CBD oil refers to oil obtained from cannabidiol, a compound in marijuana that boasts immense therapeutic properties. The oil is mainly used to relieve pain, inflammation, anxiety, and nausea.
CBD is often contrasted with its cousin tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another popular marijuana extract. While the cannabis plant produces over 100 medically beneficial compounds, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol are the two most popular ones. CBD and THC are also the most abundant chemicals in marijuana, accounting for up to 40% of the plant’s total extracts.
The fundamental difference between CBD and THC lies in how each substance interacts with the body. THC is famous for inducing psychoactive effects. It’s the primary compound in cannabis that gives the plant its mind-altering abilities.
On the flip side, CBD is neither psychoactive nor intoxicating. The compound is responsible for much of cannabis’ healing properties.
This post will narrow down our focus to the top six benefits of using CBD oil for pain management.
CBD Oil Is Highly Effective Against Pain
The efficacy of analgesic compounds mostly comes down to how these substances interact with the body. Generally, compounds that supplement the body’s pre-existing pain mediation mechanisms tend to be more effective than those that seek to initiate these mechanisms from scratch.
When consumed, cannabidiol relieves pain by boosting the performance of receptors involved in the body’s pain-signaling processes, such as vanilloid receptors.
Another way cannabidiol oil may alleviate pain is by boosting the levels of anandamide. Anandamide is a popular neurotransmitter whose role in pain management is well-documented. CBD boosts anandamide signaling by blocking the activity of certain enzymes that degrade this neurotransmitter, such as fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH).
However, it’s worth noting that CBD oil is only effective against pain if the oil contains high-quality cannabidiol. So, remember to invest in the cbd gummies for kids or CBD oil from other reputable brands.
CBD Oil Works On All Types of Pain
Pain falls under two major categories, namely nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
Nociceptive pain results from physical injury to muscles and bones. Common causes include high-impact accidents or strenuous workouts.
Neuropathic pain mostly results from damage to nerves. Common triggers include chronic conditions like arthritis.
Now, cannabidiol oil has shown tremendous promise in treating both nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
Workout enthusiasts can use CBD oil to relieve delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). DOMS refers to muscle pain and tenderness experienced between 24 and 72 hours of engaging in energy-intensive workouts.
In terms of neuropathic pain, cannabidiol has demonstrated remarkable potential in relieving the pain associated with arthritis, multiple sclerosis, migraines, and fibromyalgia.
CBD Oil Alleviates Inflammation
Inflammation usually occurs side by side with pain. Sometimes, the two conditions share a cause-effect relationship.
Inflammation is one of the body’s natural defense mechanisms. It occurs when your body detects the presence of foreign substances.
Generally, inflamed tissues resolve on their own. But inflammation can be unbearably painful if left to run its course.
Fortunately, you can consume cannabidiol oil to expedite the healing process. CBD attenuates inflammation by blocking the body’s inflammatory messenger activity. The compound is also a well-known vasodilator. Therefore, it can dilate constricted blood vessels, ensuring that more oxygenated blood and nutrients flow continuously to the inflamed tissues. This is necessary for easing the swelling.
CBD Oil Treats Common Side Effects of Pain
Not only is cannabidiol oil effective against pain and inflammation. The oil may also relieve various side effects of pain and inflammation. Examples include anxiety and insomnia.
CBD Oil for Anxiety
CBD relieves anxiety by increasing the body’s signaling of ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitters, such as serotonin.
Studies have shown that supplementing with cannabidiol may offer relief from all major anxiety disorders. They include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder (PD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
CBD Oil for Insomnia
Cannabidiol oil treats insomnia through its powerful sedating properties. When consumed, the oil can help to shorten your sleep onset time, also known as sleep latency.
CBD oil may also treat insomnia by reducing the duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
CBD Oil Won’t Get You High
A common concern cited by many cannabis skeptics is the plant’s psychoactive properties.
However, it’s worth noting that only a few marijuana compounds account for the plant’s psychotropic abilities and CBD oil isn’t one of them.
So, you can use cannabidiol oil for pain relief without worrying about becoming intoxicated in the process. You only need to ensure that the oil is either THC-free or contains negligible levels of tetrahydrocannabinol.
Numerous Ways to Consume CBD Oil
Initially, most cannabis products were consumed by smoking marijuana flowers and buds. Over the years, the weed industry has witnessed a surge in marijuana delivery methods.
Today, you can also consume cannabidiol oil via any of the following delivery methods;
- Oral administration of CBD tinctures
- Vaping CBD-based e-juices
- Topical application of CBD-enriched cosmetic products
- CBD edibles like gummies and baked goods
Each delivery method has its pros and drawbacks. For instance, smoking and vaping are famous for their fast-acting effects. Edibles take longer to kick in, but they guarantee long-lasting pain-relieving benefits.
The Bottom Line
Cannabidiol is incredibly effective against pain, and there are numerous studies to back that up. As a word of caution, remember that CBD laws vary worldwide. So, be sure to check your local laws before using CBD oil for pain management.
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