For those experiencing chronic pain, finding chronic pain relief is a top priority. In recent years, many are turning to Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, recognizing it as a safe and effective remedy for people to ease aches and pains.
As people are becoming familiar with the CBD’s health benefits, the question remains: But how exactly does CBD alleviate pain? To understand how Cannabidiol (CBD) reduces pain, we first must explore the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) shedding light on CBD's mechanisms.
What is the Endocannabinoid System?
Decades of cannabinoid research have unveiled two crucial discoveries—how marijuana works in the body and the Endocannabinoid System. The ECS system is a vital player in communicating to the brain to help regulate movement, mood, and cognition. The natural chemicals produced by the body are cannabinoids and are natural carriers produced by the body, to convey messages to ECS receptors.
CBD and the ECS: A Dynamic Relationship
The ECS System uses cannabinoids to regulate essential functions and is not exclusively produced in the body, but can come from natural sources like cannabis. Cannabis plants contain over 85 different compounds, and the two primary ones are Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) called phytocannabinoids. Marijuana has been classified into two main classes— Sativa and Indica. Both work with the ECS System receptors, but have different psychoactive effects.
A variety of Cannabis Sativa is hemp. Many hemp products include seeds, oils, and clothes. Hemp usually contains less than .03% of THC. THC is the compound that causes people to feel high. Since hemp is the primary source of CBD oil, it’s not possible to become high with supplemental use. However, if CBD is rich in THC, mood-altering effects can occur.
Researchers showed that CBD supplementation interacts with ECS receptors, namely CB1 and CB2, helping to reduce pain. CB1 receptors are found primarily in the brain and are responsible for memory, pain modulation, and metabolism. CB2 receptors are located in the immune system and are mainly responsible for protecting the body. These receptors, abundant in the brain and immune system respectively, play pivotal roles in pain modulation and protection against ailments.
Our bodies were designed to work with CBD to create balance and optimal health.
How Does CBD Reduce Pain?
Research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine showed that CBD relieves pain through acting as a cannabinoid in the ECS System. CBD influences the brain and nervous system to provide pain relief. Cannabinoids flush your system, connecting with the vital receptors to relieve a wide variety of conditions that cause chronic pain. Think of cannabinoids as half of the Ying and the receptors the Yang. When put together, they complete the body puzzle for optimal health.
Chronic pain is the result of many health concerns including inflammation due to back pain, arthritis, and stressed muscles. By engaging with ECS receptors, CBD mitigates various conditions contributing to chronic pain.
CBD's Role in Managing Chronic Pain Conditions
Chronic pain manifests in many different forms, from arthritis to migraines and affects millions of people. CBD emerges as a promising ally in combating these ailments by its efficacy in alleviating pain.
Multiple Sclerosis
Neurological diseases like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) cause sufferers severe pain. The neurodegenerative disorder leads to impairing vision, loss of muscle control, and all bodily functions. Research shows that CBD can help reduce pain for MS patients during flare-ups and can help control chronic neuropathic pain.
Cancer
Patients battling cancer endure not only the distressing symptoms of the disease itself but also the often debilitating side effects of cancer treatments. Recent studies have highlighted that CBD treatment may reduce breast cancer cells and the pain commonly associated with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Also, cancer patients report fluctuations in appetite, which can impact their ability to maintain a healthy weight. CBD may offer a potential solution in stimulating appetite for cancer patients facing these challenges.
Migraines
Painful headaches make having a healthy lifestyle impossible. Migraines, often accompanied by swelling and other discomforting symptoms, can severely hinder daily activities. However, clinical trials have revealed that CBD interacts with the body’s receptors, effectively preventing migraines by reducing inflammation, offering a potential solution to alleviating this distressing condition.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis presents extreme pain in millions of people. Despite the commonality of this condition, many approved medications come with undesirable side effects. Studies show that CBD oil offers a promising solution for alleviating the pain associated with arthritis.
Anxiety
One of the many benefits of CBD is in alleviating anxiety, a mental health condition. Anxiety disorders are more prevalent than commonly realized, and cause emotional and spiritual distress for sufferers. Particularly, social anxiety disorder makes it difficult for people to interact with others comfortably in work and social environments due to fear and difficulty forming supportive connections/community. By calming the nervous system, CBD enables individuals to navigate social situations with ease, offering relief and fostering improved social interactions.
Depression
Anxiety often paves a path to depression. Like anxiety, depression can create a cycle of isolation from others, leading to more anxiousness and depression. In turn, just as CBD proves effective for anxiety, its positive impacts can extend to alleviating mental health conditions like depression.
How to Incorporate CBD Oil for Pain Relief
In the last few years, the acceptance of CBD oil as a mainstream pain treatment has soared. Cannabis-based medicine is available in various forms such as creams, sprays, oils, and edibles. CBD oil offers a non-prescription, safe alternative, available for purchase at affordable prices to treat chronic pain. Dosages by product will vary and need to be determined by the amount of pain and body weight. Much like you follow the guidelines on the back of an aspirin bottle, you should follow the directions for CBD use.
It’s important to remember that CBD oil isn’t yet regulated and quality will vary, not just in terms of the amount of CBD oil, but in other important factors like manufacturing, cultivation, and labeling.
Like any product, the manufacturing process matters when reviewing Cannabidiol product quality. Higher qualities of CBD undergo a rigorous manufacturing process using methods that provide a purer form of CBD.
In addition to the CBD extraction process, CBD cultivation is important. Cannabis plants grown in organic soil with natural chemicals and pesticides result in higher-quality CBD oil used in products.
Finally, labeling plays an essential role in CBD quality too. It would help if you considered whether the CBD oil uses one CBD isolate from the plant or utilizes the whole-plant methodology. There are differing opinions about whether the whole-plant CBD oil is better than isolating one compound to target chronic pain, but it might be important when considering what your body needs to find pain relief.
Conclusion
CBD's ability to alleviate chronic pain stems from its interaction with ECS, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic agent. As more individuals seek natural remedies for pain management, CBD oil is a safe pain management alternative. Emerging as a beacon of hope, finding relief with a topical CBD such as creams or ointments might be what you need to enjoy the health benefits.
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