CBD Oil For Pain: Does It Work?

Does CBD oil for pain work?

Sure, medical marijuana has become as common as laundry soap. Thirty-two states have legalized it. Of those, eight have legalized marijuana for recreational use as well. Even now, Democratic lawmakers seek national legalization of marijuana. That means it would become legal for recreational use in all fifty-two states. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, announced his intentions on April 2018. He’s introducing a bill to remove it from the list of federally controlled substances. The growing popularity has led to a golden age of cannabis research. U.S. and European researchers have begun to experiment with marijuana extracts. Those include THC and CBD, the two most popular cannabis compounds. Thousands of CBD users swear to its analgesic properties. Does science support these claims? You’ll know the answer by the end of this article. Read on.

Background Info on CBD Oil for Pain

Let’s begin with the facts. Cannabidiol, otherwise known as CBD, is one of over a hundred compounds in the marijuana plant. These compounds (cannabinoids) appear to have a laundry list of medically beneficial properties. One of these cannabinoids, THC, is the most abundant. Research has shown that THC kills certain cancer cells. It also improves appetites and reduces nausea in cancer patients. Unfortunately, THC is also the chemical in cannabis that gets people high. Recreational users seek this THC high, just as they might a buzz from alcohol. Medical users don’t always want this side effect. That’s one of the main benefits of CBD. Cannabidiol does not produce a high. It’s not intoxicating. It’s not addictive. Those traits make it an attractive candidate for research. When you couple that with its ability to reduce the psychoactive effects of THC, you see what all the fuss is about. Moreover, studies have shown CBD reduces inflammation and reduces anxiety. It also decreases seizures in epileptics. Researchers continue to study its effects on substance-use disorders, schizophrenia, and cancer. It shows great promise in each case. *Note: Read our article on other CBD benefits for more information.

FDA Approves First CBD Oil Drug

In April 2018, the FDA committee recommended for the first time a CBD based drug. The drug in question, Epidiolex, is used to treat seizures. It’s used on those suffering from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. It represents hope for those living with intractable seizures and rare epilepsies. Historically, those suffering faced incredible challenges and disabling seizures. They lived without hope of treatment. This is the first CBD based drug to receive the FDA’s stamp of approval.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Researchers have shown CBD has neuroprotective properties. These anti-inflammatory effects have shown usefulness in treating the following conditions:

Alzheimer’s strokes
Glutamate toxicity
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s Disease
Neurodegeneration caused by alcohol abuse

Anti-inflammatories are known to decrease pain in those patients suffering from nerve pain. These drugs reduce swelling of soft tissues around inflamed nerves. This diminishes the pressure on these nerves thereby offering relief. Analgesic drugs have no effect on swelling. They act on neurotransmitter sites, tricking your brain. In essence, your body believes it’s receiving diminished pain signals. Many use CBD and report a decrease in their pain. They may be feeling its anti-inflammatory rather than analgesic properties. No one knows for sure.

CBD and Pain Perception

Another CBD study was performed by Genaro, Fabris, Arantes, Zuardi, Crippa, and Prado. It showed that cannabidiol is a potential treatment for the pain from incisions in rats. The study focused on “affective-motivational dimension” of pain. In other words, it concentrated on the relationship between pain and perception. This relationship between the two has historically been difficult to analyze. The research yielded several results. The most notable said “systemic” application of CBD reduces mechanical allodynia. In other words, the rats displayed clear signs that CBD had an effect on their perception of pain. The big question remains: by what mechanism did the CBD affect their perception of pain? The answer: we don’t know. Yet.

The Misquoted Study

A popular study performed in 2008 is often misquoted. It misrepresents CBD as a definitive painkiller. Unfortunately, the study said no such thing. It was actually a review of research conducted on analgesic properties of cannabinoids. The review focused on three drugs: Marinol(R), Cesamet(R), and Sativex(R). Of the three, only Sativex(R) possessed useful quantities of CBD. They all had massive quantities of THC, and therein lies the problem. Many studies have shown THC has pain reducing properties. This review supported the findings of those studies. It demonstrated the three drugs in question gave patients pain relief. What it didn’t show was that CBD was the chemical responsible for producing that pain relief. THC may well have been the only cannabinoid responsible. We just don’t know for sure.

CBD Oil for Pain

So, where does that put us? As of May 2018, the jury is still out. Anecdotal evidence suggests CBD oil may have analgesic effects. Unfortunately, the studies which may corroborate this finding are tainted with THC. Studies prove THC alone creates analgesic effects. When used in conjunction with CBD, they produce pain relief. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that CBD alone reduces pain. Though things look promising, there’s not enough research to make that claim. On the flip side, you can try it and decide for yourself. Marijuana is rapidly gaining support as both a recreational and medical drug. It’s legal for medical purposes in thirty-two states and recreational in eight. If you don’t live in one of these states, you can visit to test its usefulness. Remember, it’s non-intoxicating and non-addictive. You can try it without any negative repercussions.

What’s Next?

Well, have you jumped on the CBD wagon train? If you’re still undecided on using CBD oil for pain, you can always try other forms of alternative pain relief. Give yoga, relaxation therapy, hypnosis, guided imagery, biofeedback, massage, or acupuncture a shot. We also have a special note for those you who suffer pain from a car accident. Elite Spine and Health Center offers other varieties of non-prescription, non-invasive pain relief. Take a few minutes right now to contact us. Click the link, and we can discuss your options, today.