Cannabidiol is a popular alternative compared to prescription pain relief (such as opioids). Especially, for people who have chronic pain and have become reliant upon those habit-forming medications. Even though more research is required to verify the pain-relieving properties of CBD, it’s clear patients are benefiting from trying these CBD products.

why is cbd being chosen over pain meds

CBD is becoming a ‘quick-fix’ for many medical conditions and symptoms for anything from psoriasis to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Shinning Star

It seems to be becoming the medical industry’s shining star’. Which has seen researchers jump at the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how this product is helping people.

There currently aren’t a lot of clinical trials about CBD for pain relief in humans. But preclinical tests are being carried out on animals, for example, animals with painful arthritis. These studies have shown that CBD reduces pain and inflammation and has very few side effects.

For thousands of years, people have been using CBD as a natural remedy for pain relief. Still, the medical community have only recently begun studying its benefits and how it works in-depth. CBD reacts with the endocannabinoid receptors in our brain and immune system (the tiny proteins attached to our cells).

These receptors receive chemical signals and respond by creating anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that aid with the management of pain. The current theory is that the endocannabinoid system has two cannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are in the brain. They are believed to be associated with cognitive actions including mood, memory, thinking and appetite.

CB1 and CB2 receptors

The CB2 receptors are found in the immune system and are responsible for how the body reacts to pain and inflammation. THC attaches to the CB1 receptors (which explains why using THC rich Cannabis can affect behaviour and appetite).

In contrast, CBD creates a positive effect on the CB2 receptors whereby the body is enticed to generate more of its cannabinoids. This is how CBD is believed to work, but more research is being carried out to ensure that this is entirely accurate.

It is said that CBD Oils and CBD-infused products can help with arthritis pain relief, symptoms surrounding cancer treatment and migraine pain relief.

For arthritis pain, it’s advised that a topical CBD-infused product is used and applied directly to the skin where the arthritis is causing pain. So researchers have tried this method of treatment on rats with arthritis for four days and noticed a significant decrease in inflammation without any side effects. It does not take long to begin to work.

This test, so far, has only been carried out on animals, so more research needs to take place to see if it is as effective on humans. However, with most topicals designed to help with arthritis pain, it’s a case of trying products to see if they work for you and whether you like the product. A guide to CBD topicals, balms and lotions coming soon.

The Research

There have been case studies that have shown people with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) trying CBD oil to help reduce the pain felt during muscle spasms. Muscle spasms are one of the most common symptoms of MS and can cause extreme pain. MS patients that have tried CBD oil have sometimes reported a reduction in the frequency of their spasms as well as pain relief. But these results are modest and haven’t got scientific verification yet, we are mid-trials.

There have been reports that CBD has been helping cancer patients reduce the pain from their cancer treatments. Research has also been carried out on animals to see whether CBD can shrink cancerous tumours, which was successful in some of these animals. Still, there currently isn’t enough research to see this success with tumours in humans.

However, many researchers have begun to test how CBD can help ease the pain related to cancer treatment.

As with most medications, there are a few side effects that can occur in some people, but usually, most people tolerate CBD oil well. The most popular side effects are believed to be tiredness, diarrhoea, lack of appetite and weight gain or weight loss.

Although there currently isn’t a lot of research and conclusive data to support CBD oil and CBD-infused products for pain relief. It’s agreed that these products have a lot of potential.

There are several CBD products to try when it comes to managing pain, and it all depends on where the pain is. For arthritis, we would recommend trying a minimum of 1000mg CBD Oil Oral Drops. CBD works best as an anti-inflammatory, for pain relief, it is best combined with THC.

In contrast, CBD capsules and oils may be better for pain management related to cancer treatments.

For Advice

For advice and guidance about which products would be best to help relieve pain, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Get in touch at [email protected] or say Hi via social media.

How does the Endocannabinoid system work in our bodies? see our article ‘How does CBD Work’

Does CBD work for pain relief? Yes