7 Reasons Why Cannabis Soft Gels Are The Best Choice For Chronic Pain Management

Kimberly Cargile, CEO  of A Therapeutic Alternative
Kimberly Cargile, CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative

Kimberly Cargile has been dedicated to advancing the cannabis industry as an activist, educator and business leader for almost two decades.

About Kimberly

Managing chronic pain can seem like a daunting task, but discovering effective solutions is important for living a better life. For these reasons and more, cannabis soft gels have become a convenient and trustworthy choice for those suffering from chronic pain.

With their ability to offer accurate dosing, cannabis soft gels deliver a reliable experience that helps users stay focused and in control of their chronic pain management regimen. Compared to other delivery methods, soft gels are simple to ingest, easy to travel with and eliminate the requirement for smoking or vaping.

Their long-lasting effects can help support sustained relief throughout the day without the need for multiple doses. Thanks to new advancements in their formulation, they can deliver truly targeted benefits and stay clear of any unwanted fillers.

Learning their benefits can allow you to choose wisely when seeking effective chronic pain relief.

What Are Cannabis Soft Gels?

Definition And Composition

Cannabis soft gels are small, smooth, easy-to-swallow capsules filled with CBD oil derived from the cannabis plant. They are non-psychoactive as a compound, so they do not produce the “high” that is associated with THC.

These capsules often come in two types: broad-spectrum and full-spectrum. Full-spectrum options mix multiple cannabinoids and a small amount of THC, below 0.3% to be exact. They’re packed with plant goodness, including terpenes and flavonoids.

That’s because this combination supports the “entourage effect,” where the compounds work together to heighten the benefits. Broad-spectrum, on the other hand, removes THC but keeps other beneficial cannabinoids.

The soft gel’s outside barrier preserves the freshness and quality of the contents until you’re ready to use them. This quality makes the soft gel an effective and dependable option for chronic pain management.

How They Differ From Other Forms

Unlike tinctures, edibles, or topicals, cannabis soft gels provide a simple, convenient, discrete, and consistent delivery of CBD with a pre-measured dose. This takes out all of the guesswork and makes them perfect for regular daily use.

With their discreet design, you can easily incorporate them into your routine without anyone noticing. Compared to inhalation methods such as vaping, soft gels bypass potential lung irritation while offering a more gradual release of cannabinoids.

This provides for longer-lasting effects that are particularly useful for chronic pain relief.

Why They Are Popular For Pain

Cannabis soft gels are popular due to their long-lasting, convenient relief. They help with chronic pain by relieving inflammation and soothing hyperactive pain signals in the body.

For example, patients with arthritis or multiple sclerosis experience decreased stiffness and increased mobility. These capsules utilize the soothing effects of CBD to calm anxiety and panic.

They help people sleep better, something that chronic pain frequently interferes with. Given that 90% of users report an improvement in overall wellness, these capsules offer a great, holistic alternative to pain relief.

How Cannabis Soft Gels Relieve Pain

Mechanism Of Action Of Cannabinoids

Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis. They work by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is a complex cell-signaling system that regulates functions including pain. Other compounds such as THC and CBD found in cannabis greatly affect the way the body experiences pain.

They modify how the body responds to pain. For example, there’s ample evidence that cannabis is anti-nociceptive, i.e., it decreases the perception of pain. This makes it a powerful, natural alternative to painkillers such as opioids. If you experience chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia, cannabis soft gels offer a safer alternative to traditional opioids.

Unlike opioids, they have significantly lower associated risks.

Role Of Endocannabinoid Receptors

The ECS consists of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 that play key roles in pain modulation. CB1 receptors are primarily located in the central nervous system. On the other hand, CB2 receptors are primarily located in the peripheral nervous system and immune cells.

When you consume cannabis soft gels, cannabinoids attach to these receptors, working to reduce inflammation and stop pain signals in their tracks. Research points to balanced THC: CBD ratios as a preferred choice for pain relief. Formulations low in THC and high in CBD are the most popular among patients surveyed, with close to half of patients choosing these formulations.

