Is cannabis better than traditional pain relievers for sports injuries?

Although cannabis has been legalized for medicinal purposes in much of the country, there is still a large segment of the population who question its healing properties. Unfortunately for athletes it is for the most parts the people unfamiliar with the healing properties of medical marijuana who are still in control of many governing bodies in the sports world.

Even so, in reality, cannabis can be as effective or even more effective than the opioids and pain relievers that most athletes are used to. There are several factors that make cannabis a more attractive choice for injury treatment than over-the-counter medications.

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Cannabis is not as addicting as opioids

One of the most common methods of treating sports injuries is by consuming opioids like Vicodin and Oxycontin. It’s no secret that opioids can provide pain relief, but not without the prospect of long-term dependence. Although there is a prospect of developing marijuana addiction, research shows that just under 10% of consumers do in the end. In addition, opioid abuse can have fatal consequences. While marijuana addiction can be harmful, there are no documented marijuana overdoses.

Cannabis has no side effects of traditional pain relievers

In addition to the risk of developing long-term addiction, taking traditional pain relievers can lead to a variety of other life-long side effects. Some these terms include kidney failure, gastric bleeding and liver failure, among others. Cannabis serves as an effective alternative because it can relieve many of the same ailments as over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen. There is also a wide variety of cannabis products that can relieve pain. From CBD tinctures and topicals to THC cartridges and edibles, there are numerous options available that can treat pain without endangering the long-term health of consumers.

Cannabis can provide faster relief than traditional pain relievers

The wide variety of cannabis products on the market today means that consumers are no longer limited to over-the-counter pain relievers, which can vary in length of time to work. In many cases, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen It can take up to 30 minutes for the effects to set in, while consumers who inhale cannabis will feel the effects almost immediately. Also only CBD topicals takes up to 15 minutes insert after use.

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How cannabis can lead to faster recovery

People unfamiliar with marijuana are usually unaware that it has so many healing properties, mainly its anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation can occur after an injury, either in the field or due to conditions such as arthritis. CBD is particularly effective for chronic pain caused by inflammation as the compound can easily communicate with receptors in the endocannabinoid system.

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The sooner the sports world accepts cannabis for its medicinal properties, the better life will be for everyone involved. By using cannabis instead of over-the-counter drugs, athletes not only have the opportunity to recover faster from their injuries, but also to benefit from getting back to their sport without taking any medication that could jeopardize their future after exercising can return risk.