CBD Oil for Pain
Overview
CBD Oil for Pain is quickly becoming popular due to its potential therapeutic uses. For many people. CBD is a viable method of managing pain and symptoms of chronic pain. CBD, derived from a substance in the marijuana plant, may also have beneficial therapeutic properties for many conditions.
Overall, there is relatively limited evidence that supports the benefit of CBD oil in treating pain and pain-related symptoms, mostly due to restrictions on the use and research of cannabis and cannabis-derived products like CBD. That being said, there is a growing consensus that CBD is at least as effective at managing pain symptoms as other traditional treatments. CBD might also be a better method of treating pain as it does not seem to be habit-forming like other pain medications are, such as opiates.
So, we are going to take a deep dive and talk about CBD, how it works, whether it’s effective for pain management, and any other relevant information you should know before trying CBD oil.
What Is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is a resinous substance that is derived from the leaves of the marijuana plant. CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid, a type of organic molecule that binds to certain receptors in the human nervous system. Marijuana contains several types of cannabinoids like CBD, THC being another popular one.
In general, CBD is distilled from hemp, a variety of cannabis plants that contains less than 0.3% THC by volume. Hemp has been used by human beings for millennia and has played a role in several systems of traditional medicine around the world. Hemp is also cultivated for its industrial uses as well.
CBD oil for pain is created by extracting CBD molecules from the plant and creating a solution. The oil-based solution can be ingested directly via the mouth or mixed with food or drink.
There are three major types of CBD oil: full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. Full-spectrum blends contain CBD along with a wide range of other cannabinoids, like THC, CBG, CBN, and more. Full=spectrum blends also tend to contain terpenes and flavonoids. Broad-spectrum blends also contain CBD and other cannabinoids, but they usually exclude THC.
Isolates, in contrast, contain only CBD and all other molecules are filtered out. In general, full-spectrum blends are the most expensive because they require the most labor-intensive production process for CBD oil for pain.
CBD Oil for pain, how it is made?
There are three ways to make CBD oil. The first is the simplest and involves mechanically crushing the leaves and stems of the plants and filtering out the plant material afterward. This method can be done at home but is not common among manufacturers of large quantities of CBD oil.
CBD oil can also be created through distillation using an organic solvent. The organic solvent (typically ethanol) is passed over the hemp flowers and dissolves the CBD molecules. The resulting solution is then heated so the ethanol solvent evaporates and leaves behind the oily substance.
CBD oil is also made through a method called “supercritical” carbon dioxide extraction. With this method, supercooled liquid CO2 is used to extract the CBD molecules and then the CO2 is slowly boiled off. Most experts agree that supercritical CO2 extraction is the best method for making CBD oil as it leaves very little residue and creates a very pure blend that has no contaminants.
Further, most companies that create CBD will test their products to make sure that their purity and quality are in-line with industry standards and do not contain potentially harmful materials like heavy metals. Check the best practices for CBD oil for pain here.
How CBD Oil is used for pain treatment?
Hemp oils for pain: CBD exerts its effects on the body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and central nervous system (CNS). So far, scientists have identified two main types of cannabinoid receptors, dubbed CB1 And CB2. CB1 receptors are located mostly in the brain and central/peripheral nervous system. CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found in the immune and gastrointestinal systems. CB2 receptors are also present in the brain but are not as prevalent as CB1 receptors.
CBD is a partial agonist meaning that it only activates receptors to p[artial efficacy. The partial agonist nature of CBD also explains why it produces distinct effects from THC, the other main active ingredient in marijuana.
CBD Oil for Pain Management
One of the most common uses of CBD oil is for pain management for various conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic pain from traumatic injuries. For example, according to a survey by the Arthritis Foundation, over one-third of arthritis patients use CBD Oil for Pain Management and over 80% of respondents said they have ie3thr tried CBD in the past or plan to try CBD in the future.
Multiple studies are showing that CBD has potent anti-inflammatory properties and multiple studies in rats showing that CBD can help reduce symptoms of pain and pain-related behaviors. Further, rat studies have indicated that CBD might have anti-tumor and anti-cancer properties,
However, full-scale clinical trials in human beings are lacking due to regulations and legal ambiguities surrounding CBD and CBD-products. Many studies performed on humans on the matter involve compounds that contain mixtures of both CBD and THC so it is difficult to tell if the pain relief is coming from mostly one or the other. That being said, there is a growing consensus that CBD might be as effective as other traditional methods of pain management.
On the other hand, there are several first-person accounts and anecdotal reports that CBD is effective for treating and managing pain. Indeed, anecdotal evidence is not as strong as clinical studies, but it is still a kind of evidence.
There are good theoretical reasons to believe that CBD might have useful analgesic properties. CBD is known to interact with the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, which is the main way the body conducts pain. CBD also seems to have anti-inflammatory properties. Given that inflammation is a major cause of nociceptive pain, especially in the case of conditions like arthritis, there is good reason to think CBD might be able to mitigate pain.
