Can You Take CBD Edibles for Pain?

Chronic pains could make life unbearable and reduce the quality of one's life. Existing treatment options for chronic pain may have side effects like addiction and dependency. CBD edibles may provide a safe alternative to pharmacological drugs used for pain. This article explains how CBD edibles help reduce pain and the types of CBD edibles that are effective for pain. It also provides side effects of the gummies.

CBD is an active chemical compound extracted from the leaves and flowers of the Cannabis Sativa plant. The cultivation of the hemp plant is legal under federal laws. Manufacturers derive CBD from the hemp plant because it contains a high concentration of CBD and low amounts of the psychoactive Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the chemical compound that gives marijuana euphoric effects associated with cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD is non-intoxicating; instead, it provides health and therapeutic benefits when used in meals or drinks. CBD edibles are among the common products infused with CBD. The edibles come in foods, cakes, sweets, and drinks and dispense CBD's health and therapeutic benefits.

What Are CBD Edibles?

Edibles are CBD oil infused with gummies, foods, beverages, cakes, brownies, and sweets. They allow users to mask the earthy taste of CBD with delicious flavor. However, edibles are among the slowest ways to feel the effects of CBD; the compound goes through digestion and metabolism before being incorporated into the bloodstream. 

How CBD Edibles Interact with Your Body Systems to Alleviate Pain

 CBD interacts with two types of cannabinoid receptors to relieve pain; CB1 and CB2. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a component responsible for maintaining body balance (homeostasis). CBD does not bind with the receptors as most plant cannabinoids do. It induces the system to release the anandamide, which binds with the CB2 receptors to regulate pain and suppress inflammation triggered by the immune system. Simultaneously, it prevents the breakdown of anandamide by body enzymes to buy time for effective pain relief.

In the brain, CBD interacts with CB1 receptors to block the signaling of pain impulses from the affected area to the central nervous system. Doing so promotes a calming effect in your mind, lowering pain, anxiety, and stress.

Types of CBD Edibles for Pain

Companies produce CBD gummies with three different spectrums that determine their potencies. Urits et al. (2020) highlighted the following types of CBD edibles in the market:

• Full-spectrum CBD edibles; contain all cannabinoids present in the hemp plant, including traces of THC. Fortunately, most full-spectrum edibles contain less than 0.3% THC, which cannot induce psychoactive behavior. The presence of many cannabinoids in the edible gives them an entourage effect making them more effective for pain relief.
• CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD edible containing only the food addictives and CBD compounds. It provides highly concentrated CBD, essential for relieving pain and healing damaged body tissues, without the psychoactive THC.
• Broad spectrum CBD edible contains almost all cannabinoids like terpenes except THC. It is suited for calming and relaxing effects without the risk of getting high. The spectrum also provides entourage effects.

Ways CBD Edibles Treat Body Pains

Reducing Anxiety Associated with Chronic Pain

Anxiety causes an increase in the oxidative activities in cells, therefore, triggering excessive inflammation signals by the immune system. It damages both cells and tissues, resulting in more constant pain. Kuhathasan et al. (2019) stated that CBD edibles take about 30 minutes to interact with brain receptors (CB1) to increase the production of stress serotonin hormone in the brain; Low production of the hormone results in increased anxiety.

Treating Body Inflammation

Inflammations are normal body processes triggered by the immune system to protect the body from threats. In rare cases, the immune system may increase inflammation even when there is no threat. According to Pellati et al. (2018), CBD interacts with the body receptors to reduce the tendency of the immune system to trigger excessive inflammation reactions; thus, its nickname is 'the anti-inflammatory cannabinoid.' 

CBD Edibles Have Healing Properties

You can never feel pain if there is no injury or damaged body structure. Clinical studies show that the healing process of CBD edibles starts when the compounds are diluted with organic oils like hemp oils which are rich in amino acids and vitamins. Organic nutrients help reproduce body cells that replace damaged or dead ones, reducing pain. Additionally, CBD contains omega 3 and 6 that aid in heightening the healing process. 

Improves Sleep Quality

While sleeping, your body is at its lowest metabolic rate; therefore, the body can focus the energy on tissue and cell production. So you may sleep having pains and health after sleep. However, most people cannot rest while experiencing severe pain; therefore, you are advised to consume CBD edible one hour before sleep. Moreira et al. (2009) explained that CBD provides patients with calming effects that relax the body muscles and joints for good sleep.

Conclusion

CBD edibles mask the bitter taste of CBD oil and interact with the cannabinoid receptors to promote a calming effect for pain. It also alleviates pain by reducing inflammations and anxiety, healing damaged tissues, and improving sleep quality. Cannabis edibles are mainly tolerated in the body, are non-intoxicating, and provide a wider range of therapeutic benefits essential for pain control. However, edibles may have some side effects when taken in excess or consumed alongside other prescription drugs. Therefore, users should seek medical advice before using the product as an alternative to pharmacological drugs.

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References

Kuhathasan, N., Dufort, A., MacKillop, J., Gottschalk, R., Minuzzi, L., & Frey, B. N. (2019). The use of cannabinoids for sleep: A critical review on clinical trials. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 27(4), 383

Moreira, F. A., Grieb, M., & Lutz, B. (2009). Central side-effects of therapies based on CB1 cannabinoid receptor agonists and antagonists: focus on anxiety and depression. Best practice & research Clinical endocrinology & metabolism, 23(1), 133-144.

Pellati, F., Borgonetti, V., Brighenti, V., Biagi, M., Benvenuti, S., & Corsi, L. (2018). Cannabis sativa L. and nonpsychoactive cannabinoids: their chemistry and role against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. BioMed research international, 2018.

Units, I., Gress, K., Charipova, K., Habib, K., Lee, D., Lee, C., ... & Viswanath, O. (2020). Use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the treatment of chronic pain. Best Practice & Research Clinical Anaesthesiology, 34(3), 463-477.