CBD for Pain: Guide to Using CBD and Other Cannabinoids for Pain Management

Interest in cannabidiol (CBD), the non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in hemp plants, has been steadily increasing over the past several years. While research shows CBD offers a number of therapeutic benefits, much of the interest in the compound has been focused around its ability to act as an analgesic agent, or relieve pain.

Not only that, emerging research suggests that other cannabinoids  — such as CBC, CBG, and CBN — may also help with pain management. Researchers from the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy were recently awarded a $1.37 million grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for their research focused on reducing HIV-related pain through cannabis. 

“Cannabis has hundreds of compounds in it other than THC and CBD, and we don’t know much about how these compounds might affect the human body,” says Ashpole, assistant professor of pharmacology. “By exploring the effects of these compounds against HIV pain, we can gain insight into their potential benefits or risks in numerous other inflammatory disease states.”

How can you use CBD to help with pain relief? And just what kinds of cannabinoids are good for pain, anyway? Read on to find out.

Cannabinoids at a Glance

Cannabinoids are a type of fat-based compound found in cannabis plants. THC and CBD are the two most commonly known cannabinoids, but research indicates there are at least 120 different kinds.

These substances act on our Endocannabinoid Systems (ECS), which regulates a host of functions, such as metabolism, mood, and memory. Each cannabinoid appears to act on the ECS in a unique way, resulting in its own distinctive set of therapeutic benefits. CBD, for instance, is touted for its ability to reduce inflammation and treat epilepsy.

CBD for Pain Relief

Research shows CBD may be useful in treating a number of different pain-related conditions. A 2021 study published in the Journal of Pain Research sought to investigate CBD as a treatment for chronic pain. Of the study’s 253 participants, the majority (59.0%) reported CBD helped them with their pain and allowed them to reduce their pain medications (67.6%), including opioids (53.7%). 39.1% of respondents said CBD helped “a lot” when it came to helping manage their condition. Conditions listed in the study that benefitted from CBD use included back, neck, and limb pain; fibromyalgia pain; migraines; and nerve pain.

What Is the Best CBD Oil for Pain?

CBD can be sold in a number of different forms. These include CBD isolate, broad spectrum CBD, and full spectrum CBD.

CBD isolate is CBD that has been refined to a powder. It contains no other cannabinoids — it has been modified into isolated CBD.

Broad spectrum CBD oil contains all the other compounds found in cannabis plants such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids — but without the THC.

Full spectrum CBD oil contains all of the plant’s various cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, including trace amounts of THC. Studies have confirmed that when a variety of cannabinoids are ingested together, the effect they produce is greater than when taken on their own. This is called the entourage effect. Therefore, full spectrum CBD oil offers the greatest therapeutic benefit and is an ideal choice for those looking to maximize the pain-relieving properties of CBD. 

Customers report our CBD oil helps them relieve everyday aches and pains as well as chronic pain, arthritis, back and leg pain, and nerve pain. 

“I suffer from chronic pain due to many illnesses and the only thing that helps when pills can’t is a few drops of my CBD oil under the tongue,” says Nery A.

Topical CBD for Pain

CBD can be utilized in a number of different ways including as a topical applied directly to skin.

CBD balm is one way to deliver a concentrated dose of CBD directly to problem areas. Customers have reported that using a little of our full-spectrum CBD balm can go a long way and can help alleviate fibromyalgia, knee, hip, and joint pain as well as chronic generalized pains. 

“I had a surgery and used this on the surrounding areas and it helped so so so much,” says Phoebe T. “I also use it for other chronic pain issues, headaches, migraines, and sore muscles.”

CBC for Pain Relief

Cannabichromene, or CBC, is another cannabinoid of interest for its pain management potential. Early research suggests that this cannabinoid boasts its own anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Customers report using our CBC products to help them treat and manage a variety of conditions including inflammation, gastric pain, arthritis, chronic pain, and muscle pains including neck and back pain.

Philip M. used sublingual CBD oil for 15 months for chronic neck and shoulder pain due to military-related injuries and subsequent arthritis. Previously, he relied on opiods and Ibuprofen to manage the pain. Recently Philip added CBC to the mix. “I have not swallowed any pills since beginning sublingual drops of CBD and now CBC,” he reports. “This combination literally gave me my life back.”

Additionally, Philip applied CBC oil to his psoriasis outbreaks on his face, and found that within just a few weeks the condition cleared up. 

CBN for Pain Relief

Cannabinerol, or CBN, is a cannabinoid popularly touted for its ability to aid with sleep. In addition to using CBN for better sleep quality, many of our consumers report our CBN products help them manage pain associated with a number of conditions such as inflammation, fibromyalgia, nerve pain, and arthritis. 

Walter H. used to rely on indica-based edibles to manage pain and anxiety, but he decided to give CBN a try.

“I was pleasantly surprised to find it gave me a solid four hours without pain,” says Walter. “If you don’t want a product with significant THC but do want real pain relief, I suggest giving this a try.”

CBG for Pain Relief

Cannabigerol, or CBG, is a special cannabinoid — as the precursor molecule from which all other cannabinoids are derived, it boasts the moniker, “the mother cannabinoid.”

CBG research is currently ongoing, but what we do know so far is promising. CBG has been shown to demonstrate a number of therapeutic properties including pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a promising candidate for treating a number of conditions. Customers report our full spectrum CBG oil is particularly effective at relieving pain for neuropathic conditions — which may include shingles, facial nerve problems, diabetes, and central nervous system disorders such as stroke or Parkinson’s.

“I initially bought CBG to help with back pain per Organic Olivia’s recommendation. Little did I know that it would help me in so many other ways,” says Maysa W. “I am able to handle stress much better at work now. I am much more patient throughout my day. I had been running on an empty tank for years and would dread waking up most days. This product has slowly but surely changed my complete day to day attitude.”

CBD vs. CBG for Pain

Wondering which is better for pain relief, CBD or CBG? The answer depends on the type of pain. While both compounds boast anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, CBG can be especially useful when it comes to managing neuropathic and gastrointestinal pain. CBD, on the other hand, tends to be used for chronic general aches and pains.

The Highest Quality Cannabinoids for Pain Relief

Since 2014, we’ve been committed to creating the world’s highest-quality cannabinoid products. Our full spectrum cannabinoid extracts contain no additives and the only ingredient is organic hemp. We only source cannabinoids that are extracted using safe and eco-friendly methods to ensure a full range of cannabinoids and other beneficial phytonutrients are preserved, resulting in the purest and most effective products on the market. 

Looking to relieve pain naturally with products you can trust? Shop now to begin your healing journey.

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