Everything You Need to Know About CBD Oil for Pain Management

CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol oil, is a variety of cannabinoid that is naturally found in cannabis plants. CBD oil may be derived from hemp plants or marijuana plants. CBD alone is not psychoactive, meaning it does not cause a high.

The use of CBD oil has been a controversial topic as of late. Some oppose it because they see it as being linked to recreational marijuana use. However, more people are recognizing the potential health and medical benefits of CBD oil, making its use more widespread and accepted. One of the benefits of CBD oil is that it can be used for pain management and relief. The use of CBD oil for pain management has become increasingly popular among individuals suffering from chronic pain.

How Does CBD Oil Treat Pain?

CBD interacts with a variety of receptors in your body. Receptors are proteins attached to your cells that receive and respond to different chemical signals and produce a variety of physical and psychological effects. Receptor function can be activated or inhibited depending on which molecule binds to it. The way CBD interacts with the following receptors aids in pain management.

TRPV1

TRPV1 is a receptor involved in the transmission and perception of pain as well as the management of inflammation. When CBD binds to TRPV1 it inhibits the receptor causing TRPV1’s activity to decrease, a process known as desensitization. When TRPV1 receptors become desensitized the result is a reduction in pain perception.

5-HT1A

5-HT1A is a serotonin receptor involved in neurological processes, including anxiety. When CBD binds to 5-HT1A it activates the receptor; this promotes the adaptation to stress. When this adaptation to stress occurs in your brain it lessens the emotional response to stress, reducing anxiety.

Although this is not directly related to pain relief, anxiety has a negative effect on chronic pain. Not only can anxiety cause muscle soreness, body aches, and headaches, it may also reduce your pain tolerance. This makes the treatment of anxiety vital to pain management.

Adenosine

Adenosine receptors ae neurotransmitters known to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effects of adenosine are normally insufficient in reducing inflammation because they are quickly absorbed by cells and metabolized.

CBD acts as an adenosine uptake inhibitor. When the uptake of adenosine is inhibited it increase the adenosine levels in that brain, allowing time for the anti-inflammatory properties to have an effect on the body. This effect is important as there is a strong link between chronic pain and inflammation.

What Conditions Can be Helped by CBD Oil?

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties and effect on pain perception, CBD Oil can help provide relief to those suffering from a variety of chronic pain conditions. These conditions include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Chronic migraines
• Cancer-related pain
• Chronic back pain
• Neuropathic pain

Potential Side Effects of CBD Oil

Although CBD oil is generally a very safe substance, it effects everyone differently and has the potential for side effects. Reported side effects of CBD oil include:

• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Low blood pressure

Side effects of CBD oil are uncommon. If you experience severe side effects when using CBD oil consult a physician before continuing use.

Does CBD Oil Interact With Any Medications?

CBD does interact with certain medications. The grapefruit test is a well-known way to determine if CBD oil could interact with your medications; medications that are not supposed to be taken with grapefruit are likely to interact with CBD. Some common drugs known to interact with CBD oil are:

• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen
• Antihistamines (common allergy medication)
• Anti-depressants
• Blood thinners

A more comprehensive list of drugs known to interact with CBD oil can be found here. If you are taking a medication that may interact with CBD oil you should consult a physician before taking CBD oil.

CBD Oil vs. Synthetic Painkillers

CBD oil may be a healthy alternative to synthetic painkillers such as opioids. Research conducted so far has shown CBD oil to be far less physically and mentally addictive than opioid painkillers; an extremely important factor considering opioid addiction currently causes over 100 deaths per day in the United States. CDB oil also has far fewer side effects than opioids and provides additional health benefits not provided by opioid painkillers.

How to Take CBD Oil

CBD oil is available in a variety of forms. Methods of taking CBD oil most often target the bloodstream for CBD absorption, but some directly target the muscles and pain receptors. The four most common methods of taking CBD oil are ingestion, sublingual, topical, and inhalation.

1. Ingestion

When CBD oil is ingested it is metabolized by the liver then works its way into your bloodstream. CBD oil can be ingested via capsules, beverages, and foods. Ingestion is the slowest route for CBD absorption, but this is offset by the fact that CBD is active for the longest period of time when ingested.

2. Sublingual

When CBD oil is taken sublingually it is placed under the tongue and held there for up to 90 seconds. The area beneath the tongue is rich in capillaries, allowing the CBD oil to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. CBD oil is absorbed quickly with this method, but it is not active for as long as it would be if ingested.

