{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/pain/10","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_1914-markdown","title":"Cannabis May be Safer than Opioids for Managing Pain","slug":"cannabis-may-be-safer-than-opioids-for-managing-pain","content":"For centuries, opium was used recreationally and to relieve pain. Modern-day opioids, prescribed to treat all kinds of chronic pain, are synthetic chemicals made to mimic natural opium. And yes, they can control pain, but do so at a steep cost. [These opioid drugs are highly addictive, easily abused and can be deadly](https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/legislative-activities/testimony-to-congress/2016/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse). While opioid use, dependency and deaths are increasing across the country, states that have legalized medical marijuana are seeing declines in all three areas.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en) \r\n\r\n### What Are Opioids?\r\n\r\nThe majority of opioids are Schedule 2 narcotics—other than heroin, which is Schedule 1. This means they have \"[a high potential for abuse](http://www.dea.gov/druginfo/ds.shtml).\" Examples of opioids are:\r\n\r\n* codeine\r\n* hydrocodone\r\n* morphine\r\n* fentanyl\r\n* methadone\r\n\r\nOpioid [side effects]( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18443635) include:\r\n\r\n* dizziness\r\n* nausea and vomiting\r\n* constipation\r\n* sedation\r\n* physical dependence and tolerance\r\n* depressed respiration\r\n\r\nWithdrawal symptoms are similar to the side effects, only they’re more severe and debilitating. This makes it difficult for people to quit using opioids once they start. \r\n\r\n### Opioid Prescriptions & Abuse Skyrocket\r\n\r\nIn the late 1990s, the federal government removed some of the restrictions on opioid use in treating chronic pain. [Between 1999 and 2014, the sale of prescription opioids almost quadrupled](https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/data/prescribing.html). Today, [the most prescribed medicine in the United States is an opioid— hydrocodone](https://drugabuse.com/library/hydrocodone-history-and-statistics/).\r\nAbuse of opioids is also on the rise. In 2008, 6.2 million Americans (12 and older) used prescription drugs for recreational purposes, and the rate of non-medical use of prescription pain relievers was 4.6% among young adults. [Hospitalizations for opioid use rose more than 150% from 19932012](https://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb177-Hospitalizations-for-Opioid-Overuse.jsp). And in 2007, [around 27,000 people died from accidental drug overdoses](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6101a3.htm). And since 2003, more overdose deaths are a result of opioid use than from heroin and cocaine combined. The statistics paint a grim picture. But that’s where medicinal cannabis comes in.  \r\n\r\n### Cannabis Is Safer Than Opioids\r\n\r\nAbout the same time that opioid restrictions were eased, some states began legalizing medical marijuana for treating pain. A 2014 study found that [states with medical marijuana laws had a 24.8% lower rate of opioid deaths than states without legal medical marijuana](http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=18988780). The study also found that opioid deaths decreased each year following medical cannabis legalization.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [NEW RESEARCH PROVES MARIJUANA EFFECTIVELY CONTROLS CHRONIC PAIN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/new-research-proves-marijuana-effectively-controls-chronic-pain)\r\n\r\n[Cannabis](http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/medical-marijuana-and-the-mind) does have side effects, but most are mild. Its use has been associated with:\r\n\r\n* mood changes\r\n* memory loss\r\n* anxiety\r\n* vomiting\r\n* diarrhea\r\n\r\nHowever, [addiction is uncommon, and deaths are rare with marijuana use](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000145).\r\n\r\nFurther studies are needed to explore the relationship between opioids and medical marijuana, but early findings show that cannabis may do more than reduce pain. It may save lives.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit](https://www.flickr.com/photos/healthgauge/10135903905/in/photolist-grFa6T-diDABj-ikfB8d-86nRNR-4JXmz6-6NLiZ5-dSiRbN-8pJqZ-86nS3a-t3fKr-8TMqYK-buQdGu-7wNLa8-hNn9e-76g3EG-JLLyg-4WL7tL-ddfGWj-AUGXH-c9q5eu-7MhkvW-8dZbzR-4DyRuj-8cPJQm-8FBhwK-oRqU-ev2AR5-qLDfq2-86nRVe-8dZbUz-eYbToQ-f1uFuv-7nvGob-c9qGoy-6yLQYR-8oXFQY-4UiRny-4nMTwY-bHJZy6-5dkiMu-a34Eto-bdTMdX-cHikXu-kuygSv-4e1gT8-9uLbiZ-N65ak-6yQVtf-buQdTs-c9q8aU)\r\n\r\nIf you’re new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's easy, private and 100% online.\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwABAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEBf/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEC/9oADAMBAAIQAxAAAAHpoXlmxiv/xAAZEAADAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEAAyL/2gAIAQEAAQUCEAuZafbNJm7FT//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAEDAQE/AUf/xAAUEQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ/9oACAECAQE/AT//xAAZEAACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEQIQITH/2gAIAQEABj8CvqiYI//EABoQAQEBAAMBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAESExQYH/2gAIAQEAAT8hGt4C7Q6SYgY/ZA8TGf/aAAwDAQACAAMAAAAQby//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARH/2gAIAQMBAT8QjT//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARH/2gAIAQIBAT8QrY//xAAbEAEBAQADAQEAAAAAAAAAAAABEQAhMVFxsf/aAAgBAQABPxBnIFV6DBYoiE80YnXmKRPU5T8n7uGiCAEMtCTf/9k=","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/14b42/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg","srcSet":"/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/f836f/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg 200w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/2244e/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg 400w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/14b42/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg 800w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/47498/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg 1200w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/54ac5/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/58556/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/61e93/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp 200w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/1f5c5/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp 400w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/58556/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp 800w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/99238/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp 1200w,\n/static/07b9790b69b6c3f65c5ab5272e418aa3/5e0b8/b17005d7d7a4ecac2413c9f6832be893.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1910-markdown","title":"Can Medical Marijuana Ease Phantom Limb Pain?","slug":"can-medical-marijuana-ease-phantom-limb-pain","content":"Phantom limb pain is a neuropathic condition affecting amputees. It\r\noccurs when damaged nerves at the site of the amputation continue to\r\nsend signals to the brain, causing the amputee to think the missing body\r\npart is still there. Although phantom limb pain usually occurs after the\r\namputation of an arm or leg, it can appear in any area of amputation,\r\nand discomfort can include not just pain but cold, heat, cramping, or\r\nany other common sensation.\r\n\r\nIncidence and Current Treatments\r\n--------------------------------\r\n\r\nIt's estimated that phantom limb pain affects 50 to 80 percent of all\r\namputees. The condition usually occurs during the first year after the\r\namputation and often becomes chronic, lasting for months or even years\r\nwith either no improvement or an increase in pain. Amputees may suffer\r\nfrom phantom limb pain their entire lives.\r\n\r\nVeterans are one of the largest groups to experience amputations, with\r\nthe wars in Iraq and Afghanistan alone resulting in 1,715 amputations as\r\nof January 2013. For them, and for other amputees, phantom limb pain can\r\nbe devastating. Current treatment is a matter of trial and error, with\r\nlittle relief experienced by most patients. A 1984 [survey of 5,000 U.S.