How to Use CBD Oil to Relieve Pain?

CBD oil, or cannabidiol oil, is a phytocannabinoid. It is derived from the famous cannabis plant and has various uses in healing and medication. It is used to treat inflammation and pain.

In contrary to the popular belief that cannabis products are psychoactive, CBD oil does not show any such symptoms.

How does CBD oil work?

All cannabinoids start producing effects in our body by interacting with cannabinoid receptors that form a part of the endocannabinoid system.

The body produces two receptors – CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are present all over the body, especially in the brain. They coordinate things like movement, memories, mood, emotions, and appetite.

CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are found in the immune system. They deal with pain and inflammation. Other cannabinoids attach to these receptors to elicit a particular response, but CBD stimulates these receptors instead of attaching to them. This in turn makes our body produce its own cannabinoids, known as endocannabinoids.

Benefits of using CBD oil

CBD oil has been found to be beneficial in a lot of health issues, such as

· Arthritis or joint pain

· Migraine

· Sleep disorders

· Anxiety and/or depression

· Allergies or asthma

· Nausea

· Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

· Parkinson’s disease

· Alzheimer’s disease

According to the National Centers for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), cannabis have some healing properties that can prove it to be useful.

However, most research works have not proven CBD oil to be safe for use. The FDA has not yet approved CBD for treating pain since there hasn’t been enough evidence to accurately determine proper dosage of CBD oil.

Trying out CBD

Before actually trying CBD as a treatment form, it is best to talk to your healthcare provider and discuss with them the side effects (if any) and other complications. Some things to remember are-

· CBD is not a substitute for disease-modifying treatment in arthritis or joint pains

· Patients should always consult their doctors first instead of trying CBD unsupervised

· CBD oils can be extremely expensive, especially if used for a long time.

Keeping a track or dosage record can help to see if the product really does its job or not, to avoid spending more money on it in the future.

CBD products

1. Oral

Many CBD products can be taken orally in the form of pills or tablets. However, absorption is slow in the digestive tract, so they take time to show effects (1-2 hours). Therefore, a proper oral dosage of CBD oil is slightly tricky.

However, after a proper dosage has been decided by a physician, the product may be taken daily. CBD can also be sprayed into the mouth or given as drops. In this case, the effect is shown in just 15-45 minutes.

2. Topical

CBD oils can be applied on the skin in the form of lotions or balms to relieve pain. Whether CBD works in deeper layers below the skin is still unknown.

3. Inhaled

CBD can also be inhaled via vapors or vaporized pens. But this method is not recommended, especially for patients suffering from pulmonary diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is carrying out research that investigates vaping with widespread hospitalization, so it is best to not vape this oil.

How much CBD to use?

The dosage of CBD is best given by a healthcare professional. It is necessary to remember that CBD extract is mixed with a carrier oil when it is sold in liquid form, so the amounts of both the extract and the carrier are very important.

If you are unsure, you can always start with just a few milligrams of the product. If the product seems to work slowly, you can increase the dosage by that amount slightly and continue using it. If you see improving health conditions, you may even take it twice a day in minimal amounts.

However, if after several weeks of using the product, you find no effects whatsoever, you can consult your doctor. In case of any unwanted side effects, immediately talk to your physician.

Over to you…

According to a survey conducted by Single Care, it was found that 20% of Americans aged 18-29 use CBD oils consistently, whereas 11% of people aged 50-64 use it, and only 8% of people aged 65 and older use it daily. While CBD does seem to have various benefits, remember to research properly and talk to your doctor before using it.