A large number of people taking CBD today are using it to treat chronic pain – and based on current research, cannabidiol is a far more effective pain medication than people realize. Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from hemp, or cannabis, and is one of the main active compounds in regular marijuana; however, CBD works independently of THC – the psychoactive component of marijuana.
CBD products are made by extracting cannabidiol from hemp, and then adding another solution as a carrier. If you want to learn more about how CBD is used for pain, check out these seven ways cannabidiol can be used to manage severe pain:
Arthritis pain
Studies have been published in leading health journals and magazines to show how CBD reduces pain in people with arthritis, and how it helps to improve mobility after years of severe joint pain [1][,2][,3],[4]. All of these studies show a reduction of pain after taking CBD, and a gradual increase in pain threshold, indicating that it can be used in the long term to combat pain.
Chronic pain
CBD is also used to treat generalized chronic pain, and there are studies that you can look at to learn more about how it works. The use of cannabis and hemp extract for the treatment of pain goes back literally thousands of years, and cultures all across the globe have a history of using cannabis as medicine.
Based on this study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, CBD reduces both pain and inflammation, and regular use does not lead to a build-up in tolerance. This means that using it long term does not create a risk of addiction or abuse, because there’s no need to increase dosage.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a severe autoimmune disease that messes up the immune system and causes muscle spasms and pain. There is already a cannabinoid-based drug used to treat a specific autoimmune disease, and the fact that it has been approved by the FDA means there’s something to this whole CBD business. Check out this report about CBD and how it may be used to manage spasticity – keep in mind that studies are ongoing, and there’s much to learn about CBD.
Muscle pain
Studies show that CBD works well as a pain reliever, and may be a wonderful treatment for muscle pain caused by extensive training. Weightlifting and other intense workouts are often the cause for soreness, muscle pain, and inflammation, and using regular pain medication raises the problem of dependency. Inflammation also reduces performance at the gym and makes it more difficult to keep up a workout routine; but CBD oil can be used on the muscles or joints for the same effect.
Reduces neuropathic pain
CBD works within the nervous system to control transmission of pain signals from the brain and the spinal cord. Cannabidiol engages with the ECS to manage the sensation of pain and reduce neuropathic pain, and this is believed to work by shutting down certain brain transmitters, or altering their function.
Treats inflammatory bowel disease
Diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are difficult to manage, mainly because they cause flare-ups in the bowels – and serious pain. CBD can minimize inflammation in the bowels for people with bowel disease and clear out the gut, thanks to the powerful antioxidant effect of CBD.
Treat injuries with CBD
It’s not recommended that you self-medicate if you have a serious injury; however, if you find that pill aren’t shutting down the pain long enough to fall asleep, or function normally, then perhaps a few drops of CBD oil, will do the trick. Just keep in mind that using too much may cause sleepiness, so don’t take too much when operating machinery.
How does it work?
When chronic pain is caused by fibromyalgia, or a disruption in the immune system, patients tend to experience a reduction in pain threshold – which may be attributed to a form of deficiency in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Pain sensitivity caused by this condition also affects things like mood, appetite, and sleep; however, CBD helps to restore normal functioning of the ECS.
Research:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25160710
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25150831
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24117398
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18618522
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20942863
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22585736
As our second lead editor, Anna C. Mackinno provides guidance on the stories Great Lakes Ledger reporters cover. She has been instrumental in making sure the content on the site is clear and accurate for our readers. If you see a particularly clever title, you can likely thank Anna. Anna received a BA and and MA from Fordham University.