Using CBD Oil for Pain Management - Know How It Works

There has been a significant of CBD products in the market, such as gummies and supplements. Therefore, many companies actively produce and market them to alleviate different conditions. For example, CBD is popular for pain management and reducing inflammation. So, how does CBD reduce muscle pains? This article explains how CBD works to reduce pain and inflammation.

Migraines, headaches, and other chronic pains have been associated with several long-term health conditions. Most people are turning away from inorganic prescribed medication and are opting for more natural ways to reduce body pain.

CBD oil is a suitable natural solution that is popular for alleviating pain, reducing anxiety and stress, and reducing inflammation. Research suggests that several people using CBD have reported significant improvement in body pains and stress-related symptoms.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a major cannabinoid found in the cannabis sativa plant. It has gained attraction because it lacks the psychoactive effects of tetrahydrocannabinol, THC, another compound in the cannabis plant. Furthermore, it has various therapeutic properties, such as improving mood and reducing stress and anxiety.

Hemp and marijuana contain varying levels of CBD and THC. While hemp contains higher CBD levels, marijuana contains higher THC levels. However, marijuana is highly psychoactive and thus causes a "high" sensation. Industrial hemp is legally allowed to contain less than 0.3 % of THC.

CBD is extracted from the hemp plants, and manufacturers use carbon dioxide or ethanol to extract the product. Additionally, it is available in different forms that can be used orally and topically. These products include vapes, edibles, creams and balms, and oils & tinctures. CBD oil products are grouped as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate CBD, depending on the chemical elements present.

Full-spectrum CBD Oil

This CBD oil has all the other naturally occurring compounds and cannabinoids in the hemp plant. It includes CBD, cannabigerol (CBG), and trace amounts of THC. Furthermore, it contains several terpenes such as myrcene and limonene. However, THC levels must not exceed 0.3% to maintain its legal threshold.

Broad-spectrum CBD Oil

This product is quite similar to full spectrum CBD oil. However, it lacks THC since it is completely extracted from it. Broad spectrum CBD has no intoxicating effects but exhibits the entourage effect, a phenomenon in which the chemical compounds in hemp work synergically to enhance CBD's therapeutic effects.

Isolate CBD Oil

This type of extract contains pure CBD with no other compounds. It is mainly derived from the hemp plant's flowers, leaves, and stems. Isolate CBD oil is non-psychoactive since it lacks THC. Fortunately, it has a calming and relaxing feeling and thus efficiently reduces high stress and anxiety levels.

CBD Oil for Pain Management

Researchers have studied how CBD can alleviate different conditions that cause pain. Many studies have indicated positive results from using CBD to reduce pain. Herein Here are some of the health conditions that CBD can help reduce pain:

Arthritis

Khaleghi & Murdoc (2020) suggested that CBD oil reduces inflammation and arthritis pains due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Though oral administration was more effective, topical application of CBD oil was also reported to offer relief for arthritis.

Multiple Sclerosis

Pain has been a common symptom associated with multiple sclerosis. Its symptoms include fatigue, restricted mobility, pain, and sensory deficit.  According to Grimaldi et al. (2018), CBD efficiently alleviates multiple sclerosis symptoms due to its analgesic and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, CBD also helps in treating insomnia by reducing pain and anxiety.

Cancer Pain

According to Heider et al. (2022), CBD's anticancer effects are related to its interactions with the endocannabinoid system and how CBD binds with the CB2 receptors. It also relieves chemotherapy side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Fibromyalgia

This condition commonly affects women and is characterized by widespread chronic pains all over the body, causing insomnia, reduced cognitive function, and fatigue. According to Boehnke et al. (2021), people who substituted inorganic pain-relieving medications with CBD recorded greater improvements in reducing fibromyalgia than those who did not. This improvement is also related to the reduced anxiety and sleep improvement caused by using CBD oil.

Other benefits of CBD

Laczkovics et al. (2021) suggested that CBD oil reduces high anxiety and stress levels. Most people use CBD to feel calm and relaxed without being intoxicated. Additionally, Atalay et al. (2021) suggested that CBD oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that enable it to reduce skin inflammation.

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in the brain. The body's endocannabinoid system (the ECS) is key in pain perception, immune response, regulating mood, and maintaining a general body balance. Furthermore, the ECS has endocannabinoid receptors that can be found in various body organs, such as the spine, spleen, and brain.

CBD binds with these receptors, specifically CB2 receptors, to enhance the operation of the ECS system. Baron (2018)  suggested that CBD positively affects the glycine receptor, which greatly alleviates chronic pain caused by inflammation and injury. Moreover, CBD strengthens the function of various endocannabinoids and neurotransmitters such as anandamide. This neurotransmitter is key in regulating sleep cycles. Therefore, CBD massively improves sleep quality.

What Form of CBD Is Highly Effective for Reducing Pain?

CBD oils and tinctures are consumed sublingually and thus do not have to be gut processed. Therefore, they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, making them more efficient in reducing muscle pains and inflammation.

CBD gummies and capsules are consumed orally and have a low bioavailability since they must be gut processed. The gummies are chewy edibles infused with an exact amount of CBD oil and are popular because of their delicious taste. On the flip side, the capsules are pill-like substances with a gelatin outer casing.

Conclusion

CBD has proven beneficial in alleviating various health conditions. Most people use CBD because it is non-psychoactive and has several therapeutic effects.

Also, CBD oil improves sleep quality, reduces high stress and anxiety levels, and alleviates several types of pain, such as cancer-related pains, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Moreover, CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system receptors and several enzymes that are key for pain perception and mood control. Sublingual consumption of CBD is considered the fastest and most effective way to administer CBD. Remember to start with a small dose and use high-quality CBD products to minimize possible side effects.

References

Baron, E. P. (2018). Medicinal properties of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids in cannabis, and benefits in migraine, headache, and pain: an update on current evidence and cannabis science. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 58(7), 1139-1186.

Boehnke, K. F., Gagnier, J. J., Matallana, L., & Williams, D. A. (2021). Substituting cannabidiol for opioids and pain medications among individuals with fibromyalgia: a large online survey. The journal of pain, 22(11), 1418-1428.

Heider, C. G., Itenberg, S. A., Rao, J., Ma, H., & Wu, X. (2022). Mechanisms of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Treatment: A Review. Biology, 11(6), 817.

Laczkovics, C., Kothgassner, O. D., Felnhofer, A., & Klier, C. M. (2021). Cannabidiol treatment in adolescents with multiple substance abuse, social anxiety, and depression. neuropsychiatrie, 35(1), 31-34.

Atalay, S., Jarocka-Karpowicz, I., & Skrzydlewska, E. (2020). Antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabidiol. Antioxidants, 9(1), 21.

Khaleghi, M. (2020). New arthritis foundation guidelines on CBD use could be the first of many more to come. Alternative therapies in health and medicine, 26, 8-11.

Grimaldi, A. E., De Giglio, L., Haggiag, S., Bianco, A., Cortese, A., Crisafulli, S. G., ... & Castelli, L. (2019). The influence of physiotherapy intervention on patients with multiple sclerosis-related spasticities treated with nabiximols (THC: CBD oromucosal spray). PloS one, 14(7), e0219670.