression and in place of prescription antidepressant drugs. These antidepressants can come with difficult side effects, ranging from weight gain, nausea, insomnia, and more.
THC, in small amounts, has been shown to reduce anxiety, and CBD reduces anxiety in all amounts.
A July 2022 retrospective study published in Psychiatry Research found that “Patients seeking medical cannabis for anxiety and depression saw improved outcomes over time”
At Peninsula Alternative Health, we offer medicinal cannabis in multiple forms, including flower, oil, concentrates, vaporizers, and topicals.
To learn more, visit our Salisbury or Silver Spring online menus.
