CBD Oil for Pain

Everyone struggles with pain at some point in their life. And believe it or not, pain can be useful in a number of ways. For instance, it alerts us to things like tissue damage, injury, and psychological disorders. Pain can also be a warning sign to the body, detecting potential harm and dispatching signals to the brain. However, sometimes pain can stop playing its protective role.

Acute or chronic pain is a debilitating condition that persists for weeks or years despite medication or treatment. Unfortunately, chronic pain is a common disorder, affecting up to 50 million adults in the United States alone. Yet, it is one of the most challenging conditions to treat.

CBD is emerging as a magical elixir that can help treat chronic pain. But does the science match the marketing? Here’s everything you need to know about CBD for pain.

What Is CBD?

Cannabis plants (hemp and marijuana) naturally produce more than 400 chemical compounds, of which at least 100 of them are cannabinoids. Cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are the most prevalent cannabinoids in cannabis sativa plants. THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient responsible for the euphoric ‘high’ you get after smoking marijuana.

On the other hand, CBD is non-intoxicating and does not trigger a ‘high’ or feelings of euphoria. Instead, CBD has been found to be helpful in treating numerous medical conditions like epilepsy, inflammation, anxiety, and even pain.

Legal CBD products, including topical creams, salves, balms, and oils, are predominantly extracted from hemp plants, which is a species of marijuana that contains 0.3% or less THC. The legalization of hemp and ongoing scientific studies into the medical use of CBD have fueled interest in its use as a promising treatment for pain and inflammation.

Is CBD Really Effective in Pain Management?

Multiple clinical trials have found that CBD has potent positive effects on a user’s health and general well-being. Preclinical evidence from animal studies shows that CBD exerts its effects by interacting with the receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is a biological cell-signaling system identified in 1988 by researchers exploring THC. It comprises cannabinoid receptors, enzymes, and endocannabinoids (molecules similar to cannabinoids but are produced by our bodies).

Both cannabinoids and endocannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2 receptors) in our ECS, stimulating different cell responses. This interaction helps regulate important bodily functions such as sleep, mood, memory, immune response, and pain perception.

Unlike THC, CBD does not have a high binding affinity to endocannabinoid receptors. Instead, experts believe that CBD works by preventing the breakdown of endocannabinoids, allowing them to have a greater effect on our bodies.

What Does Research Say About CBD as A Potential Treatment for Pain?

Research into CBD as a potential treatment for pain is still in its infancy. However, one mice study found that CBD can interact with the neurological receptors in the spinal cord, suppressing chronic inflammatory pain.

Another study concluded that CBD can strengthen the effects of anandamide (AEA), the major endocannabinoid that reduces pain.

These findings were further backed up by a 2018 study that evaluated CBD’s pain-relieving effects. The study involved seven participants who experienced chronic pain following kidney transplants. While six of the participants reported improved pain symptoms, one experienced more pain at high CBD doses, but the pain reduced significantly at lower CBD amounts.

In a 2015 study, the researchers concluded that topical CBD significantly reduced arthritis pain and joint swelling in animal models. Doses ranging from 6.2 to 62mg of CBD per day were found to be the most effective.

These preliminary studies suggest that CBD may be a potent pharmaceutical agent for pain treatment. However, it’s important to note that more high-quality clinical trials and large-scale research are still needed before CBD can be officially recommended for chronic pain management.

Final Thoughts – CBD for Pain

CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid extracted from hemp plants. It has gained popularity as a natural way to relieve insomnia, inflammation, pain, and other medical conditions. Although preliminary studies suggest that CBD may help manage pain effectively, more well-established research is still needed to evaluate these findings.

Generally, CBD is well tolerated by the body with negligible side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, and reduced appetite. That said, buying high-quality CBD products from a reputable brand is crucial for the best results.