CBD acts on the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which affects processes in our body, including our appetite, pain, and memory. For example, children with epilepsy are given an FDA approved medicine called Epidiolex. CBD for pain is also very common, and people with arthritis have reported feeling relief after using it.
Read on to learn more about treating pain with CBD.
CBD for Pain
Before we get into how CBD affects pain in our body, we should take a moment to understand the endocannabinoid system. Understanding this will help you understand why CBD for pain is effective.
Keep in mind that when searching for CBD products, you will most likely come across two terms, the CBD Isolate and CBD Full Spectrum. Simply put, CBD isolate is the truest form of CBD and does not have any other ingredient. In contrast, full-spectrum CBD contains the natural chemicals found in hemp, including various other cannabinoids and essential oils.
Endocannabinoid System
Discovered in the early ’90s, our body’s endocannabinoid system is a complex cell-signaling system. Research has shown this system regulates appetite, pain, sleep, and memory. These functions all contribute to homeostasis, which makes your internal environment is stabilized.
Perhaps you noticed that endocannabinoid has a similarity with cannabidiol. Yes, we also produce (endogenous) cannabinoids. There are two forms of endocannabinoids: anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglyerol. Then we have endocannabinoid receptors that are found in different parts of our bodies.
These receptors are what receive endocannabinoids to perform certain functions. For example, CB1 receptors (found in the central nervous system) may bind to a spinal nerve to relieve pain. After they serve their function, enzymes break down the endocannabinoid.
Now that you have a better understanding of what the endocannabinoid system is, let’s take a look at why using CBD for pain can be beneficial.
CBD for Pain Related Illness
By using CBD, we can mimic the endocannabinoid function when it comes to pain relief. It can also amplify the pain-relieving effects since we can directly apply it (with cream) to the area where we feel the pain.
This effect has already been proven in clinical trials with different animals, where there has been a significant reduction of pain in areas affected by arthritis. Even though this has not been clinically proven with humans, there are plenty of people who say that inflammation and pain caused by arthritis had significantly reduced.
There have been studies that have assessed the effectiveness of CBD for chronic pain. They studied patients with cancer pain, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia and concluded that CBD was effective against pain related to these diseases. Additionally, there were no negative side effects after the tests.
So far, studies have concluded that CBD may help with the following:
- Arthritis pain
- Cancer treatment pain
- Migraine pain
- Chronic pain
Since clinical trials usually take years and hundreds of thousands of test subjects, clinical trials for CBD for pain are still currently being conducted. So far, many studies back it up, as well as people who use it for their aches.
After seeing the positive effects CBD can have on pain, let us take a brief look at ways we can use it.
Forms of Taking CBD For Pain
There are different ways of using cannabidiol (CBD). You can either use the topical cream, tinctures, capsules, and even gummies!
Oils and Tinctures
CBD in this form helps your body absorb a lot faster since we use a few drops under our tongue. We absorb it fast since the oral mucosa (mucous membrane lining inside of the mouth) has tiny capillaries that absorb compounds at a faster rate.
What is the difference between oils and tinctures? Simply put, CBD oil is CBD diffused into a carrier oil (like coconut-based oil or hemp seed oil) for better human consumption.
CBD tinctures are similar to CBD oil in that you can take it orally. The difference comes in taste and way of using it. Some tinctures have minty flavors to help you take it without the displeasing taste it usually has. You can also place a few drops of it into your drink or food for an even better experience.
Creams
This is a very popular way of using CBD, especially for those who suffer chronic pains. We can directly apply the cream to our joints or muscles for an almost immediate pain-relief since they will be absorbed by the skin.
Capsules
CBD capsules are already being used as a treatment for seizure disorders. As mentioned before, Epidiolex is the first CBD drug to treat seizure disorders. CBD capsules can also be used for pain relief. Since the body takes longer to absorb the CBD contained inside, this method is not as fast-acting as the other oral methods.
Gummies
This may seem like a funny way of taking CBD, but it is as effective as the other oral-based CBD’s. Usually, CBD gummies state the amount of CBD per gummy, which makes it perfect for when you are on the go. They also can be discreetly taken at any moment.
CBD Isolate vs. CBD Full Spectrum
One thing we should take into account when we talk about CBD products is the CBD Isolate and CBD Full Spectrum. Simply put, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD and does not have any other ingredient. In contrast, full-spectrum CBD contains the natural chemicals found in hemp, which include various other cannabinoids and essential oils.
Which One Should You Use?
As we have seen, CBD for pain is both effective and convenient. Of course, there are many ways to take it, and we should also be careful about the amount we use. That is why it is always best to ask experts.
At Nature’s Arc Organics, we strive to provide the best CBD products in the market. If you have any questions related to our products or how to use them feel free to contact us today!
