Have you been thinking about trying CBD but you’re worried about the stigma associated with it? If you answered yes, then you’re in the same boat as plenty of other people. Many supporters of CBD feel confident in sharing the many wonders it has brought them, especially where their health is concerned. On the other hand, critics say that more scientific research is necessary to ensure its safe use. Still, you may want to start using CBD, particularly if you suffer from chronic pain. Just how effective is CBD for pain relief?

What are the effects of CBD?

First, it’s worth noting that CBD is only one of over 120 compounds called cannabinoids. While cannabinoids can be found in many plants, people tend to link it solely to cannabis. The primary difference of CBD from other cannabinoids is that it doesn’t produce any psychoactive effect. In other words, it doesn’t induce a euphoric “high.”

The endocannabinoid system receives signals from these cannabinoids. This provides a variety of health benefits including better sleep, enhanced immune system, and heightened pain management.

Specific applications of CBD for pain relief

While CBD has been used for thousands of years, the medical community has only started to study this compound over the past few years. There’s a growing body of research that supports the positive effects of CBD for relieving pain. Some of the specific applications include:

Arthritis Pain

Many studies involving animals have been conducted to test the efficacy of CBD in terms of helping with arthritis pain management. In one study published in the European Journal of Pain, the researchers applied a CBD topical gel to rats with arthritis. After 4 days, the researchers noted a major decrease in inflammation without any additional side effects.

While human studies are still in order, many people have been using CBD oil to better handle the pain that comes with arthritis.

Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating autoimmune disease, affecting the body through the nerves and brain. Patients usually suffer from muscle spasms, which can prove too severe that they cause extreme pain.

In one study, the short-term use of CBD has been found to reduce the spasticity levels of patients. Users have reported a significant reduction in the common symptoms they experience.

Chronic Pain

CBD has also been studied for its effects on managing general chronic pain. Several systematic reviews involving dozens of clinical trials and research have found that cannabis proves to be an effective chronic pain treatment for adults.

There’s a study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine that supports this claim. The researchers found that the use of CBD helps in reducing pain and inflammation.

The results of these studies show a lot of promise for CBD when it comes to managing pain. More importantly, they provide more confidence to both existing and prospective users, letting them know that CBD undergoes scientific studies to prove how safe and effective it is. Of course, it’s still suggested to talk to your doctor to ensure that CBD wouldn’t interfere with any other medications you’re taking.