HAVE YOU HEARD THAT CBD OIL FROM HEMP OFFERS NATURAL PAIN RELIEF, BUT ARE SCEPTICAL THAT IT COULD BE JUST ANOTHER INTERNET SCAM?


You've come to the right place! This article takes an in-depth look at the empirical research regarding CBD oil for pain relief, along with other practical information for those who are new to cannabidiol.

LET'S LOOK AT THE RESEARCH ON THE BENEFITS OF CBD OIL FOR PAIN MANAGEMENT:

Pain: Understanding the basics
Scientists have divided pain into two basic classes: Neuropathic and Nociceptive pain. While most pain can be classified into one or the other, there are also conditions that involve a mixture of both types of pain, such as sciatica.   
Let's take a closer look at each type of pain, its associated conditions and current treatment models.  
Neuropathic pain:
Sometimes referred to as "nerve pain", neuropathic pain is the result of damaged nerves (either from injury or chronic disease) that send incorrect information to the central nervous system as a result, causing that sensation of pain when there is no mechanical cause.  
The sensation of neuropathic pain can vary from person to person, but is often described as a burning, shooting, tingling or electric pain. It may come and go or be constant. This pain is often chronic because it is not caused by something that can be fixed, such as a broken bone or burn, which will eventually heal.  
Instead, the root of neuropathic pain is a malfunction of the nerves or central nervous system, causing a miscommunication where the person feels pain even though there is no visible cause of the pain.  
This type of pain is associated with a variety of conditions, including:
  • Phantom limb syndrome (pain in a limb after amputation).
  • Damage to the facial nerve
  • Diabetes
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Alcoholism
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Shingles
  • Spinal surgery
  • Syphilis
  • Some types of migraine
  • Various types of back pain
Treatments for neuropathic pain:
ANTICONVULSANTS
Originally developed to treat epilepsy, anticonvulsants later proved effective in treating neuropathic pain due to neuropathies (nerve damage) and certain types of back pain. How they work to relieve these pains is still a bit of a mystery. It is thought that they interfere with the transmission of nerve signals.  
Examples of these types of drugs are topiramate, Topamax®, Neurontin®, Fenatrex® and Lyrica®. Side effects can vary from mild to severe; severe toxicity is rare. Common side effects include:
  • Fatigue
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Mental instability
  • Gastrointestinal problems
  • Weight loss/gain
  • Skin, bone, blood, liver toxicity in rare cases
  • Fetal toxicity
Antidepressants  
There are different types of antidepressants. The two types of antidepressants that appear to have an effect on neuropathic pain include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and selective serotonin NE reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).  
Examples of TCAs include amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin and imipramine. Common SNRIs include venlafaxine (Effexor®), duloxetine (Cymbalta®) and milnacipran (Savella®).  
Although the mechanism that appears to work to relieve this type of chronic pain is not yet fully understood (causing pauses in some patients), the mechanism that appears to work to relieve this type of chronic pain is the ability of these antidepressants to regulate the uptake of two important neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine.  
Finding the right treatment for neuropathic pain with such psychotropic drugs can be a process of trial and error, as pain management doctors work with their patients to find a balance of medications that have manageable side effects for each individual patient. 
Nociceptive pain:
This type of pain is caused when specific pain nerve fibres throughout the body are activated by injury, chemical processes in the body or inflammation.  
Nociceptive nerves can be activated by trauma and injury, tissue damage (via chemical mediators that signal the nerve) and inflammation.  
In addition, these nerves can also trigger inflammation by sending their own signals that actually promote inflammation in the affected areas, which in turn can stimulate more nociceptive nerves. So if left untreated, this can lead to a snowball effect of increasing pain and inflammation, which is fairly typical of injuries such as sprains, fractures and bruises.  
Nociceptive pain is responsible for the associated pain:
  • Injury
  • Inflammation
  • Burns
  • Bruising
  • Bone fractures or breaks
  • Joint damage such as arthritis
  • Muscle pain
Treatments for nociceptive pain:
NOCICEPTIVE PAIN:
This type of pain is caused when specific pain nerve fibres throughout the body.
NSAIDS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often the first line of treatment for nociceptive pain. They are the most widely used over-the-counter painkillers and include drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, as well as a variety of prescription drugs in this class.  
Most NSAIDs work by blocking a series of enzymes in the body known as COX (1&2), which produce a chemical in the body called prostaglandins, which in turn promote inflammation (which plays a role in healing). This inflammation can lead to swelling, pain and fever.  
Therefore, NSAIDs are often effective in reducing this important source of pain, but at the expense of blocking COX 1 and COX 2, which have other important functions, including protecting the stomach from its own acid production and important blood clotting processes.  
Although well tolerated in the short term by the majority of the population, there are some significant long-term side effects of this class of drugs, including ulcers, liver and kidney failure, oedema, and they can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in at-risk populations.  

