Cannabidiol is an interesting compound that has been a popular topic in the scientific and healthcare industry. In addition, recent research has also proved the benefits of CBD for pain.
Owing to this, many people prefer using CBD oil for pain management over prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Since the latter has many side effects, it’s understandable why CBD oil for pain management is used widely these days.
But does CBD oil for pain actually work?
This article will cover how to use CBD oil for pain and its effects on the body. Also, we will discuss the role of CBD in pain management in detail.
What is CBD?
Before diving into the benefits of CBD for pain, let’s unravel what exactly CBD is. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the hundreds of chemical compounds found in a hemp plant. In fact, it is the second major cannabinoid after THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that is extracted from the plant.
CBD does not have psychoactive properties like its counterpart, THC. Therefore, it does not pose any real threat to the functional abilities of the user.
In the recent past, research and clinical trials have brought the positive health benefits of the compound to light. In addition, recently, the FDA has approved Epidiolex, a CBD drug, for the treatment of two rare forms of Epilepsy. This advancement encourages more research on the compound and deters its critics as well.
How Does CBD Work?
Generally, the working of CBD is associated with its effect on the endocannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2. Many studies have shown that CBD may be a promising agent against pain since it plays a role in inducing serotonin release.
Moreover, it also tackles the symptoms that come with pain, including anxiety and lack of sleep. However, there’s no detailed evidence to show how exactly CBD affects the body.
CBD for Chronic Pain
Chronic pain refers to slow and long-lasting pain that the sufferer experiences for over six months. CBD helps relieve chronic pain by interacting with the cell’s signaling system, known as the endocannabinoid system.
Some experts believe that CBD particularly impacts the receptors in the immune system and the brain. A receptor is a protein that is present mainly on the outside of the cell. It receives the signal and helps the cell respond accordingly.
It’s expected that CBD stimulates the receptors that produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. As a result, it eases pain and inflammation.
In a 2018 review, it was seen that CBD helps relieve multiple kinds of chronic pain. Along with providing evidence for the effectiveness of CBD oil for fibromyalgia, the review also examined the compound’s impact on cancer and neuropathic pain.
Another 2020 case series studied the role of CBD as a treatment method for chronic and acute conditions. Researchers believe the compound to have a genuine potential for pain relief.
CBD for Arthritis
The most promising evidence for CBD usage against arthritis pain comes from a 2016 study on rats. In this experiment, the researchers applied a CBD topical on the rats for four days.
The results indicated that rats who got a CBD dose daily had lesser inflammation and pain in their joints. In this duration, no side effects were reported.
Moreover, scientists gave different doses to the study subjects to examine the change in results. They noticed up to 6mg per day to be a sufficient dose for pain relief. Along with alleviating pain, it also reduced swelling.
Although this study favors CBD oil’s effects on pain, it’s essential to have more human data before making a strong case for CBD’s usefulness in arthritis.
CBD for Migraines and Tension Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common pains that we all experience regularly. Currently, there aren’t many studies to determine the mechanism of CBD oil for pain in migraines.
A 2017 study showed CBD could help reduce pain in people suffering from migraines. However, the study included a product containing CBD and THC both.
Thus, if you plan to use CBD for pain, make sure it’s full-spectrum as CBD isolate-based products do not contain THC.
CBD for Cancer Pain
If you’ve ever searched for CBD oils online, you must have come across a CBD oil for cancer. That’s because many cancer patients use the compound for pain and anxiety relief.
In a study on mice, it was seen that CBD reduced the tumor size in their tissues. However, there are no similar studies on humans, as most of the data come from CBD’s association with cancer pain rather than an effect on the tumor size and metastasis.
According to the National Cancer Institute, CBD may be a possible intervention against the side effects of chemotherapy, including lack of appetite, pain, and vomiting.
Apart from this, many other studies have also shown that CBD can have pain-relief effects in cancer patients when used together with THC. These studies indicate that extracts offer more benefits than opioids alone.
CBD for Inflammatory Pain
Typically, inflammatory pain isn’t like other kinds of pain. Its origin and sensations differ widely from typical muscle and joint pain. However, CBD effectively clams the inflammation, which resultantly reduces the pain associated with it.
When consumed, CBD inhibits the release of many inflammatory agents, including glutamate. Hence, it acts as a neuroprotective antioxidant and ultimately reduces the tingling and burning sensations associated with neuropathic pain.
In addition, the way CBD works to minimize inflammatory pain differs from the standard anti-inflammatory drugs.
Various studies show that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and THC are up to twenty times stronger than NSAIDs, including ibuprofen.
Does CBD Oil Work?
Speaking from scientific evidence, it’s clear that CBD has the potential to alleviate different sorts of pains. Although most of these effects are seen in animal trials, scientists expect humans to see similar results.
Fortunately, you can buy CBD oil for pain online, depending on your budget, preference, and pain intensity. Along with CBD oils, other common options include CBD gummies, topicals, skin care products, and drinks.
For the quickest results, you should try vaping CBD. Since the smoke goes straight to the lungs, this administration method offers the fastest absorption and highest bioavailability.
Does CBD vape oil get you high? No, it doesn’t. So, you should not pay heed to misinformation spread on the Internet. According to the FDA, as long as the oil has less than 0.3% THC, it’s legal for you to use.
How Fast Does CBD Relieve Pain?
By and large, the way you consume CBD sets the ground for how quickly it works for pain management. Since there are a variety of ways to administer CBD, each method has its reaction time.
For instance, the sublingual administration of CBD oil is the quickest and most influential of all. When you put a drop or two of CBD oil under your tongue, it directly absorbs into the bloodstream from there.
CBD has to pass through the digestive tract and mix in the bloodstream with the other consumption methods. CBD capsules have a slow reaction time. Therefore, you may have to wait for up to 20 minutes to feel the desired results. But, the effects persist for an extended period.
How to Use CBD Oil For Pain?
There are multiple methods for taking CBD. Some of these ways are quicker than others, whereas some impart long-term effects.
You can take CBD in one of the following ways.
Oral Administration
The majority of the users take CBD orally. If you consume CBD by mouth, it has to pass through the digestive tract before becoming a part of your bloodstream.
You can take CBD capsules, mix CBD with your food or drinks, and even sublingually consume CBD oil.
Topical Application
The CBD oil can also be applied to the skin in the form of balms and lotions. Primarily the skin application of CBD is ideal for targeting pain in a particular body part. Moreover, this method effectively relieves inflammation too.
CBD Oil Side Effects
While using CBD for pain relief, many people are concerned about the side effects. However, CBD doesn’t pose many risks for the users, as seen in different studies. Since most topical treatments do not absorb into the bloodstream, they can’t have concerning effects on the body.
Some mild side effects of CBD oil for pain include:
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
Plus, you should keep in mind that CBD may interact with prescription meds, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs. Therefore, if you’re already using any of these remedies, consult your doctor before taking CBD.
Some CBD products for sale also contain grapefruit or may use it as a flavoring agent. Since grapefruit interacts with drugs, too, you should look out for the CBD oil capsules’ ingredients if you’re already taking any kind of prescription or over-the-counter meds.
Conclusion
CBD is becoming a hot topic as more encouraging news is coming from the research. Today, CBD is widely available in many medical shops. Thanks to e-commerce, it’s not hard to find CBD oil for sale online too.
From mild formulations to the most potent CBD oil, you’ll have a ton of choices once you visit a CBD store’s website. Hopefully, you would have learned enough about CBD for pain in this guide to decide if you want to give it a try.
