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What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathy happens in your brain due to damage to the peripheral nervous system. One of the sensations associated with neuropathy is frequent burning or tingling pain within the affected areas.
Neuropathy can weaken the nerves so significantly that your body can’t cope with the pain. This neuropathic pain can be hard to deal with but even more difficult to ignore. While peripheral neuropathy can occur across the human body, most people are diagnosed with the fingers and feet first.
History of Peripheral Neuropathy
The peripheral nervous system is a network of nerves that connects the central nervous system in the brain and spine to the rest of the body. This system controls our sense of touch and blood pressure regulation, digestion, heart rate control, and even breathing.
In people with diabetes mellitus, neuropathy is more common. However, 8.8% of non-insulin-dependent diabetes patients are diagnosed with clinical neuropathy. If a patient stays in a diabetic condition for more than 20 years, their mortality rate is expected to rise.
An estimated six to 51 percent of adults with diabetes show signs of peripheral neuropathy. These results include patients of different ages, durations of diabetes, glucose control, and type 1/ type 2. Their neuropathic symptoms range from asymptomatic, mild, to severe pain.
Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy
It usually starts with pain, numbness, and tingling fingers. Depending on the severity of this illness, your hands or feet may be significantly affected. Some neuropathic pain symptoms can be severely painful, while others can be mild. Some come slowly over a long time, and some appear suddenly without warning. Peripheral neuropathy occurs primarily in the sensory, motor, and autonomous nerves.
Patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy pain often describe a burning sensation, stifling, and tingling symptoms. Sometimes, marijuana can improve symptoms in patients with treatable conditions; however, conditions often worsen over time. Peripheral neuropathy is usually diagnosed with long-term diabetes and can have other causes, including infection and injuries.
Can Marijuana Help Relieve Pain?
Medical marijuana is commonly found to possess significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help with chronic pain management fairly quickly. Cannabinoid receptors bind to the brain and peripheral nerve cells and help to regulate the way you see and feel the pain to reduce symptoms.
Medical cannabis, therefore, as opposed to other drugs, appears to be an excellent alternative to treat neuropathy patients and manage pain due to nerve damage.
Can Cannabis Strains for Anxiety and Depression Also Help with Neuropathy?
Can top cannabis strains for anxiety and depression also help with neuropathy? While these strains may provide relief for mental health conditions, their effectiveness in treating neuropathy is still a subject of research. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional to explore potential solutions specifically tailored to neuropathy symptoms.
Best Marijuana Strains for Neuropathy
When it comes to the best medical marijuana strains to cure neuropathic pain, you need something aimed at treating more severe pain and other symptoms related to neuropathy. Fortunately, many strains work extraordinarily to relieve muscle spasms, muscle swelling, and tension.
Here, we look at fifteen of the best strains for chronic pain relief.
Blue Dream
A Sativa-dominant hybrid strain from California, Blue Dream is extremely popular among those with their medical marijuana card. Its sweet blueberry taste combined with the earthy, lemony aroma makes the blue dream strain one of the ideal marijuana strains currently on the market.
It has a THC level of 17% with very low CBD, providing an incredibly cerebral high. This cannabis strain can produce a general feeling of relaxation while relieving the adverse effects of constant pain.
Charlotte’s Web
This therapeutic strain is CBD dominant, containing minimal THC.
It’s an excellent strain for those seeking all the medicinal benefits and pain relief of cannabis without the high. It’s known to be a neuroprotective strain for those prone to seizures. This medicinal cannabis strain is anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and significantly helps those who experience pain regularly.
White Widow
White Widow, a widespread strain among new cannabis users, is one of the most potent cannabis strains with surprisingly high THC levels of 25 percent. Unlike the usual Indica strain, this medical marijuana for neuropathy is non-drowsy making it great for daytime pain relief.
It’s an ideal choice for medical cannabis users doing chores or activities around the house, while still managing to reduce neuropathic pain symptoms.
Super Silver Haze
This hybrid cannabis strain is 70% Sativa-dominant curated as a combination of Northern Lights, Haze, and Skunk No. 1. It’s the best strain for neuropathy due to the light and euphoric high. It promotes creativity and a sense of well-being. There is anecdotal evidence that this particular marijuana strain can relieve symptoms of depression and migraine-related pain.
It is an excellent choice for daytime smokers to help relieve nerve pain while motivating them to get moving. Due to being Sativa heavy, take it easy at first as this citrus strain can cause mild paranoia.
