How To Use CBD Oil For Pain?
Overview
Cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plants naturally contain cannabidiol (CBD), a type of cannabinoid. The “high” feeling associated with cannabis is not caused by CBD. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a different cannabinoid that causes that feeling.
In order to manage chronic pain, some people use topical CBD products, in particular CBD oil. You can consume CBD for various benefits.
CBD for pain relief
CBD oil for inflammatory pain
Taking CBD for health conditions that cause discomfort
There has been promising research on CBD products and pain management. One might yet think how does cbd oil help with pain? Here are some ways explained.
For people who suffer from chronic pain and rely on medications, such as opioids, that can be habit-forming and cause side effects, CBD can be a viable alternative. To verify CBD oil’s pain-relieving properties, more research is needed.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only one CBD product, Epidiolex, for treating epilepsy.
CBD products that aren’t prescription aren’t FDA-approved. The purity and dosage of these drugs are not regulated, like those of other medications.
Find out more about CBD’s potential pain relief benefits by reading on. If you have a medical condition, you can also discuss this option with your doctor.
Cannabidiol For Chronic Pain Relief
A cell-signalling system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is present in every individual.
CBD may interact with endocannabinoids in your brain and immune system, a core component of the ECS.
Your cells contain tiny proteins called receptors. Signals received from different stimuli, mostly chemical ones, help your cells respond.
Pain management is facilitated by this anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving response. Chronic pain sufferers, such as those suffering from chronic back pain, may benefit from CBD oil and other products.
In a 2018 review, CBD was assessed for its effectiveness in relieving chronic pain. The review examined studies published between 1975 and March 2018. A variety of types of pain were examined in these studies, including:
cancer pain
neuropathic pain
fibromyalgia
These studies concluded that CBD was effective in overall pain management and did not cause negative side effects.
CBD For Pain Relief (Arthritis)
CBD was studied in a 2016 study on arthritis-affected rats.
Four days in a row, CBD gel was applied to rats. Depending on the dose, the rats received 0.6, 3.1, 6.2, or 62.3 milligrams (mg) per day. In the rats’ affected joints, the researchers noted a reduction in inflammation and overall pain. In terms of side effects, none were apparent.
The pain scores of rats who received low doses of 0.6 or 3.1 mg didn’t improve. A dose of 6.2 mg/day was found to be effective in reducing rats’ pain and swelling.
Furthermore, rats receiving 62.3 mg/day experienced similar outcomes to those receiving 6.2 mg/day. Even receiving a substantially higher dosage did not reduce their pain.
People with arthritis might benefit from CBD gel’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It is necessary, however, to conduct more human studies.
CBD For Pain Relief (Cancer Treatment)
There are some people who use CBD for cancer as well. Cancerous tumours can shrink when CBD applies to mice. Despite this, most human studies have examined CBD’s role in managing cancer-related pain.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), CBD may reduce chemotherapy side effects such as:
pain
vomiting
lack of appetite
In a 2010 study, study subjects were administered an oral spray containing a combination of THC and CBD extract. THC-CBD extracts were used in conjunction with opioids. Using the extract provided more effective pain relief than using opioids alone, according to this study.
Similar findings were found in a 2013 study on THC and THC-CBD oral sprays. This study was also conducted by many of the researchers from the 2010 study. It is still necessary to gather more evidence.
CBD For Pain Relief (Migraine)
There are limited studies on CBD and migraine. In the studies that are currently available, CBD is also paired with THC, not used alone.
A 2017 study suggests that CBD and THC can help migraine sufferers experience less acute pain and less intense pain.
Two compounds were combined in this two-phase study. There was a compound containing 9 percent CBD and almost no THC. Another compound contained 19 percent THC. The doses were taken orally.
During phase I, doses under 100 mg had no effect on pain. A 55 percent reduction in acute pain was observed when the dose was increased to 200 mg.
In phase II, participants who received a combination of CBD and THC compounds reported a 40.4 percent reduction in migraine attacks. There was a daily dose of 200 mg.
Combining these compounds was slightly more effective than 25 mg of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. According to the study, amitriptyline reduces migraine attacks by 40.1 percent.
The combination of CBD and THC compounds also relieved pain in participants with cluster headaches, but only if they had a history of migraines as a child.
CBD side effects
Most topical CBD products don’t enter the bloodstream, so CBD poses no significant risks for users. There are, however, some pros and cons of cbd oil for pain.
It may cause side effects like:
fatigue
diarrhoea
changes in appetite
changes in weight
CBD may interact with:
certain over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
prescription medications
dietary supplements
You should proceed with caution if your medications or supplements contain a “grapefruit warning.” Grapefruit and CBD both interfere with enzymes that are essential to drug metabolism.
CBD may also be toxic to your liver, as with other drugs and supplements. CBD-rich cannabis extract was found to increase the risk of liver toxicity in mice according to one study.