It’s no secret that CBD (cannabidiol) has various health benefits. Unlike its cousin THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD does not produce intoxicating effects and interacts with the body’s inherent endocannabinoid receptors to manage various bodily functions, such as motor control, emotional responses, and energy balance.
As per research spanning over two decades, CBD has shown promising analgesic properties. Even though the exact processes by which CBD helps manage chronic pain are still under investigation, here’s what we currently know about CBD and chronic pain.
Source: Happy Hemp
What We Know So Far about CBD and Chronic Pain
Forbes reported that in October 2020, CBD sales in the United States rose to $4.2 billion after the legalization of hemp-driven CBD in 2018 by the federal government. Furthermore, in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) re-classified CBD and the use of less than 0.2 percent THC, terming it ‘not under international control’. This also helped validate its medicinal value among the general public and researchers.
Bottom line: the production and selling of CBD-based products is a swiftly expanding business that is anticipated to rise to $20 billion in 2025.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic pain is defined as continuous or recurrent pain that lasts for about three months or longer. Chronic pain can occur due to various reasons and differs according to the location and nature of the cause. Chronic pain is a substantial cause of disability worldwide, and individuals spent billions of dollars every year on treatment and medications to improve their symptoms.
CBD and Chronic Pain: Promising Findings
According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), there is sufficient evidence suggesting CBD’s efficacy in managing chronic pain. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved CBD for treating pain, the increasing number of studies highlighting its therapeutic potential and various health benefits might soon change that.
With the opioid crisis on the rise, using CBD for safe and effective pain management holds great potential and is also validated by various animal studies. Moreover, further research and human trials investigating CBD’s therapeutic and medicinal value are ongoing to unveil its other health-based uses, reduced risk of addiction and/or dependency, and potential safety as an adjunct in existing treatment regimes.
Source: Advanced Spine and Pain Clinic
In 2019, a study was conducted to assess the effects of a cannabis-based spray, Sativex, in the treatment of chronic pain due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Results proved Sativex to be well-tolerated and an effective add-on treatment in the treatment of severe chronic pain due to various ailments, especially neuropathic pain.
Earlier studies also found CBD to be effective in managing cancer-related pain, spinal cord injury-related pain, and multiple sclerosis-related pain, although the sample size for these studies for small.
At present, the UK has approved CBD for managing multiple sclerotic pain, and Canada has approved it for managing cancer pain.
How Does CBD Work for Pain Relief?
As previously mentioned, the human body has an inherent cell-signaling system called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Researchers believe that CBD interacts with a major element of this system — endocannabinoid receptors in the immune system and the brain.
Endocannabinoid receptors receive signals from various stimuli and generate specific cellular responses that produce anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects subsequently resulting in pain management.
Final Thoughts
CBD holds immense promise as an alternative to opioid medication for treating and managing various health problems. In its pure form, it is non-intoxicating and is the main reason for its increasing popularity over the years. Hence, more clinical trials need to be performed to further establish the link between CBD and chronic pain.
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FAQ’s
- How does CBD help manage chronic pain?
Although the mechanisms aren’t well-known, studies show that CBD helps manage chronic pain via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- How much CBD should you take for chronic pain?
The recommended starting dosage for the majority of chronic pain patients is 5 mg CBD twice a day. This dosage may be increased by 10 mg every two to three days until a maximum dosage of 40 mg per day is attained.
- Does taking CBD for chronic pain have any side effects?
CBD is well-known for being well-tolerated by most individuals. However, it is known to interact with certain medications, such as blood thinners, so always consult your doctor before including CBD in your daily regime.