The research on endocannabinoid system in our body has opened up a whole new perspective to relieving chronic pains. Chronic pain is a common discomfort that many people suffer from as a symptom of a larger more fatal disease like:
- Cancer
- Arthritis
- Migraine
- Multiple sclerosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Neuropathic Pain
- Seizures
Chronic pains associated to various conditions can significantly hinder your sleeping patterns and everyday routines consequently worsening your immune system, moods and cognitive functions. The role of CBD in pain relief has shown promising outcomes.
CBD for Pain
CBD in pain relief is mainly because of its significant role in the endocannabinoid system. This system in our body is mainly comprised of cannabinoid receptors, endogenous cannabinoids and associated enzymes.
The receptors are mainly of two kinds, the CB1 and CB2 receptors present in the CNS and PNS respectively. The CB1 receptors are mostly responsible for cognitive and emotional effects of marijuana. However, CBD does not directly act as ligands for these receptors but mediate cell responses by inducing other proteins and secondary messengers.
CBD relieves pain by increasing adenosine reuptake that in turn is responsible for inhibiting pain levels. Binding with TPRV1 allows CBD to block pain signals from reaching the processing center. In combination with terpenes, THC and other cannabinoids the pain relieving nature of CBD also helps improve sleeping and mood.
The regulation of the cannabinoid system using externally administered CBDs has multiple aspects to relieving pain. Along with working as an analgesic it also slows down progression of diseases like osteoarthritis and nerve damage.
CBD for Arthritis
Arthritis targets your joints and although the disease itself is progressively fatal, the chronic pain that accompanies is the most hindering symptom.
To test efficacy of CBD for arthritis, researchers experimented on rats with arthritis in 2016. The study clearly shows a promising side of CBD that can potentially minimize the effects of arthritis. CBD gel on the rats for four consecutive days. It proved that a certain amount per day was effective and a larger dose would not accelerate or improve the effects.
Also, patients with arthritis face not only pain but inflammation as well. The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD can act as a lucrative alternative to address both pain and inflammation.
CBD For Migraine
The use of CBD for migraine is still limited mainly because of the legalization policies in many states. Although study of CBD for migraine is still under way, there have been a few surveys that prove CBD can be a potential pain reliever. Considering migraine is quite widespread and can severely hinder even everyday tasks, it’s important to address all possibilities. Dr. Ethan Russo
The study showed that CBD on its own had no effect on pain levels but in combination with THC (responsible for the “high” of drugs) had drastic improvements on pain levels. The THC-CBD combination is however, problematic due to the legalities associated with the use of THC. Also another variable in this test is the patient’s history of CBD consumption and migraine.
CBD for PMS
Many females undergo extreme symptoms during PMS. Considering how it’s a syndrome it comes with a lot of various discomforts and conditions including bloating, cramps, body pain, anxiety and depression and constipation. Juggling all of this often forces females to reach for their everyday painkiller Ibuprofen.
Not all females respond to medications similarly during PMS. Some may be completely fine and some may face irregularities with their cycle and other complications. The side effects of taking painkillers can be completely avoided by using CBD. Often used as gel or oil, CBD shows natural anti-inflammatory properties and pain-relieving qualities.
Also, considering how its origin plant marijuana is known to improve mental health the same goes for CBD. It relieves you, even if temporarily, of mental grievances like anxiety and depression. The constipation and diarrhea often a part of the PMS can also be balanced out by CBD.
CBD for Inflammation
Inflammation is characterized by the usual pain, swelling, redness, loss of function and heat. As bad as it looks, it is often the defense mechanism of our immune system. However, there are cases when you need to control the inflammation. This is usually when it is associated with diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
All these conditions can be eased with CBD due to its role in the immune system. CBD is known to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines and blocks T cells proliferation which is common in autoimmune disease and inflammatory diseases.
CBD also acts as an antioxidant so reduces oxidative stress balances ionic concentrations in immune responses. This also helps reduce neuropathic pain by countering hyperalgesia.
CBD for Pets
With age, dogs and cats can suffer from a number of painful conditions either caused by surgery, injury or progressive diseases like IVDD, hip dysplasia and arthritis. To improve the remaining life, dogs need to be administered with pain relief medications and solutions for inflammation.
Although opioids are mostly used for such treatment, there can be severe side effects including liver damage and long-term chemical dependency. On the other hand, CBD has shown effective results in reducing pain in dogs.
Not only this, but CBD has also proven effective against inflammation in dogs. NSAIDs that were being used before in this regard have shown far greater and grave side effects in dogs like GIT issues and dysfunction in liver and kidneys. Whereas, CBD not only controls inflammation, it can also reverse the effects of progressive disease like osteoarthritis in dogs.
To sum it up, due to the endocannabinoid system and the role of CBD for pain and inflammation, and the role of CBD for pets in pain relief is gaining popularity. Not only is its efficacy that makes it a better alternative but also the lack of side effects.
Considering it is a more natural drug, it is more easily accepted by our body and does not accumulate to create toxins in our body. The various methods of administration like orally, topically or by ingestion makes it convenient to use. However, the bans and legalities are the major hindrance in further investigative studies in this field.