Pain is a concept everybody knows and understands. Fortunately, there is no shortage of ways to respond to aches and pains but personally I am not a fan of taking pharmaceuticals and other drugs - even common pain relievers. Instead, I prefer to deal with it by managing the sensation naturally. However, I'm excited about the growth of the CBD industry and it's potential to both manage chronic pains as well as address acute immediate pain when used in conjunction with massage, acupuncture, and other holistic methods.
A lot of us experience chronic pain such as lower back pain, joint pains, muscle spasms and even arthritis. To help deal with this, a lot of people often turn to over-the-counter or prescription pain medication. Opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are great at treating pain at the onset, but multiple studies have shown the negative effects of prolonged use of these types of pharmaceuticals.
Prolonged use of opioids and other similar prescription painkillers can cause addiction and dependency, often requiring higher and stronger doses to achieve the desired relief. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also cause significant damage to the body; the liver and kidneys are prone to the damaging effects of prolonged use of these kinds of painkillers.
There are a lot of ways to help manage pain. Procedures like acupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy are just a few methods that can alleviate pain without the negative side effects of pharmaceuticals. Turmeric has also been known to help with pain management.
Recently, one particular method has been a standout at providing pain relief and is riding a wave of recent exposure: cannabidiol or CBD. CBD is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in a specific strain of the hemp plant. Hemp has been around for many, many years and has been used by human populations for a number of things like textiles, paper, and even biofuel. CBD is just one of the many latest innovations that we have been able to derive from this humble plant.
Before anything else, it must be stressed that CBD is not marijuana. Unlike marijuana, cannabidiol products do not contain tetrahydrocannabinol. Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the psychoactive component found in most cannabis strains. This component is responsible for the high that cannabis provides when used. Unlike THC, CBD does not have those mind-altering effects. Rather, CBD works by stimulating the body’s endocannabinoid system to help regulate the pain in a much more efficient and natural way.
Cannabidiol has since been harnessed and transformed into multiple products that provide pain relief. CBD essential oils have been used by a lot of people to provide a pain relief component during aromatherapy sessions. CBD Salve can also be used as a topical pain reliever and an introductory product to those who are not yet sure about ingesting cannabidiol-derived products.
Multiple studies, such as this one from the Journal of Experimental Medicine, have shown that CBD can help with suppressing chronic neuropathic persistent inflammatory pain. Other studies have also shown that the body does not build up a tolerance to CBD, making it a useful long-term tool for managing chronic pain and providing pain relief.
Cannabidiol is just one of the many bounties that nature has blessed us with. A natural alternative to the many man-made compounds bottled up in pharmacies worldwide, cannabidiol products help provide relief from pain and can help with treating the main culprits associated with chronic pain.
