CBD has become a buzzword among people who want natural, alternative treatments for anxiety, body aches, stress, sleep disorders, and several other conditions.
According to Peter Greenspoon – a contributor at Harvard Health Publishing, CBD is a natural compound found in marijuana that contains little to no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) – the plant’s ingredient that makes you feel high.
While some CBD health claims have been exaggerated and require further research to validate, several CBD benefits have been endorsed by experts and users alike. For instance, recent studies show that CBD can alleviate inflammation and soothe cramps.
Learn more about the effectiveness of CBD for inflammation and cramps by reading below.
CBD for Inflammation and Cramps
The World Health Organization states that one of the best aspects of cannabidiol is that it exhibits no dependence potential or abuse effects.
As it’s so versatile in its pain-relieving, anti-depressive, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory capabilities (among others), it has popped up in several forms in the beauty and wellness industries.
Cramps
Menstrual cramps (otherwise known as dysmenorrhea) refer to pain in the lower abdomen that typically occurs just before or during the menstrual flow.
The severity of the pain caused by the cramp varies significantly. While some people feel little or mild pain, others experience severe pain (enough to disrupt their everyday activities)
According to Jennifer Berman M.D. – a Los Angeles-based female health specialist and urologist, cramping occurs when the uterus contracts, but the blood flow constriction also causes pain and a cascade of other events.
CBD can be used in various ways, from soothing stress and moods to alleviating physical pain depending on the severity of the cramp and discomfort. “CBD has a direct effect on smooth muscle, increasing blood flow, and relaxing smooth muscle,” she added.
Moreover, NSAIDs, hormonal birth controls, and over-the-counter pain relievers often used to alleviate cramps carry significant side effects.
For instance, NSAIDs are associated with a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and severe bowel and stomach issues, including bleeding and ulcers. On the other hand, CBD seems to be a safer option since it is a natural treatment alternative and has mild side effects.
You can use your regular CBD oil or CBD-infused lotion topically to your abdomen or massage a CBD-infused balm to your tummy to soothe the cramp. You can also try a relaxing cbdMD CBD bath bomb, Lazarus Natural CBD massage oil, or Hemplucid’s Water Soluble CBD tincture to relieve your symptoms.
Inflammation
CBD is beneficial in treating everything from red, inflamed skin to sore muscles due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Also, a study shows that it can help prevent skin conditions like psoriasis and regulate sebum production (to treat acne) by balancing the immune response. It can also help to combat aging due to its powerful antioxidant properties.
A 2017 review discovered that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD might also help with conditions like:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Inflammatory conditions
- General pain
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
While I cannot speak about the effect of CBD on my psoriasis since it’s not predictable, Copious Body Serum from Khus + Khus has helped reduce the stubborn keratosis pilaris on my upper thigh.
Meanwhile, CBD inflammation cream and CBD Freeze from cbdMD provide relief after an intense workout.
Anxiety And Headache
Scientists are pretty optimistic about the ability of cannabis to alleviate chronic migraines, headache disorders, and pain that is difficult to treat. Many studies demonstrate that CBD is highly effective for pain, aches, stress, and anxiety.
In one study, patients with social anxiety disorder discovered that they feel more relaxed after taking CBD before a public speaking engagement.
Similarly, a 2020 review discovered that CBD helps sleep, reduces inflammation, and relieves chronic pain.
In addition, a 2016 Pharmacotherapy study shows that medical cannabis may lower the frequency of migraines. Lastly, a 2018 review of relevant studies reported that it seems promising for alleviating pain, including the pain from a migraine.
Sexual Enhancement
Recently, CBD has captured the spotlight as a libido-enhancer, especially for women. But, according to Berman, female sexual response is complicated, so it is difficult to evaluate it or develop products or drugs to treat it.
For starters, sex is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re anxious or stressed. Unfortunately, stress and anxiety are some of the main obstacles that limit a woman’s sexual arousal or the ability to achieve peak orgasm.
However, CBD helps to alleviate that by triggering the serotonin receptors in the brain. In addition, it enhances a neurotransmitter known as anandamide to improve your mood and lower cortisol (a stress hormone that can reduce your libido). Hence, making your body more receptive and relaxed with improved sensual capacity.
CBD can also help alleviate pain associated with sex and increase blood flow to tissues. Thus, improving sensitivity and promoting the body’s natural lubrication.
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Are There Any Side Effects of Using CBD?
CBD is generally well-tolerated. However, you may experience slight side effects if you are:
- Pregnant or nursing
- Taking specific medications
- Consuming a high dose of CBD
A few side effects you may experience as a result include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Reduced appetite
Therefore, before you add CBD to your diet, it’s best to consult your doctor. Also, make sure you begin with a low dose and gradually increase it.
Can My Dog Have CBD for Inflammation?
A dog’s joint cartilage degenerates with age. Not only does arthritis make it difficult for them to walk, but the inflammation associated with it is excruciating.
As such, you may wonder if you can give CBD for inflammation to your furry friend. Luckily, you can.
As we discussed, CBD works extraordinarily well as an anti-inflammatory; it will reduce your dog’s joint pain and ease their senior days.
Also, research shows that the anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating properties of CBD oil helped dogs with osteoarthritis.
Researchers gave dogs 2-8mg CBD per kilogram of body weight during the study. 80% of the dogs experienced a reduction in pain as a result.
To determine the CBD dosage for your dog, consult a veterinarian.
How to Choose a CBD Product?
The benefits of CBD for inflammation are undeniable, but if you choose the wrong CBD product, it will do no good.
When you go online or visit a store to buy a CBD product, you’ll come across a pool of CBD brands and items. As such, you’ll not only have a hard time choosing the right product, but you may also end up buying a fake item.
Therefore, before you think about making your first purchase, make sure you check for the following things.
- Brand. Make sure you’re buying from a legitimate, reputable CBD brand. If you’re wondering how you can figure the valid one out, just consider buying from a company that has been in business for several years and holds a reputation in the industry.
- Third-Party Testing. Check the packaging: is the product tested in a third-party lab? If yes, you can trust the item as it has been tested for quality and safety.
- Ingredients. Read the product label. Are the ingredients natural or artificial? It’s best to avoid CBD products with artificial flavorings as they may cause reactions or adverse side effects.
- Reviews. If you’re buying online, you have one advantage: you can read the reviews on the official website to check for the product’s authenticity. Online reviews are an excellent source of information.
- THC Content. A CBD product should contain no more than 0.3% of THC. If you prefer your CBD product without THC, you can opt for CBD broad-spectrum or isolate.
Can I Get High From CBD?
People who are interested in incorporating CBD into their diet frequently ask such questions. Additionally, no one wants to get high when all they intend is to reduce inflammation with CBD or get rid of their period cramps.
So, know that CBD products with 0.3% or low THC cannot make you high.
While CBD for inflammation won’t get you high, it might appear on a drug test. Therefore, if you’re to take a drug test soon, you can opt for CBD isolate.
Conclusion
CBD comes in diverse forms and can help your health in many different ways, from soothing cramps to alleviating inflammation.
However, it would be best if you select an authentic CBD product from a reputable brand. Also, experiment with various CBD forms (or products) and dosages to understand what works best for you.
