HOW CBD WORKS IN YOUR BODY TO ALLEVIATE PAIN

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is one of the most popular components of cannabis, hemp, or marijuana plant. This is a non-psychoactive part of the plant, hence you can be sure that when using CBD, you don't get intoxicated. Because this compound doesn’t give you that high feeling, all that's left for you to feel are the positive benefits that it can bring to your body.  

While CBD oil may seem like a new trend, it's already been in use hundreds of years ago as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat and alleviate pain. It's only recently that it's gained widespread talk and acceptance because it's already been legalized for medical, and even recreation purposes, in some states and nations.

Of the many benefits that it brings to the human body, this article focuses on pain management. This piece gives you everything you need to know about using CBD oil to alleviate pain.

What Causes Pain In The Body?

Once the body starts to manifest pain, this can generally be a symptom of a disease or a physical injury. Pain can either be internal or external. With external pain, this starts during a bout of  inflammation or any tissue injury. It can also happen temporarily after going through some external treatments of the body. Internal pain, on the other hand, can be a sign of an impending disease.

When pain starts to be experienced, the common recourse is to take pain relievers. While these are generally harmless for the short-term, in the long run, using these medications may result in dependence. Then, all the other adverse side effects of dependence on synthetic medication will also start to manifest.

This fact is precisely why those who regularly experience pain are now looking for healthier alternatives, such as CBD oil.

How Does CBD Work For Pain In The Body?

To get things straight, yes, CBD does work successfully for pain in the body. This is made possible through the components of CBD, which interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. It is responsible for translating and receiving information from the cannabinoids.

The endocannabinoid receptors of the human body are responsible for controlling functions, such as sleep, pain, and how the immune system reacts to diseases. These receptors are also referred to as the small proteins that are attached to the surface of cells that get chemical signals from CBD.

Thanks to technology, there are many ways to take in CBD oil. You don’t have to limit yourself only to pills. There are now CBD edibles, such as gummies for pain, tinctures, and topical creams, among others.

What Kinds Of Pain Can CBD Help Manage?

The human body experiences many different types of pain. Each one has its respective symptoms that need to be treated before it’s too late. CBD oil is found to be successful in treating conditions, such as cancer pain, arthritic pain, and chronic pain, among others.

1. Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis refers to an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body, through the brain and the nerves. Muscle spasms, which can be painful, are a common symptom of this ailment.

2. Arthritic Pain

Arthritis is a disease that affects the joints of the human body. For patients who have arthritis, excruciating pain can generally be experienced in the toes, knees, and hips. It has been found that when CBD is applied topically, it is successful not just in alleviating pain, but inflammation as well.

3. Cancer Pain

It is important to note that CBD does not cure cancer. At the moment, there's no cure yet for cancer. But, CBD oil can help cancer patients in alleviating the pain they’re feeling,  as well as the symptoms of cancer treatments, such as nausea and vomiting. As a result, the quality of life of the patients undergoing cancer treatments is improved.

4. Chronic Pain

CBD oil is also an effective treatment form for chronic pain, which refers to the bodily pain that generally lasts for around three to six months. This usually happens after the patient has recently gone through a physical injury; after healing, the pain persists.

Some of the symptoms of chronic pain include lack of energy, throbbing, depression, burning, and stiffness.

Now, you may ask, “How long does it take for CBD oil to work?”  Generally, this is dependent on the kind of CBD oil that you use, as well as the dosage and concentration. This is precisely the reason why it’s better for first-timers to try out CBD oil in the evening, when it’s easier for the body to cope with the effects.

Conclusion

From reading this article, perhaps, all your confusion about CBD oil has finally been laid to rest. But, one essential thing for you to remember is that whenever you're unsure, always seek the advice of a health or medical professional. Moreover, never go beyond the dosage that’s been set for you.

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BEFORE YOU GO COLD TURKEY ON AN RX-READ THIS!

Have you ever had a friend tell you that they stopped taking their anti-depressant because they feel happy now?  Or what about the boyfriend who stops taking his high blood pressure meds because, “everything is fine, and he’s working out and eating right?” Lastly, how you ever suffered from anxiety and been prescribed Valium or Clonopin and abruptly stopped taking it because you were no longer anxious? If any of these are familiar scenarios, know that abruptly ceasing certain medications at best, can make you sick, and at worst can cause death. We turned to Dr. Niket Sonpal an NYC Internist and Gastroenterologist and Dr. Duy Nguyen, a Psychiatrist at Beachway Drug and Alcohol Center in Florida. With their combined expertise, they explain the prescription drugs that are dangerous to stop without consulting a doctor and tapering down.  See if one your meds is on this list!

