Is Delta 8 THC an Option for Back Pain?

No doubt, back pain can be debilitating, and like many other forms of pain, it seems to only get worse as we get older. Back pain can be caused by all kinds of factors ranging from an injury to poor posture, and even certain illnesses that affect the musculoskeletal system. But, what all back pain sufferers have in common is that they are desperate for relief, as the pain can become severe or chronic to the point of dramatically interfering with one’s quality of life, not to mention their ability to do their job and earn a living.

There are, fortunately, plenty of treatments available for back pain, ranging from surgery to massage. And, more people are discovering holistic means for managing pain levels, turning to plant-based methods that have been successfully utilized for centuries by cultures all over the world. One of the more sought-after options at the moment is delta 8 THC, a hemp-derived cannabinoid with unique properties related to the nervous system, where our pain sensitivity is controlled by cannabinoid receptors belonging to the endocannabinoid system.

Why Can Back Pain Occur?

Back pain is extremely common, affecting millions of Americans each year. The misconception is that chronic back pain only affects people above a certain age, but it can be caused by all kinds of factors that can happen to those as young as toddlers.

#1: Poor Posture

Posture and back pain are intrinsically linked to one another, as posture determines the curvature of the spine and the formation of the surrounding muscular tissue, which can become compromised as a result of positioning the body poorly as a habit. Over time, posture can lead to major misalignments of the spine that are severe enough to cause pressure on the nerves, leading to potentially excruciating pain.

#2: An Injury of the Muscle

Overexerting the muscles of the back can lead to muscular injury in the form of a strain or pull. This can cause severe pain, especially if the surrounding nerves are affected.

#3: Inflammatory Conditions

Chronic inflammatory illnesses like arthritis and fibromyalgia can lead to chronic back pain that affects the muscles, joints and spinal region of the body. These conditions can cause back pain to be present every day, and the pain can worsen when the weather is extremely cold or very humid.

#4: Herniated Disc

The discs present between the bones of the spine must maintain proper alignment so that the spine can function properly and maintain its mobility. But, injuries can cause these discs to herniate from their original position, which can lead to extreme pain as it’s common for a herniated disc to press up against a sensitive nerve of the spine.

#5: Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that usually begins in childhood, and is the result of a malformed spine that has improper curvature. This can lead to chronically bad posture that causes the muscles to become extremely painful.

#6: Stress Fracture

Stress fractures of the spine are the result of repeated movements that gradually damage the spinal bones. They’re very common among athletes who push their spines beyond their limits. Gymnasts and figure skaters are very prone to stress fractures of the spine, as are those who engage in extreme sports.

How Back Pain is Treated

Back pain is often treatable, but the treatment depends on the cause and circumstances regarding the back pain. It’s imperative that you see a specialist if you’re dealing with back pain, who can diagnose the cause of the issue and therefore come up with an effective treatment plan.

• Massage: Massage can address more mild forms of back pain pertaining to the muscles, which may be stiff, tense or knotted due to poor posture or certain forms of physical activity.
• Chiropractor: A chiropractor may be able to address back pain due to improper spinal alignment, such as misalignment due to mild forms of scoliosis or results of poor posture.
• Rest: In some cases, back pain only requires rest in order to heal itself, if the cause of the pain is relatively mild, such as overexertion during a workout.
• Medication: More severe cases of back pain may be managed with medications, as recommended by a doctor, which can be either purchased over the counter or acquired via a prescription.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy may be a suitable treatment that can help a person learn exercises and stretches that strengthen the back and regain its mobility.
• Surgery: Back surgery is a last resort due to its invasive nature, but still may be required if the individual has back pain due to a herniated disc or fracture of the spine.

Delta 8 THC For Back Pain: Can It Help?

As a cannabinoid, delta 8 THC effectively binds to cannabinoid receptors located throughout the body in order to create a chemical reaction that can regulate specific processes that we depend on daily. Delta 8 in particular binds to CB1 receptors in the nervous system, which correlate to pain sensitivity by regulation of the nervous system’s pain receptors.

In terms of its relationship to back pain, the above information implies that delta 8 may act as a pain reliever by desensitizing the nerves that send pain signals to the brain. The research linked above also shows that delta 8 may offer some anti-inflammatory properties, by regulating the cannabinoid receptors within the tissue of the back that manage inflammation levels.

How to Take Delta 8 THC for Back Pain

Delta 8 THC is a highly useful cannabinoid beyond its mild intoxicating properties, and it may be worth trying if you’re looking for a plant-based means for managing back pain. Still, you need to know these things below in terms of taking it properly.

1. Talk to a Specialist: You should only use delta 8 under the guidance of a specialist who is treating you for back pain. Make sure that you go over any medications you are on, as delta 8 may suppress the CYP3A4 enzyme that’s needed to metabolize many pain medications.
2. Be Mindful of the Milligram Strength: The ability that delta 8 has to offer relief is largely dose-dependent, so choose a product that has a higher-than-average milligram strength. For back pain, we recommend at least 25mg if taking edibles, and at least 3 puffs of vapor if using a vaping product, which comes out to about the same amount. However, as a beginner, you should start with a lower amount and work your way up over the course of a couple of weeks as your tolerance may be too low to easily tolerate the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoid.
3. Be Consistent: Because cannabinoids work cumulatively, we recommend taking delta 8 each day so that the compound builds up in the body to offer its maximum effectiveness.