7 Lupus Symptoms and Risk Factors

 

Lupus is an autoimmune disease (when your body’s defense systems turn on you) and can cause chronic conditions lasting for years. Cases of lupus can range from relatively mild to life threatening, so recognizing and treating this condition early is very important.

According to Lupus.org, as many as 1.5 million Americans are living with Lupus, making it a widespread problem. While the disease is not contagious according to the source, here are 7 risk factors and symptoms to pay attention to that may require medical attention…

1. Fatigue is Common

This symptom of Lupus makes it difficult to distinguish from other disorders including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and even Lyme Disease (from a tick bite). According to Healthline.com, about 90-percent of Lupus sufferers will experience fatigue.

The source notes that taking a nap can improve energy levels for those with Lupus (while fatigue related to other diseases isn’t improved with rest). In cases of “debilitating” fatigue from Lupus, a doctor may be able to administer treatment to put more spring in your step.

2. Hair Loss can Occur

Because of the inflammation caused by Lupus, hair often becomes a casualty, notes the Mayo Clinic. The face and scalp are usually targets of skin inflammation related to the diseases, adds the source.

This means aside from losing hair from the top of your head, you can even experience eyebrow and beard loss. The hair loss can be subtle and gradual, or can cause hair to fall out in clumps in some cases, explains the clinic.

3. Genetics Play a Role

Although it’s not a high percentage, Lupus.org explains you have about a five to 13-percent chance of developing the disease if you have relatives with it. The higher number seems to indicate a solid link to family health history.

However, the same source notes that if only the mother of a child has lupus, then the child only has a 5-percent chance of developing it. That being said, more than 90-percent of lupus sufferers are female.

4. Chemical Exposure may be a Trigger

According to WebMD, one of the risk factors of a “lupus attack” is exposure to chemicals, namely trichloroethylene found in well water, and silica dust (an industrial material). A lupus attack shows the disease can go into remission, but suddenly rear its ugly head.

A New York Times article from 2013 also notes other chemicals that may be linked to lupus include chlorinated pesticides. WebMD explains that at one time certain hair dyes and straighteners were suspected of being lupus risks, but apparently research has shown otherwise.

5. Pain is a Marker

Lupus can come with painful, swollen joints that may confuse some medical professionals to consider arthritis as the cause. With lupus related joint pain, apparently the stiffness is worst in the morning. The pain itself starts off mild, and then increases as the disease progresses.

HealthLine notes that over-the-counter pain medications can help reduce pain and swelling, although doctors can likely offer a better treatment plan if that doesn’t help. However, as mentioned before, your doctor first has to ensure it’s lupus you’re dealing with.

6. Lupus Can Cause Seizures

Like another disease, Epilepsy, lupus can trigger seizures in the sufferer. In fact, information about lupus-induced seizures is posted on the Epilepsy Foundation website. 

According to the foundation, up to 50 percent of lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) sufferers experience a seizure as a result of the disease. Other neurological complications related to lupus can include strokes, dementia, psychosis and peripheral neuropathy (weakness or numbness in hands or feet), notes the source.

7. There’s Often a Telltale Rash

While many symptoms of lupus tend to be in common with other autoimmune diseases, there’s one that seems to stand out for lupus on its own. That’s a “butterfly” shaped rash that appears across the face.

These are called acute cutaneous lupus lesions according to Lupus.org, and the rash appears when lupus is active. Rashes associated with the disease can appear elsewhere on the body, which can be made worse with sun exposure or even from sources of artificial light.

Araceli González complains about lack of medication for lupus

The actress revealed that her mother has lupus and does not get the remedy at any pharmacy
Araceli González was outraged to complain through the social networks for the lack of a drug, which is not being supplied in Buenos Aires pharmacies, who in turn blame the laboratories for not entering the country the remedy.

"Unfortunately the laboratories only bring the drug when they have it sold either in private or social works and that makes it lack all the time," said the leader of the pharmacists and biochemicals union, Marcelo Peretta. The union official said that the main shortcomings are for lupus, HIV and tuberculosis, which are highly complex patients.

In a video you recorded on your Instagram account. Araceli said in detail the situation: "My mother was diagnosed three years ago lupus, a rheumatological disease, that for life has to take a medicine called Imuran.Throughout these three years we have had different circumstances. Lucky that the drug is not, but always, going through all the pharmacies or going from one place to another, we get it. "

"They say at the pharmacy that this drug is missing, like many other diseases, so I ask: you, me, everyone, from different social classes, what do we do, where are we going to look for it?"

