3 Ways How You Can Use CBD Hemp Oil for Pain
Cannabis has a long history of use as a pain reliever. As such, it’s not surprising many people are turning to CBD oil and other CBD products for pain.
Pain comes in many forms, including your day-to-day muscle pain and soreness as well as chronic pain caused by arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and other serious health issues.
The good news is that CBD can address all of these issues in a holistic, natural way.
So, how can you use CBD oil, creams, and other CBD products for pain management? Here’s what you need to know.
How Can CBD Help with Pain?
Research suggests that CBD can reduce pain in two main ways: interacting with the endocannabinoid system, and through other pathways that regulate pain and inflammation.
CBD and Pain: The Endocannabinoid System
First off, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors located throughout the brain and other tissues. This system has a regulatory role in many processes, including pain and inflammation.
As such, activation of the endocannabinoid system can create pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.
There are several specific ways that CBD achieves this. Most notably, research suggests that CBD interacts with two receptors suspected to be part of the endocannabinoid system: TRPV1 and GPR55.
These receptors are known to regulate various kinds of pain and inflammation and may be added to the two known cannabinoid receptors — CB1 and CB2 — in the future.
Also, CBD has been shown to increase the levels of anandamide, the main endocannabinoid produced by our bodies. Anandamide has many benefits, including pain relief.
CBD and Pain: Other Mechanisms
Although CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system has received the most attention, it also reduces pain through other ways. For example, studies show that CBD interacts with glycine receptors, which regulate pain and inflammation.
In addition, research indicates that CBD can provide pain relief by boosting the levels of adenosine, a brain chemical that regulates pain, inflammation, and immune function.
CBD and Pain Relief: The Evidence
Although research examining CBD’s effects on pain is still in its early stages, there is a good deal of evidence. In particular, there are multiple studies using whole-plant cannabis preparations that report pain relief benefits.
However, even these studies are relevant since most CBD preparations contain a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds naturally found in cannabis plants.
CBD and Arthritis Pain
In a 2016 study, researchers from the University of Kentucky applied CBD gel to rats with arthritis.
The gel reduced pain and inflammation in the affected joints without any side effects, leading the scientists to conclude that “topical CBD application has therapeutic potential for relief of arthritis pain-related behaviours and inflammation.”
Meanwhile, a 2006 British study examined the effects of Sativex, a pharmaceutical drug containing a 1:1 ratio of CBD and THC and other cannabis compounds, on pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The treatment resulted in a significant improvement of pain.
CBD and Migraine Pain
Studies of the effects of CBD on migraines are fairly scarce, but there is evidence that cannabinoids as a whole are beneficial for headache pain.
For example, one 2016 study by the University of Colorado looked at the effects of medical cannabis on 121 people suffering from migraines. A total of 40% of the patients reported having significantly fewer migraines.
Meanwhile, a 2017 review paper discussed how cannabinoids such as CBD can help with migraines.
The researchers suggest that cannabinoids can prevent a spike in serotonin levels that may play a central role in causing migraines.
CBD and Other Types of Chronic Pain
One of the most comprehensive papers on the effects of cannabinoids such as CBD on chronic pain was published in 2018.
This review paper looked at numerous studies examining various forms of pain, including pain caused by cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathic pain.
This paper concluded that the use of cannabis preparations was helpful in chronic pain management.
Altogether, while more clinical evidence is needed, the positive findings of animal and human research provide a growing body of evidence for the pain-relieving effects of CBD.
How to Use CBD for Pain
CBD can provide pain relief regardless of which type of product you use. Having said that, the three best forms of CBD for pain are oil tinctures, vape e-liquids, and topical creams.
Each of these has specific advantages that make them an excellent solution to various kinds of pain.
In addition, we highly recommend using a full-spectrum hemp product.
Full-spectrum extracts contain the complete range of beneficial cannabinoids, terpenes, and other cannabis compounds, making them more effective and potent than pure CBD at alleviating pain.
1. CBD Oil for Pain
Sublingual CBD oil is the most popular way to enjoy the health and wellness benefits of CBD. CBD oil works best for systemic pain that affects the whole body, such as the pain caused by fibromyalgia.
It’s also a good choice for pain caused by migraines and headaches since it needs to reach the brain.
One of the major reasons most people use CBD oil for pain and other benefits is because it’s cost-effective and convenient: you can easily control your dosage and the effects last for a good two to six hours.
2. CBD Vape E-Liquid for Pain
Vaping CBD is an increasingly popular alternative to CBD oil for pain relief because of its instantaneous effects.
Simply put, when you vape CBD you feel it right away. By comparison, sublingual CBD oil takes anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes to be felt.
Another advantage of vaping for pain relief is that you can use it anywhere, anytime. Thanks to the discreet nature of vapes, you can take a few puffs and go about your day.
3. CBD Cream for Pain
Unlike CBD oil or vaping products, CBD creams do not enter the bloodstream.
This makes topical CBD preparations the ideal choice for easing localized joint or muscle pain.
For example, CBD creams are great for arthritis knee pain or a workout-related back injury.
On the other hand, CBD creams should not be used for pain that’s occurring deep inside or affecting the whole body, since this requires a CBD form that can be distributed throughout all tissues via the blood.
CBD vs. Prescription Medications for Pain
Efficacy is not the only reason many people opt for CBD over pharmaceutical pain medications. Another advantage of CBD is that it’s a safe, natural substance.
In contrast, many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pain drugs such as ibuprofen and NSAIDs come with unwanted side effects.
In particular, opioids — the most common type of drug used for chronic pain — are known for their addictive potential.
CBD for Natural Pain Management
As you can see, CBD has great potential to help with all different sorts of pain, inflammation, and discomfort.
Whether it’s soreness after a workout, inflammation from arthritis or pain from virtually anything else, CBD oil tinctures, vape oils, and creams offer a natural solution for pain relief.
The best part about using CBD oil and other hemp preparations for pain management is that you don’t run the risk of unwanted side effects and get plenty of other holistic health benefits along the way.
Where To Buy CBD Products Online
If you’re curious to try hemp-derived CBD oil and other hemp-derived CBD products, start shopping online now.
To find our recommended CBD hemp oil check out our CBD products, or our other hemp-based health & wellness products.
