CBD Oil for TMJ.

With anti-inflammatory properties that come with CBD oil which help in pain relief, its popularity has contributed to its wide use in different states. Patients with TMJ have a reason to smile, as CBD oils have been one of the products that can be incorporated into their treatment.

CBD oils have different components used for different purposes. In the health sector, CBD has grown due to its positive effects experienced by consumers. CBD oil reported benefits like the relaxation of muscles and pain relief for patients suffering from TMJ disorders. TMJ conditions occur when the jaw disks move out of proper alignment, joint cartilage damage, or other impacts. Symptoms include tenderness of the jaw and difficulty chewing. This article will review the relationship between CBD and TMJ, how much CBD oil to take when diagnosed with TMJ, and the possible methods of use for patients with such health conditions.

What Is CBD?

CBD(Cannabidiol) is one of the many components found in the cannabis plant. Unlike other components, it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which causes a high feeling to the consumer. CBD can be in different forms, one of which is oils.

CBD oil is the most common form of the component CBD. It is one of the many active ingredients found in the hemp plant. It lacks THC, a psychoactive ingredient that causes a high feeling. This makes it diverse as it can be found in different strengths and can be taken in various ways. The oils can be available in topicals, vapes, and orals.

TMJ is an abbreviation for the Temporomandibular joint, which describes a group of health conditions associated with the jaw. It is located on each side of the head in front of the ears. Patients with these condition experience problems with chewing and pain in the muscle and joints that connect the lower and upper jaw to the skull. 

How Much CBD Oil Should One Take For TMJ?

Patients with TMJ experience different levels of pain. Some may have medium pain others experience stronger pain. There is no specific dosage on the amount of CBD oil to take for TMJ disorders. Doctors recommended starting with a small amount of CBD oil, depending on your state and the specific pain experienced as you study how your body responds to it. The following aspects should be considered when administering CBD to patients with TMJ disorders. Learn more about is cbd oil good for arthritis?

Body weight.

The metabolism rate of a person with a high body weight differs from that of one with a low body weight. Metabolism is the chemical process in the body that involves breaking down food into energy with the help of enzymes. Enzymes in CBD speed up the metabolic rate at which the body operates. Learn more about what are cbd oil drops good for?

Strength Of CBD.

People experiencing discomfort from TMJ disorders have different levels of pain. Some have dulled; others have stronger pain and even recurring pain. CBD oils have different strengths, Full Spectrum CBD, Broad spectrum CBD, and Isolate CBD. Full Spectrum contains all the components found in the cannabis plant, including THC. Hilderbrand (2018) states that full-spectrum CBD contains less than 0.03% of THC In specified European countries such as the UK. Other components found in full-spectrum CBD include cannabinoids and terpenes.

Nitecka et al(2019) show that patients suffering from recurring pain from TMJ disorders should consider using Full-spectrum CBD products due to THC and CBD-containing components. It helps in inflammation, pain, and relaxation of muscles. A small percentage of THC in full-spectrum CBD oil help reduce headaches experienced by patients with consistent pain caused by TMJ disorders. Broad-spectrum CBD oil has no THC level but contains other compounds from the cannabis plant. This is recommended for patients with dull pain.

CBD Tolerance to Body Receptors.

The body has receptors found in the brain called CB1 and CB2 receptors. They are responsible for pain, emotion, and memory. Research by Mc Killop et al.(2016) shows CBD oil can interact with the body's receptors by helping increase endocannabinoids which help with pain and inflammation. CB1 receptors play a vital role in the central nervous system, which controls the level of neurotransmitters in the body. CB2 aids in the regulation of pain and inflammation. Before any prescription is given, the doctor should consider that.

Product Type and Bioavailability.

CBD oil products usually come in different forms, thus leading to various methods of consumption. Patients with TMJ can opt for different methods depending on the rate at which they would like to experience the effects. Oral administration of CBD oils in the body is considered slow as the digestive process takes place for the CBD to be efficient. Topicals applied on affected areas showed slow improvement in pain, making vaping the best method to use CBD oils to relieve strong recurring pain. The number of cannabinoids in the products is also an important consideration required. As preference is based on the consumers' desire, it is advisable to avoid CBD products like gummies which can increase the pain experienced in the jaws.

Interaction With Other Medication.

Desai et al(2022) Concluded that patients with TMJ disorder may have prescriptions that help reduce pain experienced at different times. The introduction of CBD oil might affect the prescribed dosage as the oils contain enzymes that speed up the breakdown of drugs which can lead to less effectiveness. Before using any CBD-based product, patients are urged to seek consultation from a certified health practitioner.

How to Use CBD Oil for TMJ.

CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that decrease inflammation and relaxes the muscle tension experienced by patients with TMJ disorders. Usage can vary depending on the preference of the consumer. Some prefer taking it orally, others by rubbing topical products induced with CBD on the skin of the affected areas.

Conclusion.

With the wide variety of uses of CBD oil, the benefits experienced by patients with TMJ have helped patients who have difficulty dealing with pain and inflammation of their jaw muscles. Its unique properties help in relaxing muscle tension and reducing inflammation. CBD oil products taken in the desired way can help fix the problem. Patients with this condition often experience pain when chewing and migraines. A certified health practitioner is required to give instructions before using CBD products to avoid effects caused while using other medications with CBD oils. Patients with this disorder should avoid hard, chewy food and candy. 

Reference.

Hilderbrand, R. L. (2018). Hemp & cannabidiol: What is a medicine?. Missouri medicine, 115(4), 306.

Nitecka-Buchta, A., Nowak-Wachol, A., Wachol, K., Walczyńska-Dragon, K., Olczyk, P., Batoryna, O., ... & Baron, S. (2019). Myorelaxant effect of transdermal cannabidiol application in patients with TMD: a randomized, double-blind trial. Journal of clinical medicine, 8(11), 18

McKillop, A. M., Moran, B. M., Abdel-Wahab, Y. H., Gormley, N. M., & Flatt, P. R. (2016). Metabolic effects of orally administered small-molecule agonists of GPR55 and GPR119 in multiple low-dose streptozotocin-induced diabetic and incretin-receptor-knockout mice. Diabetologia, 59(12), 2674-2685.

Desai, S., Borg, B., Cuttler, C., Crombie, K. M., Rabinak, C. A., Hill, M. N., &Marusak, H. A. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of exercise on the endocannabinoid system. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 7(4), 388-408.