CBD for Chronic Pain: What You Need to Know

One of the most challenging illnesses to treat is chronic pain. Chronic pain is categorized as any pain lasting longer than 12 months in any body part. Chronic pain includes back pain, arthritis and sometimes even cancer pains. Quite a lot of people in the world suffer from chronic pain; almost 1 out of 5 people experience chronic pain. Chronic pain can disturb daily routine and can be a cause of depression, stress and anxiety.

In most cases, people cannot figure out what to do and have to live with the pain their entire lives. While some treatments do work out, not many provide complete relief. One therapy that has recently shown high potential in reducing such discomfort is using CBD for chronic pain. Now let’s have a look at what CBD is.

An Overview of CBD

CBD stands for Cannabidiol. CBD is a type of oil. Majorly CBD is used for medicinal purposes. Especially in the recent few years, CBD has become quite effective in relieving many illnesses and issues people face during their lives. CBD is extracted from the Cannabis plant. Though CBD is extracted from Cannabis plants, it is free from the chemical tetrahydrocannabinol or commonly known as THC. THC is a chemical in marijuana that makes people “high” because of its psychoactive nature. As CBD is free from THC, it does not make you high. Moreover, CBD is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Given its properties, CBD has been noted to be effective for many health issues. Most recently, research has shown that CBD for chronic pain can be the most effective solution to date.

How Does CBD Provide Chronic Pain Relief?

For chronic pain patients, CBD offers an effective yet relatively safe

therapy. The use of CBD helps to regulate the functions of the Endocannabinoid System. The Endocannabinoid System manages a person’s mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and fertility. Along with processes of metabolism of the body, digestion, motor controls, sleep, muscle formation, liver function, stress and skin and nerve function also works of Endocannabinoid System. When CBD is taken for chronic pain, the body reacts to it and stimulates a reduction in pain. Chronic pain patients seek regular medication that prevents them from falling into addiction while managing their condition, and CBD offers just that.

Is CBD or THC Better for Chronic Pain?

CBD and THC are the two major components of cannabis. CBD is mostly used in oil, capsules and now even gummies, whereas THC is consumed in the form of marijuana itself. The most common way of taking THC is through smoking joints that contain marijuana in them. THC stimulates senses, such as a reduction in pain and an increase in appetite. However, THC can get you high and could also cause anxiety. An intake of THC results in excessive dopamine production, causing people to get high and achieve the psychedelic effect.

On the other hand, CBD does not have any negative impacts on the body, and it does not result in you getting high. CBD is also known to help with chronic pain and may be used to regulate a person’s sleep pattern. CBD exerts its potential pain-relieving effects through combinations of its various interactions and modulation of the ECS (endocannabinoid system), inflammatory, and nociceptive (pain-sensing) systems. It becomes quite evident that CBD is better than THC as it does not have any negative effects.

Other Benefits of CBD

Due to its relaxing properties, CBD has a lot of positive effects on the body. Besides using CBD for chronic pain, CBD has many benefits for health without any adverse intoxicating psychoactive effects that other components of cannabis have. CBD releases serotonin and suppresses stress signals. CBD also infuses people with a sense of calmness. which relaxes a person and helps with problems such as anxiety, insomnia and depression. CBD also promotes better sleep at night. Similarly, CBD maintains a healthy mind by keeping the body high on good emotions and increasing positive mood and motivation. With a multitude of flavors to choose from, CBD gummies offer support for overall wellness.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Although there are many therapeutic effects of CBD, there have been some reports of the side effects of CBD. Fatigue, Diarrhea and changes in appetite are some of the issues people have faced while consuming CBD. Some people also observed changes in their weight due to using CBD. Frequent use of CBD may also result in dizziness and dry mouth. However, none of these side effects is life-threatening.

Safety and Legality

CBD and THC are derived from cannabis or commonly known as marijuana. While the possession of THC and marijuana are illegal under the federal law of the USA and is a punishable offense, CBD is legal in most states. Hemp-derived CBD products on a federal level are legal, but the condition is that the THC amount should be less than 0.3%, as this amount does not make people high. Hence, it is important to remember that any CBD product you purchase should not have more than 0.3% of THC in it. One should always ensure that the CBD they buy is pure and certified.

Closing Thoughts

CBD treats health issues such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. CBD offers an alternative medication to painkillers for chronic pain patients. One of the main reasons for using CBD for chronic pain is that it is effective and long-lasting. With its minimal side effects and promising relief from pain, the use of CBD for chronic pain is a viable option. One can use CBD for their well-being without worrying about any potential dangers.