He continued: "I had lupus, but you may have another disease, where I can find this medicine, because my mom can not stop taking it, we're thinking of a substitute."

The message of the actress closes with a direct request to the pharmacists: "If they have a box of Imuran, they communicate to my mail from Instagram (araceli@araceliweb.com)," he says.

Fibromyalgia: Pain Management with Cannabis proved superior than Big Pharma Drugs

Being diagnosed with fibromyalgia means that you can say goodbye to any semblance of a normal life. It is a serious debilitating condition characterized by constant muscle pain and fatigue, symptoms which are usually accompanied by headaches, difficulty sleeping, and widespread joint pains. Because of the severity of the condition, people with fibromyalgia also tend to suffer from anxiety and depression. 

If you spend most of your days dealing with extreme pain and fatigue, you just won’t have the energy to do things you enjoy. The fatigue can be so debilitating that for many patients still feel tired even after sleeping 10 hours a night. That’s if they’re lucky: many patients suffer so much from fibromyalgia symptoms that falling and staying asleep becomes difficult.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, although the medical community agrees that it could be because of several factors including genetics, infection, or physical and emotional trauma. People who already have rheumatic conditions, such as diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles, are at higher risk for developing fibromyalgia.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, although the treatments prescribed to patients are focused on minimizing the pain and getting enough self-care (physical therapy, bed rest, and exercise in mild cases). Patients are often given pain medications, anti-depressants, and anti-seizure drugs, all of which can have serious side effects later on. In addition, consuming more painkillers only worsens the existing overdose problem that we already have. With 5 million people American adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it’

According to the National Pain Foundation and the National Pain Report, the FDA has only approved three medications to treat fibromyalgia. These pharmaceutical treatments can only make things worse for patients, considering all their side effects:

1.Cymbalta: nausea, fatigue, constipation, drowsiness, diarrhea, headaches, insomnia, restlessness, decreased appetite

2.Lyrica: constipation, infections, headache, dizziness, ataxia, tremors, fatigue, vertigo, difficulty thinking, speech disturbance, cognitive dysfunctions, twitching, edema

3.Savella: dizziness, hot flashes, insomnia, constipation, increased pulse, hypertension, palpitations, migraines

Pharmaceutical companies are earning millions of dollars from the sale of these drugs alone. But are they really helping patients? The same report discusses the results of a survey conducted in 2014, which consisted of more than 1,300 fibromyalgia patients. Nearly a third of participants said that they’ve tried medical marijuana to ease their symptoms, and 62% said that it was “very effective”.

On the other hand, only 8-10% said that Cymbalta, Lyrica, or Savella were “very effective”.

No wonder big pharma continues to fight legalization…

In a 2011 observational trial of 28 users and non-users in Spain, the participants reported beneficial effects after using cannabis to address fibromyalgia symptoms especially when it came to muscle and pain relief. According to the study’s authors: “Patients used cannabis not only to alleviate pain but for almost all symptoms associated to FM, and no one reported worsening of symptoms following cannabis use. … Significant relief of pain, stiffness, relaxation, somnolence, and perception of well-being, evaluated by VAS (visual analogue scales) before and two hours after cannabis self-administration was observed.” In addition, participants who used cannabis also had better mental health scores compared to the non-users. The researchers added, “The present results together with previous evidence seem to confirm the beneficial effects of cannabinoids on FM

symptoms.”

Medical marijuana is effective in treating the severe pain associated with fibromyalgia. This is because of the plant’s miraculous analgesic qualities. Although clinical trials are still limited because of the prohibition, there is a significant amount of anecdotal evidence about cannabis and its pain-relieving qualities.

Aside from treating pain, there are many other reasons why cannabis is such a potent and beneficial medicine for those suffering from fibromyalgia. Cannabis can also help patients sleep better. Sleep is elusive for many people living with fibromyalgia. Because this is such a common problem, many agree that difficulty sleeping combined with muscle and joint pain are the distinctive characteristics of fibromyalgia. Smoking a quality indica strain can help you relax, reduce pain, and enjoy deep restful sleep. Getting enough shut-eye isn’t just important for health; it can impact fibromyalgia patients even more because interruptions in the sleep cycle make the pain much worse.

