How To Choose a CBD For Pain

Cannabis is a plant that is rich in cannabinoids. There are over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, including within the hemp and marijuana plant varieties. Out of these 100+ cannabinoids, two compounds get most of the attention. One is CBD (cannabidiol), and the other, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

THC is the reason why one may get the feeling of intoxication after smoking marijuana. Some may call it the “high” or “getting stoned”. But, CBD, on the other hand, is non-psychotropic. It does not work on the psycho-active receptors of the brain, thus, users won’t necessarily experience a “high”. 

CBD works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, ECS for short, which is responsible for assisting with various bodily and balancing functions, including pain, sleep, and immunity. Recent research has suggested that CBD may be helpful with pain management, as it can help reduce neuropathic pain.

• How CBD works?
• Studies of CBD and pain management
• Choosing CBD for chronic pain
• Recommended CBD products for pain
  

How CBD works?

CBD works alongside the ECS, helping it work more optimally so that the anandamide (a hormone that makes one feel good and thus reduces pain) concentration in the blood increases. Anandamide has been well-documented for its ability to help relax the vascular walls within the cardiovascular system. So when the amount of anandamide increases, it has been hypothesized that the modulation of pain perception decreases.

Some of the pain types that CBD can reduce are:

• Neuropathic pain
• Low back pain
• Cancer pain
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Fibromyalgia
• Osteoarthritis
• Multiple sclerosis pain

Studies of CBD and pain management

With most countries relaxing their views on the usage of marijuana, research centers are beaming with enlightenment over the potential therapeutic benefits of CBD, especially in the powerful potential to reduce pain. 

A 1994 study investigated the effectiveness of cannabinoids on patients with Multiple Sclerosis. The results of the study showed that cannabis use was able to improve symptoms such as depression and pain in more than 90% of patients.

Scientists are continuing to study the effects of CBD. Not only have cannabinoid receptors shown therapeutic value against inflammatory and neuropathic pain, holistic options, such as CBD, may be refractory to more traditional therapy. Pain can be generally categorized into three types – centralized, acute, and inflammation-related. Drugs may react differently to different kinds of pain.

A 2008 study discussed the role of cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Researchers included support for cannabinoids as a pain-reliever, with clinical trials showing it to be well tolerated with acceptable adverse event profiles. They concluded the review article suggesting that cannabinoids may be a viable option in the treatment of pain, showing great promise. 

Similar support was shown by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), reporting that CBD can have pain-alleviating effects, especially when the pain is neuropathic. It may act as an analgesic, with the potential to help treat chemotherapy-related symptoms, including vomiting, nausea, muscle spasms (multiple sclerosis), and muscle stiffness.

Choosing CBD for chronic pain

Today, there are various products in the market made from CBD oil. These products are typically targeted towards users seeking help in pain and stress management, anxiety, muscle or joint soreness, and mental calmness.

There are a few things that should be kept in mind before purchasing a CBD product for pain and stress management, such as:

Potency: This is one of the significant factors that will decide if the CBD product will be useful in assisting and relieving pain. Check the milligrams of CBD present in the product before purchasing. Higher potency is effective, but if you are a new user, then go for mid-level concentration. This will allow for more flexibility. It’s best to start low and go slow. You can always increase your dosage from there. 

Source: CBD should be derived from the best of the best hemp plants. Make sure that the CBD found is coming from a plant that is grown in regulated and state-of-the-art farms. Ensure that the CBD is GMO-free and should have no other contaminants or pesticides in it. Also, THC levels should not be higher than 0.3% in CBD derived from hemp. 

Type of extract: Products can be found in their purest form, known as CBD isolates. Products can be made from broad-spectrum CBD extracts without THC as well or can even be full-spectrum CBD extracts with THC. Here’s where it’s extremely important to do your homework and figure out what exactly you’re looking for. 

Taste: Always look for a brand offering delectable flavors of CBD products. Anything with a tasty flavor may help alleviate the mental stress you may be experiencing. The CBD within may be able to help with relieving your physical pain.

Lab results: Look for products that are vetted by independent labs. Make sure that the lab results are impartial and honest. See if the company does in-house lab testing and third-party lab testing. If the company does both, this can help ensure that they craft high-quality products, with scientific backing to support them.

Transparency: One can trust a brand that openly tells its customers what the product is and about its manufacturing process. You can typically find this information in their lab testing certificates (if they have them). This is crucial to know what’s in your products you’re interested in.

Other ingredients:

1. Check the list of ingredients present in the product before purchase.
2. Make sure that all the active ingredients are harmless and natural.
3. Check if the ingredients are somehow effective in bettering the results.

Recommended CBD Products for Pain

1. CBD Medic

CBDMedic focuses more on the pain-relieving aspect of CBD. Their products can also make an excellent addition to any skincare routine. This is why their entire lineup is centered around heavy-duty creams and ointments.

2. Hemp Bombs

Hemp bombs are one of the most exciting CBD brands we’ve come across, primarily due to its unique branding strategy and a diverse product collection. Quickly becoming very popular among the cannabis community, hemp bombs combine top-grade CBD products with edgy designs and packaging.

3. Nanocraft

Using state of the art ‘NanoTechnology’ to make CBD more bioavailable, Nanocraft supplements superior product quality with an unparalleled buying experience and top-notch customer support. Their product catalog is comprehensive, prices affordable and test results are first-rate.

The information contained in these topics is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, it is provided for educational purposes only.

References:

• Corroon J, Phillips JA. A cross-sectional study of cannabidiol users. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2018;3(1):152-161.
• Manzanares J, Julian MD, Carrascosa A. Role of the cannabinoid system in pain control and therapeutic implications for the management of acute and chronic pain episodes. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2006;4(3):239-257.
• Nagarkatti P, Pandey R, Rieder SA, Hegde VL, & Nagarkatti M. Cannabinoids as novel anti-inflammatory drugs. Future Med Chem. 2010;1(7):1333-1349.
• Russo EB. Cannabinoids in the management of difficult to treat pain. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2008;4(1):245-259. 
• Volkow, N. NASEM report recommends removing barriers to cannabis research. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2017. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2017/02/nasem-report-recommends-removing-barriers-to-cannabis-research 
• Zuo S, Kumar U. Cannabinoids receptors and the endocannabinoid system: Signaling and function in the central nervous system. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833.