Introduction
Neuropathic pain is one of the most difficult types of chronic pain to treat because it often responds poorly to pharmaceuticals. If you are trying to find relief from an injury or illness that can cause nerve pain, CBD oil may be your best bet. Even though the effects won’t be immediate, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant so the pain relief should come relatively quickly. The same can’t be said for many pharmaceuticals used to treat nerve pain.
CBD oil also offers other benefits that those taking pharmaceuticals don’t get, such as Less risk of side effects Thicker blood-brain barrier protection Lasting results for those with chronic pain conditions. Read ahead to know how CBD helps with nerve pain.
CBD and Nerve Pain
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the many beneficial components of cannabis. It’s non-psychotropic, which means it won’t get you high. It can be derived from hemp or marijuana plants and used in the form of oil. CBD products are legal in most states when sold as a supplement.
Nerve pain may not be caused by cancer or any serious condition, but that doesn’t make it any less painful to experience.
Unfortunately, few medications specifically treat this type of pain. Many pharmaceuticals come with a long list of side effects and CBD can improve the quality of life for someone who is suffering from nerve pain.
CBD oil is often preferred over other forms of CBD because it’s easy to take and readily available online or at local health stores. However, before we get into the reasons why CBD works so well for nerve pain, let’s first look at some key differences between regular and neuropathic pain.
What Is Normal Pain?
When you cut your finger, bump your head or otherwise experience an injury to your tissue, you can expect to feel something called “nociceptive” or normal pain. This kind of typical pain starts immediately after an injury occurs and it’s only present while the injury is still occurring.
Nociceptive pain can be sharp, dull, or aching depending on what is happening in your body at any given time. As long as there is a tissue injury, you will continue to feel nociceptive pain until the issue has been resolved or healed.
The Difference Between Normal and Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain doesn’t always involve some sort of damage to your cells. This type of nerve-related chronic pain usually results when nerves are overstimulated by things like injury or illness. While normal pain tends to come and go according to its schedule, neuropathic pain follows no pattern.
What are the Benefits of Cannabidiol Oil (CBD Oil)?
CBD Oil has proven to have a lot of benefits for the human body and mind; some of its many benefits include:
- CBD Oil is a known anti-inflammatory- which is good for promoting sleep and reducing pain.
- It can help you lose weight or maintain your current weight- which is always a plus.
- CBD Oil can lessen and treat symptoms of depression and anxiety- which has been shown to help with sleep, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain.
- It can help reduce seizures in people who suffer from epilepsy or seizures- again, another benefit for quality of life.
- CBD Oil reduces the effects of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, MS, etc.
- It strengthens bones and teeth due to its calcium content- great for osteoporosis.
- CBD Oil fights against cardiovascular disease and diabetes- which is just plain good for you.
How Should You Select CBD Products for Neuropathy?
When selecting the best CBD Products for you, it is important to consider the quality, delivery system, and recommended dosage. As these are all individual factors, you must consult with your doctor to select the CBD Product best suited for you.
CBD Product List and their Benefits
CBD Oil
CBD Oil is perhaps the most popular among CBD Products. This is due in large part to its efficacy and legal status. CBD oil has been found to reduce chronic pain, anxiety, depression, inflammation, and even seizures.
CBD Oil can be bought online or in many specialty shops. CBD products are legal in all 50 states; legality is not an issue with this supplement.
Another thing to consider when choosing CBD oil is the method of ingestion (how you will take it). Some methods include: vaping, vaping cartridges, oral drops, capsules, edibles (gummies, mints), creams/lotions/salves. The best way to use CBD oil varies by person and the desired effects.
Pros:
- It is legal due to its low THC content.
- Natural anti-inflammatory.
- Reduces anxiety and depression.
- Calming effect for sleep disorders.
- Helps with seizures in some people.
- Might improve cardiovascular health by lessening the effects of diabetes, arthritis, etc.
- Easy to dose, as it can be taken in many forms.
Cons:
- Might increase blood pressure and affect that function negatively for those with pre-existing conditions or diseases.
- Dry mouth and eyes.
- Sleepiness and fatigue.
- Alterations to appetite (weight gain, weight loss).
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CBD Gummies
CBD Gummies are becoming popular because they are tasty and easy to use. They are the most convenient CBD product because they can be taken anywhere without any hassle or inconvenience. CBD gummies are also appealing for their affordability in comparison to other CBD products.
CBD Gummies are also legal in all 50 states, with the exclusion of California. CBD Oil in general is legal in all 50 states but some laws differ from state to state.
Pros:
- Never worry about pesky things like dosage, measuring, etc- just pop a gummy in your mouth when you want relief!
- Tasty snacks for between meals or before bed.
- It’s easy to adjust the amount of CBD consumed with each gummy- helpful if you need different amounts at different times.
Cons:
- Can be expensive compared to other forms of consumption (see below).
- Might affect blood pressure negatively for some people/conditions.