\r\namputee veterans](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6709380) found that\r\n78 percent suffered from phantom limb syndrome, but a scant 1 percent\r\nexperienced any relief through treatment.\r\n\r\nMedical Marijuana as a Treatment\r\n--------------------------------\r\n\r\nIn 2007, Health Canada approved Sativex, a whole-plant-derived cannabis\r\nextract, for the treatment of HIV-related neuropathic pain. While\r\nSativex it is not currently available in the United States, it is in the\r\nprocess of FDA approval. Although not completely understood, the\r\nmechanism of action seems to be that cannabinoids work on specific pain\r\nreceptors as well as the neurons that transmit pain.\r\n\r\nIn the United States, medical marijuana as a treatment for neuropathic\r\npain has been the subject of much research. A 2007 study [published in\r\n\"Neurology](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17296917)\" found that\r\nsmoked cannabis reduced patients' pain by 30 percent over the course of\r\nonly five days, and over [three dozen preclinical and clinical\r\ntrials](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19789075) have validated this\r\nfinding. Cannabinoids act as a sort of circuit-breaker, binding to pain\r\nreceptors and stopping the production of neurotransmitters which carry\r\npain signals. They therefore provide some relief from chronic\r\nneuropathic pain, including the pain involved in phantom limb syndrome.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/armymedicine/8447985068/in/photolist-dSw8CY-fFGAA3-68VMVW-gbMw6e-57mp7Z-68RzYe-dZ7pKX-5XzwZv-4dLUZ4-bv8CA1-8Dgqg2-bv8CYu-8TgKgX-iAgiru-4quvqh-cKtKCq-fXeHf1-fXf7AD-eMbGMa-q6Q5yZ-eMo7iJ-eMbGjz-eMbH1g-eDr3ri-eDr3oH-eDx9Kw-eDr3qz-8vLfm5-8vLefq-dhwQRi-8vLj6m-eDr3pP-eDx9JA-eDx9FL-eDr69B-eDx9Hb-eDx9HU-eDx9Gd-fXf6k2-9HWTXG-9HWTXw-cAsqMJ-6TaV83-9t1Fcf-7MFc5h-cmEgi-JL9gz-9HWTXm-8vH1aT-8tXXkm)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/14b42/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg","srcSet":"/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/f836f/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg 200w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/2244e/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg 400w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/14b42/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg 800w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/47498/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg 1200w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/604fd/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.jpg 1539w","srcWebp":"/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/58556/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/61e93/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp 200w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/1f5c5/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp 400w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/58556/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp 800w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/99238/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp 1200w,\n/static/31a98b388b07f4fe717861491f30df3d/4c257/aac55d3584320bb8a7aac6a14b24abb7.webp 1539w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1903-markdown","title":"Clinical Trials Support the Use of Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain","slug":"clinical-trials-support-the-use-of-medical-marijuana-for-chronic-pain","content":"Chronic pain occurs in over [20 percent of the\r\npopulation](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20089155). It differs\r\nfrom what medical professionals refer to as acute pain, which is a\r\nnormal nervous system sensation designed to alert an individual of an\r\ninjury or ailment. Chronic pain is persistent and untraceable to any one\r\ninjury or illness. The pain signals fire repeatedly over months, years,\r\nor even a lifetime. Finding effective ways to help chronic pain\r\nsufferers can change lives.\r\n\r\nConditions Associated with Chronic Pain\r\n---------------------------------------\r\n\r\nA\r\n[survey](http://www.painmed.org/PatientCenter/Facts_on_Pain.aspx# common)\r\nconducted by the National Institute of Health Statistics found that\r\nchronic pain usually falls into one of four categories:\r\n\r\n-   Lower back pain\r\n-   Migraines or headaches\r\n-   Neck pain\r\n-   Facial ache\r\n\r\nBack pain is responsible for more disability cases in the U.S. then any\r\nother medical problem.\r\n\r\nCurrent Pain Management\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nPain management techniques vary, but are largely inadequate. The common\r\ntreatment protocols that include over-the-counter NSAIDS, like\r\nibuprofen, or prescription narcotics, such as Percocet, are rife with\r\nside effects. Everything from stroke to heart attack to drug dependence\r\ncan be caused by current pain control options.\r\n\r\nReview of Randomized Control Trials for Medical Marijuana\r\n---------------------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nA [2011 study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3243008/)\r\npublished in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology evaluated 22\r\nrandomized controlled trials that focused on the use of cannabinoids to\r\ntreat non-cancer pain. The systematic review highlighted the use of\r\nsmoked cannabis, oromucosal cannabis extacts, nabilone and dronabinol\r\n(synthetic THC medications), and a novel THC analogue in the treatment\r\nof conditions associated with long-term pain. The review looked at 766\r\nparticipants.\r\n\r\nReviewers identified 18 out of the 22 trials showed cannabis offered an\r\nanalgesic effect for pain suffers.\r\n\r\n-   15 for neuropathic pain\r\n-   1 for fibromyalgia\r\n-   1 for rheumatoid arthritis\r\n-   1 associated with opioid use\r\n-   2 for mixed chronic pain such as muscular conditions or migraines\r\n\r\nThe researchers also noted that there were no serious side effects\r\nreported with the use of medical marijuana in these trials. A few\r\nparticipants reported a feeling of sedation, dizziness, and dry mouth.\r\nThat is far fewer side effects than what patients experience with more\r\nmainstream management options for chronic pain. With one in every five\r\npeople in the world suffering from some kind of chronic pain, this\r\nstudy's findings an almost 80% positive outcome are not to be ignored.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/117032936@N08/13941837114/in/photolist-neZyrY-dzssam-apx2dR-dCTGDF-ci5bJb-ci59x5-5pZXhd-2JJery-ci57jo-dUe3ca-ci5bZ7-7bESoK-rcsZV8-niWc1Q-n8TLTa-o35Vu9-4xTPGd-ffrbHA-j1ptNv-rvMeJ4-21JdMY-6NPs4U-5YF21f-nLE3MP-2wBhsc-nwqnF6-9VPava-4TgyZY-6z41Ws-9WhKA1-7rszrG-5wojUp-4rFGhL-7rorbK-inMHoy-cHXC1Y-8Rvugs-7roBEr-rQzJkp-5wsDUA-vF9xvC-apx22K-91E2xK-ch2PNj-8R4TEk-5wsE1y-dUe3gt-e4MbmQ-fFxaYR-4nerJc)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.7699115044247788,"src":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f422e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f836f/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 200w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/2244e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 400w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/f422e/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.jpg 640w","srcWebp":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/991d2/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/61e93/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 200w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/1f5c5/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 400w,\n/static/6fb16a1b81d6130cc2740894b5f3a652/991d2/b9add6579ea2cd6f80ea06beb28a1a7d.webp 640w","sizes":"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1872-markdown","title":"Clinical Study Shows Medical Marijuana is Promising For Diabetic Neuropathy","slug":"clinical-study-shows-medical-marijuana-is-promising-for-diabetic-neuropathy","content":"Diabetic neuropathy, a sometimes debilitating condition related to nerve\r\ndegeneration, may affect between [60 and 70\r\npercent](http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/d/diabetic_neuropathy/prevalence.htm)\r\nof all patients who have been diagnosed with either type I or type II\r\ndiabetes. Neuropathy can occur in different patterns throughout the\r\nbody. The most common areas plagued by the often-painful tingling of\r\nneuropathy are the head, torso, legs, feet, arms and hands.