CBD for Pain Relief: Does it Help?

Aug 7

People are in pain!

It sucks! I hear it all the time. This is probably one of the most frequent questions that I get from potential CBD users. And the short answer is, yes! But it’s different for everyone and might not work the way you expected.

How can CBD help my chronic or acute pain?

The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) was only recently discovered in the 1990’s which means that clinical trials are still in the relatively early stages, but scientists have already found it effective at treating various types of pain and especially for types of pain that might not be controlled by other available medications.

The ECS plays a large role in essential functions of the body that modulate pain and inflammation. CBD supports the ECS and does not cause intoxication due to its low levels of THC. CBD products can generally be very safely used in conjunction with other pain treatments, and have little to no side effects. They also won’t cause dependence, which is a real win.*

*(Please keep in mind I am not a doctor and am not qualified to give medical advice).

Check out these articles which link to some of the research that’s been done on CBD for pain relief:

What Types of Pain Can Cannabidiol Treat?

CBD Oil and Inflammation

Here are some things to keep in mind when considering a CBD product for pain relief:

Look for "Full-Spectrum" CBD products as the research shows that they are more effective due to what's called the Entourage Effect. Whether you use a topical, locally applied cream, or a tincture, this is important to consider.
Note that all brands have varying concentrations in their products, so dosing can vary a lot from brand to brand. What one company calls "extra strength" another might call "Regular strength" etc... It's important to take note of how many milligrams of CBD are in the jar that's purchased and that might be in one dose so that you can start to take note of what works for you
It takes some time to find the right dosage, and CBD effects are sometimes felt right away, sometimes felt more over time. For pain, my experience is that consistent use is best.
CBD is a very powerful anti-inflammatory which is why it is so great for the system overall, and this is also the mechanism by which it helps reduce pain, especially when used consistently
Tinctures and topicals can both be helpful. Topical creams come in various strengths (I offer a 200mg cream, a 500mg cream and an 800mg cream, they both work well for joint and muscle pain for me). I also offer a 350 mg tincture and a 750mg tincture, a dropper full is 12mg and 24mg of CBD respectively.
Try to source sustainably grown, organic and full-spectrum products. For me, this is much like meeting your farmer at the farmer’s market. I like to know exactly where and by whom the hemp I’m using is being grown. I make sure that the farmer’s from which I source my hemp are certified organic and have tested the plants and the soil.
Look for products that use third-party lab testing to ensure potency. There have been a lot of sneaky CBD companies watering down their products and offering nothing close to the dosages they purport to include. The FDA tested several major online retailers a few years ago and issues warning letters to a number of companies with false claims.
Keep a journal when starting with CBD! This will help you note the times of day, dose, effect, etc...Our bodies are "moving targets" and things are constantly changing, It's such a positive thing to build a relationship with your body in concert with plant medicine! I'm a huge believer! hehe. I will be offering these CBD Jotter’s on the website soon!