For the past several years, the interest in cannabidiol, or CBD, has been on the rise. People from all walks of life are eating CBD-infused gummies to relieve anxiety or using CBD oil for back pain. There are even CBD-derived homeopathic options for your pets.
But how can a few drops a day of CBD oil provide relief from every back pain? Let’s take a closer look at CBD oil and its properties for the answers.
The Chemistry of CBD
CBD is a chemical compound derived from the hemp plant. Unlike lab-created medications, CBD is naturally occurring in the environment and works without any additives.
Some people express concern about the levels of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC in CBD oil. THC is found in marijuana and is the component responsible for the feelings of euphoria or paranoia people can experience.
With a THC level of 0.3% or less, CBD oil is not a psychoactive drug. There will not be a ’high’ like marijuana causes.
Traditional Back Pain Remedies
Many different situations can cause chronic back pain. Jobs that are taxing on the body, requiring a person to move heavy items continually, can cause back pain. But more often than not, it usually the occupation that has employees sitting all day that cause back pain. Office workers and truck drivers are an example.
When you visit a doctor or chiropractor for your back pain, they may show you some stretches to do. But they will also likely prescribe medications.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, are the most commonly prescribed medication for chronic back pain. NSAIDs include drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. They are taken to relieve general pain, fever, and inflammation.
There are side effects with long term use of these seemingly innocuous pills. You can develop ulcers, kidney disease, gastrointestinal issues, and even an increased risk of heart attack with prolonged use.
In very severe cases of chronic back pain, cortisone injections, or even surgery may be recommended.
CBD Oil – A Natural Solution
Those looking for an alternative to prescription pills have found that using CBD oil for pain management to be beneficial. It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, as reported in this study by the Journal of Experimental Medicine.
There is also evidence that CBD oil relieves pain without causing adverse side effects.
Given the new and developing interest in CBD, more studies are needed to understand the possible beneficial qualities of the hemp-extracted compound better.
How to Administer CBD Oil
There are several ways to take CBD Oil for back pain. You can mix it into food or drink. You can apply it topically to target a specific area of the body. But the most effective way is to spray a tincture of CBD oil directly onto the sublingual glands, located under the tongue.
The more of a substance your body can absorb, the higher the potency. Taking a remedy orally, whether by eating it, drinking it or in pill form, provides a bioavailability rate of 6-15%. That means only a fraction of the substance is being absorbed by the body, requiring more of it to feel the benefits. Sublingual application has a bioavailability rate of 35-40%, so you can take less of a medication and get better results.
There is no specified dosage of CBD oil for treating back pain. The discomfort of chronic back pain is particular to each person. You’ll need to experiment with different amounts to determine what works best for you. Start with a low dose, and slowly increase it by small amounts until you feel the pain-relieving effects.
CBD oil is a rapidly growing commodity with still untapped potential for use as a homeopathic remedy. As more citizens look to CBD as an alternative to traditional medication, the research into its health benefits and applications will only continue to expand.
