Cannabidiol (CBD) is only one of the many chemical compounds that are found in the cannabis plant. These substances are known as cannabinoids. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not cause people to feel high. For many years, researchers thought that CBD was inactive. However, research has found that it might offer some potential therapeutic benefits.
Cannabinoids can bind to receptors contained within the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is believed to regulate multiple bodily functions to maintain homeostasis, including responses of the immune system, sleep, appetite, and pain, among others. Your body also naturally produces cannabinoids called endocannabinoids that bind to receptors in your ECS.
Since CBD binds to receptors in the ECS, you might wonder whether it could help to manage chronic pain. Here is some information from Sugar Bottom Hemp you should understand as reported by researchers.
Understanding CBD
Different types of cannabis plants, including hemp and marijuana, contain varying levels of different cannabinoids. Most types of CBD available to consumers are derived from industrial hemp. Hemp contains a much higher level of CBD than marijuana plants and also contains very little THC.
CBD is available as oils, tinctures, and topical ointments. Different methods are used to extract CBD from plants. With CBD oils, the extracts are added to carrier oils. While many people claim that CBD offers numerous benefits, research into it is still emerging. To date, the only use for which CBD has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to treat two rare forms of childhood epilepsy [1]. Research about its effectiveness in relieving pain is still ongoing, and definitive answers have not yet been reached.
Research on CBD and Pain Relief
Some studies have indicated that CBD might be a viable option for pain relief and pain management. However, it has not been approved by the FDA for these purposes. Here are a few studies and what they have found for the use of CBD for pain relief and pain management.
CBD May Relieve Arthritis Pain
In a study published in 2016, researchers conducted a study of the use of CBD to alleviate pain and inflammation in rats with arthritis [2]. The researchers applied a topical ointment that contained CBD for four days to the rats and found the rats showed a significant reduction in inflammation and pain symptoms.
A second study that also looked at CBD’s effects on rats with arthritis was completed in 2017 [3]. In that study, the researchers found that CBD administered to rats during the early stages of osteoarthritis inflammation helped to prevent nerve damage and pain. However, both of these studies only involved rats, so the results might not apply to human populations with different systems.
CBD Might Help Relieve Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain is caused by damaged nerves and commonly occurs because of nerve injuries, certain types of infections, and diseases like multiple sclerosis.
In a 2017 systematic review of 11 randomized, controlled trials, researchers found that CBD might help with chronic neuropathic pain [4]. The studies included in the review included 1,219 participants.
By contrast, a review conducted in 2018 found that the potential harms of cannabis-based products might outweigh their potential benefits [5]. The researchers analyzed the effects of various medicines derived from cannabis plants for treating neuropathic pain and reviewed 16 studies with 1,750 participants.
CBD and MS Muscle Spasms
People with MS frequently suffer from strong muscle spasms that can cause them to experience chronic pain.
One systematic review of the literature studied CBD’s effects on spasticity in patients with MS [6]. The researchers found that short-term use of CBD might reduce the intensity of muscle spasms that patients with MS might experience. However, the results were modest, and additional research studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of CBD for pain from spastic muscles in people with MS.
CBD and Chronic Pain
Researchers in 2012 found that CBD might alleviate inflammation and pain by targeting certain types of glycine receptors in the body [7]. Researchers used rodents to study the potential effects of CBD. They found that rodents did not build a tolerance to CBD’s effects and would not need an increased dose over time. However, since this study was conducted with mice and rats instead of people, the results might not be generalized to humans.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you are considering adding CBD to your treatment regimen for pain, you should speak to your doctor first. CBD might have adverse drug interactions with certain prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs as well as grapefruit.
Most research studies on CBD’s effectiveness have either been conducted on rats and mice or on adults. CBD should not be used in children until further research is conducted or while breastfeeding or pregnant.
Takeaways
Further research is needed before the effectiveness of CBD for pain relief and pain management can be determined. If you are considering taking CBD oil for pain and have received your doctor’s approval, it’s important to ensure you source it from a reliable and trusted provider like Sugar Bottom Hemp. Our CBD products are clinically tested by a certified, third-party lab to ensure they meet quality standards. To learn more about our complete lineup of CBD products, contact us today.
Bibliography
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2018). FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy, [Press Release]. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms
- Hammell, D. C., Zhang, L. P., Ma, F., Abshire, S. M., McIlwrath, S. L., Stinchcomb, A. L., & Westlund, K. N. (2016). Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain‐related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. European Journal of Pain, 20(6), 936-948. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.818
- Philpott, H. T., O’Brien, M., & McDougall, J. J. (2017). Attenuation of early-phase inflammation by cannabidiol prevents pain and nerve damage in rat osteoarthritis. Pain, 158(12), 2442. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001052
- Meng, H., Johnston, B., Englesakis, M., Moulin, D. E., & Bhatia, A. (2017). Selective cannabinoids for chronic neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 125(5), 1638-1652. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000002110
- Mücke, M., Phillips, T., Radbruch, L., Petzke, F., & Häuser, W. (2018). Cannabis‐based medicines for chronic neuropathic pain in adults. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (3). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012182.pub2
- Whiting, P. F., Wolff, R. F., Deshpande, S., Di Nisio, M., Duffy, S., Hernandez, A. V., Keurentjes, J. C., Lang, S., Misso, K., Ryder, S., Schmidlkofer, S., Westwood, M., & Kleijnen, J. (2015). Cannabinoids for medical use: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 313(24), 2456–2473. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2015.6358
- Xiong, W., Cui, T., Cheng, K., Yang, F., Chen, S. R., Willenbring, D., … & Zhang, L. (2012). Cannabinoids suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain by targeting α3 glycine receptors. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 209(6), 1121-1134. DOI: 10.1084/jem.20120242
