NEUROPATHIC PAIN BY BEN OWENS
DIS-LIST
Pain is a familiar sensation to most of us that involves some sort of outside stimuli and a sharp, burning, or throbbing sensation. For those living with neuropathic pain, this experience can happen at any time, regardless of stimuli, or may not happen at all, even when stimulated. Neuropathic pain is the result of damage to the body’s nerves that inhibits or aggravates our pain experiences. Typical neuropathy treatments involve a variety of drug classes which cannabis may have the ability to minimize and replace. Science is beginning to validate patient anecdotes about efficacy and add substance to the idea that cannabis and cannabinoids can be an alternative to conventional medical treatments for neuropathic pain.
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Neuropathic pain is pain specific to the nervous system that may be triggered by a variety or lack of stimuli. Most commonly, neuropathic pain is the sensation of pain without a physical trigger, such as feeling a burning sensation but not being subjected to an external heat source. Usually chronic in nature, neuropathic pain does not have a rapid onset or predictable cadence, waxing and waning throughout the day. This form of nerve-based pain is often the result of nerve damage or a malfunctioning nervous system that impairs the body’s ability to transmit sensory information, resulting in numbness when there should be sensation and sensation when there isn’t anything to sense.1,2 As mentioned, neuropathic pain is caused by damaged or malfunctioning nerves. This damage can create the sensation of pain at the site of
the damage or can result in sensations felt elsewhere on the body whose nerve signals may be impeded or blocked. This is often described as a shooting, burning pain or tingling numbness. Our nervous system is made up of our spine, brain, and a variety of nerve receptors found throughout the body. Damage to this system caused by accidents, strokes, or physical trauma can result in neuropathic pain. Additionally, diabetes, alcoholism, cancer, infections and nerve-related diseases may lead to neuropathic pain.1,2 For those suffering from chronic episodes of neuropathic pain, one of the most common treatments is the use of an anticonvulsant or an antidepressant. Additionally, pain killers such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be suggested.1 If the pain is a result of a disease such