CBD Capsules
CBD Capsules are popular because they can be easily ingested anywhere and at any time of day, as well as being easy to dose. The best part about capsules is that they are easy to use and you never have to worry about anything complicated, just swallow when it’s time.
CBD Capsules are legal in all 50 states. CBD products in general are legal in all 50 states. However, legality varies from state to state.
Pros:
- Never worry about dosage, measuring, etc.
- Easy to take anywhere without detection or hassle.
- Can be consumed discreetly at any time of day for immediate effect.
- Easy to adjust the amount of CBD being taken by simply taking more or fewer capsules daily/weekly/monthly as needed for effects or treatment goals.
Cons:
- Can be expensive compared to other forms of consumption.
- Might affect blood pressure negatively for some people/conditions.
CBD Topicals
CBD Creams, lotions, salves are popular because they are easy to use and are great for localized relief in the areas where they are applied. They differ from CBD Oil capsules in that you only apply them to the area of pain (where it hurts most), whereas with capsules you ingest them throughout your entire body systemically via oral ingestion. This is why CBD creams, lotions, and salves tend to be more preferred by those suffering from localized nerve or muscle pain like arthritis, neuropathy, etc.
About CBD Oil legality, this depends on where you are located. CBD Oil in general is legal in all 50 states but some laws differ from state to state.
Pros:
- This method of consumption is good for localized areas only- hence the name “topicals” means the topical application(s). Therefore, it’s great for skin conditions, injuries, etc.
- Can be purchased at the drug store or doctor’s office without obtaining a medical card/prescription or doctor visit (in most cases).
- Has no psychoactive effects, so it doesn’t cause mental changes like other forms of CBD oil.
Cons:
- It is not as easy to adjust the dose simply because people don’t usually apply too much lotion or cream- however, there are CBD Capsules and Gummies for that problem.
- Not as appealing for those looking to “get high” or enjoy a recreational effect from CBD.
CBD Vape Juice
CBD Vaporizers are similar to e-cigarettes which you can use almost anywhere. It’s basically like smoking but with CBD instead of Nicotine, Cigarettes, or Marijuana strain called “Indica” (which tends to cause users to feel sleepy and relaxed). This is why Vaporizers are becoming more popular because they allow the user the ability to discreetly smoke/vape in places where cigarette/marijuana smoking is not permitted.
While this method does contain THC (the psychoactive component that causes people to get “high”), it does not have enough THC content to actually produce an effect on users. This means that people who want a recreational effect from their CBD will be disappointed if they purchase vape juice. However, there are other methods for that such as CBD concentrates and waxes, etc.
Pros:
- Light vapor (not as much as smoking but still noticeable)
- Easy to use anywhere discreetly – like in your car or out on the town/work/social function.
Cons:
- More expensive than other forms of CBD oil.
- Might affect blood pressure negatively for some people/conditions.
CBD Tinctures
CBD tinctures are similar to CBD Oils but they are oil-based, not water-based. Usually mixed with alcohol for better absorption into the body systemically.
Pros:
- Easy to use just like an eyedropper or squirt directly under your tongue then hold it there for 60 seconds before swallowing.
- Can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) or applied topically via dermal patches which you can find at vape shops.
- Perfect for those who don’t like the taste of oil or capsules/pills and want something more palatable than cream or lotion.
Cons:
- Might affect blood pressure negatively if already in a pre-existing hypertensive state – better to check with a doctor or use other methods for consuming CBD like pills, capsules, vaping, etc.
Possible Side Effects
Just like any other medication or supplement, CBD products might not work for everyone. Some people might experience adverse side effects that will fail to go away even after the product is discontinued.
Since most of these products are relatively new in the mainstream market, most manufacturers haven’t performed enough research to discover whether they carry any long-term/permanent negative effects on users. However, some short term side effects that can happen include:
- Drowsiness – obviously if one takes a higher dosage than needed then this should be expected. One can combat drowsiness by taking lower strength dosages and what we recommend is always start with a low dosage and increase slowly so you can find your perfect dose without falling asleep!
- Dry Mouth – CBD and other chemical substances used in prescription medications can easily cause dry mouth. This is why it’s always advised to drink plenty of water when using any medication or supplement so you don’t get dehydrated.
- Nausea/Stomach Irritation – Again, the same thing… One should monitor their dosage levels and gradually increase them slowly so they can find out whether or not they have a certain threshold that causes queasiness etc. You might also want to try drinking ginger tea while taking CBD oil products that help with nerve pain because ginger contains some powerful anti-nausea properties!
Related post: How Long Does CBD Last in Your System?
Wrapping it up,
CBD oil is a plant-derived substance that has been shown to help with nerve pain in many different ways. It can be taken orally, applied topically, or inhaled as vaporized oils. For those who want an all-natural solution for their chronic nerve pain without the potential side effects of prescription drugs, you may find relief in CBD Oil. The article covered how it works and what other options are available if this treatment doesn’t work for you. Have any of these treatments helped your nerve pain? Let us know in the comments below!