Marijuana has been proven to offer several health benefits, including relieved anxiety, a sense of calmness, and even less seizures in some people. Many want to explore the benefits of cannabis, especially the pain-relieving ones, but do not want to experience the “high” feeling.
There is actually a way to achieve this! By using a strain of cannabis that contains high levels of CBD and low levels of THC, you can get the health benefits of marijuana without getting high.
Read on to learn how to get marijuana pain relief without the high.
What are CBD and THC?
CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the main components of the cannabis plant. Cannabis plants with higher levels of CBD contain lower levels of THC and vice versa. The plants that contain more CBD than THC are commonly called “hemp”.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is used to treat several health issues, among them:
- Epilepsy
- Seizures
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Chronic pain
- And more!
How is this possible? Because CBD is not a psychoactive component.
CBD comes in various forms such as lotions, soft gels, capsules, gummies, and oil. Most of the products in the CBD market come from hemp, which is typically less than 0.04% THC.
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive component of marijuana. THC is not derived from hemp; instead, it is extracted from marijuana plants that are mostly THC and contain very little CBD. As a psychoactive, THC affects mental processes and perception. Using THC as a health supplement is not as widespread as using CBD.
All strains of cannabis contain some levels of both THC and CBD. THC is not typically extracted from the plant for medicinal purposes like CBD. Cannabidiol is extracted from hemp for therapeutic uses, while tetrahydrocannabinol is left in the plant and smoked in its most natural form for its psychoactive properties.
The Difference Between Medical and Recreational Marijuana
It might be obvious, but medical cannabis is not used for “getting high.” The main medical marijuana purposes are for pain relief and health benefits. Medical marijuana contains a higher level of CBD and a lower level of THC and comes from cannabis just as recreational marijuana does.
There is no real difference between the original plant other than the fact that medical marijuana’s original plant is hemp (<0.04% THC), while the recreational cannabis plant contains more than that level of THC.
Another difference between medical and recreational cannabis is that you must get a recommendation for the medical form. Recreational marijuana can be purchased by anyone, but you must have a qualifying condition to purchase medical marijuana. This is a good way to purchase marijuana for pain relief without getting high.
However, if it’s legal in your state and you are over the age of 21, you can go to any recreational dispensary to purchase marijuana with a THC content higher than 0.04% without a medical card.
CBD in Medical Marijuana
CBD is one of two main components in marijuana that is used for medical purposes. THC gives you a high and CBD doesn’t; This is the main reason why it’s not used in medical marijuana. Rather than feeling like you’re “on” something, CBD allows people to receive marijuana pain relief without high effects. The CBD in medical cannabis also gives people far fewer side effects than THC.
CBD isn’t just non-psychoactive; it can be anti-psychoactive as well. When used in combination with THC, it reduces the psychoactive effects of the THC. This suggests that, if used on its own, it may reduce the mind-bending symptoms of some mental illnesses such as schizophrenia. This subject needs more research, but recent studies are promising.
Marijuana pain relief without getting high is possible by using CBD. Those with conditions that can cause nerve pain, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, and diabetes can benefit from using CBD-concentrated marijuana for pain relief without getting high. It can also help in treating multiple sclerosis, proving there is marijuana pain relief without a high.
If you are interested in getting medical marijuana for pain relief without getting high, you’re not alone. There are plenty of people who have turned to the alternative medicine route for pain relief. Ibuprofen and other OTC medications can only go so far. However, marijuana for pain relief without getting high is becoming a more popular and less stigmatized option.
How to Get Marijuana for Pain Relief Without Getting High
The process of getting marijuana pain relief without a high is simple. You’ll need a recommendation from a doctor, but after that, you can take these steps:
- Visit a medical cannabis dispensary. There will usually be a security guard and heavy, locked doors. Do not think that this is off-putting: Licensed dispensaries are often big targets for thieves, so security is extra important.
- Produce your handwritten recommendation to the store attendant. They will enter your information into their database. You will also need to prove that you are over the age of 21.
- Wait for your order. Wait in a waiting room or browse the other products in the store until they call your name.
- Make your selection. Once they call your name, you will browse the marijuana options. The store attendants are often very knowledgeable about different strains and options, so make sure to ask questions. If you want marijuana pain relief without a high, make sure to specify that you want CBD-concentrated marijuana.
- Walk out with your purchase. Once you’ve decided on your choice, they will complete the transaction, and you’ll be on your way!
Note: You should always keep a copy of your doctor’s recommendation with you for legal purposes.
Conclusion
If you were curious about marijuana for pain relief without getting high, we hope this has shed some light on the subject for you. Managing chronic pain can be difficult, but with the use of marijuana, you can manage your pain without getting high.