In this article we’ll look at the science to learn how CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system to understand how CBD works. We’ll reference studies to see what’s been discovered so far and highlight best practices for CBD use.

Hopefully, this article will serve as a good starting point for anyone curious about using CBD oil for pain.

Full Disclosure: Linked products in this article point to items for sale in our shop.

CBD for pain: some history and science

CBD is extracted from hemp and cannabis plants. Our relationship with these  plants goes back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Ayurvedic healers were prescribing cannabis as medicine for everything from arthritis to epilepsy to anxiety to menstrual cramps as far back as over 4,000 years ago. Queen Victoria’s own doctor prescribed it to her in 19th century England!

Unfortunately, the early 20th century was to be the beginning of a long period of prohibition on cannabis in Canada and the US. This became a severe impediment for those in the medical community interested in studying cannabis. Even worse, this was happening just as a scientific revolution in medicine was getting underway.

In 2018, CBD was legalized in both Canada and the US. Medical research has resumed, but it’s still early days and much more research needs to be done before we understand CBD enough to prescribe it like a drug.

Today, the most common use for CBD is to address chronic pain. In a recent survey of over 2400 people by the The Center for Medical Cannabis Education, most people using CBD to treat a medical condition said the top 3 uses for CBD were for chronic pain, arthritis and joint pain.

How does CBD work in our bodies?

Medical research has already uncovered a few pathways through which CBD can affect pain. First, CBD inhibits the release of inflammatory agents like glutamate. This is a quality that is considered “neuroprotective.” CBD can also help dull the burning, tingling and prickling sensations that accompany neuropathic pain. CBD may be more effective for this when combined with magnesium glycinate.

Another way CBD works is by enhancing anandamide signaling. Anandamide, also known as the “bliss molecule” is an endocannabinoid produced by our own bodies which plays a role in regulating pain. It’s also linked with feelings of well-being and happiness. By enhancing anandamide signaling, CBD helps reduce pain throughout the body.

Research also shows that CBD can calm dysfunctional glycine receptors. Glycine receptors play a big role in how our bodies process pain—and can cause heaps of problems By targeting alpha-3 glycine receptors CBD can help suppress chronic pain and reduce inflammation.

Another way we are discovering CBD alleviates pain is through activation of certain receptor proteins responsible for controlling our awareness of pain. One such receptor protein is vanilloid receptor TRPV1.  A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that TRPV1 mediated CBD’s pain-relieving properties. The research team concluded that CBD could be a “useful pharmacological alternative in the treatment of the disease-associated chronic pain.”

Is there any proof CBD oil for pain will work?

How can I use CBD oil for my pain?

Since there are quite a few products out there, the first thing to think about is the kind of pain you’re treating. After you’ve considered your options and purchased your first product you’ll need to do a little experimentation. If you’re just beginning to incorporate CBD into your health and wellness routine, remember the golden rule “Start low, go slow.” Whether you use CBD topicals, ingest CBD edibles or oils, or take CBD another way, it’s always best to start with a minimum dose, and to increase it only gradually. After a month or two of experimentation and self observation, you should be able to find your “sweet spot”—the dose you find works best for you. For more on how to do that, read our article on CBD oil dosage.

It’s important to follow this gradual process of experimentation because CBD works differently for each person and also causes different effects at different doses. Simply doubling a dose does not guarantee CBD will kill twice as much pain. With CBD, sometimes less is more. 

Generally the idea is to start with a very low dose of 5-10mg, and gradually increase it every 5-7 days. Observe yourself daily and record the effects you feel in a daily journal. Did you yell at your children less frequently. Did you feel more mobile? Did you feel less anxious? How was your sleep? Try to be as detailed as possible and become more self-aware. After a month or two, look back in your journal and evaluate. You should be able to identify the dose that worked best.

CBD creams and skin balms are often applied to areas of localized pain, such as sites of muscle spasms or arthritis pain. Be aware than the skin is not very permeable to CBD and that CBD is only absorbed through pores. Consider buying a higher potency CBD cream, transdermal patch, or CBD oil for topical use.

If your brain is the intended destination, you can put drops of CBD oil under your tongue. A measured dropper helps measure out dosages more precisely.  The area under your tongue contains a very high concentration of blood vessels, plus it’s close to the brain. Don’t swallow your oil immediately. Leave it under your tongue between 30-90 seconds. If you swallow it right away, the CBD will have to go through your digestive tract and much of it will be filtered out by your liver. Once CBD gets into your bloodstream it can be deployed throughout your body.

There are situations in which ingesting CBD might be preferable. Eating CBD might be better if you want CBD released into your system gradually over time. Typically, CBD that goes through the digestive process remains in your system longer than vaping or drops under the tongue. Some find that eating a CBD gummy or two before bed is better for sleep, for example.

