What is CBD?
Cannabidiol, typically known as CBD, is one of the cannabinoids, a group of compounds that are naturally found in the cannabis (marijuana and hemp) plant. Most people associate the euphoric sensation with cannabis; however, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the one that causes the ‘high.’ The CBD has been used for medicinal purposes for decades and it became legal after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. The CBD offers several health benefits for multiple reasons.
Individuals who have chronic pain use topical CBD products, especially CBD oil, to treat the following ailments:
- Inflammation
- Pain
- Overall discomfort related to many health problems
The studies on CBD products and pain management have been promising.
CBD is used as an alternative for those with chronic pain and relies on prescribed drugs, like opioids, which can be habit-forming and cause more adverse effects. More research, however, is required to support the pain-relieving advantages of CBD oil and other CBD products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Epidiolex, a drug prescribed for epilepsy. There are no other nonprescription CBD products that are FDA-approved. They are not regulated dosage like other medicinal drugs. Read on to know everything about the potential benefits of CBD for pain management.
CBD for Arthritis Pain Relief
In 2016, a study was conducted on rats with arthritis to find out whether CBD’s efficacy. The rats were given either 0.6, 3.1, 6.2, or 62.3 milligrams of CBD each day. Scientists and experts noted decreased inflammation and overall pain in the affected joints of rats, also, there were no apparent harmful effects. At the same time, some rats who had a low dosage of 0.6 or 3.1 didn’t show any improvement. Researchers suggest that 6.2mg per day was a high dosage to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.
Moreover, rats who received 62.3 mg in a day experienced similar reaction as like the rats that had 6.2 mg/day. It was concluded that a high dosage of the CBD may help people experience less pain.
The pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects of the CBD could potentially help individuals with arthritis. More research is needed to verify these potential benefits.
CBD for Chronic Pain Relief
Both humans and animals have the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which is responsible for regulating the functioning of the immune system, sleep, cognitive activities, appetite, and so on. Researchers believe that the CBD interacts with a core component of the ECS – endocannabinoid receptors in the immune system and brain.
These receptors are tiny proteins which are bind to your cells. They receive signals, usually chemical ones, from different stimuli and help your body and brain respond accordingly. It results in pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, which help in pain reduction. It means that CBD oil and other CBD products have the ability to help individuals with chronic pain, like chronic back pain.
In a 2018 review, it was assessed that how well CBD treats chronic pain. The review included studies that were conducted between 1975 and 2018. These studies examined several forms of pain, such as:
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer pain
- Neuropathic pain
It was concluded that the CBD is effective in reducing different types of pain and doesn’t cause any serious adverse impact.
CBD for Fibromyalgia
Initially, fibromyalgia was named as fibrositis by Sir William Gowers. It is a widespread musculoskeletal pain escorted by sleep, fatigue, mood, and memory problems. This condition amplifies painful impressions by altering the way your brain processes pain signals. Not only that, but it also has effects on depression and anxiety.
When a woman has fibromyalgia, they typically suffer from migraines, which is the most common diagnosis in American rheumatology practices. The research took place in Italy, and it was noted that migraines may relate with secondary hyperalgesia (a lowered threshold to pain in primarily affected areas). The researchers suggested that the CBD ease pain since it has been proven to treat some of the myriad symptoms. In a study, nine individuals with fibromyalgia were given doses of 2.5-15mg CBD daily for three months in an uncontrolled trial. A significant reduction in pain was noticed.
Additionally, a survey was done to analyze the efficacy of CBD and pharmaceutical treatments, and the prescribed medicines did not provide satisfactory results.
CBD for Migraine Pain Relief
There is limited research on CBD and migraine collectively. The researches that presently exist include both CBD and THC, not when it’s consumed alone.
According to a 2017 study, THC and CBD reduce the intensity of pain in those who experience migraines. It was a two–phase research in which some individuals chose a combination of two compounds. One compound comprised 9% CBD and almost no THC, while the other compound had 19% THC in it. Each dosage was taken orally.
The doses were under 100mg in phase I, and no effect on pain was noticed. The dosages were raised to 200mg, acute pain was reduced by 55%.
In phase II, people with the combination of THC and CBD compounds noticed the frequency of their migraine attacks were reduced by 40.4%. The daily dosage was 200 mg.
According to this experiment, the combination of compounds was slightly more effective than 25 mg of amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant. The prescribed drug, amitriptyline, decreased migraine attacks by 40.1% in study participants.
Individuals who had cluster headaches also experienced pain relief with the mixture of THC and CBD compounds, but only if they’d had a history of migraines from childhood.
Dosage
The FDA does not approve the CBD for most health ailments, which is why dosages are presently open to interpretation, and individuals must take precautions. If you are planning to consume the CBD, you must first discuss it with your doctor.
Side Effects
People usually don’t experience any adverse effects using the CBD. There are, however, some possible side effects.
A review was published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, which discussed the most common side effects of the CBD:
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Changes in appetite
Moreover, consuming the CBD with other prescribed drugs may make those medications less or more effective. It is also stated that researchers have yet to study some aspects of the CBD, like how it affects hormones. More research will be helpful determining any adverse effects CBD causes on the consumer’s body.
Be sure to consult a doctor before you start using the CBD because it may interact with certain medicines and dietary supplements in the body.
Apart from that, CBD may also interact with an enzyme known as cytochrome P450 complex. This disruption might cause difficulty in breaking down toxins in the liver, which will result in liver toxicity. The Epidiolex leaflet states that there is a risk of severe depression, liver damage, and lethargy. These effects, however, are experienced in other treatments of epilepsy, too.
CBD and other cannabinoids may also affect the lungs. According to a study in Frontiers in Pharmacology, anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids may lower inflammation significantly. Too much inflammation reduction may weaken the lungs’ defense system, raising the risk of lung infection.
Other Considerations
Most studies of the CBD come from adult trials. Scientists do not suggest the CBD for kids’ consumption since there is not enough evidence on the CBD effects on a child’s developing brain and body.
Individuals, however, may use Epidiolex for children aged two years or more for treating epilepsy. One must speak to a doctor if they think their child requires to use the CBD for seizures. The use of CBD is also not advisable during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Where to Buy CBD?
If you are looking for the original and best quality CBD product, there are several platforms you can entirely rely on. They offer CO2 extracted, 100% natural, and non-GMO CBD products to every client – all you have to do is look for the right manufacturer.
Conclusion
Several kinds of research have concluded that CBD may be useful for aiding pain management and inflammation, but more study is required, particularly in long-term studies with humans.
CBD, however, indicates many potential benefits for pain relief. Anecdotal evidence advises that CBD may treat chronic pain in many cases. Furthermore, CBD is particularly a must-try compound due to its lack of intoxicating effects and lesser chances for adverse effects than most of the pain-relieving drugs. One must discuss CBD consumption with their consultant if they are using it for the first time.