If you are looking for different ways to relieve pain, it is likely that it has already started to have a big impact on your life. One solution to the ongoing aches could be to take CBD supplements, from oils to tablets.
To find out how CBD works to reduce pain, read on.
What is chronic pain?
All of us will experience pain at some point in our lives, whether we break a bone, go through childbirth or need an operation. However, there is a difference between a one-off occurrence of pain and a condition that makes you experience it all day, every day.
Chronic pain typically lasts for more than three months and, even though it is unbearable to live with ongoing aches, it is thought that around 1.5 billion people do so.
While there are lots of causes of persistent discomfort, they are mainly connected to arthritis, nerve damage and cancer.
How does pain affect mental health?
As it impacts on what the sufferer is able to do in their daily life, it is not surprising to find out that chronic pain is intrinsically linked with stress, anxiety and depression. Mental Health America (MHA) recognises that it can affect what you are able to do at work or home, what social activities or hobbies you can take part in, your appetite, concentration and sleep, and can cause fatigue or frustration.
“These negative changes in your lifestyle can increase your pain and dampen your overall mood; the frustration of dealing with this can result in depression and anxiety,” the organisation stated.
In fact, according to research from the MHA, people with chronic pain are four times more likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.
A recent study by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine looked at the connection between physical pain and mental health conditions. It found those with widespread pain were more likely to have greater anxiety, sleep disturbance and depression than those experiencing other types of pain.
As one in four people in England will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime, according to charity Mind, it is clear how important it is to reduce triggers of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic problems, and phobias.
Indeed, as many as one in five adults have suicidal thoughts, and shockingly, one in 15 attempt suicide. Therefore, if reducing pain can relieve symptoms of low mood, sleeplessness, restlessness, frustration, exasperation and hopelessness, sufferers should investigate all the different ways they can rid themselves of chronic pain.
CBD used for pain relief
Lots of people swear by CBD to lessen their uncomfortable symptoms, and a recent study supported this, finding it improves sleep, reduces inflammation, and increases quality of life among participants.
This alternative form of pain relief uses cannabidiol – a compound found in the marijuana plant – to increase wound healing and, potentially, affect the body’s endocannabinoid system, which influences how we experience pain.
An article in Practical Pain Management stated: “It works in conjunction with our endocannabinoid system to function in an antioxidant capacity, to decrease inflammation, and to act as an analgesic or pain reliever.”
It also revealed that the majority of people who use CBD for medical reasons do so to treat chronic pain, arthritis, and anxiety, showing just how in demand it is for those who want to find relief from their ongoing discomfort.
What types of pain does it work best with?
There is a big difference between various painful conditions, so how does CBD work in relieving symptoms in each of them?
Arthritis
Those who have joint pain due to their arthritis will find relief with CBD, as it is known to reduce inflammation. Some early studies have shown CBD blocks the GPR55 receptor, which helps bone reabsorption, thereby slowing osteoarthritis.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
One of the symptoms of MS is muscle spasms, which are often powerful enough to cause constant pain in sufferers.
According to Medical News Today, short-term use of CBD oil can limit muscle spasms, and therefore reduce the incidences of pain.
Nerve pain
Damage to nerves results in neuropathic pain, which is common for MS patients, or those who have infections, such as shingles, or injuries like herniated discs. Type 2 Diabetes can also result in neuropathic pain.
CBD has been found to be neuroprotective, slowing the progression of neurological disorders. What’s more, a study in 2017 determined it eased symptoms for those with chronic neuropathy pain.
Those with cancer, Alzheimer’s, lupus, and anxiety can also find relief from their illness-related-pain with CBD, whether by slowing the development of the condition or reducing its symptoms.
For respite from pain, why not take a look at our CBD oil drops?