CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the hundreds of organic compounds naturally occurring in cannabis. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD does not have intoxicating effects, has almost no side effects, and does not have addictive qualities. For that reason, many users include this cannabinoid as a natural supplement to treat various medical conditions, pain management being one of them.
Anyone within the health care area can confirm the following; chronic pain is one of the most challenging conditions to treat due to its complex and multi-dimensional nature. Factors such as our mood, past experiences, social environment, and each individual’s unique biology can impact pain perception. Due to the challenges of managing chronic pain, coupled with today’s growing opioid epidemic, both pain management practitioners and patients are constantly looking for new and better alternatives to cope with chronic pain more safely and healthily.
Within all these problems, CBD presents a viable alternative and is quite effective in dealing with various types of pain, according to numerous user reports. Currently, the NICE only approved Epidiolex as the first commercially available cannabidiol-based medicine, and it works to treat epilepsy-related seizures. But does CBD help with pain? If you are looking to understand better how CBD can help you with pain management and what specific types of pain it works best for, this is the article for you.
Does CBD Oil Help With Back Pain?
Cannabis lovers, CBD adepts, and some studies claim that CBD can help cope with various conditions such as anxiety, sleep disorders, and back pain. Evidence suggests that CBD may impact how people perceive pain, although we still need more research to confirm these beliefs.
Our endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps the body regulate several functions, including pain perception. However, we sometimes need help supporting our ECS to enhance its function. As CBD binds to the receptors of our ECS, it brings balance back to our body, decreasing inflammation and regulating our pain receptors.
This means that it does not target back pain specifically but rather contributes to a feeling of relaxation, well-being, and general pain relief, except for CBD topicals that are applied directly to the affected area. In addition to this, some studies suggest that CBD may help relieve inflammation, which can be a critical factor in chronic back pain problems for many people.
Does CBD Help With Chronic Headaches And Neck Pain?
Like back pain, chronic neck pain is a condition that affects many people, especially adults. However, this type of chronic pain is becoming more and more common in young people, usually over the age of 22. This is because now it’s very common for new generations to spend hours and hours in an inappropriate posture in front of computers or cell phones. Due to the incorrect position, these overloads to the muscles and vertebrae can contribute to degeneration and systemic inflammation that can affect the cervical spine, eventually leading to numbness in the neck and nape area.
CBD demonstrates a possible reduction in pain caused by damage to the nervous system and pain caused by inflammation. In addition, CBD may increase the current of glycine in neurons. This endogenous amino acid acts as a neurotransmitter and helps regulate functions such as reducing inflammation. Other studies highlight that CBD can act as a muscle relaxant. Therefore, CBD’s diastolic functions, in conjunction with this cannabinoid’s ability to relax overstressed muscles, decrease anxiety, stress, and inflammation, act synergistically, causing CBD to function as a potential pain reduction tool.
If we talk about headaches, CBD can also help. This cannabinoid shows promise as a treatment for chronic headaches and even migraines because it could help alleviate neurological pain related to various conditions. Reports from some migraine specialists even suggest that “CBD may be a viable topical option for some patients with migraine-associated joint and muscle pain.” Although there is evidence to support these beliefs, we still need more scientific research to validate these theories as there is a general lack of formal studies that answer whether CBD helps with pain.
For this reason, NICE does not yet approve any official CBD-derived medicine specifically formulated to treat migraine, headache, and any other type of pain. Still, CBD is presented as a promising natural alternative to help complement pain-like treatments for many patients.
Does CBD Help With Nerve Pain?
When talking about nerve pain or neuropathy, we refer to a quite severe and completely different topic. Nerve pain is a painful condition that affects the body’s nervous system and can cause stabbing, burning, or stinging pain throughout the body or in specific areas such as hands, arms, or legs.
Unfortunately, nerve pain is generally chronic and can get progressively worse. Studies on CBD concerning neuropathies are still limited; however, promising evidence suggests that CBD might help with nerve pain associated with neuropathies. CBD produces almost no side effects or signs of dependence. This presents hopeful possibilities for those seeking a more acceptable and healthy alternative to other strong pain relievers such as opioids.
If you want to use a natural treatment for pain, it is essential to talk to a doctor before deciding to take CBD for pain on your own. This cannabinoid may interact with your current medication, generating potential side effects that, while not threatening, may disrupt your treatment. Ask your doctor whether CBD helps with pain and start taking CBD oil under their recommendations.
