Phantom limb pain can be treated with cannabis

760 0

Cannabis helps to restore balance in the body’s endocannabinoid system

Phantom limb syndrome is real and doctors have known about it for centuries. The loss of a limb may be physical, but the mind still believes that the limb is there and a paradox ensues that can lead to so-called phantom pain that is anything but imaginary. Many physicians have studied phantom pain and have come to the conclusion that treating it is nearly impossible. However, this may not be the case, as new evidence supports the use of cannabis in providing relief.

When a body experiences pain, the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is disrupted. CB1 and CB2 receptors located throughout the body start to act strangely, stimulating corporal imbalance. As a result, pain receptors are triggered that are not easily shut off. Cannabis, though, has already been proven to help restore balance to the ECS, and could be used as a valid treatment for phantom pain.

This concept was confirmed 12 years ago when researchers studied medical cannabis and phantom pain. At that time, phantom pain patients participated in a five-day study and reported that their pain levels dropped by 30% over the period. Cannabis also has the added benefit of being resistant to addiction, making it a safer alternative to prescription drugs such as opioids.

As with any chronic pain condition, phantom pain sufferers often deal with anxiety and depression. These are two other health issues that have been proven to be mitigated by cannabis consumption. Itchy skin around the area of the missing limb has also been reported and cannabis has been shown to help reduce that irritation.

There are many ways to consume cannabis for phantom pain and each case should be dealt with independently. Qualified budtenders will have an idea of how an individual should proceed, but a discussion with a physician will provide better insight.