Cannabidiol, generally known as simply CBD is a chemical found in the cannabis Sativa plant aka hemp or marijuana. Cannabis contains over 480 compounds. Of those, around 66 classify as ‘cannabinoids’. CBD and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or THC happen to be the two most active ones.
Cannabidiol extracted from hemp contains very small traces of THC. CBD products carrying no more than 0.3% THC content is legal for sale and distribution in the US. Cannabidiol derived from marijuana is largely illegal other than a few medical exceptions.
How does it work?
While there are not enough research papers available, cannabidiol does seem to exhibit antipsychotic effects in general as well as in schizophrenia.
One study highlights fMRI results that establish the relationship between CBD’s antipsychotic effects in relation to psychotomimetic effects of delta-THC involving the temporal cortex and striatum, both of which are linked with psychosis.
Interestingly enough, CBD or cannabidiol also tends to block various psychoactive effects that are caused by THC (even though both belong to the family of cannabinoids).
CBD oil for Pain Management – How Effective is It?
There are some research studies and plentiful anecdotes where countless people have found relief from chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, MS, ad pains associated with periods and endometriosis with CBD oil.
Note that in the US, according to the FDA, it is illegal to sell CBD under any kind of medical claims. Most products available in the market are marketed as ‘cosmetic products’. However, CBD products made from IHF LLC hemp flower are legal and can be used to create a number of pain-relieving medicine.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the possible benefits of CBD in terms of pain management based on few studies as well as anecdotes floating around the internet.
1. Arthritis pain
Management of arthritis pain continues to be a top reason behind CBD’s popularity and sales. In fact, according to a study published in the European Journal of Pain – the researchers noticed a significant reduction in inflammation and pain markers after administering CBD oil on rats with arthritis for 4 days.
The study was a definite success and an indication of the possible future of CBD for pain management. A lot of people do use it as an herbal remedy for painful episodes. But, there’s a need for more elaborate studies on humans to confirm these findings and make them official.
2. Endometriosis and Period Cramps
Endometriosis – one of the most common and painful diseases remains largely understudied. It’s often dubbed as ‘the mystery disease’. Being a highly painful condition, many women struggle with finding a natural or medical remedy to fight the often paralyzing pain.
It has been noticed – based on plentiful anecdotes and online mentions that many women do find a great deal of comfort after using CBD oil while dealing with endometriosis and period pain often dubbed as ‘killer cramps’.
3. Epilepsy
This is probably the only condition that is officially treated using CBD. That’s right. Not long ago, the FDA approved the first-ever mainstream drug designed to treat epilepsy made from cannabidiol. It’s good news because that shows more research is going into studying the therapeutic benefits of CBD. Episodes of epileptic seizures can be rather painful for which the said medicine carrying CBD can be helpful.
4. MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
A common autoimmune disease, MS affects the entire body through nerves that connect to the brain. Among the most common symptoms of MS is muscle spasm which can be quite significant in an occasional patient.
According to this particular report – the application of CBD oil on a short-term basis showed a reduction in the levels and the intensity of spasticity that the subjects felt. Many people reported feeling less pain, which is why there’s a need for more studies to further verify and establish these findings.
5. General chronic pains
Based on the compilation of results coming from studies and their systematic reviews covering dozens of trials – it becomes conclusively evident that cannabis could indeed effectively manage chronic pain in an ‘au naturale’ way.
According to the above research, the application of CBD oil could reduce inflammation and pain markers.
The research further stipulated that subjects did not develop any kind of tolerance to CBD effects thus eliminating the need to up the dose regularly.
In what forms if CBD available in the markets?
Cannabidiol is available mostly as cosmetic products. But, in general, you can find a variety of products such as:
- Bath bombs
- Salves
- Tinctures
- Candies
- Balms
- Lotions
- Oils
A word of caution
We already mentioned that other than Epidiolex, no other CBD product can be sold for any medical claims or therapeutic benefits.
Therefore, it’s imperative that you buy CBD oils and products based on hemp. Also, make sure it carries no less than 0.3% THC for the same might be illegal and may also induce unexpected effects.
Final Takeaway
Seeing all the promising studies and the fact that cannabidiol has already hit mainstream medicine – it would be good to see more trials and research going into studying its effects. But, for now – buy and use CBD after much consideration and research.
