CBD stands for Cannabidiol, an active compound found in the cannabis plant (marijuana and hemp).
As you may know, there are myriads of unfavorable sentiments associated with the use of cannabis, its products, derivatives, and general connections to the plant as a whole.
There is a general belief that cannabis users are shady, criminals, and emotionally unstable individuals who should be arrested on sight. The stigma is usually due to ignorance and sheer myopism.
Beyond the stigma, there are many positives about the use and association with the wonder plant. At Holistic Remedies, we are committed to sharing all of the fascinating benefits of this plant with you!
Science has shown that cannabis is beneficial for human health. Some of the areas where we’ve seen cannabis put to good use are skincare, management of dementia, and cancer-- to name a few!
In recent times, so much research has shown how promising CBD products are in pain management. This means that CBD products have been seen to be effective and very useful in relieving pains in the body.
In this blog, we'll focus on how useful CBD is when used for pain management, as well as some of the possible side effects.
WHAT IS CBD?
As earlier mentioned, CBD is one of the active compounds in the cannabis plant. After CBD has been extracted from the cannabis plant, it is processed into oil, edibles, topicals, and several other products.
Topicals, which are one of the processed products from CBD, are used and applied on the site of pain reliefs. Topicals from CBD include lotion, balms, gel, and lots more. They are infused with CBD to manage different types of pains.
Can I get high by using CBD products?
Apart from CBD, which is derived from the cannabis plant, there is another product from that same plant called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). What differentiates both of them, i.e., THC and CBD, is how they make you feel after their use.
When CBD is used, its effect cannot be felt in terms of getting high. THC, on the other hand, THC is actually what makes people get in the euphoria state, which is often referred to as the state of being “high.”
However, CBD can block some of the intoxicating effects of THC. CBD doesn't make you high, while THC does because they both stimulate different receptors in the brain.
How does CBD work on our body to improve pain?
Our body is made up of cells, and these cells have something called a receptor attached to them. The receptors act like antennas for receiving signals, often chemical signals from different stimuli.
One of the receptors found in our cells is called ECS (endocannabinoid system), which helps to regulate the body and keep things balanced. Furthermore, CBD works within the system to copy the natural compounds produced by the body called endocannabinoids.
When you feel pain in your body, and a CBD product is used, CBD takes its effect this way to help improve the pain.
TYPES OF PAIN YOU CAN USE CBD TO MANAGE
Although CBD’s effectiveness can vary among different types of pain, a review in 2018 revealed that CBD works well to relieve chronic pain without adverse side effects. It can serve as an alternative option for people who rely solely on medication to treat their chronic pain.
CBD works most effectively on the following types of pains;
- CBD and arthritis pain
Arthritis is the swelling or tenderness of one or more of your joints. Its primary symptoms are joint pain and stiffness in the joint. Different things cause arthritis pain, some of which are, wear and tear, disease, and diets that raise inflammation.
In 2016, a study revealed the effect of CBD on arthritis. The result showed that there was reduced overall pain after days of research. In the study, the researcher applied a topical gel containing CBD to model animals (rats) with arthritis for four days.
There was a pain-relieving effect on the test animals after the study was carried out. However, more human studies are needed to confirm the impact on human beings. Without any doubt, CBD topicals like the HR CBD Healing Balm can be used by arthritis patients to relieve pain and overall wellness.
- CBD and inflammation pain
The cannabis plant has anti-inflammatory properties. This means that CBD reduces and relieves pain from inflammation. A study in 2015 explained the anti-inflammatory qualities of CBD. Unfortunately, this type of pain is not easily described like other types of pain because the origins of inflammatory pain vary quite a bit.
The bright side is that CBD is potent in relieving any form of inflammatory pain, no matter the cause. This is best achieved when a product is applied on the surface where pain is usually felt.
- CBD and joint pain
Joint pain is one of the most common types of pain in the world as it affects millions of people. Joint-pain is also an extension of inflammatory disease.
Getting older can also make you vulnerable to joint pain although we often try to overlook this. Good news is that scientific findings have shown CBD to be therapeutic in the area of joint pain.
For joint pain, you can use a CBD topical on the areas of your body that radiate pain. CBD products have been proven to be safe and effective when used as a potential treatment for joint pain.
Can I get into trouble for using CBD products?
Getting into serious problems while using CBD and its products depend on the region or area in which you are. In the United States, the farm bill passed in 2018 making industrial hemp an agricultural commodity in all 50 states.
The CBD industry is still developing so it’s important to make sure the company you purchase CBD from puts the health and safety of their consumers first. A Certificate of Analysis, or COA, is a document issued by an accredited laboratory that includes a full composition of a product, including a total list of cannabinoids, microbiological levels, terpenes, and possible contaminants such as pesticides, solvent residue or heavy metals.Lab tested CBD products like this CBD Healing Balm are proven to be safe
Even though CBD is legal in the US, each state still has its law concerning hemp and CBD thatshould not be overlooked.. You should check your state law before opting in for its use.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF CBD
Using CBD does not pose a significant risk to those who use it. This is because most topical CBD products do not enter the bloodstream.
Like we said earlier, taking CBD will not get you high. However, a study on cannabis and cannabinoid research showed that some of the most common side effects of CBD are:
- Tiredness
- Loss or gain in weight
- Diarrhea
- Lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
It is important to consider that everyone reacts differently to CBD when used-- some people may experience side effects and others may not. Furthermore, the use of CBD can interact with other drugs and cause them to be less or more effective. Also, like any other medication, CBD can increase your liver toxicity if used in excess.
OTHER USES OF CBD
Apart from the benefits of CBD mentioned above, there are other applications and uses that show promising possibilities;
- It helps addict smokers stop smoking and also enables drug withdrawal.
- Helps to treat anxiety and PTSD
- Helps to treat seizure and epilepsy
- It helps to manage Crohn's disease.
ROUNDING UP
Many studies have suggested that CBD improves pain. Due to the nascent nature of CBD, there is a huge need to develop more CBD-based research to establish its benefit for humans.
Don't just wake up in the morning and start using CBD for your pain; check your regional laws to confirm whether CBD is approved to use in your area.. You should also inform your doctor before you include CBD in your day to day and make changes to your medication regimen.
REFERENCES
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5345356/
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2018.01259/full
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272373349_Cannabidiol_CBD_and_its_analogs_A_review_of_their_effects_on_inflammation
- https://www.remedyreview.com/pain-relief/what-you-need-to-know-before-treating-pain-with-cbd
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
- https://www.usda.gov/farmbill