Have you heard of CBD? Cannabidiol, or CBD for short, is getting a lot of attention lately – and for good reason. The hemp-based compound offers many of the same therapeutic benefits as medical marijuana, but without any psychoactive effects. Using CBD hemp oil for pain is an effective alternative to harsh prescription drugs.

Why is that such a big deal? Well, CBD isn’t subject to the same laws and regulations as cannabis. That makes CBD more accessible, and even more appealing, than medical marijuana. It offers pain relief (and other benefits) without all the bureaucracy – and without the “high”.

Trying to decide what type of CBD is right for you? Keep reading to learn more about the different kinds of CBD oil for pain products, and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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What Can Pain Issues Can CBD Oil Help With?

One of the great things about cannabidiol is that it can help with a number of different conditions, including insomnia, muscle pain, joint pain, and psychological problems. CBD can also reduce neuropathic pain and discomfort associated with difficult to treat pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Though cannabidiol’s full therapeutic potential has yet to be realized, it’s clear that it has a lot to offer chronic pain patients – especially for those with difficult to treat pain.

Arthritis

Research has established CBD as an anti-inflammatory[1], as well as an effective treatment for both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Most recently, a 2015 study used CBD gel to reduce arthritis symptoms in rats, including joint swelling and inflammation[2]. Rheumatoid arthritis affects millions of people and several RA foundations are big components of using CBD.

Multiple Sclerosis

The benefits of cannabis for multiple sclerosis have been well-studied, and there are products in Canada for treatment of MS that contain both CBD and THC. Multiple studies have also found CBD specifically effective in reducing many symptoms of multiple sclerosis, including pain, spasms, and mobility issues[3] [4] [5].

Sleep Disorders

Managing sleep is an important part of treatment for most chronic pain conditions. Unfortunately, sleep disorders are frequently associated with chronic pain. That said, research supports the use of CBD for treating insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, PTSD-related nightmares, and sleep apnea[6]. Cannabidiol can also help people sleep for longer periods of time and increase REM sleep[7].

Headache and Migraine

So far, multiple studies indicate that cannabis might be an effective way to treat headaches and migraines[8]. More research is needed into the specific benefits of CBD, but its anti-inflammatory properties are promising. Also, CBD’s ability to address stress and sleep problems – two common migraine triggers – suggest that it may be able to reduce migraine frequency by treating the root cause along with the pain itself.

Which CBD Product is Best for You?

Cannabidiol is available in many different forms, making it widely appealing. You can use it as a massage oil, blend it into a smoothie, add it to your lunch, vape it on your smoke break at work, and more. The possibilities are nearly endless!

That said, there are 3 main ways to consume CBD: ingesting, applying topically, and vaping.

Sublingual Administration

Sublingual administration is one of the most popular ways people consume CBD oil for chronic pain. Sublingual, from the Latin for “under the tongue”, refers to the pharmacological route of administration by which substances diffuse into the blood through tissues under the tongue. By dropping the oil under your tongue your body quickly and effective absorbs the CBD into your bloodstream. It is one of the most effective ways of taking Cannabidiol Oil.

Ingesting (edibles) CBD For Pain

The CBD edibles category is quite diverse. Perhaps the best-known option is treats, including 10mg CBD gummies, cookies, and chocolate bars… but did you know there’s also CBD gum, honey, peanut butter, and even pizza sauce?

For the cooks out there, you can add CBD to your meals as a flavorless, scentless oil. Or, if you prefer beverages, CBD is also available as juice, coffee, tea, liquid shots, or powder that can be added to smoothies or water.

CBD edibles are a good option for anyone seeking subtle pain relief, such as those looking to manage their pain at work. However, this limits your CBD doses to meal breaks, and requires your body to break down your food before the relief kicks in.

Alternately, you can take CBD in capsule form or sublingually (under the tongue) as a spray or tincture. If you’re seeking fast-acting pain relief, taking CBD sublingually would be a better option than edibles.

Topical

For those looking for something different, topical cannabidiol products are plentiful. There are lotions, gels, creams, pastes, lip balms, scrubs, salves, butters, oils, and transdermal patches. Topical CBD can be applied directly to the skin to relieve pain or reduce inflammation. Most topical products don’t enter the bloodstream, but patches are an exception.

Topical CBD is a great option for those suffering from either localized or widespread muscle pain, tension, or cramps. If you have arthritis, fibromyalgia, or pain from activities like sports and hiking, topical CBD may be good for you.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box; topical CBD can also be used as a moisturizer or massage oil. If you enjoy the soothing powers of a hot bath, there are even CBD bath bombs and bath salts available.

Vaping

Perhaps the most popular option, vaping CBD in oil form is a great alternative to tobacco, and much healthier to boot. CBD’s calming effects in particular make it an appealing option for those looking for stress relief at work. Vaping is convenient, portable, and discrete, though less so than edibles.

There are two main advantages to vaping: one, it makes CBD accessible over the course of your entire day, allowing you to control your dosage better than with food or a capsule. Second, vaping is efficient; it allows CBD to enter your bloodstream faster by skipping the digestive process. This means you’ll feel the effects much faster and with a smaller amount of CBD.

As you can see, CBD is an appealing option for managing many different types of pain. It’s incredibly convenient, and therefore easy to fit into your routine. Whether you’re looking for pain relief at work or at home, it’s important to find options that keep your head clear while also being effective. No matter your lifestyle, the variety of CBD products available means you’re likely to find the one that’s best for you.

Every Day Optimal is a leading supplier of CBD products, offering a variety of pure and authentic CBD gummies, capsules and more. To see our full selection of products, click here.

Is CBD Oil Legal?

Yes. Hemp derived CBD oil is legal in all 50 states without a prescription. It can be used to treat a wide range of chronic pain issues as well as minor issues like headaches.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/

[3] http://www.clinicaltherapeutics.com/article/S0149-2918(07)00294-9/abstract

[4] http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1185/030079906×158066

[5] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1191/1352458504ms1048oa

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28349316

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23343597

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5436334/