CBD against chronic pain
Pain can come in various forms, from trauma such as slamming a finger in a door, to more serious chronic pain conditions resulting from disease and inflammation. Chronic pain is defined as any pain lasting more than 12 weeks. It is estimated that one in five Europeans suffer from chronic pain. Opiates are the most common treatment for chronic pain, even though substantial research shows that they are not effective and show a highly addictive profile. Cannabis plants and its cannabinoids, including Cannabidiol (CBD), are gaining popularity as an effective, non-addictive and natural treatment alternative. Evidence from scientific research starts to show that it can help relieve pain symptoms in a variety of conditions.
Types of Pain CBD works for include:
Arthritis pain
Rheumatoid arthritis pain
Osteoarthritis pain
Pain from cancer and cancer treatment
Pain from Multiple Sclerosis
Chronic Pain Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
How CBD works to relieve chronic pain ?
Chronic pain is generally grouped into two types: neuropathic and inflammatory pain. Neuropathic pain is caused largely by glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for turning neurons on in the glutamenergic system which is a major excitatory neuronal pathway. Inflammatory pain is related to neuropathic pain, but is not limited to neurons and is caused by responses in the immune system to environmental stressors, toxins and infections. Medical cannabis (or medical marijuana as some prefer to call it), has started to show evidence as an effective way to treat pain and inflammation. Please note that none of the research is yet supported clinical trials, whether in the United States or any other country. Scientists hypothesize that the analgesic (i.e. pain relief) effects of hemp-derived CBD are due to:
1) Its effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS)
Peripheral cannabinoid receptors plays an important role in the body’s ability to inhibit and control pain. When there aren’t enough, or too much of certain endocannabinoids in the body, pain signals can increase. CBD’s powerful analgesic effects are due to its ability to suppress pain processing by activating the CB1 receptors which suppress pain signals and CB2 receptors which stimulate opioid receptors. In addition, CBD also restores the balance of endocannabinoids such as anandamide and FAAH which are thought to play a role in blocking pain signals.
2) Its ability to activate glycine receptors
Glycine receptors (GlyRs) play an important role in the sensory nervous system's response to certain harmful or potentially harmful stimuli. When these receptors are activated, they cause sensations of pain. CBD has been shown to significantly reduce chronic pain by suppressing α3 GlyRs receptors.
Recommended CBD product types and dosage to fight chronic pain
CBD PRODUCT TYPES
Research suggests that CBD could have the potential to become a viable and natural alternative to traditional chemical pain medications. It's important to use a high-quality product and do so regularly, when using CBD for a medical condition such as chronic pain. The following forms of CBD can be leveraged:
Sublingual Treatments & Ingestibles
For daily prevention and maintenance, we recommend using a full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oil, CBD tincture or CBD capsules. This will allow for a slow onset of action that lasts throughout the day.
Vaping & Smoking
For acute flare-up of pain, vaping CBD or smoking CBD rich flowers can provide almost immediate relief due to its fast onset of action.
Topical Treatments
For localized pain, a topical such as a CBD skincare cream or lotion to deliver CBD directly to the affected area is recommended.
CBD DOSAGE
Using CBD against chronic pain is very personal and dependent on the type and severity of symptoms. The general rule of thumb for CBD dosage is to start by using 15-25 mg of CBD, twice daily. If results from this amount are not felt, the serving size can be increased by another 25 mg every 3-4 weeks until you the optimal dosage is found.
To help you figure out the right dose for you, head over to our CBD usage and dosage page.
DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) or Swissmedic. The information provided here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult with a doctor / physician if you have any medical condition or use any prescription medications. Medical advice should always be sought before starting any new treatment, including the intake of CBD products.
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