\r\n\r\nRelief from that tingling that can occur throughout the body often\r\neludes patients, leading to everyday lives filled with pain and the\r\ninability to participate in previously enjoyed activities. Findings in a\r\n2009 study, however, may offer hope where other treatments have failed.\r\n\r\nStudying Neuropathic Impact and Relief\r\n--------------------------------------\r\n\r\nA [groundbreaking 2009 clinical\r\nstudy](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3066045/) was\r\nconducted at the General Clinical Research Center at the University of\r\nCalifornia, San Diego Medical Center to test the effect of medical\r\ncannabis on neuropathic pain suffered by HIV patients. Although a\r\ndifferent disease, the impact of neuropathy among the HIV patient\r\npopulation is just as painful, persistent and difficult to treat with\r\ntraditional opioid, NSAID or analgesic medications as neuropathy\r\nassociate with diabetes.\r\n\r\nRegulating the Impact of Painful Stimulus\r\n-----------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe premise for the study, developed around animal-based studies,\r\nindicated a positive analgesic effect on the spinal cord in regulating\r\nhow pain centers throughout the body were sent painful signals. The\r\nfirst human study was a double-blind trial, which means that neither the\r\npatients or researchers knew who received active cannabis-based\r\nmedication, and who received placebos. Twenty-eight individuals\r\ncompleted all five phases of the trial, which included:\r\n\r\n-   An introductory week, where baseline pain measurements were\r\n    collected,\r\n-   Five days of medication usage, either active or placebo,\r\n-   Two weeks of monitoring for impact and side effects,\r\n-   Five more days of medication,\r\n-   And two final weeks of monitoring.\r\n\r\nResults after the seven-week study showed far greater pain relief was\r\nrealized by the participants who were given medical marijuana versus the\r\nplacebo. When used in addition to already-prescribed regimens of\r\ntraditional pain medications, study participants achieved up to 30\r\npercent greater pain relief--a significant change.\r\n\r\nRelief Without Reaction\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nComing in a close second to the drastic pain relief experienced by study\r\nparticipants was a secondary benefit of limited adverse interactions or\r\nreactions. Only two of the 28 study participants experienced undesired\r\nside effects, none of which proved to be long-lasting or\r\nlife-threatening. One subject developed short-term psychosis while\r\nanother suffered a smoking-related cough, both of which cleared after\r\ndiscontinuation of cannabis usage. Overall mood and the ability to\r\nperform normal daily functions improved in all study participants.\r\n\r\nHope for Diabetic Neuropathy\r\n----------------------------\r\n\r\nThe same improvement realized by participants in the HIV-related\r\nneuropathic pain study can occur in sufferers of diabetic neuropathy.\r\nMedical cannabis doctors can follow the marijuana dosing and timing\r\nguidelines developed from this study to be of maximum benefit in staving\r\noff the painful sensations of neuropathy. From study findings, medical\r\nmarijuana between 1% and 8% THC potency can be used, dependent upon\r\noriginal baseline pain determination, and smoked up to four times daily.\r\nWhen combined with continued analgesic use, long-time pain sufferers can\r\nfind much greater pain relief than ever before.","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.492537313432836,"src":"/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/14b42/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg","srcSet":"/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/f836f/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg 200w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/2244e/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg 400w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/14b42/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg 800w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/47498/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg 1200w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/e962a/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.jpg 1530w","srcWebp":"/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/58556/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/61e93/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp 200w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/1f5c5/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp 400w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/58556/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp 800w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/99238/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp 1200w,\n/static/41277ea7720942a347234f0045e8cc3e/09af0/21f6e029a26c6c95d534c636dba218c9.webp 1530w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1888-markdown","title":"Retirees Flock to States with Medical Marijuana","slug":"retirees-flock-to-states-with-medical-marijuana","content":"In the past, choosing a state to retire in was based on several factors: how\r\nnice the weather was, how close the grandchildren were, and how many\r\ngolf courses the area offered.\r\n\r\nToday, it's pretty safe to add \"how accessible medical marijuana is\" to\r\nthat list.\r\n\r\nMore and more, retirees are [seeking out states that offer medical\r\nmarijuana](http://time.com/money/3967757/seniors-retire-marijuana-legal-states/).\r\nThis reality is largely attributed to the fact that older people with\r\nhealth conditions want access to the therapeutic benefits of medical\r\ncannabis. As a result, retirees are flocking to states like Oregon,\r\nCalifornia, Washington, Alaska, and Colorado, where the quality of life\r\nis good and the medical access to marijuana is even better.\r\n\r\nThe Striking Statistics\r\n-----------------------\r\n\r\nRetirees who head to a dispensary in one of these states are much less\r\nlikely to encounter young people than people a lot like\r\nthemselves -- retired seniors with health conditions that require\r\ntreatment by medical marijuana. Dispensaries in retiree-rich towns are\r\npacked with chemotherapy patients, severely arthritis sufferers in\r\nwheelchairs, and seniors suffering from degenerative conditions like\r\n[multiple\r\nsclerosis](http://sensiseeds.com/en/blog/top-5-benefits-cannabis-multiple-sclerosis/).\r\nMany of the conditions that medical marijuana serves to treat, like pain and\r\nloss of appetite, are issues that affect seniors, so it makes\r\nsense that medical marijuana is popular among the retired demographic.\r\n\r\nAlthough medicinal cannabis isn't the only reason seniors are\r\nflocking to these states, it's impossible to deny that it's playing a\r\nlarge part in their decisions. In fact, [ArcView Market\r\nResearch](http://www.arcviewmarketresearch.com/) reports that, in 2014,\r\nthe medical marijuana market amounted to $2.4 billion dollars, a figure\r\nthat is projected to balloon to $3.4 billion in 2015. Statistics like\r\nthis provide solid evidence that medical marijuana is a sought-after\r\nmarket. Many seniors find the availability of medicinal cannabis so\r\nimportant that they are willing to base their choice of state on whether\r\naccess is permitted.\r\n\r\nWhen you take into account that Colorado, which made the choice to\r\n[legalize medical marijuana in\r\n2000](http://sensiblecolorado.org/history-of-co-medical-marijuana-laws/),\r\nhas the highest inbound percentage of retirees in the country right now\r\nand that [seniors are the fastest-growing\r\npercentage](http://seniormedicalcannabis.com/) of medical marijuana\r\nusers, it's impossible to deny the fact that medicinal marijuana is\r\nimportant to retirees.\r\n\r\nAlthough medical marijuana continues to be a contentious topic around\r\nthe country, one thing is clear: states that have made medical marijuana\r\nlegal are enjoying an increase in economy and population thanks to the\r\ninflux of retirees who appreciate their stance on therapeutic cannabis.