CBD and Chronic Pain Relief

CBD and Chronic Pain Relief – Does It Work?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid that is a substance found naturally in cannabis plants. CBD does not produce the “high” sensation commonly associated with cannabis. The Mayo Clinic, a medical nonprofit, writes that and CBD oil products are generally safe and well tolerated, and there is some evidence to show that it may treat the symptoms of specific diseases, such as multiple sclerosis.

What Exactly is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts more than three months. Living with chronic pain can have a wide range of effects on your quality of life, whether it is the result of an underlying condition (such as osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, or endometriosis) or a widespread or localized discomfort (such as migraines or fibromyalgia). (Healthline, 2021)

Symptoms of Chronic Pain Include:

  • Joint discomfort
  • Muscular aches
  • Searing agony
  • Weariness
  • Sleep issues due to decreased mobility
  • Loss of stamina and flexibility
  • Mood changes, anxiety, and irritability

Chronic pain can also have a substantial impact on our mental health. According to one 2016 study, 60.8% of respondents who experienced chronic pain also had depression. (NCBI, 2016)

Chronic pain is typically treated with over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Long-term painkillers (particularly opioid-based medicines) which can have significant side effects such as liver or kidney damage. As a result, more people are interested in CBD as a treatment for chronic pain.

CBD for Chronic Pain Relief

Everyone has an endocannabinoid system, a cell signaling pathway (ECS). According to some researchers, CBD may interact with endocannabinoid receptors in your brain and immune system.

Receptors are little proteins that are connected to your cells. They receive signals, typically chemical ones, from various stimuli and assist your cells in responding.

This response produces anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that aid in pain management. This suggests that CBD oil and other products may benefit patients suffering from chronic pain, such as chronic back pain. (GTFCC, 2021)

One 2018 study looked at how effectively CBD works for chronic pain relief. The review focused on studies conducted between 1975 and March 2018. These studies looked at many types of pain, including:

  • It is anti-inflammatory, which means it has the ability to alleviate arthritis-related joint discomfort.
  • Because it is anti-oxidative, it may lower systemic inflammation by combating oxidative stress and relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
  • It is anti-emetic, reducing vomiting and nausea caused by cancer therapies.
  • It is anti-psychotic. Therefore it can help with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD).
  • It is neuroprotective, which means that it may assist in halting the growth of neurological illnesses like Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

(Forbes, 2022)

Takeaway

While there isn’t clear evidence to support CBD or CBD oil as the preferable form of pain relief, researchers agree that these products have a lot of potential.

CBD products may be able to provide comfort for many people suffering from chronic pain while avoiding narcotic intoxication and dependence.

If you want to try CBD for chronic pain, please speak with one of our practitioners. They can assist you in determining the appropriate chronic pain relief plan. Visit our webpage that features CBD Oil uses and call us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

 

Works Cited

Menchaca, M., & Munce, M. (2022, July 18). CBD, hemp, delta-8, medical marijuana: Here’s what you need to know about Texas’ pot laws. The Texas Tribune. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.texastribune.org/2022/07/18/texas-marijuana-laws-2022-law-legal/#:~:text=While%20hemp%20is%20legal%20to,according%20to%20the%20Dallas%20Observer.

Cherney, Kristeen. “Can CBD Cure Chronic Pain?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 4 Feb. 2021, www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-for-pain#chronic-pain-relief

“How to Use CBD to Help Manage Pain.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 29 Aug. 2022, www.forbes.com/health/body/cbd-for-pain/

Rayner, Lauren, et al. “Depression in Patients with Chronic Pain Attending a Specialised Pain Treatment Centre: Prevalence and Impact on Health Care Costs.” Pain, Wolters Kluwer, July 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4912238/

“Potential Benefits of CBD.” Golden Triangle Family Care Center, 13 June 2022, goldentrianglefamilycarecenter.com/potential-benefits-of-cbd/