Different Types of Pain CBD Can Help Treat
We have already heard plenty about the many benefits and uses of CBD, but most people want to know what are the uncommon conditions they can treat. Although chronic pain is mentioned frequently among health care providers as one of the most challenging conditions to treat, there are still plenty of other conditions that can be challenging.
A lot of people use CBD to relieve pain. Knowing the many ways a person can use CBD might just help in deciding what’s best for them. From menstrual cramps to multiple sclerosis, find out how CBD works to relieve pain, and some of the ways it can help with our overall health.
How CBD works as pain relief
The natural compound extracted from the Cannabis sativa plant will help relieve chronic pain, menstrual cramps, arthritis, cancer, and much more. It will not get you high, since it isn’t a psychotropic substance like THC. However, some people believe that THC can complement their pain care plan, and decide to use products containing it.
Most of the CBD products don’t have THC in them, meaning they won’t get you “high.” CBD hinders glutamate release and other inflammatory agents, which makes it great for dulling the tingling, prickling, and burning sensations that neuropathic pain is characterized for, therefore making it neuroprotective.
Some studies suggest that CBD may provide relief for inflammation and pain. It can be used as a supplement to help manage neuropathic pain, and can also be anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and antipsychotic. Unlike other anti-inflammatory drugs, according to some studies, cannabinoids are up to 20 times more potent anti-inflammatory agents compared to ibuprofen. There are plenty of other solutions, and the best might just be a CBD salve for pain relief which is easier to use and people find more convenient. Applied regularly, CBD salves can relieve people from systemic pain and inflammation and they will be an effective, non-psychotropic alternative to THC if used correctly.
Menstrual pain
If you are a woman, there is no escaping the excruciating pain in the abdomen every month or so. Menstrual cramps can vary from mild to extremely painful, and most often people turn to prescription drugs or over-the-counter remedies to relieve the pain. Some research studies show that CBD affects a certain group of molecules that are very important to the inflammation process, and so there has been a bigger interest in CBD products and their application, recently.
There are different types of CBD products for cramps such as capsules, creams, oils, or edibles. If you want to avoid taking capsules, you can choose the easier variant – topicals. You can just rub the cream into your abdomen and the pain will go away. Not only is it easy to apply, but you can also enjoy a bit of massage while you’re at it. The other most convenient variant for people is a sublingual application (under the tongue) because it will not only help with your cramps but with any other pain you might be experiencing.
Arthritis pain
One study from 2016 showed that CBD helps relieve arthritis pain. Researchers tested it on rats, by applying a gel for four days, and they noticed reduced inflammation and overall pain in the affected joints. However, the research so far has been very small, and there need to be more studies on a large number of human participants, so we can fully understand the effects of CBD.
The best part about taking CBD for arthritis pain is that you can choose the way you take the remedy, from inhaling to applying it directly on your skin. People who don’t want to take it as a regular drug may want to use topicals such as creams and lotions, or inhale it by using a vape. Of course, among the many benefits of taking CBD, there might be some risks depending on the way of application. The best thing to do is consult with your doctor before turning to CBD.
Migraine pain
Migraine pain is not just a regular headache, it’s way more than that. It can last from 4 to 72 hours, and any normal activities like being in the light or around noise can only amplify the symptoms. Many people have found a solution in smoking marijuana to relieve pain or taking prescription drugs, but this is not always convenient. That’s where CBD comes in.
Although research on using CBD for migraines is limited and some existing studies look at the combined effects of CBD and THC, there is one study from 2018 that shows promising results. But, people are different, so consuming CBD oil or other solutions containing CBD can affect them differently. From being applied topically to being ingested, some people, usually beginners, start with vaping since it is less likely to cause any side effects.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition affecting the entire body through the brain and nerves. One of the most common symptoms are muscle spasms which can be so strong that they cause constant pain. Some reports show that the use of CBD oil could reduce the levels of muscle spasms, helping people reduce the pain.
Other common symptoms of MS are inflammation, depression, and fatigue. It is known that CBD helps reduce inflammation and pain, and helps with improving mood and sleep. CBD decreases systemic inflammation and oxidative stress by acting as an antioxidant, and it may also reduce neuropathic pain such as fibromyalgia (back pain). This means that CBD can help improve mobility in people with multiple sclerosis.
Final thoughts
Although being very popular recently, and many studies show promising results, there is still plenty of research that needs to be done so we can completely understand the uses and benefits of CBD. However, so far it has shown excellent results in treating pain and inflammation. Whatever product a person chooses, what matters is the effect, whether it’s a CBD salve for pain relief or a simple CBD oil, it all depends on personal preferences.