A 2019 survey found over 20% of U.S. adults were suffering from chronic pain, and nearly 8% of people experienced pain that caused them to miss work or social activities with friends and family. Pain can be caused by several factors, including injury, accidents, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer treatment side effects, and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, millions of Americans experience non-specific pain conditions where the source or starting point is unclear. Whatever the cause may be, there are many ways CBD may help reduce your pain levels and improve your quality of life again.
First, a little about cannabidiol, better known as CBD, is one of over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis and hemp plants. Cannabidiol, like THC (also found in cannabis), interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to produce therapeutic effects. Although CBD doesn’t provide the “high” that users experience when smoking or ingesting cannabis, it offers wellness benefits that are of great interest to consumers from all walks of life—which is why sales of CBD products are expected to reach nearly $20 billion by 2025.
Researchers are still trying to determine the exact mechanisms through which CBD works. What is known is that it primarily operates by interacting with receptors found in the brain and nervous system, such as cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). It also seems to stimulate serotonin receptors and interfere with the uptake of some pain-relieving chemicals your body produces. CBD might have some direct effects on pain signals, but it may also modify some systems in your body that impact how you sense and perceive pain.
CBD has shown promise in treating people with chronic pain. But CBD seems to benefit more than just those who suffer from acute or chronic pain conditions. It’s also known to help treat symptoms like inflammation, nausea, insomnia, and anxiety, making it an appealing therapy for people looking to avoid opioids and other strong prescriptions while still getting some pain relief.
An older, but excellent study authored by renowned cannabinoid researcher, Ethan Russo, shows CBD has the potential to treat challenging to manage pain.
A more recent report from 2020 reviewing only CBD concluded,
“CBD appears to have anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on opioid-naive patients with neuropathic and radicular pain.”
The scientists’ final discussion on CBD for pain included,
“Based on these results, we believe further investigation is warranted to see if CBD-containing products should have a more prominent role in the treatment of acute and chronic pain.”
There are several methods for using CBD, including:
The tincture is one of the most popular ways to use CBD for pain. The tincture comes in a bottle that contains anywhere from 15-30 ml of liquid. Depending on your specific needs, a CBD tincture may have a certain amount of CBD per ml. You can even find hemp oil extracts with added natural flavors like peppermint, vanilla, lemon, peppermint, and orange.
Consumers choose CBD tinctures for pain for the fast onset and long duration. A few drops under the tongue will absorb into the bloodstream through the membranes and start working in as little as 20 minutes, and this delivery method lasts about six hours.
A fun and simple way to take CBD for pain is by eating CBD edibles. They come in a wide range of delicious flavors and can be found in many different forms, from chocolate treats to gummies. You can even find CBD edibles in the form of drinks now, like coffee and flavored waters.
When you eat hemp edibles for pain, CBD is first processed by your digestive system. The effects may not be as quick to take effect as they are when you use tinctures, but the duration of the impact is the same—about six hours.
Pills are a discreet and straightforward way to get your daily CBD, and they’re suitable for people who would rather not deal with the taste of hemp oil or the other alternative CBD delivery methods. CBD capsules are easy to take with you on the go, and most users find that they’re very effective in reducing pain.
People use CBD-infused topicals for pain as a soothing massage oil or cream and apply them directly to the area of discomfort. CBD topicals provide localized relief without entering the bloodstream. They work in about 20 minutes and don’t last as long as other products. You can reapply every four hours or as needed.
Each method may have an impact on the effect you feel. Review each option to find what works best for you. Additionally, you might prefer to have a few products available to help with different levels of discomfort.
CBD products come in different strengths. Whether you’re choosing capsules, topicals, gummies, or oil, each contains a specific amount of the popular compound. Knowing what dosage of CBD to choose depends on the type of product you’re using and why you are using it.
The general rule is to start with 10mg of CBD per day and adjust the amount according to your specific need. Some people will notice effects at this dosage, but it may take 15-30mg of CBD per serving for many others to get relief.
Always wait a few days between dose increases. This step will help you find the ideal serving size that offers the most benefits with the least negative response. Although CBD consumers only report mild side effects with the naturally occurring compound, they happen more with high doses.
CBD is safe and non-toxic. The side effects linked to CBD for pain are minimal, but it’s essential to be aware of them as you embark on the CBD route. Side effects may include:
These are most common in high doses and only occur with oral products, not topicals.
Buy American Hemp Oil and enjoy the wellness benefits of CBD. We offer American-grown, organic hemp extracts infused into a wide range of products. Choose from tinctures to take once or twice daily to relieve sore joints and muscles, or pick our delicious vegan-friendly gummies with melatonin to help ease you to a great night’s sleep. Plus, don’t skip our body-soothing CBD balm that you can apply throughout the day.
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