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/31846825@N04/9285126206)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.2987012987012987,"src":"/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/4fe8c/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/f836f/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.jpg 200w,\n/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/2244e/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.jpg 400w,\n/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/4fe8c/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.jpg 600w","srcWebp":"/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/ad85c/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/61e93/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.webp 200w,\n/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/1f5c5/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.webp 400w,\n/static/752b1e26abc7d7c61c7e8236566fd64e/ad85c/7e9c8d16b78376f95375e907ad728c4e.webp 600w","sizes":"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1924-markdown","title":"Methods of Administering Medical Marijuana","slug":"methods-of-administering-medical-marijuana","content":"The number of methods of administration for cannabis can be daunting to patients who are new to the medication, but the availability of various methods of administration helps set medical marijuana apart from traditional pharmaceuticals.  Each administration method can be used for different condition or desired effect. \r\n\r\nSmoking\r\n-------------\r\nSmoking is the traditional method of marijuana administration.  Different strains can be chosen based on the desired outcome, but all products, when smoked, provide an almost immediate effect.  Due to the quick onset, it is easy to control the dosing when marijuana is smoked because the patients are able to feel the effect quickly and adjust dosing accordingly.  There are some concerns that have been sparked about smoking, due to the potential negative effects on the respiratory system when any product is smoked.  This concern can be decreased when patients use high potency products so less smoking is necessary to get the desired benefits of the medication. \r\n\r\nVaporization\r\n-----------------\r\nVaporization has quickly gained traction as a healthy alternative to smoking marijuana.  Vaporizing is less harmful than smoking because there are less byproducts due to the lower temperature used in the vaporizer. Vaporization provides the same quick relief as smoking because the product can enter the blood stream quickly. Vaporization is similar to the administration of an inhaler.  Both smoking and vaporization are good options for patients who need instant relief from issues such as pain from PMS, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, and many other conditions.\r\n\r\nCannabis Oil/Tinctures\r\n------------------------------\r\nCannabis oils and tinctures are concentrates of marijuana that can either be added to products, such as food or drink, or be consumed on their own. Some oils are added to pill capsules and are swallowed like traditional medication.  Quality is very important in concentrates, particularly in oils. Until recently, methods for oil extraction often contaminated the oils with harmful products.  Now the cleanest method of oil extraction uses CO2, which results in a pure cannabis oil product.  Oils tend to be the method used to give high CBD medications to people with conditions like epilepsy because they can be very accurately dosed if they are properly made.  Tinctures, a concentration made with an alcohol base, tends to be slightly less potent than oils.  Tinctures and oils can be helpful for quick relief, accurate dosing, and to get the medication more directly to the gastrointestinal tract without consuming an edible. \r\n\r\nEdibles \r\n--------------------\r\nEdibles can be a tricky method of administration for medical cannabis.  It can be as long as one to two hours after consumption for the effects of a edible to be felt. Due to the slow onset time, and inaccurate labeling of products, edibles can be very hard to dose.  Most edibles do not contain the percentage of THC/CDB that is listed on the package, so edibles should be dosed in small amounts and patients should be cautious about consuming more of the edible if they do not feel effects as rapidly as they expect. Edibles, however, do tend to have longer lasting effects than other administration methods.  Edibles are often used for people with loss of appetite in Cancer, Anorexia, or AIDS to promote appetite. \r\n\r\nTopical\r\n-------------------\r\nTopicals are one of the lesser known forms of medical marijuana on the market, but they are very helpful for people with inflammation and pain.  Topicals are absolutely free from any physco-active properties, making them a great choice for first time users.  Topical products allow people to experience the pain relief from cannabis without the potential side effects of ingesting too much of a cannabis product. Topicals are particular helpful for people who have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, or similar pain issues.  \r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/46434953@N07/8617919882/in/photolist-e8x6ky-4fQ6Jq-92P4iu-948wrL-tCmafT-aYS9JR-9cWQdE-fs5xq-7ZrYJi-5qyoom-pXUKSd-jSDaqu-5QVWPQ-fsA5BG-nXTjv9-hiiggS-p5Su1e-9jjEYG-b6C4ZR-4ntqiQ-gVfpJw-fQwnYj-mckKnT-dNgyA5-oaQebG-9Bcfce-6ysF1-nQMNQC-7LFiK8-t1QbRT-sG4B-67Jrva-agXYLE-aRuzG-8WGDYA-4AZ1nY-auuTZD-agXYPL-baSgkD-4HbUS-8t8jA4-qEW2J7-ox93kw-iYrqbE-6kTS1G-cs8HdL-sVb1u-4dzSTz-mtVXTR-b1DMqP)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/14b42/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.jpg","srcSet":"/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/f836f/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.jpg 200w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/2244e/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.jpg 400w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/14b42/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.jpg 800w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/47498/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.jpg 1200w","srcWebp":"/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/58556/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/61e93/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.webp 200w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/1f5c5/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.webp 400w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/58556/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.webp 800w,\n/static/04fe4f63053246345a2c57e2f06b0ccb/99238/f0e7ff81ac2c98bc31814c39127602d9.webp 1200w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1854-markdown","title":"The Unexpected Success Story: How One Woman Found Relief from Pain and Anxiety","slug":"the-unexpected-success-story-how-one-woman-found-relief-from-pain-and-anxiety","content":"Jane* suffered for many years with chronic pain associated with her PMS.  Her pain became so debilitating on a monthly basis that she often had to miss work and interrupt other parts of her daily life. Being someone who seeks out a more natural cure, Jane chose not to take birth control and other narcotics prescribed to her by her doctor to ease her pain, *“that has been my whole journey, natural health…to tell you the truth many times doctors told me to try birth control, but I just didn't feel right about it…I was more willing to try medical marijuana.”* Though Jane was skeptical about medical marijuana at first, a friend encouraged her to try it, *“she used it herself and had found it to be a miracle worker,”* Jane said, *“she has been my wing lady to help me figure it all out.”* Jane, however, was a little surprised when the idea was first proposed, \r\n\r\n>“I knew it has helpful for cancer patients, but I didn’t know anything else about it…I did a lot of research, after doing research I found it to be legit. It really is something that helps people…I want what I put in my body to actually heal it, not just be a symptom manager. I saw medical marijuana as natural, its an herb, and it wouldn’t harm my body.  There are a lot of pharmaceuticals on the market with a lot of side effects and medical marijuana has none that aren’t manageable. It’s very easy to use, it’s just great! Even if you take too much there aren’t serious repercussions.”