Cannabis can also help reduce the tightness and muscle spasms that typically accompany fibromyalgia. Many studies over the past few years have proven how effective cannabis is at reducing muscle spasms, which can happen even while you’re sleeping. Cannabis can also be a great help in addressing the depression. Toking up will do wonders for your body and even put a smile on your face. Thanks to cannabis, a former debilitating condition like fibromyalgia can now be a thing of the past (and goodbye to painkillers!)

Reference:http://chronicdiseases.co/62-feel-better-with-cannabis-than-big-pharma-drugs/

Patients Are Ditching Opioid Pills for Weed

Can marijuana help solve the opioid epidemic?

James Feeney, a surgeon in Connecticut, heard it from his patients. A few actually turned down his prescription for oxycodone, the popular opioid painkiller that has also gained notoriety with the opioid epidemic. 

His patients, Feeney recalls, would say, “Listen, don’t give me any of that oxycodone garbage. … I’m just going to smoke weed.”

“And you know what?” says Feeney. “Every single one of those patients doesn’t have a lot of pain, and they do pretty well.”

Marijuana has worked well enough, anecdotally at least, that Feeney is following his patients’ lead and conducting a trial at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford, CT. The state-funded study will compare opioids and medical marijuana for treating acute pain, such as that from a broken rib.

That distinction—acute pain from an injury—is also an important one. A small body of evidence suggests that medical marijuana is effective for chronic pain, which persists even after an injury should have healed and for which opioids are already not a great treatment. But now Feeney wants to try medical marijuana for acute pain, where opioids have long been a go-to drug.

“The big focus from my standpoint is that this is an attempt to end the opioid epidemic,” he says. Overdoses from opioids, which includes heroin as well as prescription painkillers like oxycodone and morphine, killed more than 30,000 people in 2015.

“Listen, don’t give me any of that oxycodone garbage. ...I’m just going to smoke weed.”

Marijuana might have a bigger role in curbing this drug abuse than previously thought. Its potential uses are actually threefold: to treat chronic pain, to treat acute pain, and to alleviate the cravings from opioid withdrawal. And it has the advantages of being much less dangerous and addictive than opioids.

The big roadblock? Marijuana’s status under federal law as a Schedule I drug—the most tightly restricted category—which makes it very difficult for researchers to study. Scientists first have to apply for a license from the Drug Enforcement Administration, which “can take people years,” says Yasmin Hurd, a neuroscientist at Mount Sinai who has a license to study marijuana and its derivatives. Another problem is sourcing. Scientists can only get marijuana from a farm at the University of Mississippi, which grows a limited variety. “You want to be able to study different formations, but if you can only get the compounds from one source, that makes it hard,” says Hurd.

This is especially relevant to Hurd’s work because her interest is not necessarily THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, but cannabidiol, also known as CBD. Cannabidiol doesn’t get you high, but it affects the receptors in your brain more indirectly. In a small pilot study, Hurd has found that cannabidiol can reduce the cravings of people addicted to heroin. “They relapse because they are in conditions that induce craving,” says Hurd. By controlling their anxiety, cannabidiol also seems to be controlling their cravings.

Hurd is now running a larger trial to investigate if the substance could help people addicted to heroin, and she published a recent review on cannabidiol’s role in curbing substance abuse.

Using marijuana to treat chronic pain is a more established idea. A 2015 review of 28 randomized clinical trials found “moderate-quality evidence” that compounds derived  from marijuana or synthetic versions thereof were beneficial.

Interestingly, patients already seem to be replacing opioids with marijuana for chronic pain. A handful of observational studies have also found correlations between states legalizing medical marijuana and a drop in painkiller prescriptions, opioid use, and deaths from opioid overdose.

 And in 2016, Dan Clauw and his colleagues published a survey of patients with chronic pain who started patronizing a medical marijuana dispensary. They cut their previous opioid use by two-thirds.

“They felt a lot better when their pain was being controlled by cannabis rather opioids because opioids have a lot of side effects,” he says. Those side effects include dizziness, constipation, sexual dysfunction and—in the case of overdoses—breathing problems. That’s because opioids receptors are also in the brainstem, the part of the brain that regulates breathing. Marijuana acts on a different set of receptors.

Clauw, who runs a pain lab at University of Michigan, says he would to like understand how marijuana quells pain on a molecular level, but getting the license has proved too big a hurdle.

