Nowadays, many people are using CBD oil for pain management, and some recent clinical studies have discovered the potential benefits of CBD oil for pain relief.
According to reports, CBD products are being used for pain since 2900 B.C., but it was not until recently that we have been able to isolate CBD specifically, while removing THC. This allows for the use of CBD oil for pain management, with no psychoactive effects or “high” feeling often associated with cannabis.
How Does CBD Affect Pain?
According to some researchers, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) – endocannabinoid receptors in the brain and immune system. The ECS is a cell-signaling system and the receptors are tiny proteins attached to the cells. They are receiving signals from different stimuli that are helping the cells to respond. This response is creating pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects that help with pain management. Therefore, CBD oil and other CBD products can possibly benefit many people with chronic pain.
Researchers are still evaluating all of CBD’s interactions with this important system, but initial reports are promising. CBD oil have a painkiller effect because of its interaction with endocannabinoid receptors in the human body. Based on some studies, researchers concluded that CBD was very effective in overall pain management and it did not cause any negative side effects. However, some medical professionals are saying that they still need to do more research to verify the pain-relieving benefits of CBD oil and other products.
How Can CBD Reduce Pain Transmission?
How does all of this relate to pain? The answer lies in the way pain is transmitted to the brain.
When we injure ourselves, cells in the immediate vicinity begin releasing compounds that trigger a cascade of inflammation and sensory activation — which is what triggers the pain transmission.
The pain signal is then sent to the spinal cord through a network of nerves distributed all around the body.
Once in the spine, the pain signal is sent through a gateway (opioid and vanilloid receptors) designed to limit the amount of signal that ends up in the brain for processing. This works like a border crossing. The border security decides whether or not you’re allowed to enter and what you can take with you.
In the context of pain, these gateways can limit the amount of pain signal that continues across the border to the brain. If more pain signal is allowed to pass, the brain perceives more pain. If the pain is stopped at the border, the brain perceives less pain.
Conventional pain medications work by activating the opioid receptors acting as a key gateway for pain transmission to the brain.
CBD has a similar effect, but through a different receptor is known as the vanilloid receptors. These vanilloid receptors are tasked with regulating a specific form of pain caused by either heat or inflammation. CBD has been reported to modulate this vanilloid receptor — leading to a reduction in the pain signals sent to the brain from inflammatory causes such as arthritis, muscle damage, or infection, to name a few.
CBD has other ways it can limit pain transmission as well:
- CBD may reduce inflammation, limiting the initial cause of pain in the body
- CBD acts as an antioxidant, helping the body resist and recover from damage
- CBD relaxes muscle fibers, reducing pain caused by muscle spasms and tightness
More research is needed to fully understand how CBD and other active cannabinoids can block pain. Every year dozens of new research papers are published in an attempt to paint a clear picture of how CBD works, how to get the most benefit from the supplement, and what its limitations are.
How to use CBD oil for pain management?
Are you wondering how to use CBD oil for pain management? It depends on your current condition and it also depends on what products are available for you. For best results, follow the general guidelines below:
Consult your doctor – Make an appointment with a medical professional who can provide you some advice. That is the only way to get advice tailored to your specific situation.- Consider the best form for your needs – CBD comes in several forms: tinctures, capsules, topical creams, etc. If you are experiencing minor muscle pain, CBD cream for pain is one of the best options. And if you are dealing with chronic pain, capsules or tinctures are the best options to manage the symptoms because CBD oil may reduce pain, inflammation, and overall discomfort related to a variety of health conditions.
- Start slow – CBD is not FDA approved for any specific ailment, that’s why there are no established dosage guidelines for CBD products. Therefore, it’s difficult to know how much to take. For best results, start with a smaller dosage and gradually increase it.
Consult your doctor – Make an appointment with a medical professional who can provide you some advice. That is the only way to get advice tailored to your specific situation.NOTE: All the information on this page is only for reference and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. You must speak with your doctor if you have some questions or concerns.