\r\n\r\nShe chose to use vaporization and edibles because they were the most clean way to put the medicine in her body. She avoided smoking because of worries about carcinogens. Vaporizing is also very discrete for Jane, since it produces much less smell and residue than traditional smoking.  She also looks for quality in her products and dispensaries so she knows what she is putting in her body. She uses various strains, and CBD to THC ratios, for different times of day and to manage particular symptoms.  To manage her pain or help her with falling asleep, she takes Indicas with high levels of CBD.  She uses a Sativa to manage her symptoms when she wants to be awake and active.  Jane has also found Sativa to be helpful in managing her general anxiety and anxiety attacks.  \r\n\r\nShe mentions her use of medical marijuana to people close to her, but for the most part she sees herself as an *“anonymous advocate”* because of the stigmas surrounding marijuana usage. *“I don’t know how much I can voice how amazing it is without possibly losing a job or something like that,”* Jane does, however, reach out to people who she thinks could really benefit from using medical marijuana. She has reached out to a friend suffering from strokes because she has seen the success that medical marijuana can have on people who suffer from many different ailments. \r\n\r\nJane did copious amounts of research on medical marijuana before starting her journey and she recommends that people educate themselves fully about cannabis before jumping in. She found a lot of her resources by just searching google and youtube. She has also found success in a reliable dispensary that she can reach out to for questions.  She takes in all information about marijuana that she can find, but she does aim to find information specifically tailored toward the medical field.  \r\nJane has seen her whole experience of using medical marijuana as life changing, \r\n\r\n>“It was kind of my last resort. I was in a hard place after 5 years of so much physical pain and many years of emotional pain as well. Doctors couldn’t seem to help they just said everything was fine with me. They kept on asking me if I wanted to take this medicine or that medicine and I said no. I was wondering if there was any natural solution for my problems. I was at the end of my rope and [medical marijuana] has been an amazing help. At the same time it was so economical compared to other medication.”\r\n\r\nDue to her success, and the positive experiences she’s heard about from so many other people, Jane would love to see a normalization of medical marijuana.  She wishes she did not have to worry about the stigma attached with the use of medical marijuana.  Jane believes the message really needs to get out that medical marijuana is a medicine, so people no longer have to worry about being open, \r\n\r\n>“It is amazing how much of a life saver it is and how much of stigma there can still be.  That was one of the hardest things about it when I first started using [medical marijuana], I was not only figuring it out but also figuring out how open I could be about it…someone who genuinely needs this shouldn’t have to be so worried about how society views them for using it.” \r\n\r\nShe is constantly wary about the social stigma and she believes the key to breaking that cycle is advocacy.  \r\nHer advice for people considering medical marijuana: people should educate themselves, find a trusted support system to help them through the process, and just give it a try if they think it can help them with their struggles.  She admits it probably would be a little scary if she didn’t have her friend and her husband to help her through the process, but Jane says there are resources out there for everyone. However, they can be hard to find, which is another change she hopes to see coming from the industry soon.  Her final words of advice, \r\n\r\n>“If you look at some of the side effects that many different drugs have, especially if you might be at the point where your being prescribed narcotics or anti-anxiety medication, give medical marijuana a try before you commit to harsher medications because it has so few side effects… Give it a shot, we’re blessed to be able to try it.” \r\n\r\n\r\n*names have been changed for anonymity purposes\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/alarzy/4231225160/in/photolist-7rU8PW-PJWkr-pvWAQR-5n8FfK-7Whpi7-bfsW2z-n6eWG-rVxqEE-8Ury7h-5rbkhz-7yiH9e-sgEL27-4vCzXU-6KszzF-MPSX4-5tAVSX-6KwEHf-6KwP9s-Avphf-dzGMcp-KzKiU-u9CHa-yDc1r-8csfmN-8mNR1E-5i6xWq-4zRPyC-8csfmL-4amQUy-6KwAE9-9sMurD-a21jwt-6oD2c-4BuFpj-4amQZE-6Ksoy2-nqk8KN-a1FBUb-nr4qqY-4ahMmH-vij1AA-4ahMm6-4amQWm-haCsx-n6eWn-2LCGM-vkXgrB-bgUyqZ-a17Fzo-5qNkQh)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/14b42/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg","srcSet":"/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/f836f/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg 200w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/2244e/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg 400w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/14b42/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg 800w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/47498/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg 1200w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/a6974/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.jpg 1536w","srcWebp":"/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/58556/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/61e93/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp 200w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/1f5c5/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp 400w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/58556/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp 800w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/99238/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp 1200w,\n/static/6d7d83e9e74c1752bdf154d36d3281a7/d5052/8cf55ff0c412c40b03ae53d9bb0c82c2.webp 1536w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1871-markdown","title":"Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Increase Heart Disease and Stroke: Another Reason to Try Cannabis","slug":"non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory-drugs-nsaid-increase-heart-disease-and-stroke-another-reason-to-try-cannabis","content":"On July 10, 2015, the [Federal Drug Administration\r\n(FDA)](http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm451800.htm) announced that\r\nadditional language will be added to the labels of non-steroidal\r\nanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) warning of the increased risk of heart\r\nattack and stroke. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (i.e., Motrin®), naproxen\r\n(i.e., Aleve®) and celecobix (Celebrix®).\r\n\r\nMillions of Americans routinely take NSAIDs for pain and inflammation.\r\nThe [American College of Preventive\r\nMedicine](https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.acpm.org/resource/resmgr/timetools-files/otcmedsclinicalreference.pdf)\r\nreports that analgesics, including NSAIDs, are the most frequently used\r\nover-the-counter (OTC) medication in use today.\r\n\r\nTreating Chronic Pain\r\n---------------------\r\n\r\nAccording to the [National Institutes of Health\r\n(NIH)](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92525/# ch1.s3), about 116\r\nmillion American adults suffer from chronic pain, which is defined as\r\npain that lasts more than 12 weeks. The most common treatment for\r\nchronic pain is the use of NSAIDs.\r\n\r\nCannabis has also been a [historically\r\ntraditional](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)\r\ntreatment for chronic pain; the Chinese were using medical marijuana to\r\ntreat pain in 2900 BC. Use has continued today, albeit more informally\r\ndue to the legalities of use. A 2005 ABC News, *USA Today*, and Stanford\r\nMedical Center\r\n[Poll](http://abcnews.go.com/images/Politics/979a1TheFightAgainstPain.pdf)\r\nfound that 6 percent of chronic pain sufferers took cannabis to relieve\r\ntheir pain.