Dealing with pain is never a walk in the park, and it was this universal agony that fueled the campaign for medical marijuana legalization in California. Since its legalization, extensive research has explored cannabis’ potential in pain management, particularly for acute and chronic conditions like broken bones.
In this guide, we’ve curated a list of top-tier strains renowned for their pain-relieving effects. We dive deep into the science of pain management, illuminating how cannabis works synergistically with your body’s chemistry. We’ll spotlight how specific terpenes can dramatically influence anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, arming you with the information to make an educated choice for your specific needs.
So, whether you’re nursing a fresh fracture or grappling with lingering discomfort, journey with us through this guide to discover which strains might be your allies in the battle against broken bone pain. Let the healing begin!
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Looking for some flower power to brighten up your day?
- The Science Behind Cannabis and Pain Management
- Why Some Strains Work Better for Pain Management
- Top Five Strains Known for Broken Bone Pain
- Combining Cannabis with Other Pain Management Techniques
- Final Thoughts
- Marijuana Strains for Broken Bone Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Cannabis can potentially help with pain management due to Delta-9 THC’s interaction with ECS.
- Some strains might work better thanks to their Delta-9 THC and CBD ratio, the terpene combination, or the general THC concentration.
- A few strains that can be helpful in staying active include Sherbert and Khalifa Kush.
- Other flowers that can instead support a better night’s sleep include Granddaddy Purp and the majestic King Louis.
- Lastly, it is important that you try a holistic approach to recovery from this type of injury, including physiotherapy and CBD or Delta-9 THC ointments, together with medical care.
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The Science Behind Cannabis and Pain Management
You might wonder how cannabis can help with pain management. Besides the high and potential health benefits, there is an actual scientific explanation of how it can regulate certain types of pain, specifically skeletal and muscle-related symptoms and the interaction of Delta-9 THC (a major component of weed).
First, the two main cannabinoids of weed interact with an essential part of our nervous network called the ECS (Endocannabinoid System). The ECS basically takes the role of sending certain chemical signals so the cells know you are feeling pain, an area should be swollen for reparation, and even certain symptoms that alert the body functions like hunger.
Delta-9 THC and CBD interact with two pain receptors, CB1 and CB2. These two are known for regulating pain management. CBD interacts directly and helps the reduction of cytokines, which are the hormones responsible for inflammation. Delta-9 THC, however, acts as an analgesic and potentially blocks pain signals sent through the nervous system.
Due to this, some scientific publications like this one discuss if cannabis could potentially help in the healing process of broken bones, aid with pain associated with fractures, and generally support musculoskeletal pain. While there is no evidence of aiding broken bones, the article does mention that THC as an effective treatment theoretically and requires clinical resting.
Why Some Strains Work Better for Pain Management
Now, why are some strains better for pain management, specifically broken bone pain? While there are many points of view, there are three main ways why a flower might work better than another. Some strains have a heavy CBD ratio, which helps with inflammation. The terpene blend and combination can also potentiate certain effects of each strain, and due to genetics lineage, there are some strains that can target specific pains.
Firstly let’s talk about the THC to CBD ratio. CBD is another major cannabinoid and component of weed, and it’s usually found in certain strains including flowers labeled as medicinal marijuana. If a strain has a bigger Cannabidiol (CBD) to Delta-9 THC content, it is often considered to have stronger sedative effects (pain-reducing).
Now, terpenes also play a big role in how cannabinoids work. Some terpenes work synergistically with Delta-9 THC and CBD, making them easier to work with the ECS or even acting with the nervous system themselves. Some terpenes like Caryophyllene have natural analgesic effects because of how they are absorbed.
Lastly, there’s always been a sativa vs. indica debate relating to pain management. Users tend to lean for sativa flowers whenever they want a mood boost or want to support acute skeletal pain. Others tend to use indica flowers to relax and unwind and get better rest, either during the day or simply to help the pesky pain impeding your sleep.
So generally, weed can be helpful in several ways. Indicas can help with muscle swelling, while sativas are better for acute pain and staying productive. Hybrids have the best of both worlds, aiding with muscle pain while not letting you fall asleep in the process, which can help recovery for strains.
Top Five Strains Known for Broken Bone Pain
Now that we have talked about the potential of the science between cannabis and pain management and why some strains can work better, let’s get down to the actual list of best strains for broken bone pain. We’ll also touch further down on different strain families, including the hot debate on indica vs. sativa for pain. Let’s start.
Sherbert
Meet Sherbert, a fun little strain that’s known for its potential destressing and calming properties by users. Also known as Sunset Sherbert, this strain comes from an incredible legacy made by crossing GSC (Girl Scout Cookies) and Pink Panties. Let’s take a quick look at how Sherbert could potentially aid some achy bones.