Meanwhile, Feeney’s hospital trial for acute pain is able to get around the logistics issue of marijuana as a scheduled substance. Medical marijuana is legal in the state of Connecticut, but neither Feeney nor his hospital provides it directly to patients. Rather, a doctor certifies a patient to use marijuana, and the patient then picks it up at a dispensary or pharmacy. “The strains I have to select from are so pure and so potent that the stuff they get from the University of Mississippi pales in comparison,” says Feeney.  

The trial, which was just got started, will enroll 60 patients with rib injuries in total—30 on marijuana, 30 on opioids. The doctors chose rib injuries to study because the pain lasts a predictable six weeks. Because of the study’s design, patients get to choose whether they use opioids and marijuana to control pain. So far, the hospitals has enrolled a handful of patients. They’ve all chosen marijuana.

Source: https://cannabis.fedgeno.com/links/patients-are-ditching-opioid-pills-for-weed-197737

THIS IS A MIRACLE! SAY GOODBYE TO DIZZINESS, FIBROMYALGIA, LUPUS, ARTHRITIS, FATIGUE CHRONIC AND THYROID PROBLEMS AND MUCH MORE!

Our unhealthy diet and increasingly sedentary lifestyle are surely taking a toll on our body and health. The air pollution, high levels of stress and our unhealthy lifestyle in general are all affecting our health negatively, which is we are constantly affected by numerous diseases and condition.

 Preserving our health is quickly becoming a big problem, but you should know that there are many natural methods which can improve and maintain your overall health.

Thyme is a plant popular in aromatherapy and has been used since ancient times. The Romans used it to sweeten wine and cheese, but they also used it due to its incredible medicinal properties. The plant is commonly used in the production of pharmaceutical drugs against rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia, 

but you can benefit from it by adding it to your daily diet. Today we’ll show you a great thyme-based remedy that will protect you from numerous diseases and conditions. Here’s how to prepare it:

INGREDIENTS

• A handful of fresh or dried thyme
• 1 cup of water

PREPARATION

Bring the water to a boil in a pot, then add the thyme in a bowl and pour the boiling water over it. Leave the mixture to cool down afterwards, then strain it and sweeten with some honey. Consume the thyme tea every day before breakfast and you will feel much better soon!

Source: www.naturalhealingmagazine.com

LUPUS:Best Article of 2017! You Need to Know About Lupus

Mother of lupus sufferer attacks critic who accused her daughter of ‘lying’ about being disabled after seeing her park in a handicap spot despite being able to walk

• Corrina Skorpenske, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took to Facebook to publicly shame the person who left a cruel note on her daughter’s car
• The anonymous critic accused Ohio State University student Harley Jo of taking away a handicap spot from ‘actual disabled people’

The mother of a young woman who suffers from lupus, an inflammatory disease which affects the immune system, has hit back at a stranger who left a cruel note on her daughter’s car claiming she had no right to park in a disabled space – despite the fact that she has a handicap permit.

Corinna Skorpenske, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, took to Facebook to publicly shame the anonymous note writer, while also defending her daughter Harley Jo, a student at Ohio State University, and her condition.

‘My first reaction was anger,’ Corinna told Yahoo Health. ‘On top of everything she deals with she didn’t need this. Harley is very strong, and many times she just lets it go. But because she is human I know she feels something.’

Noted: Harley Jo Skorpenske, who suffers from lupus, discovered this note on her car after stopping at a CVS in Cleveland, Ohio

Keeping up appearances: The disability caused by Harley’s illness is not visible to others, but presents her with a battle every day

The harsh note, which was left on Harley’s car, despite the fact that that her official handicap tag was clearly visible, read: ‘You should be ashamed! When you take a handicap spot, an actual disabled person suffers. You were not raised as you should have been.’

The person who wrote it evidently saw Harley walk into the pharmacy unaided, and assumed that she was lying about being disabled.

In response to the note, Harley’s mother Corinna wrote an open letter on Facebook, hoping it would eventually reach the person whose ignorance had so upset her daughter, and also aiming to raise awareness for non-visible ‘ghost diseases’ such as Harley’s.

Including a photo of the note lying on top of Harley’s handicap tag, Corinna wrote in her post: ‘To the person who left this on my daughter’s car.






You’d never know: Harley may struggle every day, but she continues to persevere, unbeknownst to many of those around her




Mom knows best: Corrina Skorpenske (pictured) hopes to find the writer of the note and change that person’s – and others’ – perceptions about ‘ghost diseases’

‘Wishing so much for you to have stopped and talked to this amazing person before leaving this. If you had, you would have known that my daughter has a disease.’

