Can CBD oil be an analgesic?

Can CBD oil be an analgesic? This is a question often asked by people suffering from chronic, mostly disabling pain, which in most cases is part of one of the many complaints of chronic diseases. In order to reduce the amount of pharmacological medications they take, as well as for the sake of their liver, many people suffering from various types of pain are looking for effective ways to alleviate their discomfort. For this reason, many are starting to use CBD as an alternative treatment method or as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy (it is always imperative that such a decision is made in consultation with a practitioner). In this article, we will take a closer look at the analgesic effects of CBD and whether it can actually be effective in treating various ailments. We will discuss the mechanism of action of CBD, find out how it affects the endocannabinoid system and ailments can be treated with this ingredient and answer the question of whether CBD oil can be analgesic.

How does CBD work for pain? Can CBD oil be an analgesic?

In recent years, the use of CBD oil, or cannabidiol, one of the main components of both cannabis and fibre hemp, has become increasingly popular. The CBD used in the production of CBD oil is derived from fibre hemp and is completely legal and free of psychoactive properties. This cannabidiol, due to its safe use and natural origin, as well as the amount of research it has undergone,  is increasingly being used to treat a variety of diseases and ailments, including pain. Many studies show the pain-relieving effects of CBD and more and more people are starting to use this ingredient as an alternative form of treatment. 

CBD affects the endocannabinoid system, which plays an important role in regulating certain bodily processes, including pain and anxiety. 

The endocannabinoid system is a system made up of receptors, endocannabinoids and their synthases, which is found in various tissues and organs in the body. Endocannabinoid receptors are found in various tissues, including the brain, nervous system, digestive system, respiratory system and immune system. Endocannabinoids are chemicals produced by the body that bind to endocannabinoid receptors and affect their activity. Endocannabinoid synthases, on the other hand, are enzymes responsible for the synthesis of endocannabinoids.

CBD acts by affecting the CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are responsible for regulating pain and anxiety. CBD does not bind directly to endocannabinoid receptors, but influences their activity by inhibiting endocannabinoid degradation or by stimulating their synthase. In this way, CBD can lead to the alleviation of pain caused by various diseases and ailments, such as neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain or pain associated with rheumatic diseases. A large number of CB1 cannabinoid receptors have been noted in the amygdala, present in the brain as well as in the spinal cord area. Importantly, the activation of CB1 receptors is closely linked to the inhibition of neuronal excitability and, therefore, to the inhibition of the conduction of pain stimuli. Many people suffering from this type of pain are looking for effective ways to alleviate their discomfort and for them CBD may be an interesting alternative to traditional painkillers. Can CBD oil be an analgesic? Yes, but it is also worth mentioning that it shows better potential for treating chronic pain of an inflammatory nature, due to its antioxidant properties, than for one-off, short-term pain. This cannabidiol is well-known in the treatment of complaints related to cancer therapy, remautistic pain, joint pain or migraine.

CBD oil for pain in cancer treatment

Research indicates that the use of CBD may be effective in relieving pain caused by cancer diseases such as lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer. Many people with these diseases experience severe pain and severe eating disorders, and CBD may be an effective way to alleviate these symptoms. Studies conducted with the introduction of the drug Sativex (its secondary available by prescription in Poland, it is a mixture of CBD and THC) have shown that it has a much better and longer-lasting pain-relieving effect than opioids such as morphine.

CBD oil for neuropathic pain

CBD is also effective in treating neuropathic pain, which is pain caused by nerve damage or disease. Neuropathic pain is often difficult to relieve with traditional painkillers, so many patients seek alternative treatments. CBD can be an effective solution for this type of pain.

Their effects on the CB1 receptor have been found to be enhanced in long-term inflammation and in neuropathic pain. There is also ample evidence for the involvement of CB2 receptors in the relief of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, as well as in osteoporosis. 

Importantly, the use of CBD oils utilises CB2 receptor agonists, which have analgesic effects while showing no adverse effects on the central nervous system of the CNS. The CB2 receptor also exhibits effects in  peripheral nerve endings. Its activation, on the other hand, inhibits cellular responses and reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

CBD oil for joint pain

BD has shown great efficacy in relieving pain associated with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Many people with these diseases experience pain, stiffness and reduced joint mobility, and CBD is successful in relieving these symptoms. Studies indicate that CBD can even be effective in combination with other anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen. 

The results also show that CBD acts as an antagonist and blocks or attenuates the GPR55 receptor, has the effect of slowing down osteoarthritis and can also have a real impact on the body's immune response, resulting in lower levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

In 2016, however, CBD intake was tested in rats with arthritis. The researchers applied CBD ointment to the rats. They received between 0.6 and 62.3 mg of CBD per day. The researchers noticed a reduction in inflammation and overall pain in the affected joints of the rats. No side effects were noted in the process.

CBD oil for migraines

One of the most recent studies (from 2021) clearly states that cannabinoids such as CBD has been qualified as a treatment for migraine pain and has proven that the effective dose can be as low as 600mg. In addition, the use of CBD relaxes and calms, and reduces the sensation of nausea and vomiting reflexes that so often occur together with migraine. Due to the effect of this cannabinoid on the human endocannabinoid system, whose functions are described in the paragraph above, all available studies praise the use of CBD during attacks of migraine headaches, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic nature, as well as its high safety of use and lack of addictive potential.

Which CBD oil to choose and how to use it for pain?

In this case, the wisest thing to do is to start with a concentration of 10% or even 30%, depending on the severity of the condition, used three times a day, and to choose a proven oil with a full spectrum of cannabinoids, with a composition confirmed by studies, so as to benefit from the beneficial effects of all the substances, not just CBD. For the sake of your own health, use a certified oil that is free of contaminants such as fungi, moulds or heavy metals. This is extremely important if you want to achieve the desired result. Therefore, it is also a good idea to use our dosage calculator to determine the optimal dose.

Can CBD oil be analgesic - certainly yes. The conclusion we came to after analysing the available scientific research and literature on the analgesic effects of CBD is that this ingredient is an effective way of relieving pain caused by various diseases and ailments. The potential for the use of CBD in the treatment of pain is much broader than is commonly known- there are currently many studies taking place where the analgesic use of CBD is being thoroughly tested. Some of these are even based on obtaining a unique CBD-containing drug with simultaneous analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects. The coming years will prove to be groundbreaking for the hemp industry, allowing more and more people to learn about the extraordinary properties of this cannabinoid. And the question of whether CBD oil can be analgesic is bound to bring new answers every now and then.

Bibliography:

1. "Therapeutic potential of the endocannabinoid system in the treatment of acute and chronic pain"; authors: Magdalena Kostrzewa, Katarzyna Starowicz Laboratory of Pain Pathophysiology, Department of Pain Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences; https://bolczasopismo.pl/api/files/view/52013.pdf.

2. 'Selective Cannabinoids for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis'; 2017; https://journals.lww.com/anesthesia-analgesia/Fulltext/2017/11000/Selective_Cannabinoids_for_Chronic_Neuropathic.32.aspx

3. "Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis" 2016 authors D.C.. Hammell, L.P. Zhang, F. Ma,S.M. Abshire, S.L. McIlwrath, A.L. Stinchcomb K.N. Westlund https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851925/

4. "Reconsidering clinical endocannabinoid deficiency: current research supports the theory for migraine, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel and other treatment-resistant syndromes", Ethan B. Russo; 2016; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5576607/

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