Worrying statistics have been released which suggest that the number of cases of arthritis in North America is rising at an exponential rate. This not only affects the quality of life of the sufferers, but also the cost to the health service in treating symptoms associated with this chronic ailment. The latest figures confirm that 50 million adults in the US have been diagnosed with some form of arthritic condition. Some predict that the number of diagnosed cases of arthritis will increase further by another 20 million in a decades time.
There is plenty of anecdotal evidence which seems to suggest that some cannabis strains have a key role to play in minimizing the pain and inflammation of joints of arthritis sufferers.
What symptoms can be minimized I hear you cry? A research institute based in Halifax decided to study the medicinal properties of cannabis with regards to symptoms of arthritis, to see whether cannabis can help in some way to trigger repair and restoration of joint movement, whilst minimizing pain.
The research team, fronted by renowned cannabis advocate Colin McDougall,centered their research primarily on the non-psychoactive cannabinoids of cannabis. Research in the past tends to focus on THC, the psychoactive element of cannabis.
In his research, McDougall identified that cannabis molecules become attached to the ends of the receptors in the nerves of arthritis sufferers, which then has the impact of decreasing the rate at which firing of pain signals occurs. He drew a good comparison of the firing of the pain signals to be akin to having the white protective coating of a wire being removed and the cannabis is able to act as the replacement white coating. With prolonged usage, it is hoped that the cannabis can play a part in making these pain signals fire less in future. Of course, more studies are needed to clarify the results. These findings from the study should offer hope and encouragement to many sufferers as they try and find ways to minimize pain when they go about their daily lives.
For those of you who are looking for more information on the strains that are known to be particularly effective at minimizing the symptoms of arthritis we would recommend that you take the time to check out https://cannabis.net/blog/medical/top-cannabis-strains-for-arthritis.
