CBD Oil for Pain: What Is Known

CBD Oil for Pain

NOTE: Nothing in this section should be taken as a claim about the effects of any of our particular products. No claims are being made as to the use of any of our products and none should be inferred. We simply find this evidence to be interesting and hope it may help customers make more informed decisions.

Chronic pain is the number one reason cited by patients who use medicinal cannabis. Many people use CBD oil to manage pain in addition to or in lieu of pharmaceutical medication, such as opioids.

CBD interacts with structures on brain cells, otherwise known as receptors.

The human body has an endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is essentially a network thought to regulate bodily functions, such as immune system response, sleep and pain. Our bodies produce their own endocannabinoids for these important reasons. Yet, we still experience discomfort and pain. What gives?

Endocannabinoids, and for that matter, cannabinoids from plants, activate a cellular response for how that particular kind of cell (immune cell, nerve cell, etc) should behave and function. The ECS utilizes receptors throughout the body responsible for this activation, while enzymes synthesize or deconstruct various and potentially harmful compounds. We don’t always produce enough endocannabinoids, due to deficiency or overproduction of enzymes that break down endocannabinoids before they hit receptors. Without proper production, the body can’t maintain homeostasis and its own functional equilibrium. When that happens we get sick, develop disease and feel pain. These are our bodies’ signals that something isn’t right within, a warning to address our symptoms.

CBD stands for cannabidiol, one of more than 100 compounds from the cannabis plant. Research suggests CBD helps to relieve pain, at least in part, because of its anti-inflammatory effects in the body and its ability to reduce neuropathic pain. This is a hot research topic because of CBD’s rising popularity and because of its potential effectiveness. Below is a small collection of existing scientific research eluding to CBD’s effectiveness in managing chronic pain.

In 2016, the European Journal of Pain published a study that demonstrated the effectiveness of CBD for pain relief. The researchers administered CBD to mice with arthritis, finding that CBD reduced inflammation and induced healthy behavior in the mice. This study observed that CBD blocked the neurotransmitter for pain and anxiety.

The strongest research comes from a study on childhood epilepsy and CBD’s ability to minimize or eliminate seizures altogether, which can be traumatic and painful. The most recent clinical research demonstrating this was published in the Lancet in March, 2018.

Daniele De Filippis et al published their peer-reviewed study in 2011, which analyzed the ability of CBD to reduce uncomfortable and painful effects of ulcerative colitis and intestinal inflammation. These researchers show that CBD reduced S100B and iNOS proteins, which alleviated symptoms in both mice and humans.

Using CBD as a therapeutic and medicinal treatment is not new, but lacks modern scientific research to deduce exactly how and why cannabidiol relieves pain. Research is also needed to determine long-term effects of CBD use and its effectiveness over time. In the meantime, people will continue to use what works for them to treat their ailments. Education and understanding, rather than fear is beginning to shed modern light on this magnificent plant and why cultures around the world have used it for centuries. If you choose to use CBD oil, we recommend a full-spectrum oil that includes cannabinoids and terpenes for maximum effectiveness.