Natural Relief: Why CBD is Effective for Pain and Inflammation
CBD is an abbreviation for “Cannabidiol.” It is an element of the resin found in hemp plants. Cannabidiol is not to be confused with Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the ingredient partially responsible for the “high” that some users experience when they smoke marijuana. CBD, by contrast, does not have addictive properties. It is for this reason that CBD is sometimes prescribed as a natural medicine.
Forms Available
Vaporizer e-cigarettes (or “vape”) pens are an increasingly common method of consuming CBD. The smoke comes from boiling CBD oil. The effects can be felt in as little as 30 seconds. Straight CBD oil can also be consumed through a dropper or spray. Topical applications of CBD are mixed into carrier materials like beeswax or coconut oil. If you put CBD into a pill or mix it into an edible it may take up to 30 minutes or more for you to feel the high.
Use in Treatment
Use of cannabis for medical purposes is now legal in many states. In some cases marijuana itself is still illegal but there are permissions for CBD oil in treating severe forms of epilepsy. Most states still require a prescription to use it. Your healthcare provider is the first place to start if you are thinking about incorporating CBD oilinto your treatment plan. Your doctor will have the most up-to-date information about legality and side effects.
Effectiveness against Pain
Marijuana has a long and storied history of pain treatment. The first reports of this medical usage date from at least 2900 B.C. It is effective because of the body’s own endocannabinoid system, or ECS. These endocannabinoids bind to the cannabinoid receptors found in your nervous system. CBD affects endocannabinoid receptors which could then treat chronic pain.
Effectiveness against Inflammation
The aforementioned receptors also contribute to inflammation. The specific culprits involved here are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB2 receptors are particularly tied to the immune system and therefore the body’s response to inflammation. CBD targets the CB2 receptors to calm inflammation. Patients with arthritis and other similar disorders can apply CBD balms to the affected joints or muscles for relief.
Don’t be surprised or discouraged if you don’t feel that CBD is an effective form of treatment. Continue to work with your healthcare provider to find the dosage or form that works for you.
