Cannabis Strains Ideal for Chronic Pain Management

When medical professionals examine patients with painful conditions, their assessments will include a description of the sensation, mechanism, and classification. Pain can be onset, acute, mild, severe, psychosomatic, recalcitrant, or chronic. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control estimate that 20% of Americans live with chronic pain; this classification refers to pain of a long duration and gradual progression. Chronic pain is often associated with other conditions that can range from cancer to autoimmune disease and from arthritic illness to neurological conditions that cannot be easily treated.

Effective management of chronic pain is what allows many patients to get through the day. Some patients will go through debilitating episodes while others will experience a dull feeling of discomfort throughout the day. The importance of chronic pain management cannot be ignored; it not only brings relief but also reduces the risk of health complications. Many patients find cannabis to be the most effective medication to manage chronic pain; this can be attributed to the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and psychoactive properties of hemp, a plant with a long history of medicinal use.

Ongoing research shows that CBD and THC hemp cannabinoids, which are chemical compounds that interact with the human endocannabinoid system, can go a long way in terms of helping patients who live with chronic pain. With all this in mind, here are some cannabis strains or cultivars that many chronic pain patients recommend:

Northern Lights

This was part of the initial batch of quality cannabis strains developed by growers in Seattle and Vancouver during the 1970s, and it is a staple of many dispensaries around the world. Northern Lights is a high-THC strain within the indica family; it causes soporific effects for many patients, which explains why it is often taken at nighttime or microdosed through the day.

Harlequin

This relatively new hybrid is the result of crossing three cultivars in the sativa family, and it is highly recommended to patients whose chronic pain is uncomfortably felt throughout the day. With a THC content of 7% and a CBD content of 10%, Harlequin is a good daytime option to manage constant pain; its higher CBD levels make it feel more relaxing without causing drowsiness. If your chronic pain is caused by inflammatory tissue degeneration, this strain can help you lower the stress reaction.

Pineapple Diesel

Here’s another new hybrid that combines indica and sativa effects while delivering a pleasant aromatic profile. Some Pineapple Diesel buds contain up to 27% THC; these are the kind that packs a punch, so they are often sought by patients who deal with fibromyalgia, neuralgia, psychosomatic pain episodes, and migraines. Many patients prefer to use this strain at night since it will assist someone to get a good nights rest.

White Widow

Similar to Northern Lights, this is an old-school strain that chronic pain patients have used for many decades. Although White Widow is a hybrid strain, the indica effects are strongly dominant. Some patients who live with post-traumatic stress disorder prefer White Widow because it quickly delivers euphoric relief that lasts a couple of hours.