Unfortunately, pain occurs in everybody, and the level of pain one feels and how long that pain lasts can have multiple effects on a person’s life. Long-term, ongoing pain can lead to other issues such as depression and decreased quality of life. Acute pain usually occurs suddenly and lasts less than a few weeks. However, chronic pain is ongoing, usually longer than three months
Pain relief treatments range from over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to prescription medications such as muscle relaxers or opioids. Unfortunately, chronic pain prescription medications can lead to unwanted side effects such as nausea, itching, or even physical addiction
Many with chronic pain are searching for a better treatment, and Delta 8 may just be that solution.
What is Delta 8?
Delta 8 is a minor type of THC that is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in small traces (about 0.01%) in the cannabis (marijuana) plant. Delta 8 is related to Delta 9 THC. But, unlike Delta 9, Delta 8 does not give you that euphoric high or buzz. Delta 8 can still produce a mild high, but it is more of a feeling of relaxation.
Although Delta 9 THC tends to be controlled in most areas due to its more intense psychoactive side effects, Delta 8 is legal in most states. Because cannabis plants produce scant amounts of Delta 8, it is usually extracted from hemp. As a result, it is now one of the fastest-growing products from the hemp industry.
Delta 8 has been found to be a helpful supplement for several health conditions and is starting to be used more in a medical setting. While research into the use of cannabinoids is still relatively new, prior research from the 1990s showed that our bodies contain a signaling system that bonds well with THC. Called the endogenous cannabinoid system, this signaling system affects various functions such as mood, eating habits, memory, sleep, and pain relief.
Companies have developed a variety of Delta 8 products such as gummies, vapes, flower, edibles, capsules and more. The most popular product types are Delta 8 disposable vapes and Delta 8 gummies.
What Benefits Does Delta 8 Provide?
Delta 8 provides several health benefits to the body, with pain relief being one of the main benefits studied. Delta 8 works on the nervous system and helps decrease the sensation of pain. It has been suggested that Delta 8 may desensitize the mind to pain, thus increasing pain tolerance.
Research is now beginning to show that Delta 8 offers an anti-inflammatory effect that helps reduce pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with inflammation. This may be helpful in chronic conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
The antiemetic properties of Delta 8 help aid in calming digestive issues such as nausea and vomiting, which has been most helpful to people going through chemotherapy for cancer treatment.
Delta 8 is also known to help boost appetite as it affects the receptors in the brain that regulate eating habits. This has shown to be effective in treating eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa.
One of the most dramatic benefits of Delta 8 is its anticonvulsant effect in people known to suffer from epilepsy. One study showed the frequency of children’s seizures went down significantly with the use of THC, perhaps as much as 80%.
Can Delta 8 Help Reduce Pain?
To understand how Delta 8 helps with pain reduction, it’s important to understand how THC functions in the body. The endogenous cannabinoid system in our body has two main receptor systems, CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located in the brain (the central nervous system), and CB2 is found in the rest of the body (the peripheral nervous system).
It’s been discovered that Delta 8 bonds strongest with the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system. In addition, several studies on both animals and humans have proven the pain-relieving effects of Delta 8 through the bond to the nervous system receptors that regulate the sensitivity of pain, so we feel less of it.
Further study has found that Delta 8 works particularly well in relieving chronic pain due to its effect on the central nervous system through the CB1 receptors, but not as well at controlling acute pain, which typically occurs in the peripheral system through the CB2 receptors.
Can Delta 8 Help with Knee Pain?
According to a report by the CDC, in 2021, nearly 1 in 4 adults (or about 58.5 million people) suffers from chronic knee pain in the United States. Conditions such as arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia contribute to this chronic pain. Of the many people dealing with chronic knee pain, about 44%, or 25.7 million, report decreased ability to function in their normal daily activities due to joint pain and stiffness.
Delta 8 provides a unique opportunity to help control chronic knee pain experienced by so many people. With its affinity to binding to the CB1 receptor in the brain, it helps to provide much-needed pain relief from these chronic conditions. In addition, the anti-inflammatory properties of Delta 8 also help with knee pain, which is usually accompanied by inflammation.
A New Approach to Managing Knee Pain
Delta 8 THC provides a new unique potential for dealing with chronic knee pain. With its affinity to the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system, Delta 8 may just be the solution you’ve been looking for.
As always, be sure to consult your healthcare professional before starting any new medication or supplement routine.
Where can I buy Delta 8?
Delta 8 is sold online, in smoke shops and even gas stations. But there have been reports of companies creating fake Delta 8 products which are found in smoke shops and gas stations. Therefore, we only recommend purchasing online from trusted companies. It’s important to note that even online, there are Delta 8 brands you should avoid. That doesn’t mean that all Delta 8 brands are bad though. Do your research and you will find a brand that works for you.
