How to Use CBD Oil for Pain Relief & Does It Work?
Pain. It’s an annoyance, a sign that something is wrong with us, an indicator of a strenuous but healthy exercise, or a source of pleasure for some. Either way, it is generally not the most favorable feeling for most of us, and we consider it a nuisance. As for CBD, the substance owes much of its popularity to it. Aches and pain are inevitable at some point in our lives, but CBD pain relief oil comes straight to the rescue.
Insecurities about how to use CBD oil for pain mostly have to do with wondering what dose of CBD is the right one, and what way of taking the oil is the most efficient and effective. What‘s more, the right application and the correct dosage vary across the different types of pain, i.e., it depends on what exact condition the pain is a symptom of. Also, we are going to describe different forms of CBD oil and their unique features so as to give you the best possible answer to which CBD pain killer you could find most beneficial.
How Does CBD Help Pain Treatments?
Firstly, let us remind ourselves of the full name of CBD: cannabidiol. Now, in human and animal bodies there is something called the ECS (endocannabinoid system), a biological system we have in common. Don’t the names look alike? There’s more to it than just a mere coincidence because CBD is a cannabinoid as well.
As you can see, we are very much in luck to have discovered a natural substance for ending our torments which is also related to what already exists in our organism! Consequently, CBD oil can be very helpful when it bonds to those receptors.
So, what exactly goes on in our bodies when we use some form of CBD pain killer?
The above mentioned ECS has cannabinoid receptors all over our body and they are located in the immune system, spinal cord, and brain. Among other things, ECS is responsible for regulating pain, so this is where CBD comes in. Cannabidiol has an indirect impact on ECS receptors, but the impact is felt strongly (fortunately for those who are in pain).
For example, CBD oil can make our body stop absorbing anandamide, thus diminishing the uncomfortable feeling we endure. Moreover, CBD products are of assistance in regulating pain because CBD has anti-inflammatory properties, and we all know it is inflammation is often to blame for soreness and discomfort.
What Types of Pain Can Be Treated with CBD Oil?
The list is rather long, as there are almost as many sources of pain as there are diseases. Still, let’s try to name a few which react positively to CBD pain management.
CBD Oil for Arthritis
According to the Arthritis Foundation, CBD oil sales are going to skyrocket soon enough. Albeit mostly the elderly population is associated with this painful condition, there are 300,000 children (!) in the US who are struggling with it, too. What’s more, the number of affected people is predicted to rise by nearly 50% by the year 2040.
Arthritis causes stiffness and limits movement within the joints, thus causing body aches. CBD pain relief cream is, therefore, a very popular product, backed by people’s experiences and a 2017 study in which CBD was confirmed to have a positive effect on joint pain, neuropathy, and osteoarthritis pain.
CBD Oil for Cancer
Those battling this deadly disease are confronted with a plethora of symptoms and are often mentally exhausted, too. It comes as no surprise that they also tend to use CBD oil for anxiety symptoms. Depression and anxiety can hardly be avoided when pain is there as a constant reminder of the horrible situation. CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties help take some load off their back. Generally, the statistics about cannabis battling cancer are very encouraging.
CBD Oil for Migraine
The head-splitting pain is usually treated with some kind of a quick CBD pain killer, e.g. CBD vape oil. People suffering from extreme headaches are very much grateful to the fact that CBD oil can be quickly absorbed and provide relief within a few minutes. In addition, CBD oil is also excellent for preventing the feeling of nausea, which is another symptom accompanying a migraine.
CBD Oil for Chronic Pain
Because of its wonderful advantages over ordinary pain killers, people enduring chronic pain are especially curious to learn how to use CBD oil for pain. First of all, CBD can instantly adhere to the receptors in our body, but at the same time, it can have a prolonged effect, too.
Depending on the CBD oil-infused product you are using (cream, oil, gummies, pain patch, capsules, etc.), you can allow for CBD to degrade in your body for hours, preventing pain from occurring. Those who suffer from insomnia particularly because of constant pain find CBD irreplaceable.
CBD Oil for Neuropathic Pain
This kind of pain is similar to the previous one in the sense it can last for a very long time. Its causes are sometimes dubious, while in other cases a person is fully aware of the condition which caused the damage to the nervous system (diabetes, cancer, infections, Parkinson’s disease, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and so on). A study done by the European Pain Federation (EFIC) has shown cannabis-related products are of use in neuropathic pain therapy.
CBD Oil for Sport Injuries
Ever since the World Anti-Doping Agency Banned Substance List no longer includes cannabidiol, athletes worldwide have been encouraged to learn how to use CBD oil for pain in the best possible way to recover from an injury. CBD oil’s anti-inflammatory properties are also a great boost to the recovery process, hence putting CBD oil on the list of must-haves for the sports season.
According to a professional athlete’s testimony, CBD oil is fantastic because it does not have many of the side effects that are very pronounced in the painkillers used in treating severe injuries. From MMA to NFL, top athletes are extremely keen on using CBD, and some of them use a CBD pain relief rub as well. Sitting on the bench is hardly an enjoyable experience.
CBD Oil for Pelvic Pain
This pain can occur due to a variety of reasons from menstruation and painful sexual penetration to extremely complicated conditions such as endometriosis. The bottom line is, women have found comfort, and it usually comes in the form of CBD suppositories because of their fast and long-lasting impact.
What Is the Best CBD Oil for Pain?
Or in other words, what kind of CBD oil product can give you the best pain relief? As we have explained in the previous paragraphs, different states require different solutions. Next, we are going to present you with a range of products containing the invaluable liquid.
