Hashtag Cannabis

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Can THC Help Relieve Chronic Pain?

Christine Bryant Darling

by Christine Bryant Darling, marketing and creative director

Photo by Robina Weermeijer.

At Hashtag Cannabis, we aren’t doctors or pharmacists, and we cannot give medical advice. However, we can share the sound science of what cannabis can do for all of us. 

In that spirit, I’m here to discuss how THC may relieve chronic pain. I’ll cover scientific research and make recommendations for cannabis products to try from our dispensaries.

What does scientific research say about THC and chronic pain?

In 2020, Israeli pharma-tech company Syqe Medical developed a microdose THC inhaler, called the Syqe Inhaler, which delivers either 500 micrograms (0.5 mg) or 1,000 micrograms (1 mg) of THC to the patient.

Later in 2020, a randomized, double‐blinded, and placebo‐controlled trial recruited a cohort of 27 subjects with chronic neuropathic pain, and across three separate test days, each subject received either the 500 micrograms (0.5 mg) or 1,000 micrograms (1 mg) dose of THC, or a placebo. 

“As well as showing relevant reductions in subjective pain sensations, the study reports no signs of cognitive impairment across either active dose. Reports of a psychoactive ‘high’ sensation were significantly greater after the 1,000-microgram dose compared to the 500-microgram dose” (Haridy 2020).

What does that mean for me?

The conclusion I draw from that research is -- microdoses of THC can positively impact some types of chronic pain, with little to no feeling of intoxication.

How do I find microdoses of THC?

Let’s discuss how you can find a microdose of 0.5 mg or 1 mg of THC. Nearly all of the cannabis products sold at our dispensary offer 1 mg of THC at their lowest amount, and they also offer high amounts of CBD included in each serving.

Solid Edibles

Solid edibles come in pre-measured serving sizes, with accurate doses of THC and CBD. They’re convenient, reliable, and easy to try.

Mr. Moxey’s Zen peppermint mints come in a ratio of 40 mg CBD to 1 mg of THC per mint.

And if you’d rather try a capsule, with no sugar at all, try Ceres’ Super Relief High CBD capsules, with 25 mg CBD and 1 mg THC per capsule. 

Tinctures

Tinctures offer a liquid form of cannabis that can be placed under the tongue directly, or mixed into a beverage. Water-based tinctures mix better into drinks than oil-based tinctures, and oil-based tinctures may be more bioavailable to your body. There are certainly benefits to either type, so I recommend trying both and seeing what you prefer.

Fairwinds’ CBD 20:1 ratio tincture is an oil-based, terpene-fortified tincture that meets all requirements for Washington Department of Health medical-grade cannabis. There are 10 servings per container, and each serving has 1 mg of THC.


Green Revolution makes an extra relief nano water tincture, with 2 mg of THC per serving. I recommend beginning with half a serving, for 1 mg total THC.

Conclusion

Why not try microdosing THC for your chronic pain symptoms?

Research supports its effectiveness, and all our Hashtag stores have a wide selection of low-THC products for you to try. Ask your budtender for low-THC options next time you visit us!

Works cited

Almog, S., Aharon-Peretz, J., Vulfsons, S., Ogintz, M., Abalia, H., Lupo, T., Hayon, Y., & Eisenberg, E. (2020). The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of a novel selective-dose cannabis inhaler in patients with chronic pain: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. European Journal of Pain, 24(8), 1505-1516. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1605


Haridy, R. (2020, July 5). THC microdosing reduces chronic pain in world-first clinical trial. New Atlas. https://newatlas.com/medical/thc-microdose-cannabis-chronic-pain-clinical-trial-syqe-inhaler/