Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the numerous cannabinoids in the cannabis plant. It is non-psychoactive, meaning that it will not deliver the euphoric high associated with marijuana.
By now, you have probably already heard about CBD and its massive selection of products, especially if you are battling pain.
There are many claims that CBD is highly effective in alleviating all kinds of pain, from joint pain, chronic pain, acute pain, and even muscle soreness! Users, more specifically athletes, swear that CBD topicals have changed the way they recover from pain.
Consequently, clinical studies have been done, and the results gathered so far have backed these claims. Today, numerous CBD products promise to deliver these benefits.
However, in such a crowded market, how do you know which product is best for you?
In this article, we are going to answer the question, is CBD oil for pain effective.
Is CBD Effective At Treating Pain?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the cell signaling system in our bodies. This system was only discovered recently, in the 1990s, by medical professionals studying tetrahydrocannabinol or THC (the cannabis compound responsible for getting users high).
The ECS is made of endocannabinoids, enzymes, and a network of receptors expressed throughout our bodies.
This system is primarily responsible for regulating and controlling nearly all our vital internal processes like mood, pain perception, appetite, memory, body temperature, and more.
The cannabinoids in the cannabis plants, including CBD and THC, have a similar molecular structure as the endocannabinoids naturally produced by our bodies.
When you consume CBD oil for pain management, the compound is absorbed into the body. Meanwhile, enzymes break it down so that it interacts with the receptors to provide its touted benefits.
Contrary to THC, which binds with our receptors by displacing endocannabinoids, CBD influences endocannabinoids and activates the receptors. This action stimulates varying cell responses and influences how our bodies respond to pain signals, hence promoting relief, relaxation, and soothing benefits.
How to Choose the Best CBD Products for Pain
CBD products are largely unregulated by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA). Therefore, it is not uncommon for untrustworthy companies to falsely advertise their products to make away with your money.
You want to ensure you get a top-rated CBD oil to guarantee safety and potency. You can do so by reading the labeling on your product and going through its certificate of analysis (COA).
Consider the following:
Product Potency
A highly potent CBD will provide you with the highest benefits. Potency determines the effectiveness of the benefits delivered by your product.
You will know your product’s potency by reading its labeling. Usually, the CBD amount or dosage contained per gummy is denoted in milligrams. If you are using CBD oil, you can manage your dosage by increasing or reducing the number of drops taken.
Beginners should consider purchasing a low or mid potency product to experiment, with the effects of CBD while avoiding side effects and adjust to higher potency as needed.
The Hemp Source
You want to ensure that your product is made using CBD sourced from hemp grown in high quality and fertile soils, free of contaminants like heavy metals. Such plants provide you with highly potent CBD products for pain.
Ingredients
CBD brands often blend CBD oil with other ingredients to enhance its effectiveness, increase the range of benefits delivered and provide you with a better experience.
Ensure that the ingredients combined in your oil are natural and organically grown. Artificial chemicals are potentially toxic and can harm your health.
CBD Type
CBD products are available in three different types, CBD isolate, broad-spectrum CBD, and full-spectrum CBD. CBD isolates contain only pure CBD and may not provide you with potent effects.
Broad-spectrum CBD contains all the compounds, terpenes, and flavonoids of the hemp plant, except THC. This type of CBD is highly potent and recommended for users looking for the highest effectiveness without the influence of THC.
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the plant’s compounds, including less than 0.3% THC. These traces of THC cannot get you high, but they contribute to the overall potency, making it the most potent type of CBD.
Lab Test Results
A company can advertise their CBD capsules for pain as the best in the market. However, the only way to confirm a products potency, safety and effectiveness is by going through lab testing.
Trustworthy brands send a sample of their product to an independent, third-party lab where its purity, safety and potency are tested. This information is availed in the products COA, which should be availed readily to all consumers.
The Best Form of CBD for Pain
If you have searched online or visited a local dispensary, you must have come across a whole array of CBD products promising to relieve your pain and help you recover faster.
The most important thing when selecting products for pain is that CBD products are not all created equally. Each product is designed to deliver specific benefits. Therefore, you must choose a high-quality and effective product that aligns with your health needs.
CBD pills, gummies, and capsules are designed for oral consumption. Comparably, topicals like lotions and salves are made for use externally. You will need to apply a generous amount of topical on a specific area of your skin, like a sore muscle or joint pain, and massage the topical gently for maximum effectiveness.
On the other hand, CBD oils and tinctures spoil you with numerous consumption methods. For instance, you can take them sublingually for fast relief or add a few drops to your soup, salads, and beverages to mask the ‘hemp taste.’