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Managing Pain with CBD
There are several reasons people seek out alternative solutions to manage their pain. One reason is opioid addiction is on the rise. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 49,000 Americans died from opioid use in 2017. Over the counter pain relievers like Tylenol can also have negative side effects such as nausea, stomach pain and liver damage. That isn’t the case for the compound found in hemp known as CBD. It’s a natural, non-addictive, non-toxic and alternative way to treat pain that has been used for thousands of years.
What is CBD?
CBD is short for Cannabidiol, a prominent cannabinoid found in hemp and cannabis plants. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemical compounds. There are at least 113 cannabinoids that have been discovered. Other cannabinoids include:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
- CBG (Cannabigerol)
- CBN (Cannabinol)
- CBC (Cannabichromene)
- CBGV (Cannabigerivarin)
The illegality of THC on a Federal level has led to the controversy surrounding CBD, even though the two compounds are significantly different. CBD isn’t psychoactive so it doesn’t make you feel “high”, unlike THC.
Recently, the FDA approved the pharmaceutical drug, Epidiolex, which contains CBD. It will be prescribed to children suffering from seizures associated with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The medicinal properties of CBD are undeniable. It will soon be recognized for more than just it’s antiepileptic properties.
What are the benefits of CBD?
CBD balms and lotions are for external use only. Once applied topically, they can penetrate the skin to target a specific area. We suggest you apply it as needed for a week to determine if it’s effective at relieving your pain. Some people experience relief within minutes. Please note that it’s not meant to replace surgery. CBD is simply a natural way to manage minor pain and inflammation. CBD balms and lotions help relieve:
- Chronic Pain
- Sore Muscles
- Sore Joints
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Skin Infections
- Rashes
- Burns
CBD can be taken orally, such as in an oil, capsule or tea. When it’s ingested, CBD has been known to help with seizures, epilepsy, anxiety, stress, depression and that’s just the beginning. It’s also known to decrease the psychoactive effects of THC by reducing the intensity of the “high”. As scientific studies continue, additional benefits will be discovered.
How does CBD work?
CBD occurs naturally and is inherently therapeutic. On a molecular level, CBD modulates and enhances certain receptors in the brain. The same receptors play a part in biological and neurological processes such as anxiety, addiction, appetite, sleep, pain perception, nausea and vomiting. There have been a handful of preclinical studies that show CBD has anti-seizure, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, analgesic, anti-nausea, and neuroprotective properties.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people who have felt relief using CBD. Many have relied on word of mouth from a trusted friend who has seen the positive effects. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is finally legalized and allowed to cross state lines. This will ultimately lead to clinical studies and more people will discover the healing potential of CBD.
Additional Sources:
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5345167/
- https://www.epidiolex.com/
- https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html
- https://www.projectcbd.org/science/endocannabinoid-system/endocannabinoid-system
- https://www.projectcbd.org/science/cannabis-pharmacology/how-cbd-works