CBD has become a popular therapeutic drug, offering relief for chronic pain and more. But how does CBD help with pain, and what’s the best way to use it to manage chronic pain? Understand how CBD works and what it can do for pain management.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD is short for cannabidiol. It’s one of more than 100 cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It’s related to THC, another well known cannabinoid. And like marijuana, it offers many of the therapeutic benefits, including pain relief. But unlike THC, CBD oil is typically sourced from industrial hemp, and isn’t going to get you high. It contains only trace amounts of THC, if any, so there are no euphoric effects.
Generally, CBD is a good choice for people who want the pain relief cannabis can offer, but don’t want the high. It can offer support for pain and inflammation, but not stop you from going about your everyday routine.
How does CBD Help with Pain?
According to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine research review, there is substantial evidence cannabinoids, including CBD, can help treat chronic pain. Medical users of cannabis often use it for pain relief, and some are able to use cannabis to replace conventional pain medications such as opiates. Overall, the research points to a clinically significant reduction in pain symptoms for users of cannabis.
CBD may offer an advantage over traditional pain therapies. According to the World Health Organization’s critical review of CBD, CBD offers a good safety profile. And especially important: it carries little to no risk of addiction or dependency, unlike opiates.
What Do You Need to Know About Using CBD For Pain Relief?
Want to try CBD oil for pain relief? Here’s what you should keep in mind.
- Be aware of side effects. Though rare, side effects from CBD are possible, just like any other drug. Typically, CBD side effects occur due to drug interactions, and may be mild. The most common side effect is nausea. But with the potential for interactions, it’s important to talk to your doctor and pharmacist about using CBD, especially if you’re taking other drugs at the same time.
- Consider your method of use. There are different ways to take CBD, and while any can be effective, they primarily differ in their speed and duration of relief. Inhalation methods, such as vaping, can offer faster pain relief, but they may not last long. Oral ingestions of CBD such as edibles and sublingual tinctures may take longer to kick in for pain relief, but they can last longer for continued relief.
- Be careful with quality. CBD is largely unregulated, so the quality of CBD oils can vary quite a bit. To get the best pain relief benefit, you’ll want to get a good quality CBD oil. Read online reviews, and research CBD oil suppliers to verify that they conduct third party CBD oil testing for concentration and purity.
- Your dosage may vary. CBD oil doesn’t necessarily have standard dosages, so you’ll need to experiment a bit to find the dosage level that works for you. Use a small dose to start, then add more if it’s not effective enough to reduce your pain.
Research supports the use of CBD as a safe, effective alternative to traditional pain medications. It could offer a low-risk option for dealing with chronic pain. If you’re considering CBD oil for pain relief, talk to your doctor about how it could be a part of your treatment plan.
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About Guest Author:
Jamie Westbrook
Jamie is a professional researcher for the CBD Awareness Project. When he’s not working, he likes hiking and bird-watching.