\r\n\r\nSide Effects of Chronic Pain Treatment\r\n--------------------------------------\r\n\r\nThe FDA announcement came as a result of [accumulating\r\nresearch](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3778977/) linking\r\nNSAID use to heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Risk of these\r\nconditions increased with:\r\n\r\n-   NSAID dosage\r\n-   Use for just a few weeks\r\n-   Prolonged use\r\n-   History of heart disease or other risk factors, particularly in\r\n    those over 65 years\r\n\r\nThe label will also reflect the still increased risk among people with\r\nno heart disease history or risk factors and the higher mortality rate\r\nfor those patients who within the first year following a heart attack\r\ntook NSAIDS.\r\n\r\nThe Case for Cannabis\r\n---------------------\r\n\r\nDealing day to day with chronic pain can be exhausting. Those who suffer\r\nfrom chronic pain are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety.\r\nThey are also at risk of increased physiological changes, such as higher\r\nblood pressure, which can increase their risk of heart disease. Taking\r\npain-relief medication that increases health risks further seems\r\ncounterproductive, if not dangerous.\r\n\r\nThe pain relief offered by medical marijuana may be a viable\r\nalternative. Cannabis relieves pain by interrupting the uptake of\r\nendocannabinoids in pain circuits and through reductions in the\r\ninflammatory response. Cannabis has been shown to be effective in\r\ntreating patients with pain from [many\r\nconditions](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/),\r\nincluding:\r\n\r\n-   [Cancer](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cancer-pain-has-met-its-match-medical-marijuana)\r\n-   [Multiple\r\n    sclerosis](http://www.neurology.org/content/65/6/812.short)\r\n-   [Arthritis](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/medical-marijuana-a-safe-alternative-for-arthritis-inflammation)\r\n-   [Fibromyalgia](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/relief-from-fibromyalgia-symptoms-the-case-for-medical-marijuana)\r\n-   [Migraines](https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-food/201309/marijuana-migraines)\r\n\r\nIn addition, cannabis may be safer than NSAIDs; cannabis has never been\r\nlinked to heart disease or stroke, nor has it been linked to the\r\n[gastrointestinal\r\ntoxicity](http://www.fda.gov/downloads/drugs/drugsafety/ucm387559.pdf)\r\nthat NSAIDs labels currently warn against. The new FDA warning on NSAIDs\r\nprovides further support for the use of cannabis to help those in pain.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/58782227@N00/2218557783)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.680672268907563,"src":"/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/14b42/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.jpg","srcSet":"/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/f836f/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.jpg 200w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/2244e/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.jpg 400w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/14b42/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.jpg 800w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/16310/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.jpg 1024w","srcWebp":"/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/58556/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/61e93/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.webp 200w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/1f5c5/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.webp 400w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/58556/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.webp 800w,\n/static/8dbc39394ac394307897af8f4fd4c536/cc834/e011a02de48752b71cb57389fa13b667.webp 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1861-markdown","title":"Chronic Pain has Met its Match","slug":"chronic-pain-has-met-its-match","content":"Pain is our body's way of letting us know that we are in danger of\r\ninjury or illness. For those who suffer from chronic pain, which is\r\ndefined by the [National Institutes of Health\r\n(NIH)](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18602869) as pain lasting more\r\nthan 12 weeks, their pain is not a message of threat but a permanent\r\ncondition of heightened stress.\r\n\r\nFor as long as people have suffered from pain, they have sought relief.\r\nIn fact, marijuana has been used for pain relief for centuries. Cannabis\r\nhas been used as an\r\n[analgesic](http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.timeline.php?timelineID=000026)\r\nand an\r\n[anti-inflammatory](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/)\r\nin treating pain for more than 3000 years. But it has only been in the\r\npast 20 years that researchers have begun studying and understanding how\r\ncannabis can help those in pain.\r\n\r\nResearch on Cannabis and Pain\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nOne of the components of cannabis, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),\r\nhas been shown to successfully [block the cannabinoid\r\nreceptors](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430692/) in the\r\nbody. These receptors, which are responsible for maintaining homeostasis\r\nfunction in pain circuits, help to cycle the stimulus from the pain\r\nreceptors. They also play a role in\r\n[inflammation](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9539680) by\r\ninteracting with the cannabinoid receptors. THC can interrupt the\r\ninflammatory process, which helps decrease pain.\r\n\r\nCanada Leads the Way\r\n--------------------\r\n\r\nCanada has led the way in using medical marijuana for treating pain.\r\nThey have approved the use of cannabis for treating severe pain in\r\npatients with:\r\n\r\n-   Spinal cord injuries or disease\r\n-   Multiple sclerosis\r\n-   Cancer\r\n-   Arthritis\r\n-   HIV/AIDS infections\r\n\r\nMore recently, researchers have found that smoking cannabis can reduce\r\nneuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain affects about [1 to 2\r\npercent](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15106126) of the population\r\nand frequently does not respond to traditional pain treatment. The\r\nresearchers found that inhaling THC reduced the \"intensity of pain,\r\nimproved sleep and was well tolerated.\" They recommend additional\r\nstudies on safety and long-term efficacy.\r\n\r\nCannabis: Providing Options\r\n---------------------------\r\n\r\nThe [NIH](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92525/# ch1.s3) estimates\r\nthat about 116 million American adults suffer from chronic pain. It is\r\nthe leading cause of disability in the United States and accounts for\r\nmore than [\\$635 billion a\r\nyear](http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(12)00559-7/pdf) in\r\neconomic costs. This cost is greater than the annual costs of heart\r\ndisease, cancer, and diabetes combined.\r\n\r\nThe prevalence and cost highlight the need for treatment alternatives.\r\nThis has helped spur research into cannabis as a pain medication.\r\nAlthough further study is needed with regard to its effects on specific\r\nconditions and methods of delivery, medical marijuana is a viable\r\ntreatment for the millions who suffer from chronic pain.