WHAT IS LUPUS?

           

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to attack its own tissue, leading to inflammation that results in visible swelling and joint pain.

The disease affects women much more frequently than men and leaves suffers feeling extremely fatigued

The condition is also typified by a ‘butterfly rash’ which spreads across the face of many with the illness.

There is no cure for lupus, but most of those afflicted are able to live a normal lifespan on medication.

Corinna went on to explain in detail the laborious battle her daughter has been through since being diagnosed with lupus aged 16.

‘It started with her joints swelling and the pain being so bad she could hardly walk,’ Corinna said. ‘But she continued going to school and keeping up with her community service.’

The teenager went on to suffer a facial rash and hair loss – and had to attend her prom in a wig.

She would go on to battle debilitating muscle pain, hearing loss, multiple lung collapses and a month-long stay in the hospital that forced her to postpone her studies.

But, incredibly, the young lady always made it back – although ‘not at 100 per cent’ her mother explained.

‘She struggles every day with permanent damage she has had to one side of her body and with hearing loss, but baby she keeps going!’ gushed Corinna in the letter.

‘I think you would love her’: Harley’s mother leapt to her daughter’s (pictured) defense in an open letter, describing her as a fighter and an ‘amazing person’

‘I may not be a perfect parent, but I know I did good with her!’

Corinna’s letter is finished with a plea to the writer of the note, saying she hopes to find him or her: ‘Not to tell you how wrong you were in leaving that note…but to give you the opportunity to meet My Girl. I think you would love her [sic].’

‘People with ghost illnesses are often labeled as lazy or fakes,’ Corinna told Yahoo Health.

‘We never know what burdens people struggle with. Often we are so quick to judge or make assumptions, but if we just take the time to ask them, they are often very willing to educate them on it. Their pain and discomfort is real.’

The Best Strains of Marijuana For Pain Relief

Anna Wilcox
Cannabis and Health

The Best Strains of Marijuana For Pain Relief

Chronic pain is one of the most difficult ailments to manage. Overwhelmed in a storm of over-the-counter and prescription painkillers, many patients are deciding to go the natural route: smoking marijuana for pain management.

When it comes to using marijuana for pain relief, not all strains are created equal. Some cannabis strains will keep you tossing and turning at night. Yet, others will ease away nerve pain and muscle tension. This article aims to show you which is which, and help you find the best strain for pain.

Using Marijuana for Pain Relief

                                           &nbsp

Both of the most common compounds in marijuana ease pain. Believe it or not, research is showing that marijuana may interact with your pain-signaling cells. Both THC and CBD are strong anti-inflammatories. They also interact with other pain systems in your body.

Taste The Pain Away



It’s not only THC and CBD that are valuable for relief. The flavor and aroma molecules in your plant are also potent natural medicines.

Yep, that’s right. That famous skunky weed aroma is a sign of an incredibly nutritious plant.

Flavor molecules are called terpenes, and they’re found in all plants. Every fruit, vegetable and herb that you eat owes its flavor to terpenes. Some terpenes are vitamins. Vitamin K, for example, is actually a terpene.

Marijuana is not only loaded with powerful antioxidant cannabinoids but is full of healthy terpenes. Terpenes are different from strain to strain. In fact, each strain has its own specific terpene profile. This is the reason why flavors and scents are so different from strain to strain.

Unfortunately, these flavor molecules are also a bit tricky. Environmental conditions like soil, light exposure, and temperature all affect terpene development. While different strains tend to produce different terpenes, it takes a lot of TLC to get plants to express their flavor profiles to the fullest.

Strains For Wounds, Muscle, and Back

Cramps, spasms, pulled tendons, and slipped disks in your back are types of musculoskeletal injuries. Marijuana eases muscle, joint, and injury-related pain. There are many strains that can help ease the inflammatory pain associated with musculoskeletal issues.

We also encourage you to give cannabis topicals a try. A topical is an infused cream, lotion, or salve that you apply directly to the skin. The activated compounds in this marijuana cream will relieve pain, inflammation, and muscle tightness in a localized area.

Afghan Kush

If you’re looking for a powerful general pain reliever, Afghan Kush just might be the strain for you. Nearly 100% indica, this strain is native to the Kush Mountain Region in the Middle East. Featuring a strong, pungent aroma, even the vapor of this flower will keep you locked on the couch.