This preference underscores the potential of CBD to manage pain without the psychoactive effects associated with THC.

Interaction With Pain Pathways

Cannabis soft gels take a more direct approach to pain pathways, targeting the neurons and immune cells that transmit pain signals to the brain. A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pain found some promising results. The study found that topical CBD treatment reduced pain and inflammation in arthritic subjects.

While this study specifically focused on topical CBD, the same mechanisms can be applied to oral forms such as soft gels. With reliable, repeatable dosing, these gels enable cannabinoids to be absorbed at a constant rate, delivering longer-lasting relief.

With superior convenience, soft gels are a natural fit and highly attractive option for patients. By comparison, inhaled or smoked products can seem cumbersome if used consistently.

Benefits Of Cannabis Soft Gels For Pain

1. Consistent And Precise Dosage

With cannabis soft gels, you have a reliable, well-researched solution for addressing chronic pain. Each soft gel has an accurate, pre-measured dose of cannabinoids to deliver the same relief every time. Unlike other ingestion methods such as smoking or edibles, where the potency and absorption can be inconsistent, soft gels take the guesswork out.

This uniformity is extremely important for patients who require consistent, predictable outcomes, such as when treating a complex disease state like neuropathic pain. Research shows that cannabis-based medications, including soft gels, provide superior pain relief compared to placebo. They do this while achieving this with a very large reduction in mean pain intensity.

In trials of nabilone—a synthetic cannabinoid—patients experienced an 85% relief versus 38% with placebo.

2. Long-Lasting Pain Relief

The soft gel delivery system releases cannabinoids gradually into the bloodstream, providing longer-lasting benefits. This long-lasting effect is ideal for those with chronic conditions who need constant symptom management. Although inhaled cannabis delivers faster-acting results, the impact is transient.

Soft gels, on the other hand, have a more balanced release in the body, allowing less frequent dosing. For people suffering from chronic pain, this long-lasting relief can help them function day-to-day and live a more comfortable life.

3. Easy And Discreet Usage

Soft gels are easy to use and fit easily into everyday life. They’re easily transportable and discreet. They look like any other supplement, which is particularly beneficial for patients who want to avoid public stigma regarding their pain treatment.

More discreet than other methods, soft gels provide a degree of discretion that you may not find with vaping or smoking. You can discreetly take them at your job or in public without raising any red flags.

4. Reduced Risk Of Side Effects

Cannabis soft gels are designed to deliver cannabinoids while minimizing harmful byproducts. Unlike smokable cannabis, which releases tar and other toxins, soft gels avoid the respiratory system altogether. This lowers the risk of coughing or lung irritation.

Because cannabinoids are released over time, there’s a lower chance you’ll feel strong psychoactive effects suddenly. It’s important to note that studies like to say 80.2% of participants using cannabis-based medicines reported adverse events. These dangers are minimized when using soft gels due to their controlled dosage.

5. No Need For Inhalation

For people with existing respiratory issues or for those who just don’t want to smoke, soft gels offer a smokeless solution. This is their biggest benefit. Inhaled cannabis, for instance, has had the highest rates of prior use among participants, indicating that it might not be appropriate for all.

Soft gels completely remove the need for inhalation, making them more accessible to a wider audience.

6. Enhanced Bioavailability

Bioavailability means the proportion of a substance that enters the systemic circulation, where it’s able to have a medical effect on the body. Cannabis soft gels are made to optimize this process with specific formulations and delivery methods. Carrier oils such as MCT (medium-chain triglycerides) enhance the absorption of cannabinoids in soft gels.

This improves their digestibility, making them more effective through the digestive tract, so patients can receive all of the therapeutic benefits.

