Medical cannabis: A solution for inadequate pain relief from over-the-counter painkillers

When pain strikes, many individuals in the UK instinctively reach for paracetamol or ibuprofen. But what happens when these over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers fail to deliver relief? If you’re grappling with persistent discomfort, whether from chronic conditions, severe pain, or something OTC medications can’t touch, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there’s an alternative: medical cannabis. Legal in the UK since 2018, it’s offering hope to those let down by conventional options. 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 don’t always work

OTC painkillers like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin are staples for managing everyday aches. They’re affordable, accessible, and effective for mild to moderate pain. However, they are not a universally applicable solution. Here’s why they might not work for you:

• Limited Strength: The formulation of these medications targets short-term, mild issues. For chronic conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve pain, they often lack the potency needed.
• Side Effects: Prolonged use can cause problems, ibuprofen might upset your stomach or strain your kidneys, while paracetamol overdoses can harm your liver.
• Tolerance: Over time, your body may adapt, reducing the drugs’ effectiveness and leaving you needing more for the same relief.

If you’ve tried upping the dose or switching brands without success, the frustration can feel endless. That’s where medical cannabis steps in, offering a fresh approach to pain management.

What is medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis harnesses compounds from the cannabis plant to treat health issues, including pain. Its active ingredients are cannabinoids, primarily:

• CBD (Cannabidiol): Non-psychoactive, it reduces inflammation and soothes the nervous system.
• THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): Psychoactive, it tackles pain directly and can lift mood or aid sleep.

These compounds work with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network that regulates pain, inflammation, and other functions. When chronic pain throws the ECS off balance, medical cannabis can help restore it, providing relief where OTC options fall short.

In the UK, medical cannabis is legal but tightly controlled. You’ll need a prescription from a specialist doctor, usually after other treatments have failed.

How medical cannabis helps with pain

Unlike OTC painkillers, which focus on one or two mechanisms, medical cannabis takes a broader approach. Here’s how it stands out:

• Multi-Target Relief: It reduces inflammation (like ibuprofen) and blocks pain signals (like paracetamol), while also easing related issues like anxiety or poor sleep.
• Anti-Inflammatory Power: Both CBD and THC combat swelling, making it effective for conditions like arthritis or muscle injuries.
• Changes Pain Perception: THC interacts with brain receptors to lessen how intensely you feel pain.
• Safer Long-Term Use: Unlike opioids or NSAIDs, it poses a lower risk of addiction and doesn’t harm organs with extended use.

Studies back this assertion up. Research in the Journal of Pain Research (2019) found a 30% pain reduction in chronic pain patients using medical cannabis. Another study published in Pain Medicine in 2020 demonstrated an improvement in the quality of life for individuals suffering from nerve pain.

Medical cannabis vs. other options

If OTC painkillers aren’t enough, you might consider prescription drugs like opioids. While powerful, they come with risks:

• Addiction: Opioids can hook you fast, leading to dependency.
• Side Effects: Think nausea, constipation, or drowsiness, plus the danger of overdose.

Medical cannabis offers a middle ground. Its side effects (dizziness, dry mouth) are milder, and it’s less addictive. It also tackles the emotional side of pain, which OTC drugs ignore. Take John, a 52-year-old with back pain: “Ibuprofen stopped working, and tramadol made me a zombie. Cannabis oil cut my pain and let me sleep without feeling out of it.”

Things to know before trying medical cannabis

It’s not a magic fix, so consider these points:

• Side Effects: Expect possible dizziness, dry mouth, or appetite changes. THC might cause mild euphoria or fatigue.
• Drug Interactions: It could affect medications like blood thinners, check with your doctor.
• Dosage: The process involves trial and error. Start low, guided by a specialist.
• Legality: It’s prescription-only in the UK. OTC CBD products lack the strength and regulation of medical cannabis.

Being ready guarantees that it’s appropriate for you.

How to get medical cannabis through MARUCANNA

In the UK, medical cannabis requires a specialist prescription. Once you’ve got one, MARUCANNA streamlines the rest. Here’s the process:

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 demands the original.
• Your prescription is valid for 28 days from its issue date. If it expires, please contact your clinic to request a new one.

2. Purchase your cannabis prescription

• Once 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 schedules delivery and provides a tracking number.
• Not home? Please consider rescheduling with the courier or using their app for updates.
• You’ll need to sign for it on arrival.

4. Schedule a repeat prescription appointment on your calendar

• Mark when your supply runs low, MARUCANNA recommends booking your next prescription 10 days before you’re out.
• Check with your clinic: some require a follow-up, others let you request a new script directly.

Are you eligible?

If OTC painkillers aren’t helping and you have chronic pain, arthritis, neuropathy, or similar, you might qualify. Unsure? Visit MARUCANNA’s eligibility checker at https://marucanna.co.uk/check-eligibility/ to find out.

The legal picture in the UK

Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legal in the UK, but it’s not over-the-counter. Specialist doctors prescribe it when other options fail, ensuring safe, controlled use.

Your next move

If over-the-counter painkillers leave you in pain, medical cannabis could change that. It’s not just about dulling discomfort, it’s about targeting its source and improving your life. With MARUCANNA, accessing it is clear and secure.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve. Speak to your doctor, check your eligibility, and see if medical cannabis is your path to relief. A better day could be closer than you think.