Scientists estimate that 1 in 5 adults suffer from pain worldwide, and that 1 in 10 adults around the world are diagnosed with chronic pain every year. From inflammation and sore muscles to chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, pain management is a fundamental part of everyday life for millions of people. Many have begun looking for alternatives to potentially dangerous pain medication, such as opioids, and some are turning to the popular health supplement, CBD. But does it work?
If we look at the history of hemp, it’s clear that humans have believed in the therapeutic elements of cannabinoids, like CBD, for pain for millennia (cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis — we’ll talk about them more in a bit).
Even though the health benefits of cannabinoids have been researched by scientists since the 1800s, it was the legalization of industrialized hemp in 2018 that began to push that research forward in earnest. Still, it’s important to note, before we discuss the use of CBD for pain, that the FDA has not approved CBD for medicinal use, including usage for pain, and the following discussion should in no way be construed as medical advice. We will simply relate how people have been using CBD, the theory behind CBD’s potential use as a pain reliever, and discuss some anecdotal experiences users have shared on the benefits of CBD for inflammation, achy joints, and more.
For us to better understand the potential use of CBD for pain relief, we need to start by taking a look at what CBD actually is, and how it interacts with our bodies.
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of those cannabinoids we mentioned earlier. A cannabinoid is a molecular compound that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. There are around 113 cannabinoids in cannabis, including CBD, CBG and CBN.
Unlike its more famous cousin, THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. That means it won’t get you high. Instead, it imparts a host of other therapeutic benefits in our bodies — benefits that are amplified when working in concert with other cannabinoids to achieve the Entourage Effect, in which multiple ingredients combine synergistically for a greater effect than any would on their own.
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with receptors in our endocannabinoid system. This is a system common to all mammals, including our cats and dogs. The endocannabinoid system is closely integrated with the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as systems in our bodies that regulate digestion, sleep, and more.
There are two types of receptors in our endocannabinoid systems, known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors show up in peripheral systems and tissues, like our immune and digestive systems.
How a cannabinoid works with a system, like how we might use CBD for pain, depends on which receptors it interacts with. We know from ongoing studies and anecdotal evidence that CBD is used by people everywhere for a host of therapeutic benefits.
Can I Use CBD for Pain?
Some of the most common CBD searches include CBD for pain, CBD for inflammation, CBD for sore muscles, CBD for achy joints, and CBD for chronic pain. But internet searches don’t equal results. Can you actually use CBD for pain?
We take our cues from the FDA, who wisely point out that scientific research about CBD for pain and other treatments is still ongoing. There is no definitive study as of yet, so we’re not allowed to make definitive claims that may be misleading.
Instead, we look at what we know about how CBD works in the body, what research is currently ongoing, and the stories of people who rely on CBD for pain, for rest, and much more. Those who swear by CBD use it as a topical for sore muscles and inflammation, and take it as a tincture or edible for pain management and more.
Let’s look at some of the ways people around the world use CBD for pain relief and management.
CBD for Sore Muscles & Achy Joints
From athletes to those managing chronic pain, people love to use CBD for pain relief and to fight soreness and enhance recovery. There are plenty of reasons to choose a topical when trying CBD for pain relief. CBD creams and topicals are the most popular products for sore muscles and achy joints.
Topicals are ideal for musculoskeletal pain, like sore muscles and achy joints. They provide targeted relief, and the CBD and active ingredients don’t have to be metabolized by the digestive system before they can take effect.
CBD Cream for Muscles and Joints is beloved by weightlifters and runners because therapeutic CBD is combined with cooling menthol and soothing white willow bark for a refreshing rub down. It’s available in strengths ranging from 500mg of CBD to 3000mg of CBD for pain relief you can customize to your needs.
CBD Muscle and Joint Balm Stick is another popular topical, and ours is formulated with menthol, wintergreen, and black pepper oil to deliver a cooling, muscle-soothing massage packed with essential oils, plus camphor oil to provide a warming, muscle-loosening boost.
CBD for Inflammation
Inflammation is a natural defense our bodies use to protect us. Our white blood cells fight viruses and injuries that pose a threat to our tissues.
But sometimes, this results in swelling and pain that we need to manage. Anti-inflammatories, like NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, etc.), help by blocking the enzymes that cause pain and inflammation at the site of damage. But extended use of over-the-counter pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories can pose dangers of heart attack, stroke, and stomach ulcers.
