A Guide to Cannabis for Pain Relief

Walking up and down the stairs at my home, I can feel when my knees are struggling with the incline, when the pain starts.  Do you have pain? Have you thought about cannabis for pain relief? 

It wasn’t something I would have thought about a few years ago, but now I am so thankful for the options available for pain relief. 

Cannabis is an increasingly popular alternative to prescription medications as more US states continue to legalize medical and recreational cannabis, offering more access to all, including pain sufferers.  

Whether you’re battling back pain or the occasional “why-did-I-sleep-like-that” neck twinge, this guide will help you pick the right kind of cannabis. 

One of my teammates here at Indacloud, Max, recently shared that he had five concussions in the past, which have caused him to suffer from severe headaches and migraines all the time. 

“It has been exhausting trying to get through daily activities while combating these headaches. In the past, I would just take Tylenol or Advil, but they would barely do anything.” 

This is an all too common experience that so many people have with pain. Finding what works is an individual journey through trial and error. 

Max said that the only real relief he found was with reefer! “Whether it be a joint, THC pills, or edibles, it is truly the only thing that completely gets rid of my horrible headaches.”  

Another Indacloud teammate, Tom, said he broke five bones in one foot during an injury that required extensive surgery. To avoid using heavy prescription drugs, he relied on cannabis. 

“I relied on cannabis for 90 percent of my pain management. Our beast mode devices and soda shop gummies were all huge saviors.” Tom said. 

My boss, Richie, said that he has chronic pain and he’s been using cannabis to help manage it. “For me, using cannabis has returned a large portion of my mobility from a lower back injury. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to do half of the stuff I currently can,” Richie said.  But not all pain is the same. Let’s talk about different kinds of pain. 

Different pain, different strain? 

Not all pain is created equal. Some pain comes from injury, some from nerve damage, and some just shows up. Nociceptive pain is the “ouch” pain, sprains, strains, and anything that happens when you lift something you probably shouldn’t have. It stems from tissue damage and feels sharp, aching, or throbbing. 

• THC, which offers pain relief and relaxation, but yes, it’s the one that gets you high.
• CBD, which offers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects without the high.

These cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system, a fancy biological network that helps regulate mood, appetite, and pain perception. 

Let’s simplify the basics of cannabis strains: Indica = “In-da-couch” Known for its body-relaxing effects.

It’s like a weighted blanket for your nervous system. Best used at night. Recently, I tried the Moon Berry Beast Mode Gummies to help with the pain that I experienced with daily activities. These have helped me move more with less pain. I take 1/8 of the Beast Mode Gummy at nighttime to help elevate the pain and help me sleep.  Sativa = “Sunshine and social” Uplifting and energizing. 

Think of Sativa as your brunch buddy lively, chatty, but possibly too much if you’re already anxious. I enjoy Hybrids the most because they are the best of both worlds. There are thousands of options with varying THC/CBD ratios, so you can customize your pain relief experience.

Some researchers have even developed cannabis-based compounds that deliver pain relief without any psychoactive effects at all. While more studies are needed, the compound shows promise as a nonaddictive pain reliever that could help the estimated 50 million people in the U.S. who suffer from chronic pain.  

 “The custom-designed compound we created attaches to pain-reducing receptors in the body, but by design, it can’t reach the brain. This means the compound avoids psychoactive side effects such as mood changes and isn’t addictive because it doesn’t act on the brain’s reward center,” said Susruta Majumdar, PhD, a professor of anesthesiology at WashU. 

When shopping at a smoke shop, dispensary, or online, look for the descriptions of each product to see if they will help you with the pain you are experiencing. It is a lot of trial an error to see what works, but when you find the “sweet spot” you’ll be glad you put in the time.

If you are curious about cannabis and want to try it for pain relief, you can reach out to us online through our chat on Indacloud.co or talk to your local budtender for suggested strains for your pain. 

CBD for Aches and Pain

Concerned about the psychoactive effects of THC? Good news, CBD is like pain relief without the party. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over 400 chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant.  CBD products can reduce inflammation and soothe discomfort without leaving you feeling “off.”  Some options include:

• CBD oils and tinctures (fast-acting, under the tongue)
• Topicals (great for localized joint and muscle pain)
• Edibles and capsules (longer-lasting, slow onset)
• CBD patches (steady relief throughout the day)

From chronic pain warriors to folks dealing with occasional flare-ups, more and more people are finding that cannabis offers real, sustainable relief, without the harsh toll on the body.

Cannabis may be natural, but it’s still a medicine. Before starting any cannabis-based treatment, consult a medical professional, especially if you have existing health conditions or take other medications.

If you found this guide helpful, share it with a friend who’s tired of waking up sore or just wants to explore greener solutions. 

Please email questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected].