Chronic pain is a major issue in the health sector and millions of people rely on pain medication to go about their normal lives, but synthetic painkillers are known for causing side effects that make them unsafe for long-term use. Alternative pain treatments like hemp oil have shown a lot of promise for people with injury-related pain, arthritis, and other types of chronic pain.
One of the main benefits of using CBD for pain relief is the fact that it doesn’t cause the same dependency that people get from using pharmaceutical pain medication. People have been looking into alternative pain medication for a long time – in fact plant-based treatments such as turmeric and frankincense have been used for a long time as natural therapies for pain. Cannabidiol is one such treatment that has a long history as a pain medication. Only recently the medical sector has acknowledged its use as a legitimate treatment for a variety of ailments including chronic pain.
Hemp oil is extracted from the Cannabis Sativa plant, which is slightly taller than Cannabis Indica and contains high amounts of CBD and almost no trace of the psychoactive compound THC. Hemp plants are grown commercially for a number of uses including medical use, and the plant grows relatively fast, making it Eco-friendly and sustainable.
How CBD Reduces Pain
Until recently, medical science knew very little about the endocannabinoid system and how CBD and THC attach themselves to brain receptors to carry out their effects in the body. There are at least two receptors that interact with cannabis compounds to generate the effects we’ve gotten used to. THC attaches to CB1 receptors to generate the euphoric feeling that marijuana is known for, and CBD, which contains no psychoactive ingredient, attaches to CB2 receptors, and among other things, it counteracts the effects of CB1 receptors and assists the body in managing pain.
When used as treatment for pain, CBD has a powerful effect on neuropathic pain, which is pain of the nerves and might be caused by peripheral nerve injury or other factors. By activating CB2 receptors, CBD activates many of the pathways that ease pain, and this goes a long way towards managing long term conditions such as diabetes, MS, and fibromyalgia.
Some research suggests that CBD also eases pain by engaging glycerin receptors – which are part of the central nervous system and are located in different parts of the brain and spinal cord. If a person has chronic pain, inflammatory factors sometimes disable these receptors, leading to higher sensation of pain, but it’s possible to reactivate them using CBD.
The Benefits of Using CBD to Manage Chronic Pain
As the FDA considers the use of cannabis for medical purposes, smoking and vaping cannabis is slowly becoming more than just getting high. It is increasingly becoming a health issue, and there are many positive reasons. CBD Central takes you through 11 amazing benefits of using CBD for chronic pain.
The Muscles Relax
When muscles relax, movement becomes much easier. This is especially important for people with chronic pain who still want to exercise or do things like yoga, which can be painful initially, but improves mobility and builds muscle. For anybody weary of the pain that comes from too much exertion, try using CBD before and after a workout, and spend enough time warming up. If you have a condition such as ankylosing spondylitis, CBD will slow down arthritic progression, enabling you to move more freely.
Decreases Pain Hypersensitivity
Chronic, extensive pain that is caused by a dysfunction in the central nervous system is typical of fibromyalgia. Some health experts suggest that the lowered pain threshold comes from a deficiency in the endocannabinoid system, which is responsible for pain management and in particular, sensitivity. Pain hypersensitivity caused by endocannabinoid dysfunction also leads to sleep disorders and mood challenges; however, treatment with CBD reduces pain sensitivity and improves sleep quality, making it ideal for chronic pain.
Sleep Heals
Individuals with sleep disorders are likely to experience more intense pain as the body is unable to complete its natural healing process to alleviate some of the effects caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia, muscle injury, or other type of chronic pain. The danger with chronic pain is that it keeps the nerves engaged in a fight-or-flight state, which makes it extremely difficult to relax and fall asleep. CBD has neuroprotective properties that encourage rest and improve sleep.
Uplifts Depression
Depression is a common effect of chronic pain. When a person finds it impossible walk or go to work in the morning, it can have devastating effects on normal life. In addition to easing pain, CBD also triggers the release of serotonin and other “happy” chemicals in the body and numbs down brain receptors that contribute to lowly feelings of depression.
Anxiety Relief
Cannabis is known to aid relaxation, which makes it a popular treatment for social anxiety – however due to the THC content in cannabis, it can actually trigger more intense feelings of paranoia and anxiety. CBD on the other hand, has the opposite effect, helping to calm down the nerves and keep you grounded. Anxiety disorders and other feelings of irrational fear can be overwhelming especially if you find yourself in unfamiliar environments, however CBD can be used effectively to generate calmness and peacefulness, and without the addictive component of anti-anxiety medication like Benzos or Xanax.
Reduces Fear of Touch
For anybody with chronic pain, some forms of body contact can cause intense pain, which may lead some people to avoid being touched. If left unchecked, this can turn into a serious problem that affects your personal and social life. What makes CBD perfect for pain is that it works in the central nervous system to reduce intense feelings of pain and encourage more positive feelings through the release of certain chemical compounds and the workings of CB2 receptors. Once you start using CBD, you will be more receptive to touch, and this will be a positive thing.
Non-Psychotropic
Perhaps the biggest concern for anybody with a job or kids or other responsibilities is whether CBD will induce psychoactive effects. While it’s true that CBD comes from cannabis plants, it does not cause any high. The two main compounds in cannabis are CBD and THC; and they are completely different in the effects they generate in the body. THC makes you high, but CBD stabilizes cognitive and neurological functions.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD causes intense anxiety and fear, and it is caused by severe trauma (such as a frightening event, war, car accident, etc.). Whatever the cause, PTSD can cause intense stress that interferes with normal life. But thanks to the calming effect of CBD, supplementing with a CBD tincture can be a way to normalize the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Controls Neuropathic Pain
CBD targets neurons in the nervous system that are responsible for transmitting pain signals through regions of the brain and the spinal column. It reduces chronic pain caused by inflammation, and it also has a calming effect on neuropathic pain – which occurs as a result of certain receptors shutting down.
Anti-Inflammatory
Chronic inflammation is a major cause of severe pain and tissue damage. For a long-term solution, CBD offers immediate and long term improvement without any danger to the body. For the best results, daily use is recommended.
It Doesn’t Feel Like Medicine
CBD is highly versatile and fits well into any medical regimen. It can be used topically, or ingested. It can also be used on food, drinks, and it has the same calming effect on your joints and muscles. Anybody looking to avoid pills, CBD is certainly a welcome change.
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