Opioids
Opioids are often prescribed for severe or chronic nociceptive pain. There are many examples of this narcotic, including codeine, morphine, hydrocodone, fentanyl, oxycodone, tapentadol and oxymorphone. They come from both natural sources (from the poppy plant), called opiates, and synthetic sources, called opioids.  
Your body was designed to work with dopamine receptors. When you do something that gives your body a boost, such as eating, exercising or enjoying a bonding moment with a friend, your body produces natural dopamine.  
Think of it as a reward system where your body/brain work together to make sure you are rewarded for the behaviours that lead to a greater chance of survival.  
Dopamine basically blocks some of the pain receptors in the brain and produces a calming or euphoric effect. By drugging the body with opioids, dopamine drugs flood the system and radically reduce nociceptive pain in most people. 
At the same time, however, the body is massively "rewarded" on a physiological level for taking the pill. Therefore, in a very short time, the body will begin to crave the drug, also known as addiction, literally on a cellular level.  
It probably goes without saying, but the statistics of the current opioid crisis in the US cannot be overstated. Recent statistics show:  
1 in 5 deaths of young adults in the US today can be attributed to opioid abuse.
Opioid deaths among 25-34 year olds have increased from 4% in 2001 to 20% in 2016.
Heroin-related deaths up 533% from 2002 to 2016.
Worse, we now know that the profit motives of big pharma were (are?) a big driver of the current crisis. The lawsuits currently underway show that Big Pharma lied about the addictive nature of opioids, bribed doctors to overprescribe opioids, and missed signs of dangerous overprescribing in certain pharmacies.  
Is it any wonder that so many people are turning to CBD oil for pain management to reduce their dependence on dangerous, addictive opioids and the potentially serious side effects of long-term NSAID use?
CBD for pain management
Now that we have a brief overview of the types of pain and their common drug treatments, it should be obvious that finding non-addictive, low side effect, low toxicity, non-mood altering treatment options is a priority for the medical community and the millions of people who suffer from both chronic and temporary pain.  
This is where CBD comes in. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in the plant that are most responsible for the many health benefits associated with medical marijuana as well as CBD oil.  
Medical marijuana versus CBD oil: what's the difference?
Medical marijuana is cannabis that has been developed for pharmaceutical or recreational use and is sold by prescription in states where it is legal to sell it as medicine. The use of medical marijuana for pain management is on the rise.  
In fact, states that have relaxed their marijuana laws are showing a decrease in rates of opioid addiction, as many patients are working with doctors to reduce their opioid use with the help of this natural plant. In addition, cannabis can reduce pain without the dangerous side effects of the other drugs commonly prescribed for pain.  
It should be noted that some doctors are hesitant to prescribe medical marijuana on the grounds that the mechanisms by which it relieves pain are still unknown. Ironically, these same doctors may be willing to prescribe drugs despite known risks, toxicity and lack of understanding of their exact mechanisms (as we see in the case of the use of antidepressants and anticonvulsants for neuropathy).  
However, there are some disadvantages of medical marijuana:
  • Annual fees for maintaining a prescription card can be costly.
  • Most insurance companies will not cover the cost
  • Finding a pain management doctor willing to prescribe it can be a problem
  • Facing negative judgement from family, friends and colleagues
  • Medical marijuana usually contains high concentrations of THC, the psychoactive component most responsible for the high associated with this drug.
  • Not everyone wants to be associated with the drug, as it is an illegal drug.
  • Impaired motor and cognitive functions due to the high are impractical for use during working hours
 
CBD oil, on the other hand, is derived from extracting the cannabinoids from industrial hemp, a variety of cannabis that has been used in the textile industry for centuries. Industrial hemp varieties are required by law to contain less than 0.3% THC.  
The extraction process involves using one of several techniques to separate the naturally occurring cannabinoids in this plant, with CBD being the dominant technique. It is usually sold as a health supplement, with the CBD dose clearly labelled.

CBD oil comes in many forms, including oil tinctures, creams, capsules and edibles such as candies. 
  • CBD oil has several advantages over medical marijuana, including.
  • It contains only trace amounts (if any) of THC, so you won't get high or experience mind-altering effects that can affect your focus and full mobility, such as driving.
  • In general, CBD for pain relief is less expensive than medical marijuana.  
  • CBD oil for pain control does not require a prescription.  
  • CBD oil is legal in all 50 states. 
  • CBD oil is not associated with the illegal drug culture any more than many are associated with marijuana.

Scientific research on CBD
In the late 1980s, researchers first discovered the presence of receptors in the brain of a rat that were specifically designed to detect and bind to cannabinoids. Within a few years, they had identified the genes associated with this receptor (proving that it was genetic) and also identified other cannabinoid-specific receptors.  
Over the next few decades to the present day, it has become widely accepted that the human body has an endocannabinoid system that plays an important role in many other bodily functions such as pain, disease and general health.  
Although research has continued, there has been some resistance due to complications with the way FDA and DEA are politically intertwined, as DEAs plan controlled substances that are subject to law enforcement and prosecution.  
In addition, much of the research addressing pain has actually been done on marijuana, where both THC and CBD are abundant. In fact, these two cannabinoids may have their most powerful effects when used in combination.  
Another obstacle to CBD research may well be the profit motives of pharmaceutical companies, who are best placed to carry out the expensive work of extensive clinical trials. They may have a greater interest in researching syntheses designed to mimic natural cannabinoids, as they can be patented in medicines such as Marinol®.  
Does CBD relieve pain?

