Cannabidiol, or CBD, is used for a wide variety of purposes, from dealing with conditions such as anxiety and depression to treating breakouts of acne.
An increasing number of CBD users are also turning to it as a natural treatment for a variety of forms of pain. Scientific research is also starting to indicate that CBD could have benefits as a natural pain reliever and may be a useful alternative to prescription pain medicines.
Below, we’ve looked at the scientific evidence to back up CBD’s use as a form of natural pain relief. We’ve also explained how you can use CBD oil and other products containing CBD for pain relief.
CBD and Pain Relief: The Basics
Use of CBD oil and other CBD products in the UK has grown tremendously over the last few years. Recent data from the Cannabis Trades Association shows that 250,000 people in the United Kingdom either have used or regularly use CBD.
Many of these people use CBD not only for its benefits for relaxation, sleep and quality of life, but also as a natural treatment for chronic, ongoing pain.
CBD is a type of naturally-occurring cannabinoid found in the hemp plant. Unlike its more well known counterpart THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD doesn’t cause users to feel high when it’s consumed.
Instead, CBD targets different receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system. When you use CBD, these receptors can help to manage important bodily functions such as sleep, feelings of nervousness and anxiety, the immune system and even the way your body perceives pain.
Because CBD only recently became legal, scientific research into its pain management benefits is still in its early stages. However, there are several studies that indicate that CBD oil and other CBD products could have real benefits for managing different forms of pain.
Many of these studies focus on pain from specific conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or arthritis.
For example, CBD has been increasingly studied as a potential treatment for some symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including the chronic, ongoing pain caused by muscle spasms.
In a report on the health effects of cannabinoids, researchers found that CBD could reduce the intensity of muscle spasms in people with multiple sclerosis. Participants in the study reported that use of CBD helped them to manage and deal with some of their symptoms.
CBD has also been linked to improvements in other forms of pain. For example, a study from 2012 found that cannabinoids such as CBD suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain and could be helpful in reducing pain from a variety of conditions.
Finally, several studies have looked at the relationship between CBD use and reduced rates of pain in people with arthritis.
In a 2016 study, researchers used a transdermal CBD solution on rats with arthritis. After four days of treatment with the solution, the researchers noted a reduction in the common signs of pain in the test subjects, as well as reduced levels of inflammation.
While this study wasn’t performed on humans, it’s an interesting sign that CBD could potentially play an important role in pain management in the near future, particularly for people with health conditions that contribute to chronic pain.
How to Use CBD Oil for Pain Relief
Using CBD oil to treat chronic pain is a fairly simple process, with several different forms of CBD for you to choose from.
If you’re new to CBD, convenient options like CBD tinctures are a great choice. These are used orally and absorbed through the tissue under your tongue. This form of CBD is fast-acting, easy to use and convenient, making it a good option for beginners.
Most CBD tinctures are available in a variety of strengths, letting you tailor your usage to your needs and preferences.
If you already vape, switching to a CBD e-liquid is an easy way to consume CBD for managing and relieving pain. Like CBD tinctures, CBD e-liquids are available in a variety of strengths and flavours to match your needs and preferences.
An advantage of vaping CBD is that it provides fast, efficient absorption, meaning you’ll notice the pain relief of CBD faster than you would with other forms of CBD oil.
For optimal convenience, you can use oral CBD products, such as CBD capsules. These offer the most convenient form of CBD, although they’re absorbed slowly and aren’t quite as efficient from a dosage perspective due to the need to pass through the digestive system.
Still, if you’re out and about during the day and need a convenient form of CBD to use while you run errands, work at the office or otherwise spend time in public, capsules are a great way to get your CBD dosage while on the go.
Finally, there are numerous other forms of CBD that you can use. For pain relief while you’re at home, you can apply a CBD-based balm or ointment. CBD is also available in a variety of edible treats, bath additives, massage oils and more.
As we mentioned above, there’s no best form of CBD for pain relief. As such, you should pick a form of CBD that best meets your tastes, needs and preferences.
CBD Doses for Pain Relief
There’s no precise dosage of CBD that’s recommended for pain relief. Depending on factors like your physical size and weight, your previous usage of CBD and your response to CBD, you may benefit from a modest or significant dose of CBD for pain relief.
Another factor to keep in mind is the extent and severity of your pain. If you experience severe, frequent pain, a small dose of CBD might not be enough to provide sufficient pain relief, while a large dose of CBD could be excessive.
In general, it’s best to start with a low to moderate dose of CBD, then adjust your dose based on your response and results.
To do this, you can use a CBD product that has a relatively mild dosage. For example, this CBD vape e-liquid comes in a variety of strengths, ranging from a CBD concentration of 30 to 600mg per bottle.
This means that the strongest version of this e-liquid has 20 times the CBD content of the least concentrated version. If you’re new to CBD, starting with the mildest version means you’ll find it easier to get used to the effects of CBD and “dial in” your dose to meet your needs.
If you prefer oral CBD products, choose a pack of CBD capsules with a mild dose (for example, 10mg per capsule) and start with a single capsule per day. Capsules such as these ones from Somnio or these ones from CannabiGold both have a mild 10mg per capsule CBD content.
If you find that a mild dose of CBD isn’t enough to provide sufficient pain relief, you can try to gradually increase your dosage. Over time, you’ll be able to find a dose of CBD that provides the pain relief effects you need without significant side effects.
Summary
While research into CBD’s effects as a natural pain reliever is still in its early stages, there are several studies indicating that CBD can help to manage pain. Many CBD users also swear by CBD as an alternative to widely prescribed artificial, potentially addictive pain medications.
While there’s no best form of CBD for pain relief, many people find that vaping CBD or using a form of oral CBD is the easiest way to get started. These both provide a combination of simple usage, convenience and optimal absorption.
To get the most from CBD as a form of pain relief, start with a mild dose and adjust your usage based on your response. Over time, you might find that CBD can help you relieve chronic pain more effectively than other options.
Interested in using CBD but don’t know where to start? Learn more about the best ways to take CBD oil and choose an option that’s right for you in our online shop.
