By now, enough research has been conducted for us to have a pretty clear idea of the relationship between CBD and pain.
Studies have proven CBD has the potential to treat widespread, chronic and severe pain thanks to the incredibly fascinating way in which this cannabinoid affects the human body.
One of the most common forms of chronic pain is joint pain. As the name implies, joint pain is located in the joints of the body.
Joint pain has many causes, and many sufferers struggle to find a type of pain medication that is safe to take over a long period of time.
That’s why researchers are so excited about the recent findings related to CBD’s effects on pain.
If you’re dealing with joint pain, we strongly suggest reading this article and considering taking CBD. Of course, before you start taking CBD for joint pain, speak to your doctor first.
What is Joint Pain?
Joint pain refers to any pain that affects the joints. The pain can be caused by inflammation or general discomfort.
It ranges in severity, with some sufferers experiencing sporadic soreness while others can experience pain so severe that they find it difficult to move.
Additionally, joint pain can affect a single joint or the entire body.
The joints are made up of the following:
- Bone
- Cartilage
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Muscles
Joint pain can affect any or all of these components.
How Does Joint Pain Occur?
Joint pain has many causes. One major cause is age. As your body ages, our joints begin to show signs of wear and tear that results from years of overuse.
Once we get older, the cartilage that protects the joints begins to break down, making the joints much more vulnerable to injury and general damage.
Another common cause of joint pain is arthritis, a condition that does affect the elderly in far greater numbers, although it can affect a person at any age. Arthritis is the result of severe inflammation of the joints. Most arthritis sufferers have pain in more than one joint in their body.
Joint pain can also occur after an injury. If the joint has been injured, it might never actually heal.
There’s also reason to believe that severe stress can cause joint pain. When you are under high amounts of stress, your body releases an excessive amount of cortisol, the hormone that is triggered by the stress response.
High cortisol levels in the bloodstream inform the immune system that something is wrong. This causes the immune system to create an inflammatory response that leads to widespread inflammation throughout the body.
It’s not uncommon for joints to hurt as a result of this high level of inflammation. This process also explains why joint pain is common among people who are battling a bodily infection like the flu.
How is Joint Pain Diagnosed?
Typically, a doctor will take an x-ray of the joints in order to look for signs of injury.
They may find parts of the joint that are damaged or broken down.
However, not all joint pain is visible on an x-ray because it’s not always caused by an injury or wear and tear.
Usually, joint pain is diagnosed based on the symptoms that are present. It’s up to the patient to express the severity of the pain and the frequency at which it occurs so that the doctor can make a diagnosis.
Treating Joint Pain
Joint pain is typically treated with pain medications and certain lifestyle changes. The medication that’s prescribed depends on the severity and frequency of the pain.
For mild to moderate pain, NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen may be prescribed. These drugs are relatively safe but can cause serious side effects if taken too frequently, taken with alcohol or taken in high doses. These serious side effects include kidney failure and irreversible liver damage.
Doctors may prescribe narcotics to patients dealing with more severe pain. Unfortunately, these drugs are highly addictive and can lead to fatal overdose if taken incorrectly.
Often, a doctor will also suggest certain changes to a patient’s lifestyle. This may include cutting down on inflammatory foods such as sugar. It may also include certain types of exercise that are gentle on the joints. Or, the doctor may recommend that the patient rest their body more frequently.
Can CBD Help with Joint Pain?
Many studies have suggested that CBD can play a big role in the treatment of joint pain. CBD has been used for decades as a way of managing pain throughout the body.
The Endocannabinoid System
CBD is a cannabinoid that comes from the hemp plant. The body is supposed to produce its own endocannabinoids that are used by the endocannabinoid system to help the body achieve homeostasis.
These endocannabinoids are crucial when it comes to regulating the body’s processes including pain tolerance and inflammation.
If you are naturally deficient in cannabinoids, your body’s tolerance to pain may be incredibly low and you may be more prone to high levels of inflammation throughout your body due to a hypersensitive immune response.
CBD can replenish your body’s level of endocannabinoids, allowing the endocannabinoid system to regulate the body’s processes once again. This means a decrease in pain because of the way in which CBD raises your pain tolerance and heals the immune system.
Anti-Inflammatory Activity
CBD has been widely studied for its effects on pain that’s uniquely difficult to treat. This cannabinoid is naturally high in anti-inflammatory activity, meaning that it may treat pain just as well as potent anti-inflammatory medications.
CBD seems to lower the level of blood cells that rush to an area that the body perceives as injured. This means that in addition to lowering pain levels, CBD may be able to reduce swelling, general tenderness and redness that occurs when a joint is inflamed.
Analgesic Properties
CBD’s also naturally high in analgesic activities. Much like popular opioid drugs, analgesics treat pain by directly interfering with the brain’s ability to receive pain signals that come from the nervous system.
When you are experiencing pain, the nervous system’s job is to inform the brain. This allows a person to make certain adjustments to avoid further injury. If CBD is taken, these pain receptors can essentially become muted.
Stress Relief
If a person’s joint pain is caused by high stress levels, CBD might be able to help. Many studies have shown a strong correlation between CBD usage and reduced cortisol levels.
According to research CBD seems to inhibit the brain’s ability to release excess cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for the stress response that can be very taxing on the body.
Additionally, CBD is believed to promote the release of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps a person feel calm, relaxed and more present.
Sleep Benefits
If your joint pain is so severe that it interferes with your ability to get a good night’s sleep, you might want to consider giving CBD a try.
Because of CBD’s unique effects on the neurotransmitters in the brain, it can help you fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
CBD balances the activity of these neurotransmitters, helping the brain learn how to fall asleep by boosting the release of melatonin and certain calming chemicals.
How Can I Take CBD to Treat My Joint Pain?
To treat joint pain with CBD, speak to your doctor first. Once your doctor approves of your decision, search for a high-quality CBD product from a respected company.
Be consistent with your dosing, taking it each day. Because CBD may need to first accumulate in the body before providing relief, it’s important to give it some time.
The Possible Joint Pain Relief You’ve Been Looking For
If you suffer from joint pain, you might wanna try taking CBD daily in order to experience relief. Enough studies have shown that this cannabinoid has the potential to treat even the most severe joint pain.
