Smoking A Bowl of High-THC Flower Might Be Best For Combatting Pain

 In states where marijuana is legal, the average cannabis user has the convenience of visiting a local dispensary for a variety of pot products, including edibles, pills, topicals, concentrates, and even beverages. These processed forms of the cannabis plant are designed for those who prefer not to smoke in order to achieve the desired effects. However, a recent study suggests that when it comes to managing chronic pain, smoking the traditional flower is still the most effective method. Researchers at the University of New Mexico found that using whole cannabis flower provided greater pain relief compared to other forms of the herb. The study, published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, also revealed that higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) were the strongest predictors of pain relief and side effects. This is surprising, as CBD, the non-intoxicating compound of the cannabis plant, has been praised for its pain-relieving properties. Even the weaker hemp-derived version of CBD is being marketed as a solution for pain management. However, the study suggests that the presence of THC, which produces the psychoactive effects of marijuana, is necessary for effective pain relief. The researchers state that cannabis flower with moderate to high levels of THC is an effective analgesic. But it’s not just the presence of THC that makes smoking marijuana the best approach to pain management. Our society has become fixated on separating the components of cannabis into good and bad, with CBD being hailed as a miracle cure. However, this mindset ignores the other 100+ cannabinoids, as well as essential terpenes and flavonoids, that work together to provide the therapeutic effects of the plant. Scientific research has shown that the entourage effect of whole-plant cannabis is what truly provides the therapeutic benefits. So, for those who are prohibited from using CBD products, there is no need to worry – you’re not missing out on much. And for children with epilepsy, who were previously thought to only benefit from CBD, the study suggests that the whole cannabis plant may be more effective in treating their condition. It’s time to move away from the idea of isolating individual components of cannabis and embrace the power of the whole plant.