Medicinal Cannabis for TMJ? Here’s what the science says

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the jaw and the muscles responsible for controlling movement in the jaw. The temporomandibular joint works like a sliding hinge and connects the skull and jawbones. The human body has one of these jaws on each side.

Symptoms of TMJ include tenderness or pain in the jaw, pain in the left, right, or both jaws, clicking noises when opening the mouth, pain in the ear and face areas, muscle spasms, joint blockages, difficulty chewing, and more. These can be caused by various factors such as B. Damage to the joint or articular cartilage caused by impact, erosion of the intervertebral disc or misalignment of the jaw disc. In most cases of people with TMJ, the exact cause is unclear.

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According to the National Institutes of Health, there are approximately 10 million Americans with TMJ disorders. They usually affect people between the ages of 20 and 40 and are more common in women than men. Most cases of TMJ disorders are mild, and if diagnosed early, are not expected to get worse over time.

Lifestyle changes such as eating soft foods, applying ice packs, avoiding extreme jaw movements, and relaxation techniques are recommended. If this is not enough, painkillers and NSAIDs may be recommended by doctors, and in severe cases, the use of a stabilizing splint, a type of oral splint, may be necessary. In rare cases, Botox and surgery may be needed.

Millions of people with TMJ problems struggle with the severe pain and discomfort that this condition brings.

How cannabis helps with temporomandibular joint disorders

Although there are few studies that focus solely on cannabis for TMJ disorders compared to other diseases, their results are promising. One study showed that low doses of cannabis were effective in treating the pain associated with this condition, which is especially wonderful for people who don’t want to take NSAIDs because of the side effects.

In another study, researchers analyzed the effects of CBD oil on 60 patients with TMJ symptoms. The participants were divided into two groups; One of these groups received CBD oil for topical application, while the second group received a placebo. The researchers also analyzed muscle tone in these patients before and after treatment, which lasted 14 days. Electromyography was used to measure muscle tension, and participants were also asked to rate the intensity of their pain using a 10-point scale.

The group given CBD oil had 11% less tension on the left side and 13% less muscle tension on the right side, while the placebo group reported an improvement of 0.2% and 3.3%, respectively. With a reduction in muscle tension, participants also experienced less pain. Those in the CBD oil treatment group reported experiencing $70 less pain, compared to just 10% for those given placebo. Researchers concluded that transdermal application of CBD was effective in reducing jaw muscle activity and was particularly helpful for patients suffering from myofascial pain.

There is also another study showing that a synthetic cannabinoid agonist, a chemical designed to bind to the same receptors as cannabis, provides TMJ sufferers with relief equivalent to taking morphine.

However, research on the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis is strong, with dozens of studies supporting its use to treat pain. In fact, according to Harvard, the number one reason people use medical marijuana is for pain. Scientists continue to look for explanations for this, and to date we have numerous hypotheses.

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Both CBD and THC work differently in the human body via cannabinoid receptors, which can help alter our perception of pain. “We know a lot more about how THC works in terms of molecular mechanisms than CBD,” explains Steve Alexander, associate professor of pharmacology at the University of Nottingham Medical School. “THC activates specific cannabinoid receptors, one located in nerve cells and the other in immune cells. When it activates that in the nerve cells, it reduces the sensation of pain,” he adds.

CBD has also made waves within the medical community for its ability to treat inflammation and pain. Some studies show that CBD reduces pain by affecting the pain perception systems in the body known as nociceptive. Since the human body’s endocannabinoid system helps regulate many important functions in the body, including pain management, it makes sense why cannabis can work so well.

Using cannabis for temporomandibular joints

There are many ways that patients can administer cannabis to treat TMJ, although some people find that one method works better for them than others. For those who need immediate relief, smoking or vaping cannabis is recommended. Oral ingestion of oils and sublingual use are also recommended. For TMJ sufferers suffering from chronic pain due to TMJ pain, taking edibles with THC, CBD, or a ratio of both is effective for long-lasting relief, although their effects may last 1-2 hours.

Using cannabis topicals can also provide fast-acting relief for TMJ pain. Simply apply the topical to the affected area outside of the jawline or around the face and neck. This allows the therapeutic cannabinoids to be absorbed by the skin and provide localized relief. Just be sure not to take cannabis without consulting your doctor if you are taking other medications due to possible harmful interactions.

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and has been republished with permission.