How medical cannabis can help with burning sensations

Burning sensations can be a debilitating symptom, affecting your daily life and well-being. Finding effective relief, whether due to nerve damage, inflammation, or other underlying conditions, can be a challenging task, particularly when over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers fail to provide the necessary comfort. If you’re caught in this frustrating cycle, medical cannabis could offer a new path forward. Since its legalisation in the UK in 2018, medical cannabis has emerged as a promising solution for individuals struggling with persistent, difficult-to-treat symptoms such as burning sensations. In this blog post, we’ll explore why OTC painkillers sometimes fall short, how medical cannabis can help, and how you can access it through MARUCANNA.

Why over-the-counter painkillers may not relieve burning sensations

Many people turn to over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, but they may not be effective in treating burning sensations. Here’s why:

• Targeted for mild pain: These medications aim to alleviate temporary, mild to moderate pain. Burning sensations, often linked to nerve issues or chronic conditions, can be more complex and resistant to standard treatments.
• Limited mechanisms: OTC painkillers primarily reduce inflammation or block pain signals, but they don’t address the root causes of nerve-related pain, which often drives burning sensations.
• Side effects with long-term use: Prolonged reliance on ibuprofen can lead to stomach issues or kidney strain, while paracetamol poses liver risks if overused.

If you’ve tried these options without success, you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Medical cannabis offers a different approach, one that’s gaining traction for its ability to tackle pain at its source.

What is medical cannabis?

The cannabis plant yields medical cannabis, which primarily contains active compounds known as cannabinoids.

• CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive, it reduces inflammation and calms overactive nerves.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Psychoactive, it directly targets pain and can alter how you perceive discomfort.

These cannabinoids interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a natural network that regulates pain, inflammation, and nerve function. When burning sensations, often tied to nerve misfires or inflammation, disrupt your ECS, medical cannabis can help restore balance, offering relief where OTC medications can’t.

In the UK, medical cannabis is legal but strictly regulated. Specialist doctors typically prescribe it when other treatments have failed.

How medical cannabis helps with burning sensations

Burning sensations, especially those linked to nerve pain (like in neuropathy or shingles), can feel relentless. Medical cannabis offers a multi-faceted solution:

• Calms overactive nerves: CBD and THC can reduce the hyperactivity of damaged nerves, which often causes burning feelings.
• Reduces inflammation: Both cannabinoids have anti-inflammatory properties, tackling swelling that might be irritating nerves.
• Alters pain perception: THC binds to receptors in the brain, dulling the intensity of pain signals.

Research supports this. A study in the Journal of Pain (2018) found that cannabis-based treatments significantly reduced nerve pain, including burning sensations, in patients with neuropathy. Another in Clinical Therapeutics (2020) highlighted its effectiveness for post-shingles pain, a condition notorious for causing burning discomfort.

Medical cannabis vs. other pain relief options

If OTC painkillers aren’t cutting it, you might consider stronger prescription drugs, but these come with their challenges:

• Opioids: While effective, they carry a high risk of addiction and side effects like drowsiness or constipation.
• Antidepressants or anticonvulsants: Often used for nerve pain, but they can take weeks to work and may cause dizziness or weight gain.

Medical cannabis offers a middle ground. Its side effects (like dry mouth or mild dizziness) are generally milder, and it’s less addictive than opioids. It also works faster than many nerve pain medications, providing quicker relief. Take Sarah, a 45-year-old with diabetic neuropathy: “Paracetamol did nothing for the burning in my feet. Gabapentin helped but made me too tired. Cannabis oil finally let me sleep through the night.”

Key considerations before trying medical cannabis

While promising, medical cannabis isn’t a quick fix. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Side effects: You might experience dizziness, dry mouth, or changes in appetite. THC can also cause mild euphoria or drowsiness.
• Drug interactions: It may affect medications like blood thinners or antidepressants, always consult your doctor.
• Finding the right dose: It’s a process. You’ll start low and adjust under medical supervision.
• Legality: It’s prescription-only in the UK. Over-the-counter CBD products lack the potency and oversight of medical-grade cannabis.

Having knowledge guarantees a safe and effective approach.

How to get medical cannabis through MARUCANNA

In the UK, accessing medical cannabis starts with a prescription from a specialist doctor. Once you have that, MARUCANNA makes the rest straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Please send us your prescription

• Ask your clinic or pharmacy to send MARUCANNA a physical copy of your prescription.
• If they can’t, post it yourself. Photocopies or scans aren’t accepted, the law requires the original.
• Your prescription is valid for 28 days from its issue date. If it expires, contact your clinic for a new one.

2. Purchase your cannabis prescription

• After MARUCANNA receives your prescription, they’ll email you a payment link.
• Pay online with a credit card via PayPal.

3. We’ll bring your medicine to you

• A courier will schedule your delivery and provide a tracking number.
• Not home? Please consider rescheduling with the courier or using their app for updates.
• You’ll need to sign for the delivery to confirm receipt.

4. Schedule a repeat prescription appointment on your calendar

• Note when your supply will run low, MARUCANNA recommends booking your next prescription 10 days before you’re out.
• Check with your clinic: some require a follow-up visit, others allow direct requests for a new prescription.

Are you eligible?

If burning sensations, perhaps from neuropathy, shingles, or other conditions, persist despite trying OTC painkillers, you might qualify for medical cannabis. Not sure? Visit MARUCANNA’s eligibility checker at https://marucanna.co.uk/check-eligibility/ to find out.

The legal context in the UK

Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018, but it’s not freely available. Only specialist doctors can prescribe it, and it’s typically a last-resort option when other treatments fail. This feature ensures it’s used safely and appropriately.

Your path to relief

When OTC painkillers fail to provide relief from burning sensations, medical cannabis presents a promising solution. It’s not just about masking the pain, it’s about addressing its root causes and improving your quality of life. With MARUCANNA, accessing your prescription is simple and secure.

If you’re tired of living with unrelenting discomfort, talk to your doctor about medical cannabis. Check your eligibility, and take the first step toward reclaiming your comfort. Relief might be closer than you think.