Current medicine concepts in treating chronic pain are neither particularly practical nor appealing to patients. The inflationary use of cortisone and analgesics seems less and less suitable for patients because of the risk of side effects. Many people, therefore, feel compelled to return to chronic disease therapy on their responsibility. A new therapeutic approach is to use CBD for pain. The treatment consists of administering active substances from the cannabis plant, cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD balms should be particularly effective in treating inflammatory pain and skin diseases. Let's see which aspects of the cannabis plant are interesting for treating pain and how important the corresponding administration is in the form of CBD balms in particular.
Pain affects us all at some point in our lives, and it's comforting to know that there is a natural remedy that can help. This natural alternative is essential for those who suffer from chronic pain or any pain that tends to drag on. CBD for pain has been used as a therapy for years.
How Do Cannabidiols Work Against Pain?
Thanks to its antioxidant properties, CBD is an excellent choice to help relieve pain symptoms. The studies that have been done on CBD and pain relief are promising. CBD is an excellent alternative for people who suffer from chronic pain and are dependent on more dangerous drugs that can be addictive. It is essential to know that CBD is very different from most pain medications prescribed by doctors because it is non-toxic, non-addictive and its side effects are almost non-existent.
The intoxicating or psychoactive component of hemp is tetrahydrocannabinol, which binds to the CB1 receptor in the central nervous system to develop its activity. We essentially distinguish between cannabinoid receptors: CB1 receptors in the brain and CB2 receptors in the immune system.
Cannabidiol, on the other hand, does not bind directly to the CB1 receptor and therefore has no psychoactive effect. However, it prevents the binding of other substances and thus the activation of the CB1 receptor. We are talking about a so-called protective function. A 2007 study on the mode of action of cannabidiol in pain showed that nerve fibers that lead from muscles and joints to the brain have many CB1 receptors. These receptors are essential targets for CBD therapy.
Meanwhile, cannabidiol is considered an effective, well-tolerated, and, in particular, a safe component of the medicinal plant. Cannabidiol develops anti-inflammatory properties, anti-epileptics, and anti-schizophrenics without the significant side effects known from psychotropic drugs. Any inflammatory reaction forms free radicals, which in turn cause potentially tissue-damaging side reactions. Cannabidiol has both solid antioxidant properties and pain-relieving mechanisms of action, which is why the health benefits of CBD are increasingly popular and complementary to complementary medicine.
Why Is Ordinary Medicine Not Enough, Especially For Chronic Pain?
The most common painful diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system are osteoarthritis, a so-called degenerative joint disease, which occurs mainly in old age, and arthritis considered a primary inflammatory autoimmune disease. Whatever the cause, chronic pain is a widespread condition, and the movement restrictions associated with it quickly lead to severe and lasting complications for the person concerned. Apart from physical therapy, which does not have the potential to significantly influence the pain process in chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, the pharmaceutical industry has only offered a few preparations that could be used in the long term, even from a distance. Nevertheless, the inflationary use of pain/rheumatism drugs is spreading epidemically in many countries. In this context, therapy with CBD's balms and oils represents an exciting alternative and complementary therapy for chronic pain conditions. Due to their antispasmodic and nerve-protecting properties, cannabidiols are very versatile. Cannabidiol has none of the dreaded cardiovascular, stomach/gut, or kidney side effects known for diclofenac, ibuprofen, or aspirin. As a complementary high-efficiency natural herbal product, the long-term use of CBD for pain relief is possible without hesitation.
How to Take CBD for Pain?
We can apply CBD balms directly to the area where the patient is in pain to get relief in a specific area, but the effects may be slower when the CBD is absorbed through the skin. On the other hand, CBD oil may provide slightly faster relief due to its ability to bypass the digestive system and go directly into the cells. Additionally, CBD oil can help relieve other symptoms, such as lack of appetite, anxiety, or trouble sleeping. It is quick, convenient, and easy to dose. It can be taken sublingually when using CBD oil, keeping it under the tongue for at least one minute before swallowing. This method allows the mucous membranes of the mouth to absorb CBD, preventing metabolism in the liver and digestive system. The CBD thus passes into the blood in less time. When CBD is used for chronic pain, it is recommended to take between 2.5 and 20 mg orally.
There is an essential difference between THC and CBD; because CBD does not interact in the brain like THC, it does not cause psychoactive effects. On the contrary, CBD makes the body more able to use its endocannabinoids. CBD can be a good treatment option if you suffer from chronic pain. It's easy to use, doesn't usually cause side effects, and is more affordable than many prescription drugs.
How Does CBD Perform When Applied Transdermally As A Balm?
Due to the low water solubility, the oral bioavailability of cannabinoids is relatively low. Local application to the painful, injured, or inflammatory site seems logical and promising in this context. Not only for pain in the musculoskeletal system but also in dermatology and cosmetics, the CBD balm has been successfully applied in the meantime.
The main active ingredients of CBD balm are two cannabinoids, cannabidiol and cannabidiol acid, which have a healing effect but lack the psychoactive effect of THC. Also, depending on the base of the CBD balm, there are other ingredients like beeswax, wool grease, hemp oil, and mullein. Of course, the market now offers many products combined with various other active ingredients. Some of them can be very useful, some not.
By local application, the patient can treat the cannabinoid receptors with phytocannabinoids only at the painful or inflammatory site. Experience has shown that we can rapidly reduce pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. Recent studies indicate that cannabidiol can partially regenerate joint structures already altered by degeneration. At this point, we must not forget that any chronic disease is a multisystemic disease that affects the whole organism. In this respect, chronic diseases cannot be treated by solitary therapy. Multimodal therapy concepts are still needed. Given the consistently positive experience gained so far in CBD therapy to treat pain and chronic inflammation, we can assume that cannabidiol could soon become an essential part of such a concept. For painful joints and inflamed skin areas, the topical application of ointments and oils containing cannabis already shows excellent promise and without harmful side effects.
One of the main benefits of using is that it is not as addictive as drugs. Researchers have been looking for alternatives for pain treatment for years. CBD is one of the alternatives with a long history of use as a pain reliever. Despite this, the medical sector has recognized that it is a good treatment for various conditions such as chronic pain.