Pain management practitioners have faced ongoing issues with various patients in identifying the correct treatment for pain due to its complexity.
CBD Oil For Pain Reduction – Does It Work?
Treating pain can be tricky! No two patients are alike, from chronic to localized, and there are countless reasons someone could be experiencing pain. It may take some trial and error to identify the best treatment method for you.
We will most likely all experience pain at some point in our lives. With CBD’s ability to treat pain and inflammation without feeling the effects of THC, the allure to try a safe and effective alternative has only intensified, but with a list of questions that seem to resonate with the group, common among anyone who wants more insight on what to expect.
Providing you with our answers to the common questions we get will hopefully help everyone understand how to approach CBD treatment for pain and guide you into making an informed decision rather than diving into the unknown with hope.
So, let’s get educated on taking full-spectrum CBD oil for pain.
Taking CBD Oil For Pain Management
We are often asked if taking CBD Oil for pain relief on its own will be enough. Because everyone will respond differently to pain treatment, not to mention the varying causes and severity of pain, no answer will be the same for everyone. With that said, a full spectrum CBD Oil is the top recommendation for all pain.
Why is that?
Over one hundred cannabinoids work in synergy as a powerful team to reduce inflammation, combat anxiety, and diminish pain. An isolated CBD oil without its team members lacks what an entire cannabinoid team can accomplish.
A full-spectrum CBD oil can come in drops or a tincture as well as a rub or cream. So which one is better?
1) Is A Full-Spectrum CBD Rub More Effective For Pain Than CBD Drops?
If your pain is localized, you may consider a rub as the best approach for a couple of reasons. First, a topical CBD treatment can be very effective for localized pain (spasms, arthritis pain, etc.). Second, CBD is easily absorbed, so treating a specific area with a rub or CBD cream would make perfect sense.
Treatment for chronic or neuropathic pain will shift to the sublingual approach that will bypass the digestive system and liver directly into the bloodstream.
2) Will Full Spectrum CBD Oil Get Me High? Yes, We Hear This Often!
In a full-spectrum tincture of up to 1000mg, there is not enough not TCH for you to feel the effects. Once you reach 2,500 mg, there is potentially enough THC in a dose to produce high effects but keep in mind that everyone reacts to THC differently, so it’s vital to start low to avoid any surprises.
3) Does CBD Oil Work Instantly?
CBD is unique to a pharmaceutical drug. Most people will feel the benefits within about two weeks, but it can take up to six weeks for the CBD to work its way into your system. Others may notice the effects shortly after beginning their CBD routine.
Many factors can determine the length of time it will take to start seeing results from CBD. The quality of the product can determine how quickly your body will metabolize the oil. Taking CBD sublingually will ensure it enters your bloodstream quickly, bypassing your digestive system.
Potency also plays a role. We usually recommend starting with a 250 mg version. You will not feel it faster or slower, depending on the oil’s strength you’re taking. The rate at which your body metabolizes CBD Oil will affect how quickly you feel the benefits. Start small and work your way up as needed.
4) Can CBD Help Me Get Off My Current Medication?
CBD alone may not replace an opioid or prescription pain killer at first but can help you take much less of it. It’s worth trying and certainly a far healthier alternative to prescription medications. Those with severe pain who rely on prescribed pain medication may want to consider a full-spectrum CBD oil.
5) Should I Take A Full-Spectrum CBD Oil Or A CBD Only Product?
A full-spectrum CBD oil is excellent for those in favor of a bit of THC. It has been shown that all constituents working together are far more effective than isolated CBD.
CBD isolate would be an excellent choice to ensure you pass a drug test for work or if you have an aversion to ingesting THC. CBD alone still contains pain-relieving properties.
6) How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
It’s essential to find the proper dosage of full-spectrum CBD for you, which usually involves some experimentation. If you have been taking the same dose of CBD for one week and have felt no improvement in lowering your anxiety, it’s time to increase. Increase slowly, and always wait at least a few days before increasing again so that you have some time to notice any changes or effects the oil is having on you. Some will say that all this experimenting can get expensive. Still, we think it’s a small price to pay for switching out addictive prescription pain medications for a completely natural, non-addictive alternative.
7) Can I Take CBD Oil And Pass A Drug Test?
