Neuropathy is a medical condition associated with diseases of the nerve, most especially in the peripheral nervous system, and is usually characterized by pains, irritations, muscular spasms, cramps, undue hypersensitivity, etc.
Where standard treatments for neuropathy seem to be less effective, medical marijuana has been discovered to drastically alleviate neuropathic pain.
Moreover, where the administration of medical cannabis to patients for medical purposes is concerned, this has been a legal right since 2016, under the New York Constitution. This has therefore permitted the availability of medical marijuana cards in New York for neuropathy.
Now it’s one thing to be allowed to consume medical marijuana under legal terms; it’s, however, another thing to understand how to manage neuropathy through the consumption of this drug.
Yes, it is legal for the treatment of neuropathy; nevertheless, it can be abused. As you read on, you’ll get to know certain facts about neuropathy and medical marijuana and how to properly manage them.
How to Manage Neuropathy with Medical Marijuana
There is a unique chemical component contained in cannabis called cannabinoids. Now, there are about 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.
However, a key component of the cannabis plant is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a major psychoactive material derived from cannabinoids through hydrogenation.
When it comes to the human body, there is something known as the endocannabinoid system (ECS), located in your nervous system. This is a biological system that consists of endocannabinoids.
And endocannabinoids are substances that your body produces that activate what is known as cannabinoid receptors.
Now, what the cannabinoid receptors do is that they are responsible for different physiological and pathophysiological functions in your body, such as regulating your mood, your appetite, and even your response to pain or pain sensations.
This is where TCH comes in. The TCH contained in medical marijuana affects neuropathy when it comes into contact with your endocannabinoid system. It does this by stopping your central and peripheral nervous systems from responding to things that keep happening.
Recent research recorded in a journal from the American Pain Society, focusing on the intake of medical marijuana, has proven that the substance, when taken in its right amount, reduces pain, improves sleep, and enhances mood, only with slight side effects.
Although proven to be highly effective, nonetheless, the use of cannabis is known to evoke some discomfort as an effect, such as dizziness, headaches, and irritation of the throat.
Now, if you take in a higher dose of the substance, either by smoking it or eating it directly, you will probably have problems with your memory and coordination.
Also, people who use medical marijuana regularly say that it makes them feel pain more.
This is why medical marijuana administration should be under the prescription and close supervision of a health care provider.
What Are the Causes of Neuropathy?
- Autoimmune diseases. For instance, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
- Diabetes
- Hereditary disorders. E.g Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Tumours and Growth, whether cancerous or not cancerous can grow on the nerves and lead to Neuropathy.
- Liver diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Alcoholism
- Leprosy or Hansen’s disease
- Deficiency of vitamins such as Vitamin E and Vitamin B
- Exposure to toxic substances; such as chemicals from industries
- Nerve injuries e.g. from motor accidents and injuries from sports.
- Surgical injuries and trauma
- Circulation-based issues like the prevention of blood flow
- Bone marrow disorders.
Types of Neuropathy
Neuropathy comes in different types based on the affected nerves. The most common type is peripheral neuropathy.
When only one nerve is affected, it is called “mononeuropathy.” When multiple nerves are affected, it is called “polyneuropathy.
Peripheral Neuropathy:
Peripheral neuropathy, as the name implies, affects the peripheral nervous system, thereby inhibiting the proper functioning of body parts such as fingers, hands, arms, feet, legs, etc. It can be caused by infections and metabolic issues, but a major cause is diabetes.
A person experiencing peripheral neuropathy can have burning, stabbing, or tingling sensations.
Peripheral neuropathy has other variations, such as:
- Autonomic Neuropathy
- Sensory Neuropathy
- Motor Neuropathy
Autonomic Neuropathy
This affects the autonomic nervous system, i.e., the part of the nervous system that regulates the involuntary activity of the heart, glands, and intestines. Damage to these nerves makes it hard for the body to do things like breathe, digest, sweat, use energy, change metabolism, and control blood pressure.
Sensory Neuropathy
This affects the sensory part of the nerves, which is responsible for regulating sensitivity, physical feeling, and touch. The patients experiencing this type of peripheral neuropathy often complain of needle-like pains, burning and tingling sensations in hands and feet, numbness, weakness, a reduction in touch sensations, hypersensitivity to pain, or oversensitivity to touch.
Motor Neuropathy
Anything “motor” is concerned with movement. So, this type of peripheral neuropathy hurts the parts of the nerves that make it possible for muscles to move. This makes it affects actions such as walking, moving parts of the body, or attempting to hold something with the hands or fingers.
Proximal Neuropathy:
Proximal neuropathy is another common type of neuropathy. It is otherwise called diabetic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It attacks nerves in your body and causes pain there at times.
It also affects muscles in specific parts of your body, such as your hips, thighs, calves, and buttocks. Diabetic patients, especially the elderly, are more susceptible to this type of neuropathy.
Cranial Neuropathy
Cranial neuropathy is a condition that causes damage to the 12 nerves connected to your cranium. These nerves called the cranial nerves, connect your brain with your brainstem.
They are responsible for controlling the movement of your eyes, your sight in general, and other senses such as tasting and hearing.
If a person has this condition, they will probably have trouble moving their eyes, have pain in their eyes, and eventually lose control of their eye muscles.
Focal Neuropathy
Focal neuropathy is also called mononeuropathy. This is because neuropathy focuses on affecting just one nerve, which is many times that of the foot, wrist, or thigh.
However, it sometimes extends to the chest and back.
Medical Conditions Associated with Neuropathy
Neuralgia
This is a chronic pain radiating through a particular nerve, intermittently.
Dysesthesia
This is when soft contact with the skin provokes strange sensations like pain, biting, prickling or burning sensations as well as numbness of that body part.
Hyperalgesia
This is an increase in sensitivity to pain, as a result of damage to the nociceptors in the soft tissues of the body
Paresthesia
A condition characterized by the prickling, itching, tingling, or burning of the skin without any cause.
Vertigo
This is a condition where one feels this swooning or spinning effect and dizziness which results in them losing balance. It many times affects the ear, which is an organ that contributes significantly to balance.
Neuritis
This is when one or more nerves are inflamed.
Hyperesthesia
This is a pathological or unusual sensitivity of the skin or of a particular sense.
Hypoalgesia
Deduction in response to pain
Conclusion
In sum, medical marijuana might seem like a lifesaver to many going through several cases of neuropathy, yet excessive use of the substance can lead to worse long-term cases, such as severe mental illness.
This is why it is not a good idea to give it to people who have had mental problems in the past. Therefore, it is advisable that, before usage, you get a prescription from a medical care provider.
