Are you curious about using CBD for pain management without the high? Look no further. In this article, we’ll break down the research on the effectiveness of CBD for managing pain.
If you’re experiencing minor aches and pains, or even chronic pain, you’ve likely exhausted all options trying to find something that works but doesn’t get you high. Perhaps you’ve come across studies or anecdotes about CBD for pain relief, and you’re excited to give this alternative option a shot to avoid using heavy-duty pain killers like opioids.
It’s possible to use CBD for pain management, and as more and more research is conducted, we’re learning that CBD oil may offer support for:
● Chronic pain
● Arthritis
● Cancer-related symptoms
● Muscle and joint pain
● Migraines
This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we’ll dive right into how you can use CBD for different types of pain management, and the current available studies to go along with it.
Does CBD For Pain Management Work?
This is a valid question. Does CBD for pain management work? It appears so. Every human being has a cell-signaling system in the body called the endocannabinoid system. This system uses cannabinoid receptors to help process and manage pain, as well as support homeostasis for many other functions of the body like mood, appetite, and cognitive stability.
There are two well-studied cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2. CB1 is more well-known, and there are CB1 receptors in different parts of the brain, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. They can also be found in the organs and tissues like the spleen, urinary, reproductive, gastrointestinal tracts, and more.
What is the purpose of the CB1 receptor for pain? We’re glad you asked.
When cannabinoids interact with the CB1 receptors, whether naturally occurring in the body or introduced through phytocannabinoids, they interact with the cannabinoid receptors that deal directly with pain management by dampening the pain signals being sent to the brain.
This is excellent news for those who want to minimize the perception of pain so that you can improve your overall quality of life. CBD, especially a full or broad-spectrum CBD oil, can help inhibit these pain signals so the pain isn’t constantly tapping you on the shoulder and distracting you from the things that matter to you.
CBD For Different Types Of Pain Management
Many different medications exist to help manage various kinds of pain, with the majority of those being highly addictive with the potential to cause severe damage to the body and brain over the long term. No one wants that. With CBD, people can support their own healing journey without the threat of brain damage. CBD, and the hemp plant in general, is full of many different nutrients, phytocannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes if purchased as a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum product.
Let’s take a look at some of the studies for pain management.
CBD For Cancer-Related Symptoms.
For cancer patients, one study concluded that CBD and medical cannabis were effective and safe for supporting pain reduction, stating that, “Pain reduction and improved quality of life can be safely achieved utilizing MC (medical cannabis) warranting the development of co-analgesic cannabis-based medications.”
CBD has also shown its capabilities in soothing the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy — like nausea, pain, and poor appetite.
CBD For Chronic Pain.
Chronic pain affects a staggering 50 to 116 million adult Americans. “Although there have been some recent therapeutic advances, many patients with chronic pain develop tolerance to conventional medical treatments or suffer adverse effects from widely used prescription medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents or opiates, that have high addictive potential,” shares this study on the efficacy of CBD for pain. It mentions the popularity of using CBD for pain management due to the lack of high that many people don’t want to experience when managing their pain throughout the day.
Many studies show how cannabidiol and other cannabinoids can help manage chronic pain related to conditions like fibromyalgia and back pain. Research has shown that CBD may be effective for pain management and anxiety, which often go hand-in-hand. Chronic pain can cause anxiety, which may lead to insomnia, depression, and many other symptoms.
Chronic pain can wear a person down over time, impacting them physically, physiologically, and mentally, so finding ways to reduce or eliminate this pain is critical to improving your overall, long-term quality of life.
The Takeaway
While there isn’t conclusive evidence or data at this point to say that CBD can prevent pain, the current research is promising. More studies need to be done on medical cannabis and CBD oil to understand its full range of health benefits and potential contraindications. While CBD isn’t a magic plant compound that will take away all of your pain, it is a safe and low-risk alternative to opioids that are addictive and cause a slew of problems like nausea, slow breathing, bone pain, dependence, withdrawals, and even overdose. No one’s ever overdosed on CBD.
If you’re looking for an alternative approach to pain support that doesn’t get you high, try CBD for pain management. As always, consult with a trusted healthcare provider while on this healing journey.
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