CBD has been demonstrated to exert analgesic effects in animal models of neuropathic pain, acting both an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory.
Discuss with your healthcare provider about using CBD for pain relief, keeping a symptom and dose diary to monitor its impact. CBD products come in the form of tinctures, oils, lotions, capsules and edible forms such as gummy bears.
Tinctures
Tinctures are an effective, fast-acting pain relief CBD product. Not only are they discreet and fast acting; their fast acting results also offer fast relief without inhalation methods of administration. Plus, tinctures don’t produce an odorous scent so can be taken any time of the day without drawing unwanted attention to one’s medical routine.
Sublingual cannabinoids or cannabinoids added to food and beverages can be administered sublingually (under the tongue), bypassing digestion to quickly enter your bloodstream for relief and managing breakthrough pain. This fast-acting delivery method offers instantaneous pain management.
THC’s muscle-relaxant properties may provide relief to those suffering from neuropathies, making movement easier and allowing patients to reduce or forgo using OTC painkillers altogether. When used daily as part of a holistic treatment plan, many find relief and can lower or eliminate their dosage needs altogether.
Oils
CBD oil can be taken orally as a tincture under the tongue or topically applied where there is pain, acting as an effective anti-inflammatory and providing both pain relief and anxiety reduction. Furthermore, using it instead of other pain relievers such as opioids may reduce their use significantly.
CBD interacts with receptors throughout the brain and body to modulate multiple physiological processes, and may impact on inflammation, mood disorders and sleep issues.
Studies have indicated that CBD could help alleviate neuropathic pain; however, these findings need to be replicated before being trusted as definitive results. It’s wise to speak with your physician prior to trying CBD for pain management as they can assist in selecting an appropriate product and helping manage any side effects or potential adverse reactions.
Lotions
Lotions and creams offer an effective option for people who prefer not taking pills or want to avoid swallowing anything, simply massaged into areas where you experience pain, tingling or stiffness. Moisturizers may be beneficial in helping hydrate sensitive skin areas as well. Unfortunately, we still don’t know the precise mechanism by which these lotions and creams deliver CBD under the skin, though certain cooling ingredients such as menthol or camphor oil could affect how effectively they help with pain relief. Michigan Medicine experts who study arthritis pain and fibromyalgia weigh in with what information we currently know regarding CBD-infused products.
Capsules
Analgesics help alleviate pain by altering how the brain perceives it. These medications come in various forms such as liquid injection, gels that adhere to skin or capsules you swallow – discuss which option would work best with your healthcare provider to find out which solution fits best for you.
Capsules are gelatin shells filled with powder or liquid drugs. When stored in high humidity, capsules can become malformed or misshapen; to avoid this happening, store capsules in a cool and dry location. Capsules tend to be tasteless and odorless for easier swallowing; additionally they work faster than tablets but cannot hold as much medication; additionally they tend to cost more and don’t always provide the same medicinal taste as tablets do.
Edibles
Many patients prefer edibles as an effective form of pain relief due to their gradual ingestion and longer-lasting effects than inhalation methods. Furthermore, edible products provide accurate dosing.
Edibles contain phytocannabinoids such as THC and CBD that interact with the endocannabinoid system to alleviate pain. Furthermore, edibles contain terpenes which provide specific benefits, such as limonene for elevating mood or myrcene for relaxing the body.
Within the 2-week ad libitum use period, models for pain intensity and interference revealed that cannabis-based intervention reduced pain intensity and interference. Furthermore, perceived change in pain intensity (PGIC) assessment demonstrated frequency of cannabis usage had an inverse correlation to decreased average pain intensity over time – results that are comparable with studies using whole plant cannabis.
