A cynic, or perhaps a second year business student, could tell you that the main reason pot is not more widely used to relieve muscle pain is the drug’s restricted marketing budget–that and some bothersome legal issues. Geezer has it on good authority that it’s also fairly expensive, at least when compared to drug store variety pain relievers. In this piece in Men’s Journal, skier/cyclist/athlete Marc Peruzzi reports on his experiment with pot as pain reliever, which was, in word, successful. The downside, of course, is that pot doesn’t just relieve pain, it makes you high. Or is that the upside? 
Here, for science nerds, is Peruzzi’s explanation the biology of pot’s pain-relieving power:
Our perception of pain is a function of neurotransmitters relaying
messages (“my legs are sore from mountain biking,†for instance)
through our central nervous systems to our brains. Certain drugs
(opiates, including morphine) and many of the body’s own agents (a
ligand called anandamide) can turn those switches off or at least slow
down cellular communication to the point that the perception of pain is
diminished or interrupted. Such is the case with tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC), the chemical found in marijuana, which, when it binds to two
types of “cannabinoid receptors†(CB1 and CB2) in the brain, nervous
system, and the body’s peripheral tissue, “reduces reactivity to acute
painful stimuli in laboratory animals… [and] was comparable with
opiates in potency and efficacy,†according to a 1999
study. Other studies of the drug have shown that it reduces muscle
spasticity, too."
Read more in Men’s Journal.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Geezer,
Mr. Peruzzi seems to have been illuminated by his discovery that marijuana relieves muscle pain, but the article could have been written by half of the skaters/snow boarders out there who huff weed because it relieves anxiety and pain. And you thought those dudes were awesome athletes showing their skill and bravery doing crazy stuff!? I don’t know if the study has been done, but I personally believe many of the X game athletes learn to do many of their stunts while under the influence, because their anxiety levels are lowered, and when they crash it doesn’t hurt as much. Just a personal observation. The downside is all of the other baggage weed brings; like the diminution of interest in many other things in life, the deception that you are a stud athlete when in reality you are a chemically sustained athlete who one day will be a has-been athlete who finds the pain even more intense when the chemical isn’t there, the likelihood of going on to other pain-relieving chemicals. It just ain’t a pretty life. It’s only a new approach to the old ‘liquid courage’ of yesteryear. Here’s one to the natural athlete. Hip-hip-hooray! Michael Chandler, MD
I was for many years a pot smoker and it always make me feel quite abit more achey when i smoked.After many many many years i realized smoking pot was a health hazard so i quit and am thankful every day i no longer smoke
I have used marijuana placed in a bottle of rubbing alcohol and used it as a rub for sore muscles. It works great for relaxing sore or stiff muscles. The marijuana doesn’t need to be of good quality or high quantity.
An elderly Mexican healer taught me about marijuana’s healing powers.
Rick in California
This is one of the effect of marijuana why it is used for medical purposes. This should be regulated and given only to those who suffer medical problems. Strict implementation should be followed when using it as medicine.
Good! I was so glad that you quit your smoking habit des lu, Smoking is not a healthy habit. Thanks for that.
All this ridiculous stuff about marijuana’s magical healing properties is just a smokescreen to get it legalized. You think it’s bad now with drunk drivers; wait til you get people zonked out of their minds on grass driving everywhere legally.