CBD Pain Patch
They work extremely well for anyone dealing with chronic pain. Athletes are especially fond of the patches as they can be placed on the injured spot and are an excellent aid during recovery. Moreover, they are very practical – there is hardly any difference between a CBD patch and a band-aid, which makes them perfect if you wish to have a good sleep without any painful awakenings.
So, how do you use a CBD patch properly? Of course, you are to put it on the sore spot, but if you feel pain in a wider area or throughout your body, it’s advisable to place it on the spot where there are a lot of veins or blood vessels. In this way, CBD will travel through your body much faster.
The CBD pain patch is a lot of people’s favorite because it is very efficient. The key lies in the fact that it is a topical aid. By taking the CBD oil in this way, you will not allow CBD to go to other parts of your body such as lungs, liver or stomach and dissolve there (this happens with edibles and oil, for example). As a result, you get the full, concentrated form of CBD which can last for 8 to 12 hours even.
How long does it take for CBD oil to work for pain? Depending on your body and the dosage, it usually takes about half an hour to kick in. And how many mg of CBD for pain should you take? The patches are made with different amounts of CBD, but 10 to 20 mg seem to be the average.
CBD Oil
Of course, you can use CBD oil in the real sense of the word – as the oil itself, and even make it on your own. Still, there is a difference that we should clarify right away. You have probably heard that there is CBD oil and full spectrum CBD oil. The former provides you with cannabidiol in its purest form, whereas the latter has some more cannabinoids along CBD, and it may contain some terpenes and essential oils. We all react differently to various stimuli, but a study confirmed that it is full spectrum oil that may bring us the biggest pain relief.
Does full spectrum oil contain THC? If it’s derived from hemp, it technically contains a minimal percentage/trace of THC, but it is below 0.3%, making it negligible.
As for the application, CBD oil is regularly stored in small bottles with a dropper. It’s easy enough to put a drop of the oil under your tongue, allow it to sit for 15 seconds, and then swallow. Or you can put it in various drinks and foods but the effects will be milder that way.
CBD Pain Cream
When it comes to this kind of CBD oil-infused product, the results vary. On the one hand, CBD-infused cream is a topical solution, and it works only on the applied area, without entering the deeper skin layers and muscles.
However, sometimes this is exactly what you need – a concentrated effect on the right spot, which is opposite to CBD oil and tinctures since they spread across the whole body. Simply take a small amount of CBD cream and gently massage it onto the spot (or ask someone to do it for you if it’s hard to reach). The effects should be felt immediately.
It should be noted, though, that there is not a unanimous agreement about whether CBD pain cream works and if there is something special about cannabidiol that sets this ointment apart from the similar ones on the market.
CBD Capsules
While we were comparing different CBD oil reviews for capsules, it appears the users have mixed reactions. While some praise the products and are very much grateful for not feeling the pain anymore, others complain about the effect. Those who do boast about the good results mostly suffered from arthritis or chronic back pain.
The capsules are very much preferred when you wish to always take the exact dosage. Nevertheless, remember that the amount of CBD per capsule doesn’t assure you are going to feel relieved sooner. It all comes down to which manufacturer has made a product that strikes the cord for your particular problem.
CBD Vape Oil
When you’re using CBD vape oil, things are a bit different. It’s very fast in alleviating the pain you may be experiencing, and it is very convenient – your surrounding will probably think you are enjoying a regular e-cigarette, so there won’t be any need to alarm them that you are under any pain. If you’re wondering: How much CBD should I vape for pain relief? It depends on how difficult your state is. Take a look at the CBD dosage down below, and you’ll know how much you should mix with the vaping liquid.
CBD Suppositories
Firstly, its effects are felt very quickly (10-15 minutes) and they can last for hours. For this reason, CBD suppositories are recommendable for treating chronic pain, such as back pain, and some other, e.g., menstrual cramps, sore muscles, cancer pain, etc. They enter the bloodstream unmetabolized, as opposed to an edible CBD pain killer.
Furthermore, sometimes this way of taking medicine is the only one possible as it happens that a person can’t swallow a capsule due to a violent seizure or a stroke. This kind of CBD pain relief is often overlooked, even though it can be extremely convenient (despite the awkward method of insertion).
How Much CBD for Pain Should I Use?
No two people are alike, and unless you already know how your body reacts to CBD, you could follow these rules:
- Low CBD: 5-10 milligrams
- Medium CBD: 10-20 milligrams
- High CBD: 20-40 milligrams
Unless you have had some previous experience, we would recommend starting off with a low dosage and working from there. Also, bear in mind that while some people will immediately feel the beneficial effects of CBD, for others it may take some time to finally feel at ease.
Are There Any CBD Oil Side Effects?
There is hardly any substance that does not have some downsides. People who are not completely tolerant of CBD may experience some of these symptoms:
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Reduced appetite
- Extra substances in CBD vape oils may cause allergies
It is also essential to remember to check what you are buying! CBD oil products abound, and as it is the case with hype products, not all of them have the quality to match what says on the label.
For example, it may happen that the product contains a lower concentration of CBD than it is claimed, or that it has traces of THC in it despite being advertised as THC-free. For this reason, always do thorough research before opting for any kind of CBD pain relief product.
Final Words
To sum up, if you’re suffering from any kind of pain, CBD oil will most probably resolve your problem, but do remember to always use it responsibly, as it is not without side effects. Hopefully, with the advice we have provided you with you will know how to use CBD oil for pain to the greatest advantage in your particular case. Remember to be careful and always order the product from certified sources. Otherwise, you may have some legal issues like the ones a North Georgia CBD business owner is dealing with – one of his customers was positive on a drug test, which led to his arrest.