Description
Sherbet is iconic thanks to its sweet, creamy, and minty flavor with delicious sugary notes. It is known for its energizing and calming effects, balanced THC levels, and a general head high.
Terpene Profile
Due to its lineage, Sherbert has strong Caryophyllene, Limonene, and Myrcene in the terpenes of its profile. Caryophyllene can help with inflammation and general pain, Myrcene can be helpful to destress, and Limonene is known for its pain management properties.
Effects
Thanks to its hybrid profile with indica-leaning properties, users have reported feeling energized, calmed, and ideal to get a head high to make you feel relaxed without getting too drowsy. It is best for daytime use and potential pain management without falling asleep in the process.
You can try a similar strain to Sherbert with Punch’s Rainbow Sherbert 1g Cartridge. This strain has similar characteristics to the OG Sherbert, with added THC levels, a more fruity-like flavor, and a refreshing note in the aftertaste. This delicious strain is in cart form and has 91.02% Delta-9 THC here.
Granddaddy Purple
Now, meet a purple bud that can aid your pain management with a tasty grape flavor. Grandaddy Purple is an iconic indica-heavy strain that’s known for its heavy body high and relaxing effects, with also a dreamy buzz that can help you doze off after a long day.
Description
Full of grape, berry, and flowery flavors, this strain is the perfect blend if you want a heavy sleep-inducing indica hybrid that is not overwhelmingly sweet. With a sleepy and relaxed high, this strain is a solid choice for people experiencing pain at night who simply want to doze off.
Terpene Profile
Grandaddy Purple is typically strong in Caryophyllene, Pinene, and Humulene. The combination of these three creates a specially strong effect for muscle inflammation, also potentially aiding relaxation and making it a great option if you want to sleep and let your mind take off from the pain.
Effects
Thanks to its terpene combination, this strain is known to help you unwind and generally aid in relaxation. This could potentially help with muscle and skeletal pain since Delta-9 THC has evidence of aiding with pain management with musculoskeletal illness, specifically in this type of ailment.
You can try this strain in Kingpen’s Kush Berry x Granddaddy Purple Pre-Rolls. These indica-heavy joints are perfect to smoke before bed and drive yourself to your best dreams, with a unique blend of flavors and a fully packed 0.75g joint.
Khalifa Kush
You don’t have to be a fan of Wiz to love this delicious kush. The Khalifa Kush strain is an actual hybrid flower bred specifically for the famous rap artist Wiz Khalifa, with 21% Delta-9 THC. It is best for experienced users and potentially aids with pain management.
Description
Back in 2010’s, the rapper himself wanted a strain that had high potency but also that was closer to its personal taste. After this, the Khalifa Kush was born. With a mix of lemony, piney, diesel-like, and even pungent notes, this sativa-leaning hybrid is not for the faint of heart because it can hit so strongly that some people prefer to use it as medicinal marijuana.
Terpene Profile
Thanks to how this bud’s terpene profile works, it has a major Limonene, Myrcene, and Caryophyllene blend. Besides giving it delicious peppery, herbal, and citrusy notes, it can also aid with general pain management and inflammation. The first effect is usually associated with Myrcene and Limonene while supporting swelling is usually Caryophyllene’s job.
Effects
This strain is known for its cerebral buzz, helping people relax with its sativa-leaning properties. Medicinal marijuana patients often choose this bud to help them deal with stress or pain, making it an effective choice to boost their day up and support their general pain management.
For a similar effect but in edible form, try the NFuzed Fast Acting Sour Lemon Lifter Live Rosin Sour Gummies. These use a similar terpene and taste flavor, with delicious citrusy and tart notes without losing that sweet kushy taste. These are a solid choice if you want to stay creative without losing that iconic lemony flavor.
King Louis
Meet the monarch of all indicas, the King Louis strain. Besides its high potency with over 20% of Delta-9 THC, it comes from an iconic lineage by crossing OG Kush and LA Confidential. This flower has delicious spicy, earthy, citrus pine, and even hoppy notes that are complex but truly delicious.
Description
King Louis is one of the strongest strains from this list, with a high potency, a deliciously spicy, earthy, and piney taste profile, and balanced smoking. This strain has dense nugs with a strong pine-like smell, transporting you to a forest adventure with your favorite king.
Terpene Profile
As with most medicinal-heavy strains with inflammation characteristics, this strain has a strong Myrcene, Limonene, and Caryophyllene mix in its terpene blend. Myrcene has an earthy scent with the potential to aid with muscle inflammation, thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory activity.
