Painkillers were perceived as wonder drugs when they were introduced in the market in the 1990s. They were the answer for pain management that could relieve moderate to severe pain. Opioids (narcotics) were designed to treat persistent or severe pain. Opioids drugs interact with the opioid receptors such as the brain and spinal cord that reduce pain signals to the brain, thus relieving pain.

But painkillers and narcotics turned to be addictive, taking in impulsively at the slight twinge of pain. Sadly, this resulted in the death of thousands of people. In 2017 alone, about 72,000 died of an overdose. It could also lead to damage to organs, especially kidneys.

Is Cannabis Better?

Cannabis, on the other hand, has its pain-reducing effects and none of the overdose that we fear from the painkillers.  Opioids can help relieve pain, but they can cause several side effects such as—trouble sleeping, nausea, breathing problems, itching, and constipation. And painkillers can be addictive.

Cannabis doesn’t have those dreaded risks. Marijuana is a safe treatment for pain management, and more patients are getting it from different hospitals. Based on a study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs with 1000 patients who were using marijuana, researchers found that 65% of them were using it for pain relief and confirmed the beneficial effect of marijuana. This led to 88% of the participants who stopped taking opioids, and 82% of them could reduce pain using marijuana. In short, marijuana has an advantage over painkillers because:

* it has better pain management

* fewer side effects

* no overdosage

* lack withdrawal symptoms

* lower cost

With the legalization of marijuana usage, the online dispensary has also become available. One study conducted by Florida International University surveyed around 120,000 individuals to determine their preference for opioids for pain relief or choose marijuana. They found out that the respondents relied on Cannabis to reduce their dependence on opioids for pain relief. Thus they prefer Cannabis over painkillers. 

Stores selling marijuana have become popular, but sometimes you hesitate to enter, maybe because of privacy, but don’t worry. If you want to do it privately, you can mail order marijuana. Purchasing Cannabis online has become an advantage over the years as you can choose your preferred Cannabis and swiftly deliver it to your homes. But when it comes to starting marijuana treatment for pain management, selecting the right strain is essential. Some of the best pain relief pieces are—OG Kush, Skywalker OG, ACDC, Headband, Bubba Kush, Uncle Andy, Gorilla Glue.

Meanwhile, Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy report stated that marijuana is effective in chronic pain management and can replace addictive painkillers. Thus, around $165.2 million per year in medical costs was saved.

In conclusion, chronic pain is a common condition. Painkillers and medical marijuana are widely used for pain management. But painkillers can cause several unpleasant side-effects such as constipation, nausea, itching, and others. While marijuana, on the other hand, is a safe treatment, and it doesn’t cause side-effects with no worries about overdosage. Thus, marijuana is preferred among patients suffering from pain, and the number of users has significantly increased over the past decades.