7. Better Absorption In The Body

Soft gels take advantage of the body’s natural digestive processes for optimal cannabinoid absorption. This leads to a more even distribution of the active compounds, resulting in consistent pain relief.

Studies recommend trial durations of at least 12 weeks to assess long-term effectiveness, emphasizing the importance of stable, well-absorbed dosages for managing chronic pain effectively.

Comparison With Other Pain Relief Methods

Cannabis Soft Gels VS. Traditional Medications

Cannabis soft gels provide accurate dosing every time, so they’re simple to use. Traditional pain medications have more unpredictable effects. Traditional alternatives such as codeine, for example, need three to four times the dose to get the same degree of pain relief seen with THC.

One study found that 10 mg of THC is just under half as effective as 60 mg of codeine. Yet, 20 mg of THC turns out to be more effective than 120 mg of codeine for chronic cancer pain. This underscores the benefit of cannabis soft gels, which provide a powerful choice in smaller, more controlled doses.

In chronic pain associated with multiple sclerosis, a low oral dose of 5 mg THC was superior to placebo in alleviating pain. It produced the same results as 50 mg of codeine. The pre-measured doses of soft gels guarantee consistent results, making them especially useful for those who require a constant level of pain relief with no room for error.

Cannabis Soft Gels VS. Other Cannabis Forms

When looking at cannabis consumption surveys, smoking is still the most used method, with 68.6% of respondents saying it’s their go-to. Oil extracts and vaporizing are widespread methods, used by 21.4% and 20.0% of users, respectively.

Although highly effective, such methods often do not offer the precision or user-friendliness of pain relief that soft gels can deliver. Soft gels remove preparation steps and serve as a discreet, odorless method of administration with accurate dosing.

For example, individuals who switched administration methods during the pandemic (16%) might find soft gels a convenient alternative to traditional routes like smoking or vaporizing. The controlled release of soft gels eliminates the hit-or-miss experience that comes with many inhalation methods.

Advantages Of Opioids For Chronic Pain

Compared to traditional opioids, cannabis soft gels have a much lower risk of developing tolerance, dependency, and side effects. In another study with 118 participants, cannabis use led to 64% lower opioid use.

This further underscores the ability of soft gels to significantly reduce the need for harsher medicines. Cannabis worked in a way no other pain relief had.

Overall, users reported a 64% reduction in pain, going from an average pain level of 7.8 to 2.8 on a 0–10 pain scale. These results further underscore the incredible efficacy of cannabis soft gels. They can provide powerful relief—with none of the long-term dangers associated with opioids.

Key Considerations For Pain Management

Choosing The Right Dosage

Determining the proper dosage of cannabis soft gels will ensure optimal pain relief. In pain research, an average daily dose of 2.5 grams is safely used. This is particularly true when conventional treatments fail to relieve pain.

For context, the maximum recommended dose is 5 grams per day. Beginning with less and working your way up allows people to find what works best for their bodies. For example, someone experiencing moderate chronic pain might begin with 1 gram daily and slowly increase based on their response.

This technique reduces adverse effects and provides more effective management of pain indicators. Soft gels provide a precise and reliable dose. They are an ideal option for those who appreciate precise dosing and prefer to avoid smoking or vaporization.

Consulting With Healthcare Professionals

Cannabis can be a powerful tool for pain management and other ailments, but it isn’t a panacea. It’s key for professionals to recommend appropriate doses, particularly for patients making the switch from other pain relief methods, such as opioids.

Research finds that cannabis use decreases the need for opioids by as much as 64%. This reduction frequently results in a reduction of side effects and an improved quality of life. Having conversations about the delivery format—whether soft gels, oils, or edibles—helps ensure the treatment is tailored to personal needs and health history.

Additionally, this consultation can go a long way in addressing concerns related to possible interactions with other medications.

Monitoring Pain Relief Progress

Regular tracking of pain levels would easily fit into the same system as optimizing any cannabis use. Given this effect size, a single inhalation of 3.08 milligrams of THC can be expected to reduce pain intensity by 45%.

