Using CBD for Pain Relief
CBD has emerged as one of the most popular and versatile compounds available on the supplement market today. It has been touted for its ability to help people manage stress and anxiety, to help people overcome depression, and to help manage physical problems like IBS and chronic pain.
In this article, we’re going to talk about why CBD is so effective for helping people manage pain. It can be useful for helping to manage acute pain (such as muscle soreness from a workout or pain from an injury) or chronic pain caused by a long-term injury or illness.
Why Does CBD Work for Pain Relief?
There are a number of interesting ways that CBD works for pain relief. Both of these are a result of the way that CBD works in the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The endocannabinoid system is the largest neurotransmitter system in the body. It is regulated by compounds known as endocannabinoids, which are produced in the body, and by phytocannabinoids, found in plants. CBD is known as a phytocannabinoid, or simply a cannabinoid.
CBD works by indirectly influencing parts of the ECS known as receptor sites. These sites are responsible for activating, deactivating, and regulating a number of bodily processes. CBD can influence them in a couple of ways to cause a person to experience less pain.
Fighting Inflammation
One of the most powerful and effective ways that CBD can help to reduce pain is by fighting inflammation. Many painful conditions are, in part, caused by or related to inflammation.
Inflammation is actually a normal immune response. The body sends inflammatory cytokines to a damaged or infected area to alert the immune system that there is an area that needs to be ‘worked on’ or repaired.
Unfortunately, many people experience chronic inflammation when there is no apparent injury. This can cause chronic pain and even lead to illness and disease.
Fortunately, substances like CBD can reduce chronic inflammation. The CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are both found in the ECS, are involved in triggering the inflammatory response. By indirectly influencing these receptors, CBD is able to reduce unwanted inflammation without causing any intoxication.
Fighting Neuropathic Pain
One of the most difficult types of pain to treat is known as neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by damaged nerves, and is typically hard to treat even with conventional painkillers like opioids.
CBD has shown remarkable potential to help ward off nerve pain because of its influence in the ECS. Part of this may be because of the way that CBD can influence the body’s production and absorption of anandamide.
CBD and Anandamide
Anandamide is a compound that regulates the body’s perception of pain. CBD can actually prevent the body from absorbing its anandamide, causing it to remain in the bloodstream where it cannot contribute to the sensation of pain. In this sense, CBD can help reduce an individual’s overall sensitivity to pain.
How to Use CBD for Pain
There are different ways to use CBD, and depending on the type of pain that you are experiencing, you may want to use it differently. Here are some of the most popular ways of using CBD and the types of pain that they might be best for treating.
CBD Oil and Capsules
CBD oil and capsules are generally the most common way of using CBD. It’s best to use these products sublingually, by holding them under the tongue for a few minutes. CBD is not well absorbed by the stomach.
CBD oil and capsules can be great for treating a wide variety of different types of pain, and if you are new to CBD, this may be a good place to start. CBD oil and capsules are simple to use, easy to transport, and can be useful for helping to manage anything from arthritis to IBS.
Inhaled CBD (vaped and smoked)
Inhaled CBD, whether it be smoked in the form of a doobie or vaped as an e-juice, is generally a much quicker-acting way to use CBD. When you vape CBD, the effects will come on almost immediately. Smoking CBD generally requires that you consume a larger amount of plant material, and will take a bit longer to kick in than a vape would, but will still take effect much faster than any other method of administration.
Inhaled CBD can be very useful for people who have chronic pain conditions who are prone to spontaneous or short-acting flare ups. When they feel their pain kicking in, they can quickly take a hit from their vape or pipe to find relief in a fraction of the time that it would take for a capsule to take effect.
Topical CBD
One of the best products for people suffering with certain types of pain are CBD topicals. There are a number of different creams, salves, and lotions infused with CBD that can be rubbed directly onto the skin.
These products can be useful for helping to manage pain in a specific region. For example, CBD lotion rubbed onto the joints can help alleviate arthritis; if rubbed onto an eczema breakout it can help to reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of ways in which CBD can affect the body’s pain responses. It can be useful for helping to fight off inflammation, to reduce the body’s perception of pain in general, and even to reduce neuropathic pain.
If you struggle with chronic pain, CBD could be useful for you. Don’t hesitate to seek out a high-quality source of CBD.