3. Topical

This method involves applying CBD oil directly to the skin, typically via a lotion or cream for pain. Topical CBD is absorbed through the skin and targets muscles, pain-receptors, and inflammatory cells. CBD oil applied topically generally does not get absorbed into the bloodstream. The time frame for absorption and the active period vary with topical application since it targets a variety of areas. This method of taking CBD oil is sometimes used in conjunction with one of the other methods.

4. Inhalation

CBD oil can be inhaled via vaporization. This is most commonly done by using a CBD infused e-liquid and a vape pen. When CBD is inhaled it passes through the lungs and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Because it bypasses the metabolic system, this method is the quickest route for absorption but has the shortest active period.

How Much CBD Oil Should You Take?

There is currently no FDA Recommended Daily Intake or Upper Limit for CBD. This can make it difficult to know how much CBD oil you should take. The necessary dose of CBD varies depending on the concentration of your CBD oil, your body weight, and the level of pain you need to treat.

A good rule to follow is to take 1-6 milligrams of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight using the lower doses for mild pain and the higher doses for more severe pain. Using this rule the minimum dose for a person weighing 200 lbs would be 20 mg and the maximum dose would be 120 mg. It is best to start at a lower dose and gradually increase the dose as needed.

How to Choose a CBD Oil for Pain Treatment

When choosing a CBD oil to treat your pain there are a couple factors you need to consider. First, you need to do some research to find out the legality of CBD oil in your state. You also need to consider which type of CBD oil to use. There are two types of CBD oil, CBD oil derived from hemp and CBD oil derived from marijuana. Finally, decide if you want to use a CBD oil that contains THC and how much you want it to contain.

Hemp CBD vs. Marijuana CBD

Hemp CBD oil is more widely available than marijuana CBD oil due to legality in the United States. Hemp CBD oil contains less than 0.3% THC, meaning it will not cause a high. However, some claim Hemp CBD oil is less effective than marijuana CBD oil.

Marijuana CBD oil can be hard to obtain depending on your state’s medical marijuana laws. It is important to determine if marijuana CBD oil is legal in your area. Marijuana CBD oils often contain a high concentration of CBD, making them very effective. This type of CBD oil contains varying amounts of THC ranging from nearly non-existent to high levels of THC.

Choosing a THC Level

If you decide to use a marijuana CBD oil you can choose low-THC or high-THC oil. Which version you should use depends on your needs and preferences. If you prefer to avoid the high THC causes, a low-THC CBD oil is a better choice. CBD oil containing no or only trace amounts of THC are also a good option if your job requires periodic drug testing as it will allow you to pass your drug test while still getting the benefits of CBD. Low-THC CBD oil also allows you to avoid negative side effects associated with THC such as paranoia.

High-THC CBD oils provide additional health benefits to the user as CBD and THC work together. CBD enhances the anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties of THC, making the compound highly effective for pain treatment. However, CBD oils with a high THC content do cause highs and can cause negative side effects associated with THC.

How to Determine if a CBD Oil is High-Quality

Manufacturing process

• Manufacturing process– Look for CBD Oil extracted using pharmaceutical-grade ethanol or supercritical CO2 extraction.

Concentration

• Concentration– In order to reap the benefits of CBD oil, the concentration of CBD should be at least 250 mg per fluid ounce.

Third-party testing

• Third-party testing– Third-party testing helps ensure the CBD oil you are purchasing is safe and lives up to its claims.

How To Buy CBD Oil

If you’re looking to buy CBD oil to help manage your pain you can obtain it in a variety of ways. Obtaining hemp CBD oil is often easier than obtaining marijuana CBD oil. Hemp CBD oils can be purchased at health and wellness stores as well as online.

Depending on where you live, marijuana CBD oil may be difficult to get.

If you live in a state that has legalized recreational marijuana use you will be able to find CBD oils at dispensaries. If you live in a state where marijuana CBD oil is legal for medical use you will need to obtain a medical marijuana card; to do this you must have a written recommendation from a licensed physician stating that you have a condition that qualifies you for medical marijuana use. If you live in one of the few states in which marijuana is illegal for any purposes you will be unable to obtain marijuana CBD oil.

Why Use CBD Oil for Chronic Pain?

One of the main reasons to use CBD Oil for chronic pain is that it has far fewer adverse effects than synthetic pain medications and is less addictive. CBD oil is a more holistic option for treating chronic pain conditions. People suffering from chronic pain often also suffer from sleep deprivation, depression, and anxiety. All of these conditions can be helped by CBD oil, further improving your quality of life. Another important benefit of using CBD oil for chronic pain is that you can take it continuously and not build up a tolerance to it, making it a viable option for long-term treatment of chronic pain. If you suffer from a chronic pain condition CBD oil may be one of the best options for safe, holistic, long-term treatment. You should consult your doctor prior to beginning the use