Natural anti-inflammatories, like salmon, broccoli, nuts and superfoods, like curcumin and spirulina, are healthy choices to fight inflammation. Products with white willow bark and menthol, combined with CBD for inflammation, are a powerful option.
Scientists are studying how we might use CBD for inflammation, looking at how it interacts with our cannabinoid receptors. The CBD topicals we listed above are popular for muscle and joint inflammation, allowing you to directly target your pain points.
Skin inflammation is another common issue, and the skin-care industry focuses heavily on anti-inflammatory products. Natural products, like our Calming and Moisturizing Balm Stick, fight skin inflammation, dryness, and irritation with a combination of CBD, shea butter, soothing lavender, chamomile, and tea tree oil. It’s like a spa massage in a balm stick.
CBD for Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia, arthritis, headaches, and neuropathy are just some of the conditions scientists consider when they study CBD for chronic pain. A famous study of the use of CBD in epilepsy treatment looked at the effect CBD has on the body’s inflammatory response to neuropathic pain, suggesting that it might reduce neuroinflammation in “several disease-specific conditions.”
This study also noted that cannabis was listed in the U.S. as a treatment for neuralgia and pain as far back as 1854.
We can’t say that using CBD for chronic pain, or using CBD for fibromyalgia is a sure-fire solution. We can say that many people feel it eases their symptoms.
How Can I Use CBD for Pain?
Use CBD for Pain with Topicals
As we mentioned earlier, creams and topicals are a popular source of targeted relief for sore muscles and achy joints. We have a handy article about How to Choose the Best CBD Topical for Your Needs that discusses, in depth, how topicals can efficiently and effectively address pain.
In addition to the CBD Cream for Muscles and Joints, CBD Muscle Balm and Calming and Moisturizing Balm Stick, we offer soothing CBD Bath Bombs designed to help you wind down in the evening or get recharged and ready for the day.
CBD Gummies for Pain
Using CBD gummies is an excellent long-lasting approach to pain. Not only are these edibles tasty, but their effects last longer in the body than topicals or vape products.
We make a wide array of CBD gummies, making it easy for you to choose the right product for your lifestyle and pain management needs.
CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina are our go-to for pain, inflammation and general wellness. Turmeric and spirulina are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory superfoods, and they work in concert with 50mg of broad spectrum CBD per serving.
CBD Multivitamin Gummies come in versions formulated specifically for both women and men. They impart a daily dose of vitamins and minerals, as well as 50mg of broad spectrum CBD per serving.
Apple cider vinegar is a popular wellness supplement, beloved by aficionados for heart health, blood sugar management, and much more. We combine it with CBD in our Gummies with Apple Cider Vinegar.
If you want to try CBD for pain relief in gummy form, and don’t want to mix it with other supplements, our original CBD Gummies are super tasty and very popular.
CBD Tinctures for Pain
A tincture is a fast-acting and long-lasting way to try CBD for pain management.
Our CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture provides a 2:1 ratio of broad spectrum CBD to CBG, which alone makes it a potent source of cannabinoid goodness. On top of that, we added antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and antioxidant curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) for a health-boosting wellness tincture that addresses inflammation and pain.
What is CBG? It’s sometimes called the “mother cannabinoid,” because it’s the first cannabinoid that takes form before converting into other compounds. CBG appears early in the growth cycle of cannabis, and has to be extracted before it changes, making it hard to come by.
Like CBD, CBG is non-psychoactive. When combined with CBD, many find it to have energizing effects.
Another lesser known cannabinoid, CBN, makes an appearance in our CBD + CBN Oil Calming Tincture. CBN is formed when THC ages and begins to break down — but that doesn’t mean it’s psychoactive. Instead, it’s found by many to have very calming effects.
Whether you want to try CBD for pain relief while you get chill or energized, you can find a tincture that works for you.
CBD for Pain: the Verdict
The scientific studies on the effectiveness of CBD for pain are ongoing, but we know what people have found that works for them for centuries, and we know what our customers say. We work with a team of medical advisors to ensure that our products are safe and effective, and we only use clean, organic CBD that is lab tested by third parties.
If you’re ready to try CBD for pain, whether you’re dealing with a chronic pain condition like fibromyalgia or arthritis, or if you have to manage sore muscles and achy joints, we’re ready to provide you with safe, effective products to make your life a little easier.
Want to try CBD for pain, but not sure where to start? Try a topical or a gummy today!
