Using CBD for Chronic Pain

Can CBD Oil for chronic pain help you?

Cannabidiol or CBD oil has quickly gained popularity as a potential natural alternative to the drugs of mainstream medicine, among those who suffer from chronic pain. Cannabidiol oil, a compound extracted from the marijuana plant, is often used in place of regular pain medication today for conditions such as back pain and arthritis.

The use of cannabis and CBD for chronic pain is not new. According to a study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the use of CBD in relief for painful conditions goes back to ancient China. According to modern understanding, the action of CBD oil is usually to reduce pain by addressing areas of inflammation. CBD oil does more, as well — it can potentially help conditions like insomnia too that usually go with chronic pain.

Research on the use of CBD oil for chronic pain

Much existing knowledge on the benefits of CBD oil comes from limited studies on humans. Yet, there is considerable anecdotal evidence to suggest that this is a safe substance that can help with relief from painful conditions. Researchers view CBD oil as useful for its ability to act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, a system that enables communication among cells and processes pain signals.

A number of studies have looked into the effect of CBD oil in painful conditions in humans.

The Pediatric Dermatology journal in 2018: Called Self‐initiated use of topical cannabidiol oil for epidermolysis bullosa, the study looked at CBD oil’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system and a spray or pemf device, applied to children who suffered from a painful skin condition known as epidermolysis bullosa. Some subjects were able to completely end their use of opioid painkillers, and others reported less pain once they started with CBD oil.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2018: Called Cannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults, the study looked at many different cannabis-based medications, including CBD oil. Findings showed that CBD oil’s supplementation and the boost to the ECS could be beneficial in inspiring the relief of long-term pain arising from damage to the sensory system, the kind experienced by those with multiple sclerosis or diabetes. The study found some evidence that a healthy ECS supplemented with CBD could reduce the intensity of pain, psychological distress, and insomnia.

Using CBD oil for painful conditions

According to a study in the Journal of Headache and Pain named Patterns of medicinal cannabis use, strain analysis, and substitution effect among patients with migraine, headache, arthritis, and chronic pain in a medicinal cannabis cohort, many people who use cannabis or related products such as CBD oil, do so to self-supplement for painful conditions. If you suffer from pain and wish to stop using standard opioid painkillers either because they don’t work, or because you feel that they are unsafe, CBD oil can be a potential alternative.

CBD oil may not be legal in every part of the country, but if it is legal in your state, you should consider talking to a doctor about whether it is appropriate for you, and find a way to bring it into your pain management program. When used correctly, CBD oil can often quickly and safely address painful conditions with ease.