Does CBD Oil Work for Pain Relief?
Does CBD Oil work for pain relief? Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound that is usually extracted from industrial hemp. Many plants contain cannabinoids, and people often confuse CBD with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is another type of cannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a "high" or euphoric effect because it does not affect the same receptors as THC. By law, industrial hemp from which CBD is extracted must contain no more than 0.3 percent THC to be considered hemp, otherwise, growers are at risk of prosecution under federal law. CBD has been credited with relieving anxiety, inflammation, insomnia, and pain, although currently, the most scientific proof rests with its effects in people with epilepsy. Epidiolex is a prescription CBD oil that was FDA approved in June 2018 for two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome. Preliminary studies have shown a favorable effect for CBD for reducing pain; however, more research is needed in the form of larger well-designed trials of longer duration to determine its long-term efficacy and safety.
CBD is thought to work by reducing inflammation in the brain and nervous system via an effect on cannabinoid and other receptors, ion channels, anandamide (a substance that regulates our response to pain) and enzymes. A Cochrane review found all cannabis-based medicines to be superior to placebo or conventional drugs for neuropathic pain; however, some of these benefits might be outweighed by potential harms such as sedation, confusion, or psychosis. Most products contained THC. Most studies involved cannabis use or combination CBD/THC products; few studies involved only CBD oil. Many manufacturers of CBD products have based their claims on cannabis studies which have shown a favorable effect; however, it is not apparent whether CBD by itself does have these effects.
Does CBD Oil work for pain relief? Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. CBD (cannabidiol) is a compound that is usually extracted from industrial hemp. Many plants contain cannabinoids, and people often confuse CBD with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is another type of cannabinoid. Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a "high" or euphoric effect because it does not affect the same receptors as THC. By law, industrial hemp from which CBD is extracted must contain no more than 0.3 percent THC to be considered hemp, otherwise, growers are at risk of prosecution under federal law. CBD has been credited with relieving anxiety, inflammation, insomnia, and pain, although currently, the most scientific proof rests with its effects in people with epilepsy. Epidiolex is a prescription CBD oil that was FDA approved in June 2018 for two rare and severe forms of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) and Dravet syndrome. Preliminary studies have shown a favorable effect for CBD for reducing pain; however, more research is needed in the form of larger well-designed trials of longer duration to determine its long-term efficacy and safety.
CBD is thought to work by reducing inflammation in the brain and nervous system via an effect on cannabinoid and other receptors, ion channels, anandamide (a substance that regulates our response to pain) and enzymes. A Cochrane review found all cannabis-based medicines to be superior to placebo or conventional drugs for neuropathic pain; however, some of these benefits might be outweighed by potential harms such as sedation, confusion, or psychosis. Most products contained THC. Most studies involved cannabis use or combination CBD/THC products; few studies involved only CBD oil. Many manufacturers of CBD products have based their claims on cannabis studies which have shown a favorable effect; however, it is not apparent whether CBD by itself does have these effects.