As the cannabis plant is becoming accepted in different regions, the popularity of CBD products increases further. People use CBD oil to treat a host of medical issues. The use of CBD oil for pain relief is one of the many applications. Although there is limited evidence to confirm some of its use, it is maturing as a potential treatment option. This article discusses what CBD oil is and how it may help relieve chronic and acute pain.
Overview of Using CBD Oil for Pain
CBD is a natural substance, or cannabinoid, present in cannabis plants. It doesn’t cause the euphoric effect people usually associate with cannabis, marijuana, or hemp plants. The psychoactive compound in this plant is THC, which is a different type of cannabinoid.
One of the common uses of CBD oil is for pain management. You can use CBD hemp oil for pain, whether acute or chronic. Many people use topical CBD products and CBD oil. Here is how this oil may help:
- Reduce pain sensation in joints, muscles, overall body.
- Fight off inflammation
- Ease discomfort related to many health conditions
The research on the use of CBD oil for pain and other conditions is at its infant stage. However, some of the results from recent studies are promising. People turn to CBD products as a natural alternative for pain relief. It has fewer side effects and is not addictive.
The FDA approved only one CBD product, which is Epidiolex. This drug treats seizures associated with rare forms of epilepsy. Note that apart from this medication, there are no other FDA-approved products on the market.
The industry is generally unregulated for purity and dosage.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is a compound in cannabis. There are many varieties of the cannabis plant, and each contains different amounts of cannabinoids. Hemp and marijuana, for instance, are differentiated by their levels of CBD and THC each.
How the farmers breed the plant chiefly affects the CBD content. Industrial hemp generally has a higher amount of CBD than marijuana. So, most manufacturers make use of hemp when producing CBD products.
There are different techniques for extracting the compounds from the plant. After extraction, the producers add carrier oil to the extract. Voila, you have cannabidiol oil.
Most cannabis oil for pain comes in different strengths. There may also be many flavor options for people who don’t like the natural taste. Talk with your doctor if you want to use CBD oil for pain or any other medical condition.
CBD Oil for Pain Management
Although CBD is widely used for pain relief, there is little research to prove its effectiveness. Also, the FDA hasn’t approved any CBD drugs or products for pain management. While we are all waiting on studies and clinical trials, the recent results look promising.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) suggests CBD has possible health benefits for chronic pain.
Furthermore, a 2020 review on the use of CBD described its benefits for pain, inflammation, and improving sleep. However, there is a need for more evidence to ascertain therapeutic effects and effective dosage. Considering the current researches, CBD has a range of uses in medical conditions, including pain relief.
CBD Oil for Chronic Pain Relief
Humans have an endocannabinoid system. And, according to some researchers, CBD interacts with this ECS to act. There are endocannabinoid receptors in the body, particularly in the brain and immune system.
These receptors are proteins attached to our cells. They receive neurotransmitters from different stimuli and respond accordingly. This response could be to deliver an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve pain. These effects are the reasons CBD oil and CBD products may help people who have chronic pain. People may notice relief when they use CBD for chronic back pain and other pain types.
In a 2018 investigation, researchers looked through CBD studies conducted from 1975 to March 2018. They concluded that CBD is effective in pain management and had no side effects. The various types of pain these studies include fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, and cancer pain.
CBD for Arthritis Pain Relief
In 2016, a group of researchers studied the effectiveness of CBD for arthritis using rats. These researchers applied CBD gels for four days to these rats. The doses were either 0.6, 3.1, 6.2, or 62.3mg per day.
They noticed the rats who received low doses of 0.6mg and 3.1 mg experienced no improvement in their pain scores. While those that received 6.2mg had reduced inflammation and overall relief in the affected joints.
Interestingly, the rats who had 62.3mg of hemp oil for pain had the same result as those who received 6.2mg. That means a higher dose doesn’t result in less pain.
CBD has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for those with arthritis. However, more human studies on the use of CBD oil for arthritis are essential.
CBD for Cancer Treatment Relief
People who have cancer also use CBD for pain relief. Many human studies have examined the role of CBD in pain management. These investigations covered pain related to cancer and cancer treatments.
According to the National Cancer Institute, CBD is a possible alternative for helping cancer patients go through chemotherapy. Some of the side effects of chemo are pain, lack of appetite, and nausea. And CBD may help manage them.
A 2010 study investigated a combination of CBD and THC extract. Patients received this alongside opioids. Researchers observed that this extract provided more pain relief than using only opioids. Furthermore, a 2013 study on the use of CBD and THC also had the same result.
CBD Oil for Migraine Pain Relief
There are only a few studies on the use of CBD for migraine pain relief. Also, existing studies investigate the use of CBD and THC, not CBD alone. So, the results of the researchers are an effect of both CBD and THC use together. A 2017 study revealed that CBD and THC reduce acute and intense pain in people with migraines.
How to Use CBD Oil for Pain
Here is a guideline on how to use CBD oil for pain effectively:
CBD oils are easy to use since they all come with a dropper. This dropper helps you place the oil under your tongue. You hold for a few seconds, then swallow. That way, you can ensure maximum absorption.
To prevent contaminating the oil and degrading its quality, be careful when placing it under your tongue. Don’t allow the dropper to touch your tongue or mouth.
Moreover, to take, always begin with your doctor’s recommended dose. Generally, you’re advised to start with a small dosage. After some time, you can slowly increase your dosage to get the result you want.
The idea is that you take the process gradually, right from small doses, then work your way up. The effects of CBD can usually last for days, even weeks.
Furthermore, there are different kinds and levels of pain. So, you may want to take into consideration the severity while dosing. Let’s say you want to use CBD oil for back pain. If your pain is low, you can start with 5 to 10mg daily. But, if it’s medium, you may want to begin with 10 to 20mg daily. For something more severe, 20 to 40mg per day is a good start.
Also, another thing to keep in mind when using CBD oil for pain is your body weight. The guide is to take 1 to 6mg of CBD for every 10 pounds. That is, if your weight is 100lbs, you may start with 10mg to 17mg.
Safety and Side Effects
The safety concerns surrounding the use of CBD oil for pain arise primarily from quality issues. Seeing that the FDA doesn’t regulate any CBD products, the quality always varies with each company. A 2017 study found that 7 out of 10 CBD products didn’t contain the labeled amount of extracts. Some had too little, while others were too much.
Another concern is the potential side effects. Most people use CBD without experiencing any side effects. However, others may notice:
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Changes in appetite.
There may also be potential interaction with other drugs. Consulting your doctor, especially if you’re on meds, is essential.
Is CBD Oil Legal
CBD is legal on a Federal level in the United States. Also, in 30 states where medical or recreational marijuana is legal.
By law, CBD products must not contain more than 0.3%THC. Otherwise, it is illegal, and you must not purchase it.
Also, note that state laws can differ from federal regulations. Always check your state laws to know the current CBD status before purchase.
Final Thoughts
Many studies reveal that CBD oil may be helpful for pain management. There is, however, a need for more human studies since most of the research is on rats.
Going by anecdotal evidence and scientific studies, CBD is a potential substance for pain treatment. It can help patients who have chronic pain, migraine, arthritis, and others.
When you compare with over-the-counter drugs, CBD oil for pain is a safe and natural alternative. It causes no intoxicating effects and has low possible side effects.
If you want to use CBD oil as part of your treatment plan, remember to consult your doctor first. This is particularly important as it will help you prevent drug interactions. Plus, you can know the recommended dose that is safe for you.