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortcollinschiropractor/6169824540/in/photolist-apcXTb-apadLP-4RBu2V-2VFqqo-6v9jvw-bnCWQc-paXyJZ-5oy7wS-6VRbxR-9fCHpB-5ZpQdM-8jEGNr-5oRUGd-9fCFdH-9iETrp-79i8Qk-akp7Fe-jnZ6Ze-9iEUpK-5Zq6jr-5Zv6iA-7dk12z-2jyrDf-fFEii2-AZLt3-5ZuHv5-rRY8f-86PTqn-r8hK4-8vhatN-5Zvbed-B5MJS-9fFNSy-5ZpQve-5Zu3s7-m2SE6-9bbFED-a3fh8Q-5Zu3uh-5Zu3kA-5Zu3qd-9f2pg5-y52nK-95h1pT-56N6kH-apadQD-rRY8j-8DSENZ-8kmtpc-8C1K1c)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/14b42/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg","srcSet":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/f836f/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 200w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/2244e/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 400w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/14b42/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 800w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/9842e/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.jpg 900w","srcWebp":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/58556/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/61e93/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 200w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/1f5c5/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 400w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/58556/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 800w,\n/static/bc27e3b3a46dd616a8556c3b5249d2a0/210c1/cc81d8ad54ee479af49d7ab53978563b.webp 900w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1889-markdown","title":"Medical Marijuana has been Promoted on NPR","slug":"medical-marijuana-has-been-promoted-on-npr","content":"Thanks to a few pioneering states, legal medical marijuana is becoming\r\nincreasingly mainstream. Each year, more states approve it, and today,\r\nresearch that would have been impossible a decade ago is being carried\r\nout at labs across the country. Likewise, conversations that would have\r\nbeen taboo in medical circles outside of medical cannabis states are now\r\npossible. This month, NPR [interviewed Dr. David\r\nCasarett](http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/07/14/422876973/when-weed-is-the-cure-a-doctors-case-for-medical-marijuana),\r\nauthor of \"Stoned: A Doctor's Case for Medical Marijuana.\"\r\n\r\nIt's a book that would not have been accepted just a few years ago, and,\r\nin fact, Dr. Casarett admitted that when he started \"Stoned,\" he thought\r\nmedical marijuana was a joke. Over the course of the project, however,\r\nhe dug into the studies examining medical marijuana's use, talked to\r\npatients using it to treat a variety of ailments, and even tested it on\r\nhimself. He came away convinced that medical marijuana is real medicine,\r\nthat it is a legitimate treatment, and it isn't just about stoners\r\ntrying to get high.\r\n\r\n\"There's a fair amount of science behind it,\" Casarett told NPR in his\r\ninterview on the \"Fresh Air\" news program. He went on to discuss how\r\nsome of the best evidence for marijuana as medicine is in the treatment\r\nof neuropathic pain, nerve pain caused by disruption of or damage to the\r\nnerve cells themselves. It's common in several chronic conditions such\r\nas diabetes, and conventional treatment options are limited.\r\n\r\n\"In my experience as a palliative care physician,\" says Casarett, \"it\r\n[neuropathic pain] doesn't respond nearly as well as more traditional\r\nnociceptive pain does to drugs like morphine. So there really is a need\r\nto find newer, better treatments.\" Medical marijuana might be that\r\ntreatment. He also discussed using medical marijuana without getting\r\nhigh, especially in the case of neuropathic pain.\r\n\r\nHe said some researchers are becoming increasingly convinced that it\r\nmight actually be cannabidiol (CBD) rather than THC that is responsible\r\nfor marijuana's effect on neuropathic pain. The concept is currently\r\nbeing tested in clinical trials using lower amounts of THC and elevated\r\namounts of CBD. The low-THC treatments seem to have the same effect on\r\npain as normal THC doses.\r\n\r\nThis is important because CBD doesn't cause the euphoric \"high\", or\r\nphysco-activity associated with THC. If CBD alone has therapeutic\r\nbenefits, said Dr. Casarett, \"there are enormous opportunities for\r\nfiguring out how to use that appropriately and productively for those\r\npeople -- and there are a lot of them -- who really don't want to feel\r\nhigh. They don't want any of that recreational marijuana feeling. They\r\nreally just want relief of pain or nausea.\" In the interim, he suggested\r\nthat medical marijuana users who want to avoid the \"high\" associated\r\nwith THC ask for a low-THC, high-CBD strain at their dispensary.\r\n\r\nDuring research for the book, he tried medical marijuana himself for\r\nback spasms and found that dosage is extremely important. It's very\r\neasy, he said, particularly in the case of edibles, for the\r\ninexperienced to overmedicate. While edibles are a simple way to get the\r\nactive ingredients of medical marijuana without smoking it, it takes a\r\nmuch longer time -- anywhere from half an hour to an hour -- to begin to\r\nfeel the effects. In addition, people metabolize cannabinoids at\r\ndifferent rates, so there is no one-size-fits-all time frame for how\r\nlong it takes ingested marijuana to work. New patients may take one\r\ndose, feel no effects after 15 minutes, take another, and another, so\r\nthat when the full effect does hit them an hour later, then they've\r\ntaken too much. Dosing yourself with edibles, he suggested, takes some\r\ntrial and error to get it right.\r\n\r\nThe so-called war on drugs, he added, has set back medical marijuana\r\nresearch by decades. Dr. Casarett believes that the potential for a\r\ngreat deal of good is there, and that the current climate allowing such\r\nresearch is a good thing. The fact that doctors are no longer afraid to\r\nspeak up about the benefits of medical marijuana shows how far we've\r\ncome in a short time. Speaking up in print and on national media takes\r\nus one step further.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/oddwick/4331187208/in/photolist-7AJt4w-77dPWJ-4MQFL9-fzZPGq-8LUYqL-f8ivwn-3Ejxgk-cPNkb-hjMLZM-hjLeiz-4E9pfR-pcDtzG-aHn2Kx-8bATEi-6JjF23-ecRkBs-B7jQ8-ah5Rqs-dZVy6K-51LCkF-6JjFwU-6eJfQ9-pepruk-6JjG13-6JjGes-6JfAPi-6JfBj8-6JjFWC-6JfB9H-6JjFZ3-6JjFso-6JfAhZ-6JfAcT-6JjFyJ-6JfBb2-6JfB2v-6JfAdZ-oXc8dM-pcDn3U-dgx5FJ-8gVc5c-9dw39Y-9t5S9Q-6Jkrq7-oXcc5q-peDpYs-peprZi-peFhN4-oXbttG-peDnu9)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/14b42/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/f836f/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg 200w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/2244e/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg 400w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/14b42/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg 800w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/47498/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg 1200w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/604fd/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.jpg 1539w","srcWebp":"/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/58556/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/61e93/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp 200w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/1f5c5/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp 400w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/58556/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp 800w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/99238/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp 1200w,\n/static/9bff78d5a6d019bf4a49a4aff577aa6d/4c257/8cc34681af0076bbe278b55bcb4e1001.webp 1539w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1900-markdown","title":"Can Medical Marijuana Provide Relief for Muscular Dystrophy?","slug":"can-medical-marijuana-provide-relief-for-muscular-dystrophy","content":"Muscular dystrophy is a group of over 30 inherited diseases that\r\nnegatively affect normal muscle functions in the body. Generally,\r\nmuscular dystrophy leads to skeletal muscle weakness, as well as the\r\nreplacement of normal muscle cells with fibrosis and fat. This condition\r\nis mostly prevalent among young boys and may start to manifest in early\r\ninfancy. In some cases, it may not show up until late adulthood.\r\nDuchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common form of this disorder,\r\nand is characterized by general muscle degeneration and weakness.\r\n\r\nAccording to a [2007\r\nstudy](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5840a1.htm) by the\r\nUnited States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that\r\nexamined the prevalence of Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy among\r\nmales aged 2 to 24 years, Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) affects 1 in\r\n3,500 male births, while Becker muscular dystrophy affects 1 in 18,518\r\nmale births. The type that most commonly affects adults is called\r\nMyotonic muscular dystrophy. Muscular degeneration is continually\r\ndegenerative and manifests differently according to the individual.\r\nWhile some people with this condition will eventually lose the ability\r\nto walk or sit, some may have trouble swallowing and even breathing.