Shingles is a painful rash that is relatively common in adults. In most cases, it only develops on a single side of the face or body. However, it can spread throughout the body in severe cases.
Shingles, also called Herpes Zoster, is caused by the Varicella-Zoster Virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox in young children. Like chickenpox, Shingles cause a blistery rash lasting 2-4 weeks.
The ancestors of the Varicella-Zoster Virus have existed for over 200 million years, but the link to humans is around 23 million years old. It wasn't until 1888 that a link between the virus and chickenpox was suggested, and it took until 1954 to provide the evidence. In 1986, researchers established the DNA sequence of the Varicella-Zoster Virus.1
When a person gets chickenpox when they're young, this virus remains dormant in their bodies. Then, with older age and reduced immune function, it could reactivate, leading to the development of Shingles.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 million people get Shingles annually in the US. It is most common in adults and older people, although it is still possible for children to contract the disease.
While Shingles can be excessively painful to those who get it, some vaccines help reduce the risk of contracting the disease by a significant margin. Some are more than 90% effective and last for years.
Several antiviral medications have since been developed that help alleviate the severity of shingles if it is contracted and develops.
What Causes Shingles?
An individual develops shingles by being infected by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is responsible for the development of chickenpox. A chickenpox infection must occur first before you can get Shingles. The virus then lays dormant in the body and, when reactivated, can cause Shingles. Shingles can also develop in individuals vaccinated for the chickenpox virus, which is why a shingles vaccine can be important later in life.
If you do not have a history of chickenpox, you can develop chickenpox if exposed to someone with Shingles and contracted it. In the future, you could develop shingles due to the virus continuing to live dormant in your body.
Luckily, most people only suffer from a single episode of Shingles if it does develop. Still, it can sometimes happen more than once.
Shingles Signs & Symptoms
Shingles' primary sign and symptom is a painful rash that develops on your skin. This rash will likely be limited to a small section of your body or face.
Symptoms of this rash will likely include
- Tingling sensations (before the rash develops),
- Pain,
- Burning,
- Sensitive to the touch,
- Redness,
- Blistering and scabbing,
- Itchiness.
Along with the characteristic rash, some may also suffer from other symptoms, such as
- Headache,
- Fever,
- Light sensitivity,
- Tiredness,
- Sensitivity to light,
- Fatigue.
Can Cannabis Can Help Alleviate Shingles Symptoms?
Shingles can be a painful medical condition because of the virus's effect on our nerve cells. As such, painkillers, such as opioids, are not very effective at treating Shingles-related pain, as the virus directly attacks the nerve receptors that allow these medications to work in the first place. In addition to nerve pain, Shingles produce a painful and sensitive skin rash.
So, what can help with Shingles pain? Can cannabis help alleviate shingles pain?
The endocannabinoid has been studied for its role in many bodily functions, specifically when it comes to skin cells, immune response, and pain regulation.
There is anecdotal evidence that suggests consuming cannabis can help reduce pain. However, in recent years, many studies have supported this conclusion following the widespread legalization of marijuana in the US.2
Evidence also demonstrates the potential positive effects of CBD on pain and inflammation–the primary symptoms of Shingles.
Still, to be clear, no studies say that cannabis explicitly helps alleviate the symptoms of Shingles.
For instance, studies have shown that marijuana may help relieve excessive itchiness and provide direct relief to the skin. Potentially benefiting individuals with medical conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and shingles.3
Cannabinoid receptors in the skin play a role in various functions, including sensory events (such as itching), homeostasis, and inflammation. So, when cannabinoids bind to these receptors, various forms of itch relief can be produced, which is supported by the findings of several studies.4
While the research looks promising, no studies have conclusively demonstrated that cannabis can help treat shingles, but topical cannabinoid formulations may relieve symptoms.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers Shingles to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes Shingles or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 27 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,000,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Shingles
Can I smoke if I have shingles?
Shingles is primarily a medical condition that affects the skin. Its main symptom is a painful rash that lasts for several weeks. So, there shouldn't be anything about Shingles specifically that prevents you from smoking cannabis during your infection. Consult your doctor before consuming cannabis, especially if you’re taking medications.
What are the best strains for alleviating shingles pain?
When you suffer from Shingles, you may only be concerned with alleviating the severe pain caused by the rash on your skin.
No studies suggest that a particular strain will be better than another. The best cannabis strains for alleviating shingles pain may be those with lower amounts of THC and high concentrations of CBD, such as:
- Blue Dream
- ACDC
- Harle-Tsu
- Charlotte's Web
- Suzy Q
Does Delta 8 help shingles pain?
Delta-8 THC is another lesser-known cannabinoid and degradation byproduct of delta-9 THC synthesized by converting CBD. Research on delta-8 THC is limited, but it shows some binding affinity for the CB1 receptor but is not as potent as delta-9 THC. User reports point to delta-8 THC having similar pain-relieving properties as delta-9 THC.5
Resources
1. Wood MJ. History of Varicella Zoster Virus. Herpes. 2000;7(3):60-65.
2. Hill KP, Palastro MD, Johnson B, Ditre JW. Cannabis and Pain: A Clinical Review. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. 2017;2(1):96-104. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2017.0017
3. Eagleston LRM, Kalani NK, Patel RR, Flaten HK, Dunnick CA, Dellavalle RP. Cannabinoids in dermatology: a scoping review. Dermatology Online Journal. 2018;24(6). doi:https://doi.org/10.5070/d3246040706
4. Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A. Cannabinoid Signaling in the Skin: Therapeutic Potential of the "C(ut)annabinoid" System. Molecules. 2019;24(5):918. Published 2019 Mar 6. doi:10.3390/molecules24050918
5. Kruger DJ, Kruger JS. Consumer Experiences with Delta-8-THC: Medical Use, Pharmaceutical Substitution, and Comparisons with Delta-9-THC. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Published online November 19, 2021. doi:https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2021.0124
