I prefer treating muscle and joint pain with cannabis rather than traditional prescription medications.
I’ve found that a combination of cannabis compounds, such as cannabinoids and terpenes, provide effective results.
Initially, when I shopped at the dispensary in Albuquerque, I strictly looked at the THC and CBD percentages. However, I’ve since realized that the terpenes also have a big impact on the curative properties. Terpenes are found in a wide variety of flowers, fruits and herbs. They are the reason for the unique smell of a lemon as well as a pine forest. Plants produce these aromatic chemicals to help draw in pollinators and repel animals that might otherwise eat them. Cannabis is wonderfully rich in terpene content and offers proven health benefits. Terpenes help to reduce inflammation, which also works to reduce pain. The immune system in the body triggers inflammation to protect tissues and assist in healing at the site of an injury. However this also adds pressure to surrounding nerves, causing pain. Just like cannabinoids, terpenes have the ability to suppress an aggressive immune response and lessen inflammation and pain. When cannabinoids and terpenes work together, they create what’s called the entourage effect. This means that they are more powerful in combination than alone. The cannabis plant contains over two hundred different types of terpenes, including multiple varieties that fight pain. I browse the dispensaries in Albuquerque for cannabis products that are rich in beta-caryophyllene. It has a peppery, spicy aroma that is especially helpful for pain relief. Another advantageous terpene for anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties is limonene. It’s also good for treating anxiety and depression.