ACDC
This medical marijuana strain is a relaxing, CBD-heavy hybrid plant. It has a unique flavor profile that’s both earthy and sweet. It offers a feeling of happiness and relaxation while relieving some peripheral neuropathic problems and chronic pain.
There’s a subtle high associated, but you should remain clear-headed, just without as much pain in the muscle tissue from nerve damage.
Afghan Kush
Afghan Kush is a landrace strain, which means it’s a natural strain grown on Earth before humans got involved in the cultivation process. It’s equal parts THC and CBD, providing a peaceful yet long-lasting high.
This medical cannabis is known for significantly improving muscle spasms and pain associated with the peripheral nerves. It’s well-known medical marijuana for neuropathic pain due to its stress-relieving qualities and smooth flavor profile.
Grandaddy Purp
With a high THC percentage and heavy, cerebral high, Grandaddy Purp is among the most often used Indica strains. It’s an excellent strain for using at night due to its relaxing and comforting effects. When taking marijuana edibles of this purp around bedtime, you’ll be sure to feel some relief from neuropathic pain.
If your chronic pain keeps you awake at night, we recommend giving this medical marijuana strain a try.
Harlequin
Harlequin is a CBD-heavy cannabis strain with enough THC to offer pain relief and a subtle, clear-headed high. It provides a calm, numbing effect to the body while ensuring the mind is clear and focused. This chronic pain-relieving marijuana strain is typical for newer medical marijuana cardholders.
With a fruity and earthy flavor profile and a productive high, it’s ideal for any time of day.
Cherry Cream Pie
CCP is an exciting blend of Cherry Pie and Cookies n’ Cream. As a mid-level THC medical marijuana, this strain is therapeutic for peripheral neuropathy symptoms like chronic pain. It helps relieve tremors, arthritis, and nerve pain due to inflammation.
Cherry Cream Pie boasts a robust and earthy aroma with a fruity and tart flavor profile that’s sure to leave you feeling blissful and calm.
Cannatonic
This hybrid marijuana strain has 17 percent CBD and only 6 percent THC, making it ideal for those looking for medicinal benefits without the intense high. Although it can give you dry eyes and mouth, it’s one of the better strains for vegging out on the couch.
It’s beneficial for patients with IBS, migraines, and those needing pain alternatives for neuropathic symptoms.
Jack Herer
Jack Herer is a 50/50 hybrid cannabis strain with fruity and citrus flavors known for boosting energy levels while offering neuropathic pain management. It has a 21 percent THC level and zero CBD. It’s known to be a social strain, perfect for the morning time.
Jack Herer is easy to grow, highly functioning, and the ideal marijuana strain to help you enjoy life again.
Head Band
This Indica-dominant hybrid medical marijuana strain is a mix of OG Kush and Sour Diesel. It’s a top choice for peripheral neuropathy patients due to the combination of its euphoric head high and relieving body high. Also a smart choice for those with diabetes, this strain is known for helping to regulate and lower blood sugar.
It’s a great strain to smoke at night because it provides significant relief for nerve pain while sleeping.
Green Crack
Green Crack is a mainstream Sativa strain that can produce an intense head high. However, it’s not a strain to promote laziness, quite the opposite. It’s known to offer a boost of energy that could even replace your morning coffee.
It’s a great strain to try before taking care of things around the house due to its long-lasting chronic pain relief.
Purple Kush
Purple Kush is unique because there are four different derivatives; three are Sativa, and one is Indica. This marijuana strain has a THC content of 17 percent and is perfect for nighttime when you’re trying to let loose and relax after a long day.
It can relieve tension from dealing with peripheral neuropathy nerve pain. It can also help to reduce anxiety and promote a healthy appetite. Purple Kush produces a lot of resin, so it’s the ideal strain for making hash.
Acapulco Gold
This top contender of Sativa strains is balanced with long-lasting relief, originating in Mexico. CBD-rich strains such as Acapulco Gold provide effective treatment for many patients with chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral nerve damage, muscle weakness, and more.
It gives intense yet clear-headed euphoric feelings making it the ideal medical marijuana for neuropathy.
Final Thoughts
Discovering a way to cope with neuropathy symptoms can be a difficult task. It’s not easy finding conventional medications that are effective or that our bodies respond to correctly. Many prescription drugs come with their own set of side effects, so marijuana can be a life-changing alternative for some neuropathy patients.
Remember, marijuana doesn’t cure neuropathy but instead helps manage nerve pain. Be sure to discuss medical cannabis use with your physician and follow their advice according to your neuropathy treatment plan. We recommend visiting the local dispensary for those who have cleared it with your doctor; you may find just the relief you need.