Blood Pressure Medications

Medication to control high blood pressure only works if you take it. If you stop taking anti-hypertensive medication without discussing it with your doctor, you put yourself at risk for a stroke. High blood pressure is the most important preventable risk factor for stroke, according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association (ASA). Dr. Sonpal says that “The higher the blood pressure, the higher the risk for stroke and other health consequences such as brain aneurysm. Unfortunately, some people with high blood pressure stop taking their medication. If their blood pressure returns to normal, they may feel that they no longer need the medication. But normal blood pressure means the medication is doing its job; halting medication will allow blood pressure to rise again, putting the person at risk for stroke and other complications of hypertension.”

Antidepressants

Dr. Duy Nguyen has seen many a patient stop taking drugs such as Prozac, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and Zoloft without first consulting with him. He is adamant that patients don’t go this route. He says, “Withdrawal from antidepressants can cause insomnia, confusion, anxiety, panic, agitation, nightmares and worsened depression. People may also experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle spasms, headaches and loss of coordination. If you wish to be off of an anti-depressant or switch to another, speak to your doctor first and have them devise a safe schedule to titrate you down and/or replace with another.” 

Benzodiazepines

You are likely familiar with these under the brand names Valium, Clonopin, Xanax, and Ativan.  These are most commonly used to treat anxiety and panic. For people who only take these once in a blue moon (for fear of flying or public speaking), the body and brain are not addicted. For those who take one or more of these medications daily, they cannot be stopped cold turkey! Dr. Nugyen strongly cautions that, “Benzodiazepine drugs can cause serious withdrawal symptoms including seizures, tremors, hallucinations, heart palpitations, insomnia, nausea, and increased anxiety. If you wish to stop or reduce your intake of these drugs, consult with your doctor to develop a titration schedule. If you have been taking high doses of these drugs over a long period of time, you may need more supervised medical support such as a drug detox program where you are monitored 24/7 by nurses and given supplementary non-benzo medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.” 

Prednisone and other steroids.

Prednisone is prescribed as a potent anti-inflammatory for a variety of conditions, including asthma, allergies, hives, inflammatory arthritis and gout. If you’ve been taking prednisone for more than one to two weeks and just stop it, you may get into trouble. Dr. Sonpal explains that “When you are taking prednisone tablets, your own adrenal gland production of cortisol declines. When you abruptly stop taking prednisone, the result may be low cortisol. This causes weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It’s not fun and can be very serious. Wean off of it under the schedule determined by your doctor”

Antibiotics

Too often patients with a bacterial infection begin a course of antibiotics with every intention of following their doctor’s orders, then cutting their treatment short when they’re feeling better. “What they don’t realize is that this can cause problems in the future. Antibiotics are prescribed in the dose that ensures every last bit of the targeted bacteria in your body will be destroyed,” explains Dr. Sonpal.  He adds. “If you stop taking your antibiotics a few days before you’re supposed to, any remaining strains of the bacteria, the ones that were already strong enough to make it through the first few doses of the medicine, will survive in your system, and will be resistant the next time you take those same antibiotics.”

Opioid pain medications. 

Opioids are prescription analgesics like codeine, morphine, and hydrocodone (an active ingredient in Vicodin), and if you’ve been taking any of them long term, abrupt discontinuation can cause symptoms like diarrhea, generalized pain, restlessness, and anxiety. “Withdrawing from opioids is no joke,” says Dr. Nguyen. He adds, “Depending on your level of addiction, a patient may need in-patient medical detox followed by a drug rehab program, the latter of which will deal with the emotional aspects of eliminating the addiction.”

Diabetes Medication

When your blood sugar seems to be under control, you may decide you want to stop taking your diabetes medications. Dr. Sonpal explains that “If you’re a type 1 diabetic, your body will never be able to create its own insulin, so it’s pretty clear that you can never stop taking insulin. But if you’re a type 2 diabetic, you may be able to explore alternatives with your physician. Since this type of diabetes evolves and changes over time, you need to consistently evaluate your treatment plan with your doctor.” This could involve reducing the dose of your current medication or trying newer medications. But it’s imperative that you not take any action on your own with regard to adjusting your medication without first consulting with your physician.

Thyroid Medication

If you have hypothyroid—whether due to Hashimoto's, Graves' disease treatment, thyroid surgery, or congenital hypothyroidism—failing to take your thyroid hormone replacement medication can pose many risks to your health. If you don't feel better after taking your medication for several months, you may need a dosage adjustment or a change in medication—not a complete stop of your regimen. Dr. Sonpal explains that “There isn't a natural or herbal replacement for thyroid hormone. Much like patients with type 1 diabetes and their need for insulin, your system needs thyroid hormone for survival. But there are no natural substitutes for antithyroid medications.” 

Some Risks of Ceasing Thyroid Medicine Include:

• Blood pressure irregularities

• Elevated cholesterol, including treatment-resistant high cholesterol and increased risk of heart disease

• Low body temperature; feeling perpetually cold

• Fatigue, muscle weakness, or joint pain

• Depression

• Memory problems

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