The stigma surrounding the use of cannabis is fading, thanks to scientific research on the use of CBD for pain relief.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is derived from marijuana but does not contain the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), the compound responsible for getting people high.

Research from GSK Global Pain Index estimates that 95% of the global population experience physical pain at some point in their lifetime. With cases of chronic pain-related conditions on the rise, CBD oil could be the solution humanity so badly needs.

This article dissects the recent fascination with CBD medication and answers all your questions on the matter.

Why Do People Use CBD Oil?

Chronic pain interferes with the quality of life. It is even worse if the breadwinner is the affected one. There are thousands of standard pain medications available over-the counter.

However, these drugs don’t come cheap and have very serious side effects. To avoid all the downside of pain medications, more and more people are turning to natural herbs and supplements. This is the niche CBD seeks to fill.

How Does CBD Provide Pain Relief?

The human race has been using cannabis for thousands of years. Its ability to alleviate pain is just one of the several ways in which cannabis interacts with the human body.

The central nervous system controls the sensitivity of pain receptors and by extension the level of pain you feel. CBD achieves this by inhibiting the absorption of anandamide, a cannabinoid molecule responsible for the regulation of pain. Higher levels of this compound in the bloodstream reduces pain in the body.

Another research has also found that CBD suppresses alpha-3 Glycine receptors that are crucial in pain processing. People suffering from chronic pain associated illnesses such as arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have a heightened sense of pain. This is due to the increased sensitivity of the ATRPV1 receptors. CBD has been found to activate these vanilloid receptors thus controlling pain awareness.

Further research also suggests that CBD could be useful in alleviation pain experienced by cancer patients during chemotherapy. Positive results have also been recorded from research on the effect of CBD on other body pains such as osteoarthritis, joint neuropathy, and fibromyalgia.

How to Use CBD

Since the use of CBD is still in the early stages, there is no standardized dosage. The common methods of administration include ingestion, inhalation, sublingual and transdermal applications.

Like all other medications, the optimal dosage for an individual depends on several factors. These are weight, age and the quality of the product.

From the ongoing research, a transdermal application has proven to be the most effective method of CBD administration. This makes it useful in the treatment of localized discomfort commonly experienced in arthritis and muscular pain.

The trick is to start with the lowest allowable dosage and gradually increase your dose until you get the right balance.

Any Side Effects?

The side effects of CBD vary depending on the purity of the product, reaction with other medications and dosage. The most common documented side effects include

● Nausea

● Mood changes

● Drowsiness

● Diarrhea

● Vomiting

The severity of the side effects varies from person to person. Some of it is due to the oil and not the CBD. The oil should therefore not be used as a standard skincare product.

Where Do You Find CBD Oil?

The use of cannabis was for a very long time outlawed by most countries. In the recent past, more countries have relaxed their regulations regarding medical marijuana. Canada, the U. S, Brazil and Mexico are some of the nations that are coming around.

Hemp-derived CBD oils are available in most states in the U.S, but marijuana-derived CBD is only available in states that legalize adult use of weed. The difference is that Marijuana has higher THC levels than hemp. Currently, the only FDA-approved cannabis-infused prescription drug is Epidiolex.

CBD oil is now available in capsules, creams and even sprays. These are available from weed shops and online vendors. Other than checking the laws regarding CBD oil use in your area, it’s also important to ensure you are getting the real thing. The only way to verify the contents of your purchase is by using a third-party lab. Check to see if the lab’s analysis matches the labels.

The Takeaway

The use of medical marijuana has always been a polarizing subject. So far, the results have been encouraging. The findings on the use of CBD for pain relief are mostly based on tests done on lab rats. Further research on humans is still necessary.

Unfortunately, exhaustive research is limited by the DEA control on the production of marijuana for research purposes. The strain supplied is said to be inferior.

While the rest of the world wait for laws to catch up, not everyone has that luxury. For those in immediate need of pain relief and are considering CBD oils, do so cautiously. Get the green light from your doctor before trying CBD.