CBD : In 2019, 20.4% of adults in the U.S suffered from chronic pain in the form of neuropathic pain, cancer pain, arthritis, and many others.
Chronic pain is a challenge to patients, health care practitioners, and family members. The frustration is because it’s difficult to manage it. Furthermore, the remedies available can cause addiction and many other side effects.
People are looking for alternative and effective means to help manage the painful conditions. The search has led them to CBD or cannabidiol. CBD’s popularity has significantly grown recently, claiming that it could help manage pain and many other health benefits.
But before you go ahead to order your CBD cream for pain, you might be wondering if CBD is indeed effective for treating chronic pain. No need to worry, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover everything you need to know about CBD and chronic pain.
Table of Contents
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol is one of the 100 cannabinoids obtained from the hemp plant. The extract is infused with other products or used to make creams, tinctures, vape oils, edibles, or smokable CBD flowers.
CBD has shown significant health potential, with some evidence supporting that it could help manage seizures, inflammation, muscle soreness, sleep disorders, etc.
How Does CBD Work?
Chronic inflammation causes pain because it leads to damage of tissues by the body’s immune system. When your body is inflamed, naturally produced endocannabinoids help regulate the immune system through the CB2 receptors. The receptors are primarily found in the lymphatic system.
Cannabidiol works through interaction with the endocannabinoid, immune, and pain perception systems. When activated, the body systems have a significant effect on pain management. Moreover, it can induce pain relief without causing that ‘buzzed’ feeling linked to THC, the psychotropic cannabinoid.
All you need to do is use a couple of drops of cheef tincture cbd oils and massage the affected part of your body that is experiencing pain. Try to do this at least three times a day. The natural beneficial effects of CBD will help in reducing pain and start working post the first-application itself. This is a holistic and comprehensive way of fighting body aches, pains, as well as aiding the body post an accident.
While CBD does not directly cause anti-inflammation, it prevents the breakdown of an endocannabinoid called anandamide. When the endocannabinoid impacts the receptors for longer, it thus triggers an anti-inflammatory response.
Cannabidiol can also work through the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV 1), which controls pain perception. Furthermore, through the serotonin system in the brain, CBD’s help in releasing the hormone that can aid in pain management.
Adenosine, the neurotransmitter is known for its role in stress response, is also acted upon by CBD. Cannabidiol helps increase the reuptake of the molecule, thus reducing the rates at which you receive and react to pain signals.
Cannabidiol can also reduce the circulation of molecules called cytokines that promote inflammation and inhibit the multiplication of T-cells. Both cells are involved in chronic pain. Through the antioxidant properties, CBD can help with the clearance of oxidative toxic compounds involved in chronic pain.
Research is still young on cannabidiol use, and most studies on pain response to the compound have been done on animals. A mixture ratio of THC and CBD in a formulation of 1:1 can be very effective in treating neuropathic pain, cancer pain, and other conditions resistant to opioid use.
The combined effects of flavonoids and terpenoids can help promote the therapeutic effects. When individual actions of the different cannabinoids cooperate in the body, they are referred to as the entourage effects. To experience the phenomena, you would need to consume the full-spectrum CBD as it has all those constituents.
Is CBD Effective?
After ingesting it, it’s not certain that you will get relief. The response depends on many factors such as body chemistry, the form of consumption, body weight, tolerance to marijuana, genetic and psychological factors.
People often prefer using tinctures, vaping or smoking for immediate effects. The products can help with relief in the first thirty minutes. Edibles, on the other hand, take long for effects to occur but last for longer.
Is CBD Safe?
FDA has approved the use of only one product in the market. The drug is Epidiolex, and it’s used in epilepsy management. Research is still in its early stages on the subject, and scientists are yet to discover the long-term consequences of CBD use.
But CBD is considered safe since it causes no intoxication or serious side effects. It’s safe for use by both children and adults. Although there’s no standard dose, you can experiment with doses and concentrations to see what works best for you. Cannabidiol can cause only mild side effects such as lightheadedness, drowsiness, and a dry mouth.
Where to Buy CBD
For your safety and better results, you need to buy CBD from reputable sources that can guarantee quality. You can scrutinize them by checking the reviews, looking for 3rd party lab test results, and professionalism in customer care service.
Conclusion
It can help in the management of pain through the ways you have seen above. However, the research is still inconclusive on the matter. If you’re a beginner, use CBD responsibly according to your doctor’s advice and always buy high-quality products from reputable companies.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931547/
https://leaf411.org/finding-the-best-cbd-thc-ratios-and-products-for-pain/