Effects
You’ll want to get this king’s favor, especially if you feel like your current pain is too strong or want some anti-inflammatory action. The King Louis strain is known to give a strong body-relaxing effect and even couch-locking some users, which can be great if you simply want to forget your pain and stress.
For a similar strain with more of a creamy vanilla and mint taste, the Gelato #33 1g Cartridge from Muha Meds. This comes in a 1g 510-thread cart that’s ready to use and toke discreetly, only needing a battery to get some tasty smokes with 88.38% of Delta-9 THC levels.
GMO
Lastly on our list, meet GMO, and no, there are no chemical pesticides included with this flower. GMO, also known as Garlic Cookies, is a hybrid strain that’s considered an oddball due to its iconic smell and flavor. Yes, it tastes like garlic, but hear us out: it’s as powerful as your granny’s garlic remedy for pain.
Description
Born from ChemDog #4 and GSC, this strange-yet-enticing flower is a strong bud with a delicious taste. Users report plums, coffee, and diesel-like smoking notes, with a pretty noticeable garlic base that’s present both while smoked and in their scent. Varieties can have high Delta-9 THC levels.
Terpene Profile
As with most pain-supporting strains, the main terpene profile includes Caryophyllene, Myrcene, and Limonene, which all contribute to Delta-9 THC effects thanks to its potential analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Effects
Due to its selective breeding and high potency, GMO is known to provide a strong high. The flower has around 28% and 35% of Delta-9 THC levels. With a body feeling, it can help you feel a body relaxing sensation, but also a quick sleepy and euphoric buzz.
A similar hybrid strain that you can use is Animal Cookies Small by Roll Bleezy. Since GMO can come off as a little too strong with garlic notes, this flower is perfect to have some vanilla, sweet cookies, and earthy notes to aid with relaxation and strong muscle inflammation without having to try garlic-tasting weed. You can get ⅛ of an ounce of this flower with 25.2% of Delta-9 THC.
Combining Cannabis with Other Pain Management Techniques
While using high-quality weed can help with certain pain and stress symptoms, sometimes all you need is a look at the bigger picture of the recovery process. Because of this, a holistic approach using medicine, weed, and other practices like physiotherapy can aid in a quick recovery.
There is evidence that cannabis can assist in the production of natural endocannabinoids, which can help reduce swelling. When combined with muscle exercises that target the affected area, this can result in a gradual reduction in pain and an improvement in mobility. By using both methods in conjunction with one another, recovery time can be significantly decreased compared to relying on just one approach.
In our books, the best way to potentially help with symptomatic or chronic pain is by smoking weed. However, for acute pain in specific places, you can mix the puffs with topical CBD or Delta-9 ointments that you can use in the affected area. This can provide topical relief and calm muscular pain, while the pot you are smoking will help you unwind.
Final Thoughts
Throughout this article, we’ve checked some of the best potential health benefits of pot, specifically for musculoskeletal pain. Overall, throughout our list of best strains for broken bone pain, we also reviewed the holistic approach to support pain through pot, but also other techniques like physiotherapy.
We also reviewed some delicious strains, like Granddaddy Purple, Khalifa Kush, and Sherbert. All of these are balanced enough to potentially support pain management, whether you want to have a better night of sleep with a heavy indica. Or, if you want to stay productive but get more of a mood boost, you can try sativa strains or hybrids instead.
Marijuana Strains for Broken Bone Pain: Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Any Scientific Evidence Supporting Cannabis for Bone Pain Relief?
Yes, there are reviews of scientific evidence like this one from 2020 and this one reviewing effects on specific bone health, wound healing, and pain management from 2022.
How Should I Consume These Strains for Maximum Pain Relief?
The best way to consume these strains is by smoking them through a pipe, bong, or smoking device. You’ll first need to ground up your weed and then add it to your pipe. Light it up, pull the smoke, and you are ready to use your flower. You can alternatively look for a premade joint over here.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects When Using Cannabis for Pain?
Some people are more sensitive than others to cannabinoids, which can produce certain unwanted side effects like nausea, headaches, hunger, and general drowsiness.
Can I Use Cannabis Strains for Post-surgery Pain Related to Bone Fractures?
Yes, you can use cannabis strains for pain related to bone fractures, but we recommend consulting a healthcare professional first.
Is There a Risk of Dependency When Using Cannabis for Pain Relief?
No, cannabis is not known to create physical dependency for pain relief. We do recommend speaking with your healthcare professional when issuing a medicinal marijuana card to know how long you should smoke cannabis for pain.