CBD may not be intoxicating, but it sure is getting a lot of buzz these days.
In fact, CBD — the lovable acronym for cannabidiol that rolls off the tongue while shaving two syllables — is garnering a lot of scientific buzz, too. One of the reasons it’s on researchers’ radars is its ability to relieve pain with few side effects.
Below, we look at what CBD oil is, its effect on pain, and how to choose the right CBD oil for your pain relief.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is exactly what its name promises: pure, extracted CBD suspended in a carrier oil (likely coconut oil or hemp seed oil). Remember that CBD oil derived from hemp has less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the legal limit and is too low to ever get you high.
That’s why CBD oil is not considered a recreational product. Instead, it’s used as a health supplement. Note that the FDA and other health agencies have not had time to study CBD sufficiently, though the 2018 Farm Bill made it federally legal.
However, the current body of research suggests that CBD is safe and effective for several different ailments.
The Promising Outlook of CBD for Pain
Physical pain takes many forms: it can occur in our muscles, joints, tissue, skull, and just about anywhere else. You could be an athlete or just an ordinary mortal with aches and pains. While the research is still underway, the results point to an overall positive outlook for using CBD as a treatment.
Whether you have muscle soreness, inflammation, arthritis, or other pain, there’s a chance CBD could help. Here are some of the symptoms it may relieve:
Arthritic Pain
Arthritis affects nearly a quarter of all Americans. The research on whether CBD helps arthritis is ongoing, but many animal studies have shown it to relieve inflammation and pain. This makes it a promising option for those who have arthritis.
Arthritis does not discriminate by age and can affect young and old alike. When official studies emerge on the efficacy of CBD on arthritis, hopes are high that it will join the ranks of other medications and receive the official go-ahead.
Until then, keep in mind that CBD has famously few side effects and a high tolerance rate.
Knee Pain
Knees have lots of moving parts, and with the entire weight of our bodies pounding down upon them for our natural lives, it’s no wonder that 25% of us have knee pain. Thankfully, CBD is a pain-reliever and has been shown to reduce inflammation, making it an excellent option for those looking for relief from knee pain.
CBD oil is a great choice as you navigate different ways to take CBD. Using CBD oil as a tincture allows it to enter your bloodstream quickly and start relieving your pain.
Migraine
Migraine is a condition that plagues many of us but is still poorly understood. Research points to CBD as a potential treatment for migraine pain since it treats neurological symptoms.
Interestingly, a recent study showed that a THC-CBD mixture reduced migraine attacks by 40.4% while reducing pain intensity by 43.5%.
How to Buy the Right CBD Oil
The first thing you’ll notice as you start your search for CBD oil is that there’s a vast selection — overwhelming, even.
Here’s how to narrow it down:
1. Choose Broad-Spectrum or Full-Spectrum CBD Oil
CBD is but one of hundreds of different compounds present in cannabis. These compounds, called cannabinoids, work best when they work together. For that reason, CBD will do its job better when its entourage of other cannabinoids is also present.
This phenomenon, called the entourage effect, is why you should look for full-spectrum CBD oil, which contains all the cannabinoids present in the plant. Broad-spectrum eliminates some, but the effect is still there. Avoid CBD isolates.
2. Look for Third-Party Laboratory Testing
Because CBD oil isn’t regulated by the FDA yet, it’s important to know you’re getting a pure, quality product. Choose CBD oil that’s been vetted by third-party laboratory testing.
3. Buy US-Grown, Organic CBD Oil
CBD grown in the U.S. is subject to different regulations that keep it safe to ingest (and keep it from being intoxicating). It’s best to stick to CBD oil produced in the United States, at least for the time being. Other countries may not provide safeguards.
Treat Your Pain the Natural Way
Natural solutions are awesome, particularly when they work. CBD is one such solution. Try it for your pain and see how it helps — it could be the answer you were looking for.
