What We Know About THC, CBD, and Pain Relief

People have been using hemp and “marijuana” plants to manage pain for millennia, and “pain relief” remains one of the top reasons modern-day consumers purchase cannabis. But can hemp-derived cannabinoids like THC and CBD really provide an alternative to OTC or prescription pain meds? Or is it the placebo effect at work?

Wanderous is a hemp marketplace, not a hospital, and we can’t give you medical advice on how to treat or manage your own pain… that’s what your doctor is for. What we can offer is an overview of the existing research on how THC, CBD, and other hemp compounds may support pain relief. Read on for the scientific scoop – plus some helpful tips on finding the best hemp-powered relief products to support your specific needs.

THC and Pain Relief: What We Know

In most states that have legalized “marijuana” – or as we prefer to call it, “regulated cannabis” – a Medical Marijuana card will enable qualified patients to purchase higher quantities of THC at lower prices than recreational consumers. In Colorado, for example, licensed dispensaries cannot sell recreational edibles that contain more than 100 milligrams of THC per package. But Medical products can legally contain as much as 1000 milligrams per package, with singles servings as high as 50-100 milligrams per piece.

If “Medical” cannabis products tend to contain so many milligrams, then it stands to reason that high doses of THC are the key to unlocking chronic pain relief. Right?

Not so fast.

There is significant, peer-reviewed evidence that THC inhibits glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is often linked to pain signaling. THC may also modulate the signals from two crucial receptors within your body’s endocannabinoid system: the CB2 receptors, which regulate inflammation and other immune function, and the CB1 receptors, which regulate stress, fear, and anxiety. While the latter may not seem directly relevant to physical pain relief, anyone who has suffered from moderate to severe pain knows what a toll it can take on your mental health. A THC high, which can also temporarily elevate your dopamine levels, may help lower that stress, lift your mood, and distract you from – or alter your perception of – the discomfort in your body.

These potential benefits are nothing to sneeze at! But before you apply for a Medical Marijuana Card, here are two important things to consider:

• Not all pain is the same. Many people who take Medically high doses of THC are suffering from chronic or severe pain. If that applies to you, by all means, talk to your doctor about whether procuring a Medical Card makes sense for your treatment. But if you’re exploring hemp or marijuana to relieve more moderate, everyday aches and pains – like post-workout soreness, menstrual cramps, or the occasional headache – taking 50 milligrams of THC is like using a power washer on your breakfast dishes. With inexperienced consumers, a dose that high is likely to cause a lot more disruption, including potential side effects like drowsiness and paranoia, than the pain you wanted to escape in the first place.
  

• THC alone may lose efficacy over time. A number of clinical trials, including one in the ominously titled “Journal of Pain,” have suggested that isolated THC becomes less effective at relieving discomfort when used frequently over a long period. This is likely because our bodies can develop a tolerance to THC, meaning that daily or near daily users often require more and more of it to feel the same effects over time – although, fortunately, a 30 day “tolerance break” is usually enough to reset the system.

Bottom line: Many chronic pain sufferers turn to isolated THC for relief. But frequent, ultra-potent doses of an intoxicating substance are not a viable solution for everyone – especially new consumers and those looking to soothe only mild-to-moderate discomfort.

The good news is, THC alone is not your only option for plant-powered relief. Which brings us to our next topic…

CBD, CBG & CBC: How Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoids May Impact Pain

Non-intoxicating, federally legal, and easy to access almost anywhere in the U.S., hemp-derived CBD is a popular choice for plant-powered pain relief – and with good reason. Numerous studies have identified CBD’s strong potential, both alone and in combination with THC, as a safer long-term alternative to addictive drugs like opioids.

But CBD is only one of the hundreds of non-intoxicating compounds found in the hemp plant. Its less famous cousin, CBG (cannibigerol), seems to have even more of the anti-inflammatory properties that make CBD such a popular pain relief option.

According to at least two studies, CBG may support reduced inflammation by inhibiting the same enzymes that over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen do. It has also been observed to stop the body’s FAAH enzymes from breaking down a pain-relieving molecule called anandamide. And if you’re a believer in the “mind over matter” approach to pain relief, CBG may be an especially helpful ally: it interacts with your serotonin receptors in a way that may support elevated mood and stress relief, potentially changing the way you perceive your discomfort.

In addition to mood-boosting CBG, yet another rare cannabinoid has recently gained attention for its pain-relieving potential: CBC, or cannabichromene. The peer-reviewed research on CBC is still sparse, but at least one exciting study suggest that CBC has promising anti-inflammatory properties similar to CBG and CBD. The same study suggests that CBC may affect the body’s TRPV and TRPA channels, which impact the way you experience sensations of touch, temperature, and pain.

This trio of promising cannabinoids – CBD, CBG, and CBC – offers a great starting point for understanding hemp’s relationship to pain relief. But it’s worth noting that hemp plant contains countless more compounds whose pain-relief potential is still untapped, including hundreds of terpenes – the aromatic compounds that give all plants their unique taste, aroma, and effects.

A deep dive into every one of these molecules would require at least a few more blog posts, but it’s worth shouting out one terpene in particular: Beta-Caryophyllene. This pungent little compound, commonly found in black pepper, has been observed to reduce your body’s production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines sometimes released by an over-active immune system. In other words, Beta-Caryophyllene may support relief from autoimmune-related swelling.

Tips for Finding Plant-Powered Pain Relief

With so much still to uncover about hemp’s role in pain relief, it can be hard to know which products to trust. Wana’s fast-acting Quick Relief formulation – which contains a research-backed ratio of THC, CBG, CBC, and 1 milligram of beta-caryophyllene – is a great place to start.

But if you can’t get Quick Relief in your state, or prefer to look for another option, here are some quick tips for fitting hemp into your pain-relief toolkit.

• Don’t believe everything you hear. There is a lot we’re still learning about how hemp and “marijuana” affect pain. Be wary of brands or individuals who claim to have all the answers, who make claims without citing peer-reviewed research, or whose promises sound too good to be true.

• Be careful with too much THC. If you are not a regular consumer, or don’t already have a Medical Marijuana card, don’t dive into the deep end with a high-dose THC product. Instead, start with a low dose of 2.5 to 5 milligrams and wait at least an hour to see how you feel before consuming more. This “start low, go slow” method requires some patience, but it will help you avoid the unpleasant side effects of too much THC, like paranoia and drowsiness.

• The more cannabinoids, the merrier. Research suggests that THC’s pain-relieving potential is greatly enhanced by the synergistic benefits of CBD, CBG, CBC, beta-caryophyllene and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Keep your eyes peeled for the molecules we’ve discussed here to find a more well-rounded approach to your aches and pains.

• Talk to your doctor! Chronic pain is a serious medical issue that should be discussed with a professional. Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor how hemp-derived THC, CBD, or other plant compounds might fit into your broader treatment plan, especially if you are taking other medications to help you manage pain.

The bottom line: there’s still a lot to learn about hemp’s pain-relieving potential, but existing research suggests that a calibrated blend of compounds like CBD, CBC, and CBG may be more effective in alleviating discomfort than high doses of THC alone. And whatever new breakthroughs the future of hemp innovation holds, the Wanderous team will standing by to share them with you.