What is Endocannabinoid System?
According to many scientists and researchers, cannabinoid receptors in the body are part of a structure called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors in the body that is believed to be implicated in several homeostatic processes in the body.
There is a growing consensus that several seemingly disparate conditions may be linked to an endocannabinoid deficiency. There is evidence that the endocannabinoid system is involved in
- Sleep
- Appetite
- Memory
- Reproduction/fertility
- Mood
- Immune
Further, scientists have identified two types of cannabinoids that are naturally produced by the body, called endocannabinoids. The two molecules are called anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). According to EC theory, these two molecules can become unbalanced and disrupt functioning. Exogenous endocannabinoids, such as CBD, are believed to help rebalance endocannabinoid levels so the EC system can function properly again and regulate homeostasis.
Scientists are not currently sure how, exactly, CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system but they are pretty sure that it binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors in a way that is different than THC.
What is Chronic Neuropathic Pain?
One particular space that CBD might be very effective at managing neuropathic pain. Pain can be divided into two categories: nociceptive and neuropathic. Nociceptive pain is the kind that arises from stimulating pain receptors in the typical manner, e.g., pressure, temperature, etc. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to the nervous system itself. Neuropathic pain is a common symptom in people with other chronic conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.
According to a 2013 study comparing the utility of CBD oral spray to placebo, a nabiximol (drug-containing 1:1 ratios of THC to CBD) was significantly effective at reducing pain and also improved subjects’ sleep patterns and overall sleep quality. A recent 2020 study published in the Journal of Pain Research found that the prevalence of evidence suggests that THC/CBD sprays were effective at reducing primary symptoms of neuropathic pain. Another 2020 study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that orally consumed THC/CBD preparations greatly reduced pain from sciatica nerve injuries in mice models.
Further studies in human beings are needed to create definitive claims but there is a growing body of evidence that CBD can be an effective method for managing some forms of nociceptive and neuropathic pain. It should also be mentioned that CBD does have clinically proven efficacy for certain rare forms of epilepsy.
Is CBD Safe? Does It Have Any Side Effects?
CBD is generally considered safe and there are very few instances of CBD causing serious long-lasting issues. Studies in animals show that CBD toxicity comes from extremely high concentrations, much higher than a person would take in normal circumstances. The current state of evidence does not suggest that CBD is habit-forming or that it creates a physiological dependency.
However, CBD is not completely risk-free. Like any kind of therapeutic agent, it has risks. Most side effects associated with CBD are very mild and include:
- Dry mouth
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Difficulty concentrating
- Upset stomach
- Sweating
- Gastrointestinal issues
A recent article about a study performed on mice suggests that CBD may also adversely suggest liver function if taken in extremely high dosages. There are also reports of CBD negatively interacting with other medications. So, you should always make sure that you talk to a doctor before taking CBD.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD is federally legal and is not listed on the DEA list of controlled substances. That being said, CBD is in a kind of legal gray area in several other places in the country. Some states have conflicting laws while some states have explicitly recognized the legality of CBD and CBD products. In general, CBD products are entirely legal if they contain less than 0.3% THC by concentration. There also may be state-specific rules for buying and selling CBD.
Despite these legal inconsistencies and unclear rules, CBD is generally available to buy online in any state. Make sure that you check out the legislation in your particular state surrounding the legality of CBD and CBD-products.
Conclusion
CBD oil can be directly ingested orally or it can be mixed in with food or drink. Many people use CBD oil for cooking or you could put a few drops in your morning coffee. CBD vaporizer products also exist and these are inhaled, though they can be intense for inexperienced users. It is recommended that you start with oil when first taking CBD as you can better control the exact dosage.
The FDA does not regulate CBD and it is not approved for use by the FDA, so there is no standardized dose. The only FDA-approved CBD-based drug is Epidolex and its standardized dose is 5mg per kg per day. So if you weigh 60kg, then a standard dose would be about 3 grams.
Any other CBD product falls outside of FDA-regulations but enthusiasts agree that it’s better to start very small and build your way up. Start with just 1-2 grams a day and slowly build up the dosage until you get the desired effects.
Conclusion
So, is CBD right for you? Can it help you manage symptoms of pain? There is a lot of evidence suggesting that yes, CBD Pain Relief can be an effective method of managing pain and pain-related symptoms. There is evidence that CBD has anti-inflammatory properties and given the role of the endocannabinoid system, there is good reason to believe that CBD has anti-pain properties as well.
CBD oil might be just the thing you need to handle your chronic pain and pain-related symptoms. At Organic CBDs, we make our blends with the highest quality ingredients cultivated without any synthetics or pesticides. Try out our products today and take back your health and wellness!