For those looking to use CBD but are required by their jobs to undergo drug testing, or even for those athletes out there who are required to pass drug tests, a Zero THC CBD Oil (CBD Isolate) is the way to go. There will be no THC in these products, so passing a drug test will be no issue. Even in the lowest strength of Full Spectrum CBD oil, there is enough THC in one dose to show up in a drug test.
8) Does CBD Oil Contain Anti-inflammatory Properties?
Studies have shown that CBD consistently reduces inflammatory pain, but it does not do this by interacting directly with our body’s cannabinoid receptors. Instead, CBD appears to block inflammatory pain by interacting with the glycine receptor, another protein in our bodies. This protein plays the critical role of transmitting pain signals from the body, through the spinal cord, and into our brain, where the pain is perceived.
CBD also acts on inflammation in another way by decreasing oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress occurs when there is a disturbance between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defences, resulting in inflammation or tissue damage. CBD possesses antioxidant properties and has been shown to markedly reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body following potent chemotherapy treatment.
9) How does Full-Spectrum CBD Oil treat pain?
As the research into CBD and its capabilities are still in the early stages, it can leave people with many questions about CBD for pain relief. But, when we take what we know about how CBD interacts with the body and then look at the existing evidence on the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of CBD, we can begin to understand better how we can use CBD for pain relief.
CBD interacts with various proteins in the body and central nervous system, including the endocannabinoid system in the brain, central nervous system, immune system, and spleen. CBD HAS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT, unlike THC, which binds to endocannabinoid receptors. It inhibits the absorption of anandamide, a pain-regulating cannabinoid molecule produced by our bodies.
When CBD enhances anandamide signalling, levels in the bloodstream increase, reducing pain. Studies have also shown that CBD targets alpha-3 glycine receptors to suppress chronic pain and reduce inflammation associated with dysfunctional glycine receptors.
CBD also activates other receptor proteins, such as the vanilloid receptor TRPV1, responsible for control functions such as inflammation and the awareness of pain. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis and other instances of disease-associated chronic pain, the sensitivity and expression of TRPV1 receptors increase.
A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that the purported analgesic properties of CBD are mediated by this receptor, leading the research team to conclude that CBD could be a “useful pharmacological alternative in the treatment of the disease-associated chronic pain.”
Another study, published in the September 2015 edition of the journal Neurotoxicology, found that CBD also inhibits glutamate levels in the brain and spinal cord, associated with increased pain and transmission sensations.
10) Can I Give CBD Oil To My Child?
We can’t offer too much advice in this area. Kids are still in the early stages of development, including their brains and nervous system. Research around CBD for children is also in the early stages, so we can’t guide in this area until more definitive evidence exists.
11) Are There Any Adverse Side Effects?
In rare cases, people have reported diarrhea, fatigue and changes in appetite. CBD can also interfere with some medications, so be sure to speak with your doctor before beginning CBD treatment.
12) Can I operate heavy machinery? Drive a car?
Yes, In most cases, you should be able to go about your day as usual. You may, however, need to get used to the CBD product you’re taking, especially if there are small amounts of TCH, so you may want to refrain from driving your tractor if you need time for your body to adjust.
13) What Should I Do If I Still Feel Pain?
Not finding relief with CBD could be due to a few things. First is your dose – have you been experimenting with your amount? It’s essential to experiment with your CBD to find the appropriate dose that works for you. Another possible problem could be the strength – are you trying to treat severe chronic pain with a 250 mg CBD oil? This may simply not be strong enough, and you will need to increase the strength. Another possibility is that your pain is simply too much for CBD to handle, and you will want to inquire about the best way to add some THC into your regimen. Our team is here if you ever need help or have questions.
14) How / when will I know if I’m taking enough
As CBD does take some time to start working after taking it, it’s essential to be patient! Success with CBD is also dependent on pinpointing that dose that will work for you. Results will show themselves gradually, but when they do, you’ll know that you’ve found the right product and the correct dose to help manage whatever type of pain you’re experiencing.
15) Would CBD help for muscle recovery?
It sure does! CBD oil is anti-catabolic, which regulates the amount of cortisol released into your system. CBD Oil is an excellent addition to any fitness enthusiast! By reducing the level of cortisol in your body post-workout, CBD oil allows protein synthesis and encourages muscle regeneration.
Although this wraps up our top 15 questions, feel free to reach out to us if you have unanswered questions that were not covered in this article. We are here for you.