People suffering acutely often combine different methods, for example using a CBD cream and taking drops as well. This is perfectly safe as CBD is non-toxic and you can’t overdose. Generally speaking, the human body can well tolerate doses between 20mg-1500mg per day.

One thing to consider when using CBD oil for pain is whether it is acceptable to have any THC in your product. Although most people prefer Full Spectrum CBD Oil, it may not be appropriate for all. Hemp CBD OIl – No THC is the better choice for anyone with THC sensitivities, or who want to avoid THC altogether.

How does CBD affect inflammation?

Inflammation occurs naturally as our bodies fight infections and heal injuries. It’s when inflammation becomes chronic that our immune systems go from healing us to producing damaged cells and free radicals. These are highly damaging to the body, and can be precursors for a host of ailments, including cancer.

Chronic inflammation doesn’t always present itself in obvious fashion, but that makes it no less dangerous.

In the last few decades, the link between chronic inflammation and disease has become clear. Scientists currently estimate that up to 20% of cancer cases have chronic inflammation at their root. Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, isn’t necessarily caused by inflammation. However, people with Alzheimer’s have elevated inflammatory markers which increase both the severity and speed of cognitive decline.

There are a number of serious health conditions and diseases we know of that are linked to inflammation:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Osteoporosis
• Periodontitis
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Depression

Interestingly, CBD addresses inflammation in much the same way as aspirin. Doctors often recommend a daily aspirin for those at risk of heart attack. Aspirin works by inhibiting your body’s production of inflammatory prostaglandins. That’s a trait aspirin shares with CBD. CBD works by inhibiting the enzyme COX-2—the very enzyme that produces prostaglandins.

Studies conducted on rodents show that CBD likely protects joints against inflammatory arthritic damage in other ways as well. CBD was found to reduce the production of inflammatory tumour necrosis factor (TNFα).

CBD also influences the PPARγ receptor—the one responsible for telling your DNA to change which genes it expresses. The PPARγ receptor plays a role in reducing production of inflammatory molecules. It also influences the production of antioxidants. Because of it’s neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, researchers believe CBD might potentially have a role in treating Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis and other conditions.

CBD’s reliability for treating arthritic pain is also supported by patient testimony. A CreakyJoints.org poll noted that of the 57% of arthritis patients that tried marijuana or CBD for medical reasons, more than 90% say it helped.

CBD: part of preventative and holistic medicine. 

The laws now allow people to experiment with CBD oil for pain and inflammation. However, most chronic conditions can’t be addressed by CBD alone. CBD works best when incorporated as part of a self-care routine that incorporates an anti-inflammatory diet and physical activities. These improve immune system function and help reduce inflammation by preventing its occurrence in the first place. Some scientifically-backed ways to reduce inflammation include:

• Anti-inflammatory diets that are high in raw foods, vegetable and whole grains. Reduction or elimination of meat, sugars, simple carbs and processed foods—all highly inflammatory.
• Increasing intake of omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA. These are abundant in fish and algae.
• Engaging in low-impact exercises like cycling, yoga, pilates, water sports and tai chi. Emphasize core strength, breathing and flexibility. Allow your vital fluids and nerves to flow and signal freely.

Use CBD safely

Although CBD is non-toxic, non-addictive and you can’t overdose, it doesn’t mean it can’t be abused. Remember that CBD can prevent the uptake of certain medicines in the same way grapefruit does. If your medicine carries a grapefruit warning, CBD may interfere with it. If you are on any medications, make sure to consult a medical professional first.

Medical disclaimer: This information does not constitute medical advice and it should not be relied upon as such. Consult with your doctor before modifying your regular medical regime.

The post CBD Oil For Pain: Just The Facts Jack appeared first on Ethical Botanicals.

Human have been using CBD for sleep for a very long time.

“CBD for sleep” sounds like some new trend—but that couldn’t be further from the truth. CBD is extracted from cannabis plants, and is especially prevalent in the male “hemp” plant. Humanity’s relationship with cannabis goes back thousands of years. The Chinese had already listed cannabis as a sleep aid in medical texts as far back as 1200AD. Even earlier than that, Hindus had written about cannabis-as-sleep-aid in the Atharvaveda, roughly 3500 years ago.

We all know how bad it feels to wake up after a bad sleep. We’re far from our best. When poor sleep becomes a regular occurrence, we can experience serious impacts on our productivity and health.

Lack of sleep is an alarmingly regular occurrence in the US. In that country, 80% of people report experiencing lack of sleep at least once a week. The big challenge for those experiencing sleeplessness regularly is that natural remedies aren’t quite effective. On the other hand, over-the-counter and prescription drugs can be ineffective or addictive. Those already on medications such as opioids and anti-depressants might also experience more sleep disruption.

This is probably why CBD is rapidly gaining popularity. Many consider it comparable or superior to pharmaceuticals and natural remedies, but has the added benefits of being non-addictive and non-toxic. CBD’s big advantage is that it is generally quite effective and a very safe alternative for sleep.

