CBD for Pain: What We Know & What We Don’t
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around about what CBD is and what it can and can’t do for your health and well-being.
CBD products have grown so popular that you can now purchase CBD pills and other CBD items from online CBD stores. They provide CBD oils, creams, pills, and other products.
While research is still ongoing on the benefits of CBD, it has already been proven by some studies to help alleviate pain. Here’s what we know and don’t know about CBD and how it can relieve pain.
What is CBD?
A lot of people are unfamiliar with what CBD is.
Many people believe that CBD is the same as marijuana and that taking CBD pills and supplements will give them a high the same way marijuana will or show up on a drug test.
The truth is that CBD or cannabidiol comes from the hemp plant, which is in the same species of plants where marijuana comes from, but CBD products don’t contain the same levels of THC.
THC is the chemical in marijuana that produces the high, so if you’re thinking of using CBD for that purpose rather than pain treatment, forget it.
Effects of CBD
CBD has a different effect on the body than other cannabinoids such as THC or tetrahydrocannabinol.
Your body has an endocannabinoid system or ECS that receives and translates signals from cannabinoids. The ECS system works to regulate sleep, pain, and immune system response.
THC cannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, creating a euphoric high feeling by producing dopamine which causes feelings of pleasure.
CBD is quite different from THC, and its effects can be complex, but it can help the body use endocannabinoids more effectively without the high.
Benefits and Pain Relief
Using a CBD cream for pain relief and treating inflammation can be very effective and has no indicative addictive or dependency potential.
CBD topicals are fast becoming a primary choice for athletes and others who suffer from sore muscles, arthritis, and chronic pain.
Dosage
There’s no FDA regulation of CBD products, and as a result, the dosage is generally decided by the manufacturers.
When using a CBD cream for pain or other types of CBD products, you should always consult a healthcare professional before you take any pills or use any creams, balms, or salves.
Risk & Side Effects
The risks and side effects of using CBD creams are minimal. Still, you should always check the ingredients of any creams before you apply them to ensure you aren’t allergic to any other ingredients or chemicals the product may contain.
If you’re considering an oral CBD product for pain, some reported side effects include fatigue, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and weight loss or gain.
It’s also important to understand that CBD products can interact with other drugs, which can cause complications and have more severe side effects.
Several studies have shown that CBD cream can be beneficial in helping to relieve pain caused by arthritis, inflammation, sore muscles, and other chronic pain conditions.
However, it’s essential to keep in mind that studies are ongoing and more research is needed to conclude how effective CBD is at treating and relieving pain.