I do get relief as follows. I don't think about my pain. If I stop and do a muscle and joint reality check, the pain and stiffness,weakness are all still there but I have to focus to bring them to the forefront. When I'm "high" it is as if my brain is distracted from my symptoms and I can think about something else for a change. My friend was injured in a rodeo w/failed pelvic reconstruction. His smoking does not stop him from limping, but for a time he can forget about his limping. No miracle cure, perhaps another coping mechanism, no harm-no foul.Good Luck, Ken in Texas.