CBD has been gaining traction as a promising pharmaceutical agent for treating pain, inflammation, seizures and anxiety without the psychoactive effects of THC. It works by acting on a variety of biological processes in the body, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pain reliever. CBD can also reduce the anxiety commonly experienced by people living with chronic pain. Our understanding of the role of CBD in the treatment of pain continues to evolve, and evidence from animal studies has demonstrated 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 the regulation of many body functions, such as metabolism and appetite, mood and anxiety, and the perception of pain. CBD is best taken in pill or capsule form for a slow and prolonged release or as an oral tincture (infused oil containing CBD) so that the effects appear more quickly. CBD may even improve your current pain management treatments for sciatica and other hard-to-treat conditions. It's ideal for people who need an easy-to-digest CBD product that provides almost immediate relief from symptoms. In phase II, participants who received the combination of CBD and THC compounds saw the frequency of their migraine attacks decrease by 40.4 percent. As we have described above, there are numerous benefits associated with using CBD to control pain, from its anti-inflammatory properties to its wide availability.
The studies discussed indicate a positive influence of CBD on various diseases; however, animal studies cannot always translate into results in humans. If you're not sure which form of CBD is right for you, experiment with a few different types to find out which one offers the most benefits. Hyperalgesia, a feeling of excessive pain, may be accompanied by allodynia, a painful sensation of neutral stimulation. CBD can interfere with your bloodstream if you take an anticoagulant such as Coumadin, and it can also increase the potency of some psychiatric medications. Studies often show that the effects of CBD are mediated by the serotonergic receptor 5HT1a (5HT1a), which is coupled to the Gi protein. In a mouse model with 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's disease, CBD exerted analgesic effects by increasing the binding of anandamide to CB1 and TRPV1 receptors.
In rats, after ligation of the L5 spinal nerve, CBD and its modified derivatives (dihydroxyl-CBD and dideoxy-CBD) suppressed chronic neuropathic pain. The FDA is very clear that it is illegal to market CBD by adding it to a food or labeling it as a dietary supplement. Epidiolex, a prescription drug for epilepsy, is the only CBD product on the market that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, there is an unmet need to examine the potential effects of CBD on embryonic and fetal development and on the postnatal health of children exposed to CBD before birth.
