Pain affects more French people than cancer, the diabetes and heart diseases reunited. According to a scientific study published in the Journal of Pain, In fact, around a third of people who complain of pain consider it to be disabling, seriously affecting their daily lives.
For those living with chronic or acute pain, finding a safe and effective method of managing it is a major concern. Commonly used analgesics include acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. However, many of these drugs have side effects or are addictive due to long-term use.
How can CBD help manage pain?
CBD is thought to help reduce pain in several ways. It stimulates the endocannabinoid system of the body, which is partly responsible for mood, memory and the way pain is felt. A study published in 2004 in British Journal of Pharmacology reported that CBD relieved pain in rats, apparently via TRPV1 receptors, which control functions such as inflammation, body temperature and pain awareness.
CBD has also been shown to inhibit glutamate levels in the brain and spinal cord of mice, which may be associated with increased pain sensation and transmission. In human clinical trials, it has been shown that CBD improves signage of anandamide in the brain. Anandamide is often called the «bliss molecule», and healthy levels of it are linked to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Modulation of the endocannabinoid system brings the body back to a state of homeostasis or equilibrium. CBD oil is also said to promote deeper sleep, which is useful for people whose sleep patterns are disrupted by chronic pain. However, studies of CBD as a sleep aid have yielded mixed results.
The studies
Research into the therapeutic potential of CBD to relieve pain is multiplying. However, most studies to date on CBD have been carried out on non-human animals.
Studies have demonstrated that CBD oil is a potentially effective treatment for hard-to-treat chronic pain, such as the neuropathic pain of multiple sclerosis (MS) and intractable cancer pain. Although CBD seems effective to relieve neuropathic pain caused by conditions such as cancer or stroke, there are many different types of neuropathy, and further research is needed.
A article research published in 2013 in the British Journal of Pharmacology revealed that CBD extract appeared to alleviate severe chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain in cancer patients. CBD can also help suppress inflammatory pain, which causes muscle cramps and headaches.
In a study carried out on rats and published in 2016 in the European Journal of Pain, The researchers found that the oral bioavailability of CBD was limited. Topical application of CBD may be more effective than oral ingestion in cases where inflammation or pain is area-specific, such as arthritis or muscle pain.
What the experts say
Stasia Woodcock is a pharmacist at Curaleaf New York who specifically endorses CBD oil as a form of pain relief for conditions that cause inflammation or nerve pain.
«Current research shows that CBD is a very potent anti-inflammatory agent, which can help reduce pain when inflammation is a key factor, such as arthritis or colitis,» explains Woodcock. «CBD has also been studied in the prevention and treatment of neuropathy, or nerve pain.»
Woodcock also pointed out that CBD is unique in that it helps treat a range of symptoms associated with pain. «CBD is a huge multitasker. While most medications typically only work on one symptom, CBD can help treat multiple facets of pain, including the inflammation and anxiety that constant pain can cause, in addition to the pain itself.»
She points out, however, that severe pain, such as that associated with fibromyalgia, at the’endometriosis or musculoskeletal pain such as severe back pain, benefit from the’CBD entourage effect in conjunction with THC. «Research also indicates that higher doses of CBD (between 100 and 200 mg per day) are often needed when CBD is used without THC to enhance its effects.»
Woodcock points out that, to date, there is no clinical evidence that CBD causes serious side effects. «It doesn't cause stomach problems, itching or constipation like anti-inflammatories and opioids can. When a medical cannabis product is dosed correctly, it can provide powerful pain relief without any [intoxication], which is generally not the case with opioids.»
In a nutshell
People suffering from inflammatory or neuropathic pain may find CBD oil useful for relieving pain and treating associated symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
Sources and scientific studies are cited and linked in the content of the above article.
- Chronic pain
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