Because this strain is a potent indica, the effects will be felt mostly in the body. In fact, this is what makes it so great for those seeking pain-relief. Not only is this little lady loaded with pain-fighting THC, but it’s also chock full of analgesic and anti-inflammatory terpenes. Particularly terpenes Humulene and Caryophyllene.

Their names may be hard to pronounce, but these potent flavors are the culprits behind the pungent and spicy hop aroma of Afghan Kush.

Caryophyllene has also shown anti-cancer effects. This may make strains like Afghan Kush a good choice for patients hoping to manage cancer pain. Other strains high in caryophyllene include Hash Plant, Maui Waui, and Super Sour Diesel.



White Widow

A true White Widow is a 50/50 cross between a pure sativa and a pure indica. The result is an extremely well-balanced and potent hybrid. Inheriting the best from both sides, this strain creates an uplifting and euphoric buzz while still easing away pain.

Unlike Afghan Kush we’ve featured so far, White Widow’s powerful unique high comes from several calming aroma molecules. Specifically, Linalool. Linalool is the terpene that gives lavender it’s famous therapeutic scent. It also happens to be a powerful pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.

But, we won’t just let the science speak for itself. Here’s what people had to say about it on Leafly, the World’s Largest Strain Finder:

“This is definitely as the other reviews have said. A very gentle but euphoric high. I am really looking for pain relief and it does work pretty well for me on that score. It is very relaxing. I find it a bit hard to think logically when using it so I would likely keep this for special times where I want to be awake and happy but nothing important needs to happen. It does give me terrible dry mouth”

“Incredible. If you want to get high, fight pain, or take a nap it’s the perfect strain. Definitely a perfect hybrid mix. Dense nugs. One I’m keeping in my medical rotation.”

“Definite Class A strain. Bright green, orange bristles are distinct. Euphoria and Energy are the main affects I experienced. I have a migraine disorder and this weed is perfect for relieving pain and getting your spirits up.”



Additional Strains for Wounds Muscle and Back Pain:

Juicy Fruit
Platinum OG
Green Crack
Blue Dream

Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, affects more than 3 million Americans every year.

There are two primary causes of chronic, neuropathic pain: tissue damage and damage to the central nervous system. Basically, car accident victims and Fibromyalgia patients alike are familiar with this life-changing symptom.

Studies show that low doses of vaporized cannabis can significantly help neuropathic pain. If you experience tissue damage from an accident, consuming cannabis and applying a topical can ease inflammation and numb a localized area.

In the case of issues with the Central Nervous System, using marijuana may also be able to help. THC and CBD are documented to relieve nerve pain caused by Multiple Sclerosis and similar diseases. They do this by reducing inflammation in the brain as well as by regulating pain signals released by your cells.

All of the below strains have high levels of neuroprotective terpenes. Some of these terpenes may amplify the natural preventative properties of THC and CBD. Patients who may benefit from these strains:

Accident and Injury Victims
HIV/AIDS Patients
Fibromyalgia Patients
MS Patients
Cancer Patients

Here are a few strains that may help ease nerve pain

Jack Herer

Named for the famous activist and author, Jack Herer is a sativa-dominant hybrid truly deserving of the title. A favorite seemingly all around the world, this happy flower has uplifting and energizing effects. While indicas are typically the weed species of choice for chronic pain, this strain has a few pain-fighting tricks up its sleeve.

A well-grown Jack H. is full of natural painkillers. THC is just one of the analgesics in this strain. The others? You guessed it. Terpenoid nutrients.

One of the primary terpenes in Jack Herer is Pinine. Pinine is responsible for this strain’s woody, Pine-Sol taste. In recent studies, pinene has been proven to have antitumor effects. In fact, a 2013 study showed that pinine was effective in preventing cancer cell proliferation in the brain.

When grown hydroponically, this strain has shown soaring levels of other neuroprotective terpenes as well. These flavor compounds help reduce stress and tissue inflammation. When you smoke or eat some Jack Herer, you’re consuming these medicinal terpenes along with it. These powerful nutrients help keep your brain healthy and ease pain.



SuperBud

Another aptly named strain, this flower is like the superfood of the marijuana world. Just take a look at these terpene levels:



Impressive, right? Especially considering that many strains may only produce 2-6% of these aromatic compounds.

