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Recently, studies have been focusing on the effects of marijuana on many health conditions. Science already proves it is highly capable of treating severe pain, chronic pain, all types of pain. Anecdotes support this. In fact, it is a primary reason many people search “weed dispensary Washington DC” online. The painkilling effect of herb is widespread knowledge. Many are ditching prescriptions for it.

However, the pain associated with osteoarthritis is beyond severe. Will cannabis help cases as bad as this? For some, it helps significantly. For others, a little less so. Everybody should try it since cannabinoids have very high medical value. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the famous one. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is another. There are hundreds, many of them powerfully analgesic.

What Are Cannabinoids?

All cannabinoids are valuable medicinally. Scientists are discovering this every day. Cannabinoids, like natural endocannabinoids, interact with the body in healing ways. They work much the same way as endocannabinoids do, being compatible with these receptors. The endocannabinoid system is what powers most bodily functions. Think memory, immune health, appetite. Think pain. Perception of it.

Cannabinoids affect everybody differently. Your response will not be the same as another. How you consume cannabis matters too. For example, smoking weed feels different to eating it. Whatever you do, the faster cannabinoids enter your blood, the sooner they can get to work. For this reason, smoking works quickly, which is useful in cases of extreme pain. Lungs to blood. No digestion first.

Pros of Cannabis Treatment

Cannabinoids target osteoarthritis in a few different ways. This multi-pronged approach is exactly why it works so well. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cannabis relieves joint inflammation by changing how you perceive it. Pain perception is important. Cannabinoids also ease muscle spasms, improve immune response, and even treat the aftermath of taking prescriptions.

For the osteoarthritic, and others with severe pain, cannabis offers a multimodal strategy for better managing it. Some doctors even recommend weed to wean patients off painkillers, or to lower their dosages, or simply to slow dependence. Even so, many patients with the worst types of pain are afraid to stop their prescriptions. They can, though. If they want. There are some real advantages.

Cannabis is Natural

Marijuana flowers are unprocessed. They are raw, full of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other wonderful compounds. There is no interference with what nature intended. Drugs, most notably analgesics, are not. They are harmful. Dangerous. Addictive. Often deadly. Cannabis is completely safe, the next reason “cannabis dispensary Washington” is so popular in search.

It Does No Harm

Because of its natural state, cannabis does not harm you in any way. The short-term effects that you feel are just that, very temporary. Unlike prescription opioids and other painkillers, cannabis never killed nobody. Not accidentally. Not intentionally. Not otherwise. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts into perspective, nearly 80 people die every day from opioids. Never weed.

No Risk of Addiction

It is tragic how many people opioids kill. It is a true epidemic. These drugs, so readily prescribed, so easily available, are highly addictive. They work well, for a little while. Slowly, they work less and less, until they no longer work at all. By then, osteoarthritic and all, patients find themselves completely addicted, too fearful to even try quitting. Not weed. In fact, it helps you overcome these addictions.

Much Nicer Side Effects

It is no secret that cannabis has better side effects than conventional painkillers do. The buzz is happier. More carefree. More natural. While too much THC could cause dry mouth, dizziness, fast heart rate, and in the worst cases, maybe some paranoia, as WebMD explains, it is fleeting and passes quickly. Painkillers, however, cause heart attacks. Seizures. Strokes. Impotence. Death.

Reduce Reliance on Painkillers

Many people are ditching their prescription opioids in favor of using cannabis for pain management. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, it helps too. One study said this of participants: “97 percent of the sample strongly agreed or agreed that they are able to decrease the number of opioids they consume when they use cannabis.” You need less and less. Until finally, you need none.

Cons of Cannabis Treatment

While there are more reasons to use cannabis than not to, there are some setbacks to consider. Before Googling “marijuana dispensary DC” too hard, do some homework first. Talk to your doctor. Adjust your medications accordingly. Your dosages. Talk to others in your situation. Get their perspectives. Weed is not for everyone, even if many think it should be. And this is why:

Marijuana Is Not Always Enough

Cannabis affects everybody differently, especially therapeutically. However, while everybody finds pain relief from using it, those with the very worst pain, like an osteoarthritic, might not find it enough. They may still need relief elsewhere, likely from painkillers. As the U.S. National Library of Medicine cautions, many studies prove cannabis works temporarily. For some, just not good enough.

Persistent, Unrelenting Stigma

Despite legalization, cannabis still has a negative stigma attached to it. Heavy, hard-hitting propaganda forced onto everybody over the last century taught many untruths. Slowly, this stigma is lifting as more and more people try it. Even so, there are still a few lingering around who feel decidedly uncomfortable about using “drugs” as medicine, even with glaring Big Pharma about.

Insurance Will Not Pay

Insurance companies do not want to include cannabis in their medical coverage. Since weed is still illegal federally, it could cause trouble for these companies. The risk is too high. What is more, doctors cannot “prescribe” weed. Only recommend it. Until all this changes, insurance will never pay. Even so, people are searching “weed dispensary DC” and using it anyway. Paying for it themselves.

Best Weed Dispensary in Washington D.C.

For osteoarthritic patients, cannabis can be a game changer. A life saver. However, you need quality. Medical grade. You will never find this at a cheap weed dispensary, but you can find very affordable deals at premium marijuana stores. The only way to know if it will work for you is to try several good strains yourself. We also have strains that tranquilize. When all else fails, that always works.