Pain hurts! And whether it’s from a minor accident like stubbing your toe or as the result of an ongoing medical condition, we’ve all had the displeasure of experiencing it. Ironically, pain is our body’s natural way of protecting us. But while some degree of pain is sometimes necessary to prevent us from becoming even more injured, chronic cases can severely disrupt people’s quality of life and mental wellbeing. This is where knowledge about CBD just might come in handy.
While there’s no ‘right way’ to take CBD, some methods are definitely more convenient than others. With this in mind, for those of you out there looking to address pain with CBD, this article outlines what the best way to take the extract may be. But first of all, what is CBD and how is it recognised to alter our perception of pain?
What is CBD?
Abbreviated from its scientific name ‘cannabidiol’, CBD is a compound that is found abundantly in the industrial hemp plant. It’s one of over 100 cannabinoids that are native to hemp. However, unlike its chemical counterpart delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (or THC for short), CBD is completely non-psychotropic. In other words, it won’t cause any intoxicating effects. CBD extract is obtained using state-of-the-art extraction methods, which distil substances from crushed hemp material before diluting the final extract into oil for ease of application. This product is known as CBD oil.
Due to its dynamic and varied botanical profile, CBD is anecdotally known to impact people’s overall sense of wellbeing in various ways. And depending on the spectrum, CBD is often accompanied by terpenes and fellow cannabinoids like CBG and CBN (which may also bring their own purported benefits). When these natural hemp extracts are present together, some scientists suggest that this may help to further CBD’s wellness potential through something called the ‘entourage effect’.
How does it influence our pain perception?
As it currently stands, CBD hasn’t been researched enough for us to conclusively understand how it may affect our perception of pain. However, many researchers indicate that the compound may be able to influence our self-perceived pain levels by potentially interacting with the endocannabinoid system (or the ECS). The ECS is a biological system that is responsible for regulating a wide range of functions in our bodies, including our natural pain response. It’s made up of a network of enzymes, endocannabinoids (the feel-good compounds our bodies produce) and receptors located in the brain and found all over the body.
When cannabinoids such as CBD are consumed, they may potentially interact with the CB-1 receptors in our ECS. According to theories, this action is understood to increase analgesic signalling, which, in turn, may possibly affect pain perception.
How should I take CBD to relieve pain?
Sublingually
The sublingual method simply refers to you placing a couple of drops of CBD oil tincture under your tongue. However, you should leave it there for around 20-30 seconds before swallowing. This technique is perfect for those who want to explore any of the purportedly fast-acting, full-body effects that CBD may offer. This is because the compound makes contact with your sublingual gland (a type of salivary gland) and may potentially absorb into your bloodstream within 15 minutes The sublingual method is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD and associated products include CBD gummies https://alphagreen.io/collections/cbd-gummies.html, oils, lozenges, tinctures and sprays.
Topically
Applying CBD products topically simply refers to you rubbing cannabidiol into the surface of your skin. If you’re taking CBD in response to some signs of pain or swelling in a particular area of your body, this method may be worth exploring. By rubbing CBD-infused products directly into localized areas, you may be able to introduce CBD molecules to the endocannabinoid receptors under your skin. Topical products include anything you can rub into your skin, such as creams, lotions, conditioners, salves, and oils.
Orally
Finally, if you’re looking to sample any potential CBD effects in a more gradual way, CBD edibles may be an ideal choice for you. Due to the way edible products travel around the body (via digestive processes), any possible effects may last much longer than other forms of administration. Also, since edibles come in the form of an endless variety of delicious treats, you’ll never be short of novel ways to consume cannabidiol. However, due to the route, it takes through the digestive tract and stomach, the bioavailability of this method may be comparatively lower than other methods.
Final thoughts
When it comes to CBD’s pain-relieving potential, the numbers do truly speak for themselves. According to a survey by the healthcare company, SingleCare, 64% of cannabidiol users take it to address pain and discomfort. And as anecdotal evidence and research articles continue to mount, its potential benefits are also being explored by credible institutions like the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). All in all, it appears that CBD may possibly be a worthwhile extract to experiment with as part of a broader pain management strategy.
However, just like all-natural supplements that are relatively new to the market, much is yet to be understood about the compound’s potential ability to influence pain symptoms. Therefore, before you decide to take cannabidiol products to help you address pain, you should consult your doctor or GP to make sure it is a suitable and safe option for you.
