"My jaw will be wired shut for several weeks, and I don’t want to get addicted to opiates. I heard cannabis might be a good alternative. I am also concerned about getting nauseous, because my jaw will be wired. What do you recommend I try? "
Topical cannabinoids may be a viable option for your pain control. These are applied to the skin and do not affect central receptors so they have the added advantage of having only minimal if any psychoactive effects.
Another option would be cannabis time release patches. These release ingredients gradually over 3-6hrs.
Tinctures are glycerin or alcohol extracted cannabinoids & terpinoids, usually in small bottles with a dropper that are absorbed via the oral mucosa. While typically placed on or under the tongue, you may be able to utilize them by placing them in between your gums and cheek mucosa. They are fairly fast acting, 15-45 minutes and can last anywhere from 2-5 hours. Typical tincture dosage is 3-4x/day for 24hr effect. Concentrations vary but typically range from 3-34mg/ml. There are also sublingual, dissolving strips (much like Listerine strips) that you could also possibly use inside the cheek at the gum line.
Inhalation may also still work for you. For inhalation, I would recommend vaporizing. This method heats the cannabis to below its combustion point, releasing cannabinoids and terpinoids without any smoke being produced. Onset is typically around 5-10 minutes and the effects can last between 2-4 hours.
CBD, the non-psychoactive part of the cannabis plant is useful in treating pain and inflammation but in studies, CBD alone without any THC may not be as effective for pain. I tend to stick to high CBD, low THC products to treat pain.
Hope your surgery goes well and that this is useful information for you.
drbluto
