CBD is a natural compound that does not generate the same psychoactive effects as its cannabinoid sibling, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This natural substance produced from the Cannabis sativa plant will not get you high. However, many individuals are discovering that they can use CBD for pain relief. According to research, the majority of people (62%) use CBD for medical conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, and joint discomfort, as well as anxiety. Furthermore, CBD has few adverse effects and has a low-risk, no-addiction profile.
But before you pop a gummy or take a drop of oil, keep reading for more information.
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What Exactly Is CBD?
Yes, marijuana contains cannabidiol (CBD). However, as mentioned earlier, it does not get you high! The hemp plant, a species of the Sativa marijuana plant, is used to make legal CBD products in the United States. Hemp has 0.3 percent or fewer THC cannabinoids, which is extremely low.
When we talk about CBD, we usually mean products like the best CBD hemp cream for joint pain and ingestible oils, which are made by extracting the CBD ingredient from marijuana plants.
Some effects of CBD:
Anti-inflammatory: It implies that it can alleviate arthritis-related joint discomfort.
Anti-oxidative: It can lower systemic inflammation by combating oxidative stress and alleviating symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as lupus.
Antiemetic: It indicates that it can help to reduce nausea and vomiting caused by cancer therapies.
Antipsychotic: It can help with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD)
Neuroprotective: It could therefore aid in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). 2
HOW CBD WORKS FOR PAIN AND PAIN-RELATED SYMPTOMS
Your natural endocannabinoid system supports CBD.
The endocannabinoid system in our bodies consist of three essential parts:
- CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors: These are two types of cannabinoid receptors. CB1 receptors are essentially present in the central nervous system (CNS, which includes the nerves that run along the spine and around the brain). Moreover, they are responsible for many of marijuana’s cognitive and emotional impacts, as well as our feeling of pain. CB2 receptors are more abundant in our peripheral nervous system (PNS). It includes neurons that run outside the spinal cord and brain, such as those in our arms and legs. However, they can also be present in our central nervous system (CNS).
- Endogenous cannabinoids (the cannabinoids produced by your body)
- Enzymes that make the breakdown and use of cannabinoids easier
Our natural endocannabinoids work on demand. It means that they produce endocannabinoids that attach to cannabinoid receptors when our bodies detect inflammation or need to return to homeostasis (a state of steady balance).
CBD does not attach to receptors, but it stimulates other cannabinoid system components. CBD has a wide range of effects on the central and peripheral neurological systems and the immunological system in the body.
It functions as an antioxidant. It reduces inflammation and acts as an analgesic or pain reliever in conjunction with our endocannabinoid system. According to early model studies, CBD may potentially halt the progression of osteoarthritis and prevent nerve damage.
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It’s Important to Know Your Body Chemistry
The total amount of a chemical that makes it into the bloodstream and impacts is known as bioavailability. CBD bioavailability is essential in determining how you respond to the way the endocannabinoid system works. Consider how some prescriptions must be taken with food or water or even on an empty stomach. The quantity of CBD you absorb when you take a CBD product works in the same way and is determined by:
The form you take
CBD edibles, for example, may be better absorbed when consumed with meals, particularly fatty ones.
Your weight and marijuana history
You should take CBD according to your weight, just like any other drug or supplement. However, due to factors like metabolism, body composition, and prior use of marijuana products, two persons of the same gender and weight may react significantly differently to the same amount.
Starting with a low dose, such as 2 mg, and gradually increasing by 2 to 5 mg over a few weeks is a decent general rule. It is also essential to choose the right product. Edibles, for example, take longer for your body to metabolize, and you may not feel the benefits for many hours. One only needs to take more dosage if they don’t see any effects after 3 to 4 hours.
Your habits
How your body reacts to CBD depends on what you’ve eaten, slept, and how stressed you are.
CBD’s Potential Benefits
CBD is both hydrophobic and lipophilic, which means it dissolves in fats. The dissolution allows it to bridge the blood-brain barrier and affect your central nervous system. It is where it can have a wide range of pain-relieving effects, including:
- Reducing Pain Signals
CBD reduces pain and the sensation of pain by promoting the reuptake of the neurotransmitter adenosine in the brain. It is a protein involved in pain and inflammation. Hence increasing adenosine levels and decreasing pain sensations. CBD may also prevent pain signals from reaching brain processing regions by binding to TPRV1.
- Increasing Immune Response
CBD has been shown to alter the immune response. It works by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibiting T cell proliferation in autoimmune and systemic inflammatory illnesses.
- Reducing Inflammation
CBD acts as an antioxidant, reducing oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. CBD may help relieve neuropathic pain (such as fibromyalgia or neuropathic back pain). It works by counteracting hyperalgesia and preventing declines in microelements like zinc and selenium. These are crucial actors for a balanced immune response (an abnormally heightened pain response).
- Improving Mood and Sleep
Chronic pain can cause problems in your personal life, employment, and mental health. CBD may help you relax or get the restful sleep you need if you suffer from anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, or exhaustion.
It’s worth noting, though, that many studies are linking CBD to sleep focus on full-spectrum CBD better. It is assumed that the entourage effect of THC (together with terpenes and other cannabinoids) is primarily responsible for sleep help.
Conclusion
CBD effectively treats pain, as evidenced by multiple studies demonstrating the numerous advantages of utilizing CBD for pain relief, ranging from its anti-inflammatory characteristics to its general availability. However, before purchasing CBD products, I recommend seeking advice from a doctor or other medical experts on the dos and don’ts of product selection.