The US is a country full of people in pain. Are you one of the 25.3 million people in the US who had pain every day for the past 3 months? Or one of the nearly 40 million people who report severe levels of pain? You don’t have to live with this pain. New treatments, like cannabidiol, can help alleviate your pain.
Our bodies have so many areas where we may feel chronic pain and it impacts every aspect of your life. It could impact your ability to go to work, play with your children or grandchildren, and make it impossible for you to enjoy physical activities. Keep reading to learn more about cannabidiol and its benefits.
What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is an oil that is extracted from the cannabis plant. It is a cannabinoid, which are chemicals that are naturally found in hemp and marijuana plants. Unlike THC, another cannabinoid found in marijuana, cannabidiol does not give you a feeling of being “high.”
Cannabidiol typically comes from the hemp plant, which is the least processed form of marijuana. The way that cannabinoids, including CBD, work is that they attach themselves to receptors in the body to produce certain effects.
Our bodies already have certain cannabinoids that are produced naturally. Our receptors for cannabinoids are CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.
CB1 receptors are the ones that THC attach themselves to. They are typically found around the brain and impact coordination, movement, pain, emotions, mood, appetite, cognitive ability, and memories. When THC attaches to these receptors, you get a feeling of being high.
CB2 receptors, on the other hand, are more commonly found in the immune system and impact inflammation and pain. Cannabidiol can influence the body to
What Are the Benefits of CBD?
Research has identified many benefits of cannabidiol. It has been shown to successfully treat arthritis, anxiety and depression, MS, chronic pain, schizophrenia, PTSD, epilepsy, and other neurological disorders.
If you want to use it to reduce chronic pain, there are a number of different benefits it has. First, it has anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation causes pain and can eventually damage your tissue.
Long-term use of over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories is not ideal, as they can damage your liver, kidneys, or stomach.
Cannabidiol can also help your muscles relax. If you are unable to stretch or exercise due to chronic pain, this can help your muscles relax, allowing you to use them more often and stretch them out. Movement is often important in alleviating many arthritic conditions.
If your constant pain is impacting your sleep, cannabidiol can help with that too. Cannabidiol is a calming agent, helping you to relax and fall asleep. Rest is important to treat any type of injury or illness, so without it, chances are your pain will persist.
Cannabidiol can even relieve any anxiety or depression that you have related to your chronic pain. Research has shown that it can reduce anxiety and depression. It can also help with PTSD, particularly if that is related to your chronic pain.
How Can I Use It?
There are a number of different ways that cannabidiol can be used. You can swallow or ingest it, either in oil form or in capsules. You can also put a few drops under your tongue, which is a popular method because it works quicker.
You can buy cannabidiol gum or put it in your everyday food and drink. Adding it to foods can be especially beneficial, as the fatty acids found in some foods can serve as a carrier to cannabinoids, and move them through the body faster. Smoothies, coffee, salads, oatmeal, or ice cream are great options to mix your CBD with.
Cannabidiol can also be used as a lotion or salve that you rub on your skin. You can concentrate on the area where you have pain. Not only will the CBD work to alleviate your pain, it also has great benefits for your skin.
You can even use cannabidiol shampoo and conditioner to improve the health and shine of your hair. If you’re interested in using this as a method to reduce chronic pain, surely there is a method that will appeal to you.
What Should I Be Looking For?
When buying cannabidiol, there are a few things you should pay attention to. Ask for the third party lab results to verify what is in the cannabidiol, check the dosage of the actual active CBD that is listed on the packaging, and when in doubt, ask for advice.
High-quality CBD will have petroleum-free processing, less than .03% THC, and will be a whole-plant extract. Be on the lookout for these characteristics when you are choosing which CBD you want to purchase.
But Is it Legal?
Cannabidiol is 100% legal. All 50 states allow you to purchase and use CBD. Because this does not have the psychoactive effect of THC, there are no restrictions on its use.
What Are You Waiting For?
When it comes to chronic pain, you shouldn’t go a day longer without trying to find a way to reduce it. There are plenty of options out there for alleviating pain, like CBD oil. Invest in your health and explore your options.
While you’re at it, check out our blog for more suggestions on how to alleviate pain, like picking the right mattress and using the right chair to support your back and promote good posture.
