It seems to hold promise in reducing inflammation, which could ease the pain of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, says Dr. CBD is becoming a promising pharmaceutical agent for treating pain, inflammation, seizures and anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC. Our understanding of the role of CBD in pain management continues to evolve, and evidence from animal studies has shown that CBD exerts its analgesic effects through its diverse interactions and modulation of the endocannabinoid, inflammatory and nociceptive (pain detection) systems. The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors that interact with our own natural cannabinoids.
This system is involved in regulating many body functions, including metabolism and appetite, mood and anxiety, and pain perception. People who are prone to unwanted side effects, for example, can continue to reap potential health benefits by sticking with products that are lower in THC and higher in CBD. CBD that comes from marijuana may contain more THC, which may not be ideal for people trying to avoid THC. The components of cannabis that most pain relief studies focus on are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Some CBD products that are produced from cannabis, for example, may contain more THC than the label suggests. People suffering from chronic pain may find small to moderate short-term pain relief when they consume certain prescription cannabis products with higher levels of THC to CBD, but there are some worrying side effects, according to new research. Until there is high-quality scientific evidence in humans, it is difficult to make a recommendation for the regular use of CBD in the treatment of chronic pain. With the legalization of marijuana in many states and the resulting cultural acceptance of this drug for recreational and medical use, interest in using cannabis has increased for a myriad of medical problems, including pain.
CBD and THC have the same molecular structure, but there are differences in the way these molecules are organized that are responsible for the different effects they have. Researchers suggest that cannabis or cannabinoids may be effective in treating some types of chronic pain, including neuropathy (nerve pain). If you're trying to reduce stress or sleep better, for example, CBD can provide benefits without the negative side effects associated with THC. Researchers found that participants preferred indica strains for pain, sedation and sleep treatment, while opting for sativa strains to improve energy and mood.
Because THC is known to produce a “high”, it is generally recommended for people who want to stop thinking about their pain and at the same time experience relief. In one study, people who took a combination of CBD and THC experienced greater pain relief than those who took THC alone. There are currently no high-quality research studies that support the use of CBD for pain management alone. Both THC and CBD are stored in body fat, which means that both can be detected in drug tests for some time after you've stopped using them.
