CBD For Pain

For many people, pain is a constant and unwanted companion. It can vary from being a distraction to preventing people from enjoying daily activities that pain-free individuals take for granted. Over-the-counter and prescription medicines can help, but many come with side effects and potential addiction from long-term use. The ongoing opiate crisis in America is a prime example of how things can go off the rails. So what about using CBD for Pain? After all, it’s a natural, plant-based medicine that people young and old alike turn to for relief. While more research is needed, initial studies indicate that CBD may play an important role in pain relief, inflammation, and anxiety.

Different Types of Pain

It’s important to understand that there are several different types of pain. Temporary muscle aches, tension, and soreness after physical activity are pretty common. On the more serious side, people suffering from chronic pain like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and neuropathic pain endure daily hardship over long periods of time. It’s important to keep in mind that chronic pain also has an unpleasant emotional component that affects our moods, including potential anxiety about the pain itself. The bottom line is that when you’re in pain it can affect your overall sense of wellness and happiness.

CBD and Neuropathic Pain

The American Chronic Pain Association defines neuropathic pain, commonly known as nerve pain, as pain that “occurs when nerves in the central nervous system become injured or damaged.” The U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that 20 million Americans suffer from it. Neuropathic pain feels like a numbing, burning, or tingling sensation in our skin, hands, and feet. For people dealing with neuropathic pain, brushing up against a wall or table can cause excruciating pain, but there is hope. The study also noted that CBD acted as a neuroprotective agent affecting our central nervous system from injuries caused by chronic degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and injuries caused by stroke. A 2010 study examining neuropathic pain from diabetes found that moderate to high doses of CBD slowed the development of neuropathic pain.

CBD and Arthritis

A 2017 study found that CBD reduced joint inflammation and prevented the development of joint pain over time. A 2015 study looked at t

he effectiveness of topical CBD Products absorbed through the skin for inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. This study also found that CBD reduced inflammation and pain. Inflammation seems to stimulate nerve endings in the area of inflammation which in turn causes pain. By reducing the inflammation, the pain subsides. In September 2019, The Arthritis Foundation issued its guidelines for CBD use for arthritis sufferers stating “We are intrigued by the potential of CBD to help people find CBD Pain Relief and are on record urging the FDA to expedite the study and regulation of these products.”

CBD and Opiate Reduction

While opiates can be helpful for short-term pain management, long-term use raises the risk of addiction and potential organ damage. CBD may also help people suffering from opiate addiction. It is worth noting that a May 2019 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry concluded that “CBD’s potential to reduce cue-induced craving and anxiety provides a strong basis for further investigation of this phytocannabinoid as a treatment option for opioid use disorder.”

Weekend Warriors Rejoice

CBD may also be helpful for supporting pain relief from strenuous exercise or temporary muscle soreness. Topical CBD products such as balms, sprays, lotions, patches, and salves allow pain sufferers to target specific areas of pain to address inflammation. The CBD Oil in topical products does not enter your bloodstream so it’s concentrated in the area where you apply it, and most experts agree to apply it liberally. While it may only help temporarily, many people choose to re-apply the product as needed throughout the day.

The Government is Funding CBD Research

The U.S. government is also funding research for CBD as a pain management tool. In September 2019, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), announced that it is awarding nine new research awards totaling approximately $3 million to investigate the potential pain-relieving properties and mechanisms of CBD. “The treatment of chronic pain has relied heavily on opioids, despite their potential for addiction and overdose and the fact that they often don’t work well when used on a long-term basis,” said Helene Langevin, M.D., director of NCCIH. “There’s an urgent need for more effective and safer options.” In a statement, the NIH acknowledged that “natural products, including CBD, have shown promise for potential use as nonopioid analgesics; however, we need to know more about whether they work, what they do in the body, and how they might be integrated into multidisciplinary pain management.”