Research on CBD and pain:
In recent years, CBD has been shown in limited clinical trials to be effective in controlling neuropathic pain and reducing inflammation.  
Because it is also considered very safe and has very little potential for addiction or dangerous side effects, many scientists recommend further research into CBD as a safer and more effective alternative to current treatment regimes for chronic pain.  
Although still in its infancy, research into the topical use of CBD for pain also has some support in the clinical data. 

Non-scientific support for CBD for pain relief:
Research is expensive and time-consuming, and unfortunately the interests of the people best placed to conduct it are not always aligned with uncovering the natural healing properties of chemicals they cannot patent or own.  
However, because CBD is almost certainly extremely safe for humans (with the possible exception of young children and pregnant or breastfeeding women), many people have explored the pain-relieving effects of CBD oil on their own.  
In fact, message boards for conditions such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, arthritis and other conditions associated with chronic pain have shown that more and more sufferers are able to relieve their pain with CBD, a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis.  
It is important to point out that such anecdotal support is not the same as clinical trials, but in the absence of funded research, such positive results from fellow sufferers can be a glimmer of hope for those trying to reduce their dependence on opiates or other medications in controlling chronic pain.
When it comes to quality of life, some patients take matters into their own hands.  
The FDA has NOT approved CBD for pain or any other specific condition
Just a reminder that the FDA has not approved the use of CBD for any medical conditions, including the treatment of pain. CBD oil is not regulated as a drug or medicine, but is instead treated as a dietary supplement.
While you can decide for yourself whether CBD oil is worth trying for your pain, be sure to work with your doctor to make sure it doesn't interfere with any other medications you may be taking.   
How to use CBD oil for pain: Dosage instructions
There are four main ways to take CBD oil, and each can be effective for pain in some people. Here is a brief overview of the main ways to take CBD oil:
Tinctures
The most common form of CBD oil is tinctures. These small vials have an eye dropper cap, and you drop the recommended dose under your tongue and hold for 30-60 seconds to allow the CBD to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream.  
Benefits:
Acts quickly, usually within 5-15 minutes.
Can be added to food as an additive
Least processed form of CBD
Disadvantages:
Can look conspicuous when the drops are used  
Not everyone likes the taste
Oral use of CBD for pain
Usually sold in capsule or soft gel form, this is one of the most convenient ways to take CBD.  

Advantages:
Precise dosage, every time
Quick and convenient to take with less mess than oil
Supplement your daily pill intake and take like the rest of your medications/supplements
 
Disadvantages:
May take up to an hour to be effective
May not be as bioavailable as other methods because the digestive process may reduce the rate of absorption 
External use.
CBD creams, ointments or lotions are designed to be applied directly to the pain and work site by being absorbed directly into the skin.  

Benefits:
Fast pain relief targeted to the painful area
Great for arthritis, injury pain and other localised aches and pains
Supportive ingredients such as arnica can enhance natural pain-relieving properties

Disadvantages:
Can be expensive, especially if charged per mg of CBD.
Transdermal use may miss some of the other health benefits of CBD
 
Vaping
Vaping and/or dabbing CBD involves heating CBD oil to a certain temperature and then inhaling the vapour/smoke. It must be done with special products and equipment and is generally not recommended for beginners.  

Benefits:
Extremely fast acting relief
Highly bioavailable form of ingesting CBD for pain.
The ritual itself can be a calming stress reliever, especially for former smokers

Disadvantages:
Equipment and products can be expensive
There are possible unknown additional health risks of smoking, even vaping
Accurate dosage is difficult
What is the right dosage?
Many people who are new to CBD rightly want to know what the correct dosage is. The problem, however, is that this is complicated by many factors, including:

  • Size of the person
  • Level of experience with CBD
  • Severity and type of impairment
  • Method of use
  • Strength and quality of the product
Some people do not feel anything for the first week or two of using CBD oil. This is actually more common than you would think. It has to do with the fact that the body needs some time to form more receptors to use the chemical compound.
Here's what I would suggest: start with the minimum dose recommended by the manufacturer of your oil. Take a steady dosage for a few days before gradually increasing the dose until you feel comfortable with it and get the relief you are looking for. If you are still not getting relief, contact the manufacturer for more specific advice on how to use their specific product.  
Whether you are looking for CBD oil for back, foot, knee, joint, nerve, migraine, arthritis, fibromyalgia or other chronic pain conditions, it is best to start with a high-quality CBD oil from a trusted source.