Unlike the hit-or-miss nature of inhaled methods, soft gels offer a longer-lasting option. Encourage patients to keep a journal to record changes in pain, side effects, or quality of life.

Most consumers find that oil extracts or topical creams help increase the effects of soft gels. In reality, 65% of patients say that they use oils and tinctures alongside other delivery methods. Monitoring progress over weeks or months allows for adjustments, ensuring sustained relief, and adapting to any changes in pain severity.

Different Forms Of Cannabis For Pain Relief

Edibles And Tinctures

Tinctures and edibles are some of the most common forms of cannabis-based medicines used for chronic pain conditions. Edibles — like gummies or baked goods — provide a simple and discreet way to take CBD products. They function by taking a metabolization route through the liver, resulting in a longer onset of effects and a longer duration of relief. Most patients feel relief that generally lasts from 6 to 8 hours, making these treatments a convenient option for long-term pain management.

In clinical data, 54.3% of participants reported that edibles were their preferred form for pain relief, showcasing their potency. Tinctures, which are concentrated liquid CBD extracts taken under the tongue, offer a different experience. This approach lets cannabinoids absorb straight into the bloodstream, frequently providing faster relief than edibles. With 52.3% of users preferring tinctures, their versatility as a CBD form is hard to beat.

Tinctures allow for precise CBD dosage and come in varying formulations, including balanced THC: CBD ratios or high CBD options. Most patients find relief with these ratios, effectively targeting inflammation and pain without the extreme psychoactive high.

Topicals And Smoking Alternatives

Topicals, such as creams and oils, are absorbed through the skin to alleviate localized pain without affecting the bloodstream. Almost half of those respondents (49.7%) used topicals to treat conditions like arthritis and/or muscle soreness. CBD-infused ointments have proven very effective in animal studies at reducing inflammation and pain. Perhaps the best-known of these was a clinical trial published in the European Journal of Pain.

Alternatives to smoking, such as vaporization, offer patients quicker relief due to the cannabinoids entering the bloodstream. Inhaled cannabis products continue to be the preferred option (62.9%) for pain relief, especially with acute symptoms. Others might want to avoid inhalation altogether due to concerns of lung irritation, so other forms become more attractive.

How Soft Gels Stand Out

Cannabis soft gels deliver the best of both worlds — the edibles and the tinctures — with none of the downsides. They provide reliable dosing, as every capsule will contain the same amount of cannabinoids, including high CBD formulations. This level of precision is particularly beneficial for those with chronic pain conditions who require effective treatment options, as it streamlines their day-to-day regimen.

High CBD formulations or balanced THC: CBD ratios, preferred by 46% and 37% of patients respectively, are widely available in soft gel form. What makes these CBD products unique is that they require no additional sugars or flavorings, making them the perfect option for anyone with dietary restrictions.

They remove the guesswork of tincture droppers, providing an easier-to-use alternative. Soft gels are made for extended release, just like edibles, but with a more consistent level of absorption. This gives you constant pain relief without sharp peaks and valleys.

Soft gels attract consumers who steer clear of smoke- and vapor-based products. They deliver all the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids without the health risks associated with inhaled delivery of smoke or vapor. They act on the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors to modulate pain more effectively.

Ultimately, soft gels provide fast, targeted relief and are the easiest form to use. This makes them an excellent option for controlling chronic, long-term pain conditions.

Why Choose Cannabis Soft Gels?

Convenience And Accessibility

What makes cannabis soft gels unique are their convenience and versatility. Unlike other methods, they’re pre-measured, easy to swallow, and ready to consume, allowing for an easy addition to any daily routine. There’s no fussing around with prep or cumbersome equipment.

Whether you’re at home, work, or traveling, these small capsules offer a discreet, convenient way to combat chronic pain on the go. They are odorless and indistinguishable from any other soft gel supplement, so there’s no focus brought to their use. This is crucial for all consumers, but especially for those who value confidentiality when seeking to meet their therapeutic needs.

