In the absence of the intoxicating effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, CBD is a viable compound for reducing pain in the body.
CBD interacts with pain receptors in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is the signal house of the body. The system has control over the emotions of the body and also has an effect on systems like a response to motor control and energy balance.
Is CBD Useful in Relieving Pain?
Scientists have been researching how safe CBD is and its connection with pain relief. Currently, no CBD-based medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration as a painkiller. However, the one drug approved that is CBD based in the U.S. is Epidiolex, a drug that is used for rare cases of epilepsy.
Going to the borders of the U.K, CBD-based drugs are approved for various forms of sclerosis. Moreover, CBD-based drugs are approved on Canadian soil for cancer pain. The results from research so far point out that CBD oil engineered to reduce pain can aid in certain medical conditions. Some of these conditions include arthritis and fibromyalgia, which are treated with CBD oil in varying doses. However, CBD oils are too weak for some forms of pain, but when combined with its counterpart THC or western medication, the effects are remarkable.
It may interest you that over 60% of U.S. adults that consume CBD products do so for its ability to reduce pain and stress. According to a recent Forbes health survey, more than half of the population runs to CBD for pain reduction. Based on these figures, CBD oil has some effect in reducing pain. You can easily find the best CBD oils for pain relief.
How Useful Is CBD in Curing Chronic Pain
CBD oil has been associated with relieving chronic pain in patients suffering from it. Studies show that CBD mixed with THC can work wonders for various levels of chronic conditions. Products from CBD like Sativex have shown satisfactory results and proven clinically successful as a pain reducer for cancer-related pain and are currently in use in Canada. The spray is awaiting approval for use in the U.S.
The Sativex spray was effective in a 2019 study for patients suffering from severe chronic pain. The causes of chronic pain in patients were different, but the spray was seemingly effective nonetheless.
The study centered on three types of chronic pain: nociceptive pain, which affects the body tissue; neuropathic pain, which affects the nerves; and mixed pain. Although Sativex was effective in treating all three kinds of pain, it was instrumental in treating neuropathic pain.
The Usefulness of CBD in Curing Arthritis and Joint Pain
An earlier study found that CBD relieves chronic pain related to multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. However, this test used a relatively small sample size.
CBD is increasingly becoming a trusted anti-inflammatory agent for both animals and preclinical trials. Since arthritis encompasses joint-related pains and conditions, CBD is believed to affect swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints caused by arthritis. However, there is no solid evidence to support this claim as research into CBD administration for arthritis is little and still ongoing.
The first controlled trial was conducted in 2006 and focused on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease. This version of arthritis causes inflammation in the joints and areas affected by the disease. Sativex helped reduce pain felt by participants of this trial, and the product reduced the pain felt when users moved their joints. The research also found that the quality of sleep and rest improved exponentially. Any side effects that were noticed as a result of the treatment were mild and negligible. There was no documentation of complications with withdrawal.
Another study was conducted in 2018 that focused on the efficacy of topical CBD gel on people with osteoarthritis-related knee pain. This trial lasted twelve weeks. Participants were given either 250 milligrams or 500 milligrams in dosage daily. The overall weekly pain felt by participants didn’t improve over 12 weeks. But those who used the 250-milligram doses found better pain relief than those who opted for a placebo.
CBD and Neuropathic Pain
A small-scale trial conducted in 2019 suggests that a mixture of both CBD and THC may be of significant use to people with fibromyalgia, a type of arthritis. Fibromyalgia causes pains all over the body and fatigue. The study found that a single inhalation of a mix of CBD and THC performed far better than a placebo, and the compound also performed better than either substance standing alone.
Neuropathic pain can be caused by several conditions and injuries that damage the nerves, causing abnormalities in the nervous system and bringing forth the pain. The pain could come from a tingling, numbness, shooting, burning, sharp or stabbing pain with muscle weakness.
Multiple sclerosis has been found among the common causes of neuropathic pain. The condition reduces the effectiveness of the myelin, a mix of proteins and phospholipids that protect the nerve cells. Sativex spray is already approved across the globe as a treatment for Multiple Sclerosis due to its success in clinical trials. Since it is a spray, the medication is absorbed into the body through the mouth.
Studies support eight sprays a day for patients with this condition. Eight sprays provide the body with 20 milligrams of CBD and 21.6 mills of THC. However, this dosage varies between patients and the level of their condition.
A most recent study, which was conducted in 2020, tested the efficacy of topically administered CBD oil. The study centered around treating patients with peripheral neuropathy using CBD oil. The peripheral nervous system sends information from the central nervous system throughout the body. Comparing the results with placebo, the topical CBD reduced patients’ intense and sharp pain much more than its counterpart. The cold and itch sensations felt by patients were also significantly decreased.
Other Benefits of CBD Oil
Although scientific data is yet to prove the vast benefits of using CBD oil, user testimonials serve as reference points. Testimonials reveal that you can use CBD oil to quit smoking. Additionally, CBD oil helps manage drug withdrawal and treat seizures and epilepsy. The compound may also help reduce some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and treat anxiety disorders.
Unlike other medications, CBD oil can help people with schizophrenia to reduce antipsychotic effects without adverse effects. Some researchers believe that transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and can potentially combat type-1 diabetes and cancer-related pain.
Source: theislandnow
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