For various reasons I’ll share in due time, I’ve had a bit of pain for the past few months. I’m careful not to take too much Advil, although it works beautifully. I alternate with Tylenol.
My doctor suggested prescription pain meds, which I rejected. I just kind of felt like I’m not that bad off. I’m still walking and playing golf. When she said maybe I’d like to try a Lidocaine patch, I recalled a discussion about transdermal patches when I attended the cannabis education seminar at Oaksterdam University.
Like other transdermal patches, the cannabis variety is a thin plastic strip similar to a Band-Aid and is applied to a venous area of the body, such as the inside of your wrist. You don’t actually place the strip on the part of your body that hurts. The cannabinoids are slowly released into your bloodstream for about 12 hours.
Off I went to the dispensary to purchase my own little stash of patches. There were so many choices! Different brands, different strengths, some higher in THC, some higher in CBD and some higher in CBN. CBD is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties, and CBN helps with sleep. You may also choose between Sativa or Indica.
Like many cannabis users, I typically find Sativa more uplifting and Indica better for winding down. But everyone is different.
Although a lot of people get excited about CBD, most of the studies I’ve read say cannabinoids are at their best when they work together. It’s called the entourage effect. For most people, that means CBD is good alone, but CBD with THC is better.
There are key differences between topical creams and transdermal patches. You’re not likely to fail a drug test using topical creams, but you will most likely come up positive using a transdermal patch. Topical creams will not get you high, but you may experience a slight buzz from a patch.
I purchased four patches, each with 20 MG of THC. I chose Sativa, because I find it more energizing than Indica.
A word about dosage. Smoking, vaping or consuming 20 MG of THC will definitely get you high. Too high for my taste. I’m a lightweight when it comes to cannabis and always start low and go slow. For example, I buy Kiva cannabis-infused blueberries coated in milk chocolate for occasional help with sleep. They are only 5 MG, and even after using cannabis several times a week for a few years, I cut them in half.
However, a transdermal patch only releases a little at a time, and the effects are minimal. Even so, the budtender suggested I try cutting them in half or quarters.
For the first one, I tried cutting it in half. I definitely felt a slight buzz, enough of one that I would be careful about driving. But, wow, pain be gone!! I had a productive day and felt great.
Then I tried a quarter, no buzz and not much pain relief. Next, I tried cutting it into thirds, and for me, that’s the magic number. I put it on about 30 minutes ago, and I feel very pleasant but not high, just a little happier than normal. While the pain is not completely gone, it’s unnoticeable … irrelevant.
With my senior/veteran’s discount, cost per patch with taxes at my California dispensary was $10.80. At three uses per patch, that’s $3.60 for all-day pain relief. The budtender said if they worked well for me, to come back on Mondays, when they are 15 percent off.
I am absolutely in awe of this medicine, and sincerely hope this information has been helpful for those of you in search of safe and healthy pain relief. If you don’t want the THC or live in a place where cannabis is illegal, Mary’s Medicinals has a sister company, Made by Mary’s, that sells hemp-based patches. I have not tried them, although they get great reviews.
By the way, I don’t get any kind of a kickback from Mary’s – there are other brands I’m sure are equally fantastic. I went with Mary’s simply because I met someone at the cannabis seminar I attended who was a fan. Sometimes just one personal referral does the job.
That is very good to know! Thanks, Donna. I have not heard of these. And I’m like you – do not like getting too high – just want to get to the release of muscle tension/relaxed and happy stage, and having difficulty finding that sweet spot with smoke or edibles. So much so that, even though I have a ton of product around the house, I usually end up reaching for a glass of wine instead. I guess I need more experimentation/practice.
I’ll be on the lookout for these patches in my area.
Deb
It is hard to find that sweet spot, particularly with edibles. Except for the blueberries, I avoid cannabis edibles. Even though I used the patch for pain, I could see using it for the mild all-day buzz.
Those patches sound like the perfect solution! I still struggle with pain here and there , which will never quite disappear. I’ve tried CBD Oil with no effect. As you say, a mix does the trick.
But I have no hope that Cannabis will be legalized as long as I live, sigh.
We used to go to Amsterdam for supplies …
OT: Today is the 10th Anniversary of Amy Winehouse’s death.
We both liked her songs, you remember?
Oh, my gosh. I just read that like five minutes ago, and I stopped to listen to one of her songs. What an amazing talent. I still get goosebumps. I’m going to have to Google that puke of an ex-husband and see what happened to him.
I really appreciate this information. To date, I have not used but would like to and my doctor seems clueless. I consider your postings trustworthy and honest and enjoy learning from your knowledge and experiences. I hope you will continue to share on this topic.
Wow, that is such a nice compliment. Thank you! My posts about cannabis usually don’t get many comments, but I know from the blog statistics they are being read. Statistics are great, but your feedback makes all the difference. By the way, my doctor was clueless but curious — definitely not opposed.
Ooooh interesting Donna, thank you. I have issues with my knees and had surgery on one just before COVID closed us down, but expect to need a full replacement in due course. I struggled with pain relief at the time as I had an allergic reaction to the most effective medication, so escalated it to surgery. I shall investigate the situation here in the UK to see what the options are for the future.
I’m still experimenting with various types of patches. Although I find them helpful, I do understand the patches don’t work well for everyone. I also think it’s important to tinker with the dosage. While I cut mine in thirds, someone else might need the whole thing.