All of these flavor molecules make this one pungent indica. High levels of myrcene give this strain a musky, dried-mango aroma. Also expect a bit of spice, and hints of wood and hops. First bred by Green House Seeds, this strain is said to have “almost narcotic” effects.

The nearly “narcotic” buzz this strain provides is caused by the strong pain fighting and brain-boosting compounds produced by this flower.



Additional Strains That May Help Neuropathic Pain:

The strains listed above are only a few of the marijuana types that may relieve nerve pain. Make sure to take a look at these as well:

Blueberry
Obama Kush
Sour Grape
Lemon Thai
One-to-One
Sour Haze

Arthritis and Inflammatory Pain

As we’ve mentioned several times in this article marijuana is a strong anti-inflammatory. Inflammation is one of the most common sources of pain. By alleviating inflammation, you also ease pain. Marijuana can treat arthritis pain and inflammation.

For both Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis patients, over-the-counter pain medications like aspirin and Tylenol® are often suggested by doctors. A 1988 study conducted in London found that CBD was up to 4 times more effective than aspirin at relieving inflammatory pain.

Researchers at the German University of Bonn have found that deficiencies in the endocannabinoid system may lead to bone weakness. Bone and joint weakness is one of the primary causes of osteoarthritis in aging adults.

CBD may be able to help. Researchers know that CBD interacts with certain cell receptors in our bodies. Namely, the CB2 receptor. In their study, German researchers found that mice without CB2 receptors had weaker bones.

We do not know precisely how CBD, the endocannabinoid system, and osteoarthritis are related. But, we do know that this is something worth studying.

The strains featured in this section are wonderful for arthritis. But, the truth is, these particular flowers are helpful for the treatment of nearly any kind of pain. Green House’s Super Bud is surely nutritious, but these strains stand apart in a category of their own.

Back in the early days of marijuana, weed wasn’t all that potent. By potent, we mean that it didn’t have much THC. Once we realized that THC was the primary psychoactive in cannabis, we decided to breed strains with a ton of it.

The only problem with that? By breeding out other cannabinoids in favor of adding in more THC, we overlooked the incredible therapeutic potential of the herb’s other nutritious compounds. The strains listed below have bred those highly medical compounds back in. CBD in particular.

High CBD Strains For Pain

Harlequin



Harlequin is a truly must-try strain for anyone experiencing pain. This sativa-dominant hybrid gives its users a highly unique experience. Harlequin always has a 5-to-2 ratio of CBD to THC. CBD is a known antipsychotic. This means that it reduces the psychoactive, anxious and paranoid side effects of smoking too much THC.

The result of this well-balanced combo is a mellow and painless high. For medical patients looking to avoid the strong cerebral effect of THC, this strain might be for you. At its best, Harlequin will have a musty, forest odor.



Cannatonic

Cannatonic is another amazingly therapeutic strain. Terpene and cannabinoid-rich, this flower contains a nearly one-to-one ratio of CBD and THC. A popular choice for patients suffering from chronic pain, this is another strain hits very smooth and mellow. Because of it’s high concentrations of CBD, Cannatonic will not give you a mind-melting, psychoactive experience.

Great for daytime pain relief, try this strain before heading off to work or doing something sociable. High levels of lavender-scented linalool supplement this strain’s calm, relaxed effect. Expect a musky, floral aroma with hints of spice.



Additional Strains That May Help Neuropathic Pain:

One-to-One
Charlotte’s Web
ACDC

Strains That Will Help You Sleep

Whether it’s from a bad headache or a muscle cramp, sleeping through the night can be nearly impossible when you’re in pain. Here are a few heavy indicas that are sure to knock you out:

Granddaddy Purple
Hindu Kush
LA Confidential
Critical Mass
Bubba Kush

Strains To Combat Pain-Related Depression:

If you or a loved one experience chronic pain, then you’re familiar with the way pain seems to creep into every facet of your life. Depression is a side effect of pain that can be just as debilitating.

Marijuana is an anti-depressant and it can help improve your quality of life. Studies have looked at the ways cannabis helps people cope with illnesses and conditions of all different kinds. Regardless of whether or not the herb was effective at treating the condition itself, patients around the world have improved the quality of their lives with the herb.

To combat the depression and stress associated with chronic strains, you might want to give these strains a try:

Amnesia Haze
Sour Diesel
Pineapple Express
Cinex
Girl Scout Cookies
Strawberry Cough