Let’s be real—physical pain can be a real pain in the butt. It’s harder to focus and do life as usual when your body aches—especially for long periods of time.
People generally turn to painkillers or physical therapy for pain relief. But now there’s a newer kid on the block that’s getting the attention: CBD.
Consumers are becoming more conscious with what they put into their bodies. Many have opted to manage their health issues through alternative means. CBD, as a result, is considered to be a breath of fresh air.
The Origin of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabis compound that stems from the hemp plant.
The nature of CBD is complex, yet fascinating. For starters, it’s one of the many compounds that belong to the cannabis family.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cousin of CBD that can also be found in marijuana. THC is what produces the mind-altering “high” that marijuana users experience. While they both derive from the same plant, CBD lacks the psychoactive effects of THC.
There are multifaceted uses for CBD. In addition to it being a solution for physical pain, it’s also a suitable treatment for acne and anxiety.
The cannabis plant’s link to pain relief is nothing new. Historically speaking, it was used for similar purposes in the days of Ancient China.
How CBD Works as a Pain Reliever
In theory, CBD can reduce physical pain and decrease inflammation. It’s also suspected to work favorably with the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in how our pain thresholds are regulated.
Experts say that there’s not enough evidence to verify these claims. Since there’s limited research (that’s mostly animal-based), they believe that it’s too soon to confirm anything. That doesn’t go without saying that the available research is quite convincing.
Previous studies have surfaced over the years, shedding light on the usefulness of CBD as a pain reliever. Many conditions were tested with CBD in the process, including:
- Arthritis pain
- Cancer-related pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
After all was said and done, researchers found that CBD had a lot of potential.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews also shared an interesting report in 2018, expressing belief that there’s benefit in using CBD for physical pain.
Your Options for Treatment
There are two ways that you can use CBD for pain management. You can either ingest it orally or apply it topically.
Oral supplements may not work as effectively as a topical treatment. When ingested, CBD has low bioavailability. This lessens the amount of CBD that enters the bloodstream, which reduces its effectiveness as it circulates through your system.
Topical CBD can do more for you in terms of pain relief [reportedly]. In a past study by Pain, scientists did a test on rats with osteoarthritis.
They treated them with topical CBD, and the goal was to evaluate its effect on the joint pain of the rats. Based on results, the topical agent succeeded in easing the pain.
Things You Should Know About CBD (Before You Try)
All forms of pain treatment have their pros and cons. The reported side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Going overboard with the dosage could trigger tremors and unwanted muscle movement. Furthermore, you shouldn’t mix it with certain supplements and medications.
A doctor can offer more guidance on the dosage amount you should take, CBD’s compatibility with your existing prescriptions, and more. We advise you to consult with one before you start using CBD.
Non-prescription CBD has yet to get the approval of the FDA. As a result, these products aren’t currently being regulated by the agency.
