Introduction 

Weed, also known as cannabis or marijuana, is normally used as an analgesic to relieve chronic pain. Muscle tightness is an involuntary muscle activity that renders body parts more resistant to move. It can occur when the brain fails to send the right signals to the muscle or when the muscles undergo an involuntary contraction. Smoking weed to relieve muscle tightness is a treatment that effectively relieves this frustrating and painful condition. 

Understanding Weed and Muscle Tightness 

Weed contains two major active components, Cannabidiol ( CBC ) and Tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ). Conducted research suggests that THC, the active compound responsible for constraining psychoactive effects of weed, may have muscle relaxant effects. The link between weed and muscle tightness ascertains that muscle tightness can be treated by weed. Weed cannabinoids such as THC extracted from medical marijuana can relieve and treat neuropathic pain from muscle tightness.  

Muscle tightness is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, and muscle relaxers. These drugs are known to cause more negative effects to the patient than weed. While smoking weed to relieve muscle tightness is not the major treatment but an optional treatment for muscle tightness, it is considered effective. 

Weed Effect on Muscle Tightness 

Weed, derived from the hemp plant, shows a promising alternative for prescription as an effective and safe muscle relaxant. Muscle contraction is caused by the chemical messengers moving from the nervous system to the muscle inducing contraction of the muscles. Without sufficient endocannabinoids supply, there will be no compound to slow down these excess chemicals causing continuous muscle contraction. The CBD directly slows down the flow of these excess chemical messengers while boosting the body’s supply of endocannabinoids. This process results in a twofold effect, reducing muscle tightness and inducing muscle relaxation.  

Naturally, our brains have an endocannabinoid system that is composed of neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors. The two active weed compounds, i.e., THC and CBD, also contain natural cannabinoids. The peripheral nerves responsible for perceiving pain sensations have numerous cannabinoid receptors. The cannabinoids suppress pain via various mechanisms such as blocking nerve pain and boosting other broad powers. THC, the psychoactive component, relieves pain induced by muscle tightness by binding to cannabinoid receptors resulting in an elevated state of mind commonly referred to as ‘high.’ CBD interacts with receptors in the brain to release anti-inflammatory and pain relief effects. Though THC and CBD can be used individually for medication, an equal combination of both compounds is more effective.  

Conclusion  

Pain relief is the most recognizable therapeutic effect of weed; however, with the many different types of pain and variety of weed strains in the market, it can be quite difficult to figure out the correct strain and use it effectively. It is, therefore, necessary to use it under the supervision of medical personnel. Smoking weed to relieve muscle tightness proves effective, however, the Food and Drug Administration is yet to approve weed as a treatment option for pain relief.  

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