Should You Try CBD Oil for Pain Relief: Several people are looking for a natural treatment using CBD oil for pain relief. And interestingly, the use of cannabis plants for medical purposes goes back to ancient China. It’s believed that CBD could help with a range of health conditions, including pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
Understanding how CBD works and what evidence supports its use will help you to determine if you should try CBD or not. In this guide, we’ll look at the benefits of CBD, how to use it, and its possible side effects. What’s more, we’ll also discuss what research shows, the CBD dosage guide, and its legal status. First, let’s answer the question: what is CBD oil?
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD stands for cannabidiol, a chemical compound present in cannabis plants. These compounds are called cannabinoids, and there are over a hundred of them in cannabis. The two most popular of these are CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). They are also the most well-researched of all the compounds.
CBD doesn’t produce a high. However, THC is the compound responsible for the high feeling associated with cannabis. The research on the use of CBD has been encouraging. People use CBD oil for a myriad of health issues, such as relief from pain and inflammation.
Manufacturers use different methods to extract CBD from the plant. After extraction, the makers then add carrier oil, like coconut oil. Voila! We have CBD oil for chronic pain and an endless list of conditions people use CBD for.
You can get CBD oil in many different strengths and types. Also, the CBD in most CBD products is hemp-derived. Hemp is a variety of cannabis that contains high amounts of CBD but has only traces of THC.
How CBD and Cannabis Might Help Pain Relief
As the use of CBD continually grows, so does our understanding of how it works. Researchers believe CBD and cannabis might help pain relief by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system.
Everyone has an endocannabinoid system (ECS). According to Harvard Health, this system consists of cannabinoid receptors that interact with our body’s naturally occurring cannabinoids. This system also interacts with cannabinoids such as CBD and THC. The ECS is responsible for regulating many functions in the body, including appetite, metabolism, pain perception, and mood.
Epidiolex, a prescribed CBD drug, is the only FDA-approved CBD product. It’s used for treating rare forms of epilepsy. While CBD is a potential option for pain relief, there are no FDA-approved, non-prescribed CBD products.
What Science Says About CBD Oil for Pain
There are only a few human studies on CBD oil for pain. A fact that’s a result of politics. Cannabis was a Schedule I substance for such a long time. So, this limited the research on how CBD works therapeutically.
So far, much of the evidence on the effectiveness of CBD is from animal-based research. One of this research includes a 2017 study published in the Journal, Pain. Researchers observed the topical use of CBD oil for joint pain. They found that topical CBD helped reduce joint pain in rats with osteoarthritis.
In another research published in the European Journal of Pain, scientists looked at topical CBD oil for arthritis pain. They found that topical CBD gel significantly reduced swelling, pain, and inflammation.
Benefits of CBD Oil for Pain Relief
CBD oil for pain relief is one of its common therapeutic benefits. CBD has been shown to have the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory: Its anti-inflammatory effect is beneficial for pain reduction.
Anti-oxidative: CBD may fight oxidative stress, thereby reducing systematic inflammation. Also, it decreases symptoms of autoimmune conditions.
Neuroprotective: CBD may help slow down the progress of neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis.
Anti-Psychotic: Ease symptoms post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.
Specific conditions where the use of CBD might be helpful include:
- Chronic and neuropathic pain
- Inflammation
- Seizures
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Multiple sclerosis
- Fibromyalgia
Although more research is needed to confirm its benefits, CBD is coming up as a versatile treatment option.
How to Use CBD Oil for Pain?
There are many ways to use CBD oil for muscle pain, aches, and other chronic pain conditions. You can take CBD orally, apply topically to the skin, or inhale. Each of these methods has its pros and cons.
For instance, topical CBD products like creams and salves are best to treat localized pain. A person with arthritis may benefit more from using a topical product than oral. However, ingesting CBD is usually best for systemic conditions and full-body pain.
Also, keep in mind that you will come across different descriptions when shopping for the best CBD oil for pain. These include full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and CBD isolate. Briefly, here’s a breakdown of what each means.
Full-spectrum CBD contains the whole cannabis extract. So, apart from CBD, it also has other cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other compounds. Legal full-spectrum CBD products contain a trace amount of THC, 0.3% or less.
Broad-spectrum contains the whole plant extract too. However, the THC is mostly removed. CBD isolate, as the name suggests, only has the CBD compound.
CBD Oil Dosage for Pain
There are no established clinical guidelines on how much CBD patients should use for pain. But, experts recommend that you go low and slow. That is, start with a few milligrams of CBD for pain relief twice a day.
If, after a week, there are no changes, you can increase the dose by the same amount. Then, gradually make small increments until you find your ideal dose. When you find relief, stick to that dose to maintain a stable level of CBD in your blood.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Generally, CBD is considered a safe substance. According to Arthritis Foundation, no serious safety concerns are associated with CBD in moderate doses.
However, in studies examining the use of CBD, a number of side effects show up, particularly when taken in high amounts. Some of these include:
- Changes in appetite
- Mood changes
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
Also, important, CBD oil may interact with certain medications people take for arthritis. You can schedule an appointment with your doctor and discuss how CBD can affect your drugs.
Where to Buy CBD Oil Legally
As more states legalize the use of hemp, CBD has become even more widely available. We see different forms of CBD, from tinctures to creams and oral sprays. And you can purchase these products easily from just about anywhere. You can buy CBD oil for pain directly from the manufacturer online or at local stores.
Although CBD is legal on a Federal level in the United States, state laws vary regarding cannabis. It’s best to confirm the legal status of CBD in your state.
So, Should You Try CBD Oil for Pain Relief?
Most persons go for CBD oil products to avoid the adverse effects of medications. If you consider CBD oil for pain relief, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider.
CBD oil should not take the place of standard medical care. Discuss with your doctor whether CBD is safe and appropriate for your condition.
Overall, the risk of using CBD products is low. You can try them out if you want an alternative pain reliever. However, keep in mind that the FDA doesn’t regulate CBD products like other dietary supplements. So, it’s a good reason to shop cautiously and choose only third-party tested products.