Medical Marijuana for Neuropathy
Neuropathy is a condition affecting the nerves typically characterized by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the hands, feet, and arms. It is estimated that around 16 million people suffer from chronic neuropathic pain in the United States. Some neuropathy patients have started to find relief for their symptoms using cannabis.
What is Neuropathy?
Neuropathies can result from diabetes, damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, cancer, certain medications, or several other causes. Depending on the cause, patients could experience either mononeuropathy, which is when only one nerve is damaged, or polyneuropathy, which is when multiple nerves are involved.
A few common symptoms of neuropathy include the following:
- Numbness and tingling in the limbs that can be gradual and escalating
- Sharp pain
- Coordination problems
- Muscle weakness
- Drops in blood pressure
- Paralysis
In some cases, these neuropathies can also affect other bodily processes such as digestion, bladder function, and blood flow. In recent years, medical marijuana has started to become more common for the treatment of neuropathy.
How Can Medical Marijuana Improve Neuropathy Symptoms?
The natural compounds in cannabis, known as cannabinoids (THC and CBD), interact with the innate receptors that cover the brain and the peripheral nervous system. This natural interaction allows the neurotransmitters to function with more stability, therefore helping immensely with prevalent neuropathy symptoms such as tingling and numbness. Aside from its benefits in regulating nerve signals, medical marijuana can also provide pain relief for a number of other symptoms linked to neuropathy. Another benefit of cannabis is its high antioxidant content, which is helpful in reducing oxidative stress that is known to aggravate the condition by damaging nerve endings.
Check If You Qualify
Many patients can benefit from cannabis since neuropathy is one of the qualifying conditions in certain states. Consult a doctor to discuss the best treatment options, including medical marijuana, for neuropathy. Ozark MMJ Cards can help you through the card certification process today!