There’s a big problem with opioid painkillers in the modern world today. The highly addictive nature of these drugs is leading to rampant substance abuse, illness, and death. It’s understandable that people with chronic pain would like to find alternatives, such as CBD. But is it really a safe alternative? Or are you merely swapping out one poison for another?
There’s a Very Important Distinction Between CBD and THC
To be clear: CBD oil is not “marijuana”. The part of the plant that gets you high is called THC. CBD is an extract of the marijuana plant which is non-psychoactive and has shown medicinal benefits for things like seizures, migraines, and specific types of chronic pain. Some people can’t stop singing the praises of CBD oil, while others still advise caution. Let’s take a minute to sort fact from fiction and figure out whether or not CBD oil treatment can help you with your chronic pain.
The Role of CBD Oil in Pain Management
To understand how CBD oil works, you should know that there’s something in your body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS for short). Believe it or not, your body is currently producing its very own cannabinoids as you read this. These molecules travel along the ECS and help your brain regulate things like sleep, your immune response, and (obviously) pain.
To make a long story short: CBD helps your ECS regulate the way your body senses pain. It can also help reduce inflammation in your brain and in your nervous system. This double-pronged approach is why so many people experience benefits from treatment with CBD.
CBD oil has been shown to effectively help people manage the following types of chronic pain:
- Neuropathic pain
- Arthritic pain
- Joint pain
- Epidermal pain and wound healing
Unfortunately, the scientific evidence behind the efficacy of CBD is largely based on animal studies. We don’t yet have very much data on its safety or effectiveness in humans.
But the reason we don’t have that data is because we haven’t been doing any studies – and we haven’t been doing any studies because the plant has been erroneously classified as a schedule 1 substance for decades. Now that we’re starting to see scientific proof that CBD is not without medicinal benefit and is, in fact, not harmful, we can expect more studies proving the efficacy of CBD to come out within the next few years.
How to Use CBD Oil for Chronic Pain
One of the most popular ways to use CBD oil for pain is to apply a topical salve directly to the area. It penetrates the skin very well and goes to work within minutes on the nerves, muscles, and joints that are giving you trouble.
If your pain isn’t the kind which can be remedied with a topical solution, there are tinctures and CBD liquid supplements. Both require you to take a dropper full of oil, squeeze it under your tongue, and hold it there for a few seconds before swallowing. Give the solution about 30 minutes to an hour to kick in. Until you figure out your effective dose and any side effects it may have on your body, you should take the medicine at night and do not operate any heavy machinery until you’re sure the effects have worn off.
While they’re harder to find, there are also capsules and loose powder forms of CBD. Some people don’t like the taste of liquids or tinctures, and prefer to swallow it in capsule form. Others appreciate the convenience of a CBD powder that they can mix in with a smoothie, water, or sprinkle on their food. How you take your CBD is less important as taking a safe yet effective dose.
Side Effects and Cautionary Warnings About CBD Use
Side effects of CBD use include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
You should be very careful when shopping around for your CBD oil, because the industry is not closely regulated. Below are the potential side effects of impure or low-purity formulas:
- Anxiety
- Appetite changes
- Mood swings
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
There are lots of people out there suffering from chronic pain who may be curious about CBD treatment. If you’re thinking about going that route, make sure you get a pure, high-quality product from a retailer you trust. Also make sure you take the lowest recommended dose and work your way up to the dose you need. With any luck, you’ll be able to effectively manage your chronic pain with the help of CBD oil.
