Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance that many people take to treat pain. Understanding CBD can assist in removing the stigma that has been attached to it.
CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant and is used to treat a variety of ailments. People have reported taking this oil for pain alleviation, anxiety reduction, depression reduction, and sleep difficulties.
A lack of evidence from human studies to demonstrate the benefits of CBD oil is a result of prohibitions on cannabis usage and study, which has resulted in a paucity of evidence. As cannabis becomes more widely legalised in many jurisdictions, scientific investigation is gathering steam and yielding some encouraging results.
In this post, we’ll look at how CBD oil works and how individuals have used it to reduce chronic pain in the past and present.
Is Cannabidiol (CBD) legal? CBD products derived from hemp that contain less than 0.3 percent THC are allowed under federal law, but they are still banned under several state regulations. CBD-derived products manufactured from cannabis, on the other hand, are prohibited under federal law but allowed under some state regulations. When travelling, especially in foreign countries, always sure to check local legislation. It’s also important to remember that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved nonprescription CBD products, which may be labelled incorrectly.
What is CBD oil?
Chemical components found in different varieties of cannabis plants, such as hemp and marijuana, are at varying quantities depending on the variety.
The CBD levels in the plant are affected by how the plant is bred. The vast majority of CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp, which has a greater CBD level than marijuana on average.
The ingredient is extracted in a variety of ways by the many companies that produce CBD oil. Afterwards, the extract is combined with a carrier oil to create CBD oil.
CBD oil is available in a variety of concentrations, and people utilise it in a variety of ways. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor before using CBD oil.
Effects of CBD
Cbd is one of over 100 chemicals present in cannabis, which are collectively referred to as cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are found in a wide variety of plants, however they are most usually associated with the cannabis plant.
The cannabinoid CBD, in contrast to other cannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not produce a euphoric “high.” This is due to the fact that CBD does not interact with the same receptors as THC.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body is responsible for receiving and translating signals from cannabinoids. It cannabinoids of its own, which are referred to as endocannabinoids, which it creates. The ECS has a role in the regulation of functions such as sleep, immune-system responses, and pain perception.
When THC enters the body, it has an effect on the endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, resulting in a “high” sensation. When this happens, the brain’s reward system is activated, resulting in the release of pleasure chemicals such as dopamine.
More information on the differences between THC and CBD can be found here.
Does CBD make you high?
CBD is a completely separate molecule from THC, and its effects are extremely difficult to predict. No “high” is produced, and the individual’s ability to function is not impaired, but it does influence the body’s ability to utilise its own endocannabinoids more effectively.
As reported in Neurotherapeutics (2015), CBD has an impact on many other receptor systems in our bodies and will have an impact on the ECS when used in conjunction with other cannabinoids.
For example, CBD has been shown to increase the body’s levels of anandamide, a compound associated with pain regulation, which can reduce pain perception and improve mood when taken orally.
Cannabidiol may also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the brain and nerve system, which may be beneficial for patients who suffer from pain, insomnia , or certain immune system reactions.
Health benefits
According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), some evidence suggests that cannabis or CBD may have minor benefits in the treatment of chronic pain, however more research is needed.
While CBD appears to be a viable treatment option for pain reduction, research has not yet demonstrated that it is both safe and effective, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved CBD for use in the treatment of pain as a result.
CBD, according to a review published in 2020, may be beneficial for the treatment of chronic pain as well as for enhancing sleep and lowering inflammation, but that these advantages are condition-specific.
More data is needed to assess the therapeutic potential of CBD as well as safe and effective dosages for the treatment of chronic pain and inflammation.
According to current research, the following are some potential advantages of CBD oil:
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic pain is pain that occurs as a result of nerve injury. It is typical to experience this type of discomfort with disorders such as multiple sclerosis, accidents such as herniated discs, and infections such as shingles.
According to a 2017 review, CBD was effective in treating chronic neuropathy pain in people. Eleven randomised controlled studies with 1,219 participants were reviewed by the researchers.
However, according to a Cochrane review published in 2018, the potential benefits of cannabis-based medication may be exceeded by the risks associated with using it.
This study looked into the effects of cannabis-derived drugs, such as CBD, on chronic neuropathic pain, and found that they were beneficial. It examined 16 trials with a total of 1,750 individuals.
A greater amount of research is needed to fully understand the role of CBD in the therapy of chronic neuropathic pain, including the dangers, benefits, and optimal dosages.
Arthritis discomfort
An animal model was employed in a 2016 study published in the European Journal of Pain to determine whether CBD could help persons with arthritis control their pain. For four days, the researchers gave a topical lotion containing CBD to rats suffering from arthritis.
A considerable reduction in inflammation and symptoms of discomfort was observed by the researchers, with no further side effects observed.
Although it is possible that those who use CBD oil for arthritis would find alleviation from their symptoms, further human research are needed to corroborate these findings.