Despite this, only an estimated 10% of cannabis users in the U.S. Do it for medical reasons. Soft gels offer a convenient way to ensure treatment remains consistent.

Lower Risk Of Misuse

Traditional painkillers—most notably opioids—come with a high risk of dependence. Cannabis soft gels offer a safer, non-misuse alternative. Studies show that medical cannabis patients have reduced opioid consumption by 64%!

This enormous reduction highlights the power of cannabis to address problems with addiction. Having that precise dosage in soft gels means no guesswork, giving you the same effects every time without taking too much. If you’d prefer to avoid THC’s psychoactive effects, there are plenty of soft gels that emphasize CBD or other non-psychoactive compounds.

These conveniently packed products help ensure you find relief without losing your focus.

Suitable For Long-Term Use

Further, managing chronic pain typically calls for more long-term solutions, and cannabis soft gels deliver perfectly to this demand. They offer a more consistent and controlled delivery of cannabinoids, allowing for a more targeted approach to treating specific symptoms such as pain or anxiety.

Some research indicates they’re even more effective than codeine, providing significant relief with fewer adverse effects.

Consumer Precedence

Licensed medical cannabis users have a long-established preference for CBD products like soft gels. 62% of them in the U.S. take these CBD extracts to alleviate chronic pain conditions. Their non-invasive nature and targeted approach make them a sustainable choice for ongoing pain management.

Conclusion

With their consistent dosing and easy consumption, cannabis soft gels provide a convenient and effective solution for chronic pain relief. They deliver long-lasting, continuous relief so that you can go through your day-to-day life with more ease and comfort. Soft gels are convenient, discreet, and hassle-free. Unlike other forms, soft gels are simple to consume without any complicated routine. Only they balance effectiveness with convenience this way, making them tough to beat.

For anyone who wants a more balanced approach to pain management, soft gels are the clear choice. They provide ultra-accurate doses, so you can be sure you’re getting the same amount every single time. Whether you’re a cannabis novice or connoisseur, they make incorporating cannabis simple.

If chronic pain is keeping you from the life you deserve, cannabis soft gels may be just what you need to find relief. It’s important to work with a healthcare professional to determine what delivery method will work best for your individual needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are Cannabis Soft Gels?

Cannabis soft gels are easily swallowed, pre-measured capsules filled with CBD extracts. They offer a discreet, smoke-free, convenient way to take CBD products.

2. How Do Cannabis Soft Gels Help With Chronic Pain?

Cannabis soft gels, containing CBD extracts like THC and CBD, interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system to provide pain relief and inflammation reduction.

3. Are Cannabis Soft Gels Better Than Smoking Cannabis?

Indeed, soft gels are discreet and odorless, and provide a more precise CBD dosage than smoking. They’re the perfect choice for anyone seeking reliable, smoke-free CBD products.

4. How Long Does It Take For Cannabis Soft Gels To Work?

Depending on your metabolism and recent meals, taking CBD in cannabis soft gels typically takes about 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, with effects lasting 4 to 8 hours, making them an effective treatment option.

5. Are Cannabis Soft Gels Safe For Daily Use?

Taken as directed, cannabis soft gels, a form of medicinal cannabis, deliver a safe alternative to pharmaceuticals for everyday chronic pain management, especially when combined with appropriate CBD dosage under a doctor’s supervision.

6. Can Cannabis Soft Gels Cause Side Effects?

The most common side effects of taking CBD products are mild, including drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness. Always start with a low CBD dosage and consult your healthcare professional to help find the right dose for you.

7. Why Are Cannabis Soft Gels A Good Choice For Pain Management?

Cannabis soft gels are an effective treatment option, offering reliable, repeatable dosing and lasting effects, making them a convenient, smoke-free alternative for individuals managing chronic pain conditions.

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