Does the research back CBD for sleep?

Unfortunately, as CBD was only legalized in the US and Canada in 2018, there hasn’t been that much research done yet. That’s changing now, and there are large numbers of studies being done on CBD and cannabis medicine in general. However, it’ll be some time before we fully understand how these medicines work and how to use them effectively. That being said, there are a few studies out there that provide interesting insights.

One University of São Paulo study showed that CBD dramatically improved the symptoms of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and Parkinson’s Disease. The subjects in this study were prone to reacting physically to dreams by moving, which disrupted their sleep. These disruptive movements, and other symptoms, were reduced after CBD was administered.

Another study on 72 patients suffering anxiety and difficulty sleeping conducted by Scott Shannon, MD, involved giving patients 25mg CBD pills over a one-month period.  47 of these patients reported suffering from anxiety, whereas the other 25 had difficulty sleeping.  At the end of the study, the patients were interviewed with the following results:

1. 79.2% participants said CBD lowered their anxiety
2. 66.7% of participants said they experienced better sleep with CBD.

Another big reason people lose sleep is because of pain. This 2018 review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that CBD can improve sleep by diminishing pain.

There are other studies out there that bolster the idea that CBD is good for sleep, but at the moment the science is insufficient for health authorities to approve CBD as a sleep medicine. We’ll have to wait for more research to come online before we have that kind of certitude.

How does CBD promote good sleep?

According to University of Pittsburgh Medical Center professor and neurosurgeon Joseph Maroon, M.D., CBD works because it reduces two major obstacles to good sleep: pain and anxiety.

Some studies show that CBD can reduce pain-induced sleeplessness. Rather than create a powerful numbing or sedative effect like some pharmaceuticals, CBD addresses the symptoms that prevent us falling and staying asleep.

Additionally, a 2017 review in Current Psychiatry Reports showed another way CBD might be influencing the quality of our sleep is by stimulating parts of our brains involved in the our daily sleep/wake cycles.

Another way CBD may reduce sleep-ruining anxiety and stress is by regulating the release of the stress hormone cortisol. A large-scale review showed that CBD increased sleep quality by reducing the symptoms of anxiety-related disorders.

Furthermore, there are other studios out there showing that CBD may help with movement disorders. For patients suffering from insomnia due to movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease, Restless Leg and Huntington’s disease, CBD’s muscle-relaxing and muscle-tremor-reducing qualities help ensure better quality rest.

Another condition that can be a major contributor to loss of sleep is PTSD. CBD is thought to help relieve PTSD-related sleep issues thanks to its anti-anxiety properties. Ever-increasing numbers of research studies bolster the idea CBD improves sleep by diminishing anxiety-induced REM sleep (in other words: vivid, panic-inducing nightmares). The result appears to be fewer dreams that disturb sleep.

Another way CBD is thought to improve sleep quality is by decreasing the duration of REM sleep and increasing the “deep sleep” phase. Indications are that this improved sleep quality results in improved memory and reduced depression.

With improved sleep quality comes greater sleep recovery. CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. A dose before sleep may improve sleep recovery by reducing inflammation, oxidative damage and pain.

That’s largely the reason why CBD’s been endorsed by so many pro athletes. The list includes Olympic gold medalists, UFC Champions, and some of the greatest golf champs of all time, like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Nate Diaz, Megan Rapinoe and many, many others.

How much CBD should I use for sleep?

At this point, the answer is we don’t know. We don’t have the understanding yet to know how to prescribe particular doses of CBD and other cannabinoids for individuals and their conditions. More research is necessary.

So, there are no recommended dosages, but the good news is, there is a very safe process of experimentation that will allow you to discover the dose that works best for you. To learn more about that read our article on CBD oil dosage.

CBD is biphasic, like alcohol, the effects you feel are different depending on how much you’ve had. With CBD, if you take less, it generally makes you more wakeful and focused. If you take more, it generally makes people more sleepy. CBD does work a bit differently on each of us, but generally speaking, that is how it affects people.

There are general guidelines for dosage out there. As the article on dosage mentions, if you’re trying to find your ideal dose yourself, you should follow the “Start Low, Go Slow” approach.

To improve wakefulness and your sleep schedule, start with 20-25mg in the morning. To reduce anxiety, pain, inflammation and others,  and improve sleep recovery; take 30-160mg an hour before sleep.

A few additional resources:

One of the best ways to to improve sleep is through routine. Developing habits and a routine will improve your chances of getting a good nights sleep.

Have a look at How to Fall Asleep the Natural Way it’s a great resource if you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep without drugs.

This information does not constitute medical advice and it should not be relied upon as such. Consult with your doctor before modifying your regular medical regime.

The post CBD For Sleep and Insomnia, Can It Help? appeared first on Ethical Botanicals.