CBD (cannabidiol) is an important chemical that’s found in both marijuana and hemp plants. It can help in managing pain, inflammation, and other symptoms associated with various illnesses.
CBD doesn’t cause high effects. But, that feeling is associated with THC use. You require a medical marijuana card to access high-THC products. However, you don’t need any card for buying hemp-based CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC.
There’s scientific evidence that CBD can help in relieving pain naturally. So, more people are opting for CBD products over opioids and prescription pain medications.
Read on to learn about the potential benefits of CBD for pain management.
CBD For Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain can last for months or years. It can affect your quality of life in different ways. The common symptoms are tense muscles and limited mobility. Moreover, some patients may experience anxiety or depression. About 50 million adults in the United States have chronic pain.
CBD is known for its amazing pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It works by interacting with the core components of the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
Also Read- How Does The Endocannabinoid System Work?
A 2018 review of studies conducted between 1975 and March 2018 shows that CBD is effective in relieving pain. Researchers looked at the CBD effects in managing neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia pain, and cancer pain.
According to a 2019 study published in the National Center For Biotechnology Information, 80 percent of individuals with chronic pain said that they turned to cannabis as an alternative to pain medications, such as opioids and benzodiazepines.
CBD For Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is a condition associated with stiffness and pain in multiple joints. The symptoms may worsen with age. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis.
Recent research says that of the 62 percent of people using CBD for managing a condition, the majority of them use it for relieving arthritis pain, chronic pain, and joint pain.
However, several animal studies say cannabidiol is effective in managing arthritis pain. A 2016 study published in the National Institute of Health evaluated the effects of CBD use in rats with arthritis. Researchers applied CBD gel to the rats for 4 days continuously. The participants received different doses i.e. 0.6, 3.1, 6.2, and 62.3 mg every day. The study reported reduced pain and inflammation in the affected joints of the rates. No obvious side-effects were noted.
Rats that received 3.2 mg CBD per day were significantly reduced pain and swelling while 0.6 or 3.1 mg dose didn’t relieve pain.
CBD For Managing Cancer Treatment Related Side-Effects
Many cancer patients use CBD. However, many studies looked at how exactly cannabidiol helps in managing pain associated with cancer treatment.
According to the National Cancer Institute, CBD can be used for managing chemotherapy side-effects such as pain, vomiting, and appetite loss.
Also Read- 6 Misconceptions About CBD You Should Know
A 2016 research says that cannabinoids can help in fighting cancer. The authors reported that cannabinoids are effective in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells in animal models & test tubes.
Moreover, a 2010 study evaluated the effects of CBD in managing cancer-related pain. Researchers reported that THC-CBD extract and opioids provided better results than opioids alone.
However, more research is required to evaluate the therapeutic effects of CBD in cancer treatment.
CBD For Migraine Pain
CBD can help in managing migraine headaches. It provides natural effects and doesn’t cause any side-effects associated with pain medications.
When you consume CBD, it interacts with the cannabinoid receptors CB1 & CB2. The cannabinoid may prevent the body from metabolizing anandamide, a compound associated with pain regulation. And, having a greater amount of anandamide in the bloodstream can help in managing pain.
There’s no study on CBD for migraine available. However, studies related to CBD and THC are available.
A 2017 study found that THC & CBD can help in reducing acute pain in patients with migraine.
Moreover, a 2016 study published in Pharmacotherapy evaluated the effects of marijuana use on migraines. 48 people were surveyed, and researchers noted that 39.7 percent of the participants reported fewer migraine symptoms.
Drowsiness was one of the common side-effects. However, some participants were unable to find out the right dosage.
Common Side-Effects Associated With CBD Use
Although CBD is effective in managing pain, it may lead to certain side-effects. A review in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research shows that the most common risks are tiredness, diarrhea, change in appetite, and weight loss/gain.
CBD may also interact with OTC drugs and prescription medications. However, researchers are still finding out the interactions between CBD and certain medications.
It’s important to note that you should avoid taking CBD if your medications have a grapefruit warning on the label. This means you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. According to the FDA, grapefruit consumption while taking these medications may result in a higher concentration of the medications in the bloodstream. This can lead to adverse effects.
Some medications with grapefruit warning are—AEDs, antihistamines, antibiotics & antimicrobials, anticancer medications, blood thinners, GI medications, immunosuppressants, and pain medications.
So, always talk to a licensed doctor before starting CBD treatment for pain management.
Is CBD Legal in The United States?
Yes. As per the Farm Bill of 2018, hemp-derived CBD products (with no more than 0.3 percent THC) are legal. Products containing more than 0.3 percent THC will be considered as marijuana, and are listed as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency. So, when buying CBD products, don’t forget to check the label carefully. And, choose a reputed online store. It’s recommended to check local laws regarding CBD purchase, possession, and use to avoid any problem.
Epidiolex, a CBD-based drug for epilepsy, is approved by the Food and Drug Administration. There are no other CBD products approved by the FDA.
If you are interested in buying high-THC products, you require a medical marijuana card signed by a 420 doctor. In most cannabis legalized states, the card is valid for one year. After that, you need to renew it for another year.
Key Takeaways
For patients suffering from different types of pain, CBD can help improve the quality of life. Cannabidiol works by interacting with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system.
When compared with opioids and other pain medications, CBD provides better results. Additionally, it doesn’t cause any unpleasant side-effects.
In the United States, hemp-derived CBD products that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are legal. Anything more than that will be marijuana, and you require an MMJ card to access them legally.
CBD may interact with certain medications. However, you should avoid taking CBD with medications with grapefruit warning on the label. Before using CBD for pain management, make sure you seek professional help to design a perfect treatment plan.
Talk to 420 doctors to get an MMJ card to access high-THC products legally.