\r\n\r\nMuscular Dystrophy Management\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nCurrently, there is no known cure for muscular dystrophy. All of the\r\ncurrent treatments are targeted toward the management of symptoms and\r\nthe prevention of complications. Symptoms vary according to the type of\r\nmuscular dystrophy and the level of progression. Steroids are often used\r\nto slow the progression of the condition, while physical therapy,\r\nsurgery, nutrition adjustment and the use of ventilators to help with\r\nbreathing may help in managing the condition.\r\n\r\nMedical Marijuana and Muscular Dystrophy\r\n----------------------------------------\r\n\r\nMuscular dystrophy is due to the absence of a key protein needed to\r\nmaintain the integrity and proper function of muscles. Where muscle\r\ntissue is damaged, muscle bulk will be reduced. It may also be replaced\r\nwith fat and excessive scar tissue, making the muscles appear larger\r\nthan normal. Cannabinoids in medical marijuana are effective against\r\npain, one of the most common effects of muscular dystrophy. A [1977\r\nclinical study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/903049) by the\r\nNational Institutes of Health (NIH), to find out the level of muscular\r\ndystrophy in mice after treatment with cannabinoids, showed that THC and\r\nCBD (marijuana compounds) may help alleviate the effects of muscular\r\ndystrophy.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/mbudde/2713972334/in/photolist-58PPqs-gwYHKe-bTj9cT-nTdNb8-6Uqrn6-pMBGMf-nJX1C6-5ipaaG-d7qFGA-qJQ35f-dFhLor-7AVM3Z-dQruLv-dZDGqt-eA3bNx-bfW2uT-psRuMf-9tAaP7-bbwxHg-da5kr4-fBicNi-aofsGZ-kuAkyf-nMehgQ-92XodD-3PnwbM-7gjaap-bbtaLP-a7NX8w-an2f2G-Jjo2S-ewNHQt-ajDyuc-dDtuv5-dDtu2A-9vtNF1-q4ZXGn-6BdD4Q-c8WqrN-9AEx97-6FiZAM-ugh5QP-5TVqT8-drLeip-6P1H4o-8rxgqb-7YJqM8-9RF1vi-xJbZs-2SmfSo)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/14b42/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg","srcSet":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/f836f/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/2244e/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 400w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/14b42/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 800w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/47498/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 1200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/ec6c5/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.jpg 1280w","srcWebp":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/58556/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/61e93/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/1f5c5/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 400w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/58556/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 800w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/99238/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 1200w,\n/static/370d8d352080e8e9ad013441b648fb0d/135cd/1c4abf6a1b9842dfcc2c0e870791f74e.webp 1280w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_1923-markdown","title":"Cancer Pain has Met its Match: Medical Marijuana","slug":"cancer-pain-has-met-its-match-medical-marijuana","content":"Each year, around [14\r\nmillion](http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs297/en/) people are\r\ndiagnosed with cancer globally, a figure that is expected to rise to 22\r\nmillion within the next two decades. Over\r\n[one-third](http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/564770) of people with\r\ncancer, and around three-quarters of those with advanced cancer,\r\nexperience chronic pain. Most [cancer\r\npain](http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping-with-cancer/coping-physically/pain/types-and-causes-of-cancer-pain)\r\nis caused by tumors pressing on nerves, bones or organs, or it may be\r\nrelated to the cancer treatments themselves, such as chemotherapy and\r\nradiotherapy. Other factors such as depression, fear, anxiety and a lack\r\nof sleep can also affect pain perception. Treating the pain that crops\r\nup as a result of cancer or its treatments is thus an important part of\r\nall clinical responses to the disease.\r\n\r\nStudy Findings Show Promise\r\n---------------------------\r\n\r\nAccording to researchers at the University of Bristol, United Kingdom,\r\nmarijuana may provide some benefits for people with cancer-related pain.\r\nIn a\r\n[paper](http://www.aahs.org/medstaff/wp-content/uploads/CannabinoidsNEJM201506.pdf)\r\npublished in the *Journal of the American Medical Association* in June\r\n2015, researchers analyzed information from eight studies that looked at\r\nthe effects cannabinoids had on patients with nerve and cancer pain. It\r\nrevealed that patients using cannabinoids were about 40 percent more\r\nlikely to report a reduction in their pain. Patients who smoked\r\nmarijuana reported the greatest levels of pain relief.\r\n\r\nCurrent Treatments Fall Short\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nCurrently,\r\n[opioids](http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/prescription-drugs/opioids/what-are-opioids)\r\nare the principal medications employed in the management of cancer pain.\r\nHowever, like all medications, opioid use can come at a cost. Short-term\r\nuse of opioids can cause [side\r\neffects](https://www.painedu.org/articles_timely.asp?ArticleNumber=10)\r\nsuch as constipation, drowsiness and nausea, while long-term use is\r\nassociated with high tolerance, dependence and addiction. Thus, there is\r\na clear and urgent need for treatments that bring pain relief with fewer\r\nside effects.\r\n\r\nCombined Approach Offers Hope\r\n-----------------------------\r\n\r\nA study by researchers at the University of California San Francisco,\r\nfound that patients may experience greater relief of pain through the\r\ncombined use of cannabinoids and opioids. In a\r\n[paper](http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2011/12/11077/ucsf-study-finds-medical-marijuana-could-help-patients-reduce-pain-opiates)\r\npublished in December 2011 in *Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics*,\r\nresearchers found that patients using cannabinoids and opioids were more\r\nlikely than patients using opioids alone to report a reduction in pain.\r\nThe researchers also revealed that a combined approach could result in\r\nreduced opioid dosages.\r\n\r\nMarijuana Moves Towards Greater Acceptance\r\n------------------------------------------\r\n\r\nPain is one of the main side effects of cancer and its treatments, and\r\nconventional medications often offer little relief. Medical marijuana\r\nprovides an alternative, and may ease pain more effectively than\r\nstandard treatment.\r\n\r\n[Photo Credit.](https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevendepolo/3021193208/in/photolist-5AYpu5-8ANvar-6nVeVG-6yYVAK-4Ua3dM-pLgzWT-9t9B1E-8e7kek-8m7gnf-ahr9Hf-5bPBLP-fMvjLK-bXb3Ln-rhyZBJ-gAHok1-7QuP6u-97VgKb-qLmxQ-buCKFf-7225VS-rhxX59-4rQU9y-5wWPGJ-x2FPQ-6z41Ws-uNbt2f-bqfFHB-bgae5T-9H4c1A-rfn1h4-8yJgxE-apjV7y-6QeGEz-4stzX1-bmz4S3-6e6cnH-oVyMrX-rxJPzd-cGRr2s-oZEt8a-pS8mUi-4rLPYM-4rLQ8F-4rQUkA-4rQU1h-bu4WxB-7vJdaX-hNHAnY-avuhb9-bu4WxM)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.5037593984962405,"src":"/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/f422e/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/f836f/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.jpg 200w,\n/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/2244e/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.jpg 400w,\n/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/f422e/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.jpg 640w","srcWebp":"/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/991d2/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/61e93/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.webp 200w,\n/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/1f5c5/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.webp 400w,\n/static/4ad5d73d61d42d3f2a717cc93667ec42/991d2/24a36998ac438bcba9ed30162d97a977.webp 640w","sizes":"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"}}}}}]}},"pageContext":{"limit":12,"skip":108,"numPages":11,"currentPage":10,"id":5599,"name":"Pain","slug":"pain","country":"US"}},"staticQueryHashes":["3949754563","4179947113","4202924991"]}