Multiple sclerosis
Affecting the entire body through the nerves and brain, multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that has no known cause.
Spasms of the muscles are one of the most prevalent symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Some people experience so severe spasms that they experience constant discomfort.
According to one study, using CBD oil for a short period of time can lower the amount of muscle spasms a person experiences. Although the findings were modest, many participants reported a lessening in their symptoms. More human research are required in order to confirm these findings.
Chronic pain
The same report looked into the use of CBD to treat generalised chronic pain. The findings of various systematic reviews encompassing dozens of trials and studies were collated by the researchers. According to the findings of their research, there is significant evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults with a variety of symptoms.
These findings are supported by a further study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. According to the findings of this study, CBD can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
The researchers also discovered that participants were not likely to develop a tolerance to the effects of CBD, which meant that they would not need to raise their dose over the course of time.
People who suffer from chronic pain may benefit from cannabinoids such as CBD, according to the researchers.
Other uses
CBD presently offers a wide range of applications and has the potential to be a game changer.
These include:
- helping people quit smoking
- managing drug withdrawal
- treating seizures and epilepsy
- treating anxiety
- reducing some effects of Alzheimer’s disease
- reducing antipsychotic effects for people with schizophrenia
- potentially combating type 1 diabetes and cancer in the future
Despite the fact that additional research is needed to validate the benefits of CBD oil, it is emerging as a potentially viable and diverse therapy option.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one version of CBD, known as Epidiolex, for the treatment of two uncommon forms of epilepsy as well as seizures induced by a rare illness known as tuberous sclerosis complex, according to the FDA.
To put it another way, while CBD-derived products produced from marijuana are not currently permitted at the federal level, they are legal under the rules of several states.
People should familiarise themselves with the laws of their home state as well as the laws of any destination they intend to visit. They must keep in mind that the FDA does not approve or regulate CBD products that are not prescribed by a doctor. As a result, it is possible that labelling is erroneous.
More information on the potential benefits of CBD may be found here.
Dosage
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate CBD for the majority of diseases. As a result, dosages are now subject to interpretation, and consumers should proceed with caution when utilising these amounts.
Anyone interested in using CBD should consult with a doctor first to determine whether it will be beneficial or safe to do so, as well as how much to consume.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Epidiolex, a refined version of CBD, for the treatment of certain kinds of epilepsy. Individuals taking this drug should adhere to their doctor’s recommendations about dosage.
Side effects
The majority of people tolerate CBD oil well, however there are some negative effects that may occur.
As reported in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2017, the most common negative effects of cannabis use are as follows:
Additionally, using CBD oil with other drugs may either increase or decrease the effectiveness of those medications.
The research also points out that other features of CBD, like as its long-term effects on hormones, have yet to be thoroughly investigated by scientists. Further long-term studies will be beneficial in understanding whether or not CBD has any adverse effects on the body over time.
Make an appointment with your physician before using CBD, as it may interact with certain over the counter medications and dietary supplements. It may also interact with some prescription medications, especially with those that warn against consuming grapefruit.
CBD may potentially interfere with the activity of an enzyme known as the cytochrome P450 complex. There is a possibility that this disruption will damage the liver’s ability to break down toxins, raising the likelihood of liver toxicities.
Patients should be aware that there is a risk of liver damage, lethargy, and maybe depression and suicidal thoughts with Epidiolex, however these are risks associated with other epilepsy therapies as well, including gabapentin.
According to one study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, the anti-inflammatory effect of cannabis may be overstated, resulting in excessive inflammation. A significant drop in inflammation may impair the lungs’ ability to defend themselves, increasing the likelihood of infection.
Other considerations
Almost all of the study on CBD oil and pain has been conducted on adults. The use of CBD oil in children is not recommended by medical professionals because there has been insufficient research into the effects of CBD oil on a child’s growing brain.
Epidiolex, on the other hand, may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old who suffer rare kinds of epilepsy.
When a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding, she should avoid using CBD oil.
When using CBD products by mouth in conjunction with high-fat meals, people should exercise caution. High-fat meals have been shown to significantly boost CBD concentrations in the blood, increasing the likelihood of negative effects occuring.
Because the FDA does not monitor CBD products in the same manner that it regulates medicines or dietary supplements, firms may mislabel or misrepresent their goods in order to gain market share. As a result, it is quite crucial to conduct thorough research and select a high-quality product.
Conclusion
While numerous studies have suggested that CBD oil is beneficial for pain relief, further research, particularly long-term trials with human participants, is needed to confirm this.
CBD oil, on the other hand, appears to hold promise as a pain reliever. Some scientific and anecdotal data suggests that it can assist people in coping with chronic pain in a variety of situations.
CBD oil is particularly intriguing because it has no intoxication effects and may have a lower risk of negative effects than many other types of pain drugs.
If someone is considering using CBD oil for the first time, they should consult with their doctor first.
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