Millions of people suffer from joint pain and subsequent inflammation, either resulting from injury or a condition like arthritis. Cannabis offers relief by reducing inflammation in the joints and dampening down the signal of pain traveling to the brain.

The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), responsible for helping the body regulate itself, contains CB2 receptors which, when activated, have been shown to significantly reduce inflammation. Joint tissue has been discovered to contain the highest amount of CB2 receptors of any type of tissue in the ECS.

Relief is most effective when the cannabis is applied topically, directly on the joint. Topical application is most successful in reducing and even stopping localized pain. Another beneficial factor to using cannabis topically is that it is non-psychoactive, so it can be applied any time throughout the day as needed without feeling the intoxicating “high” that some do not desire.

In addition to topical application, cannabis contains two chemical compounds that work to fight joint pain in slightly different ways when ingested: CBD and THCa. CBD works on the actual pain receptor, regulating and dampening the firing of pain signals, while the THCa works to reduce the inflammation. Both compounds are also non-psychoactive and can be found in high amounts in raw cannabis, either juiced from the leaves or crushed up bud filling capsules. When utilizing the cannabis plant topically and internally, the two become nature’s powerhouse for relieving joint pain and its ensuing inflammation from which many of us suffer.

Lindsay Howard is a Cannabis Consultant/Coach at Natural Healing Care Center and has 7 years of experience in the Arizona Medical Marijuana Industry. Connect at 520-323-0069. See ad, page 32.