CBD OIL FOR PAIN: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating and beneficial phytocannabinoid. CBD oil comes from hemp plants and is infused with carrier oils to make it palatable. Pain is experienced when signals enter through nerves in one brain. CBD has the potential to reduce pain and inflammation. Here is what you should know.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating and beneficial phytocannabinoid. The cannabis plant constitutes over 113 different cannabinoids which play unique roles in human health. Cannabis sativa (marijuana) and hemp are popular cannabis species, although they contain varying cannabidiol content. Besides, cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive molecule responsible for high feelings in consumers. Pain is experienced when signals enter through nerves in the brain. The prevailing pain might result from several complex factors. Pain intensities differ from negligible to fatal and could be long- or short-term. It interrupts normal body functioning as joints and several body systems are inflamed. Besides commercial medications, cannabidiol oil yields positive results.

Pain and cannabidiol oil

Strict cannabis laws limits scientists from investigating cannabidiol oil benefits. However, the 2018 farm Bill legalized the usage of hemp-derived cannabidiol products, which enlarged the chances for long-term and in-depth cannabis research. Currently, research associates cannabidiol benefits with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). Some pain studies solely involve infinite cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol or several combinations instead of cannabidiol. The cannabis constituents have partially distinct effects and profiles. All cannabinoids interrelate with the endocannabinoid system, a mammalian cell-signaling system. It constitutes cannabinoid neurotransmitters scattered throughout the human nervous system and brain and body endocannabinoids. Cannabidiol interacts with these neurotransmitters and stimulates systems that change how the brain identifies pain.

Research on cannabidiol oil and pain

Although cannabidiol does not generate psychoactive and euphoric effects like tetrahydrocannabinol, its diverse effects enable the human body uses natural endocannabinoids. According to Alger (2013, November), a combination of cannabidiol and other hemp cannabinoids affects neurotransmitters within the endocannabinoid system and body. Cannabidiol elevates the anandamide levels in the human body, which improves mood and lowers pain perception. Nevertheless, cannabidiol does not alleviate pain intensity completely but reduces its severity. Researchers investigated the cannabinoid drug effects on pain by causing tentative heat pain before determining how the human central and peripheral nervous system responds and reacts. They utilized cannabidiol isolate oil which never decreased the pain intensity but reduced its severity. Although more research is underway, individuals have experienced numerous benefits from consuming cannabidiol oil.

Cannabidiol oil for various pain types

Since underlying pain symptoms and conditions are diverse, people might encounter varying pain types, including:

Chronic pain

Long-term pain is grouped into high pain levels that persist for months and are not terminated even after recuperating from sickness or injuries. Prolonged pain includes frequent headaches and back pain. Though people can control long-term pain with multiple treatment alternatives such as surgery, medication, and acupuncture, extreme chronic pain types cannot be healed but managed throughout the patient's life. Since traditional medications have negative side effects, certain patients search for natural and optional curative techniques because chronic pain lasts long. In this regard, cannabidiol oil offers the anticipated results without causing adverse effects. CBD oil lowers the disease severity, especially in people with prolonged pain output. According to Eskander et al. (2020), cannabidiol oil treats chronic pain by reducing inflammation and pain. Frequent consumption of these products accumulates CBD’s tolerance effects, implying the dosage should not be increased throughout.

Neuropathic pain

Damage and inflammation lead to neuropathic pain. It causes burning sensations or shooting, with victimized regions being incredibly complex when touched. This pain influences the somatosensory nervous system. Thus its symptoms include unbearable pain levels, needles or pin sensations, temperature fluctuation, or difficulty discovering numbness. The treatment and causes provided for neuropathic pain differ with circumstances. Some factors stimulating neuropathic pain are nutritional imbalances, toxin exposure, and alcoholism. Also, treatments differ depending on pain severity. According to Eccleston et al. (2017), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antidepressants relieve the individual's pain.

Nevertheless, most consumers need more powerful painkillers and combine natural pain source control such as cannabidiol oil with traditional drugs. These medications have adverse side effects, and their long-term effects are unknown. Contrastingly, cannabidiol oil impacts neuropathic without causing hazardous effects.

Cancer treatment pain

Dealing with several side effects accompanying disease treatment is difficult in cancer patients. Cancer treatment alternatives differ, but prevalent ones include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy. They trigger different side effects, including appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, and pain. Cancer patients experience persistent and chronic pain. The cannabidiol oral sprays and oil and their impacts on cancer pain control are encouraging. Scientists have studied cannabidiol oil's function in decreasing overall discomfort and inflammation because of health conditions such as cancer. Another study investigated how cancer-associated pain is affected by cannabidiol oil infused with THC and opioids. The patients reported being more effective in alleviating pain than opioids solely. Learn more about which cbd oil is best for diabetics?

Inflammation and cannabidiol oil

Inflammation and pain are strongly linked. Increased inflammation triggers inflammatory pain following the unsuitable immune system reaction related to conditions such as arthritis. According to Baswan et al. (2020), cannabidiol has the potential to lower body inflammation, specifically brain and nervous system. This benefit people who experience sleeping problems or insomnia and chronic pain. Inflammation is categorized into acute or chronic. Acute inflammation mimics an infection or illness and causes swelling and redness to the inflicted region—chronic inflammation results from the long-term inflammatory response. Body tissues and organs are affected by escalated oxidative stress. Prolonged pain happens when the ongoing pain lasts beyond 6 months, even after the injury or illness disappears. Chronic pain contains several underlying causes, although inflammation or dysfunctional nerves are the main triggers. The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol are essential in combating arthritis.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol oil comes from high cannabidiol cannabis strain. Manufacturers incorporate carrier oils into the extract to lower its consistency and improve its nutritional profile. Cannabidiol delivers health benefits through interaction with the endocannabinoid system. This complex cell-signaling system moderates metabolism, immune system operation, sleep, pain, mood, energy levels, and fertilization. Cannabidiol elevates anandamide levels in the human body, which improves mood and lowers pain perception. Individuals report varying cannabidiol benefits since pain severity is different—neuropathic, chronic, cancer treatment pain, and inflammation. Cannabidiol functions better when combined with various cannabis compounds. It reduces pain and inflammation without causing adverse side effects.

References

Alger (2013, November). Getting high on the endocannabinoid system. In Cerebrum: the Dana forum on brain science (Vol. 2013). Dana Foundation.

Baswan, Klosner, Glynn, Rajgopal, Malik, Yim, & Stern (2020). Therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD) for skin health and disorders. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology, 13, 927.

Eskander, Spall, Spall, Shah, & Kaye (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) as a treatment of acute and chronic back pain: A case series and literature review. J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8

Eccleston, Cooper, Fisher, Anderson, & Wilkinson (2017). Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for chronic non‐cancer pain in children and adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (8).