Scientists estimate that 1 in 5 adults suffer from pain worldwide, making pain management a fundamental part of everyday life for millions of people. Many have begun looking for alternatives to potentially dangerous pain medication, such as opioids, and some are turning to the popular health supplement, CBD. But does it work?
If we look at the history of hemp, it’s clear that humans have believed in the therapeutic elements of cannabinoids, like CBD, for pain for millennia (cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis — we’ll talk about them more in a bit). Even though the health benefits of cannabinoids have been researched by scientists since the 1800s, it was the legalization of industrialized hemp in 2018 that began to push that research forward in earnest.
For us to better understand the potential use of CBD for pain relief, we need to start by taking a look at what CBD actually is, and how it interacts with our bodies.
Quick Hits
• CBD is a natural, non-intoxicating compound found in the hemp plant
• Among CBD's many wellness benefits is its ability to soothe minor aches and pains**
• CBD topicals offer targeted relief, while daily gummies and tinctures offer more generalized wellness benefits**
What Is CBD?
CBD is short for cannabidiol, which is one of those cannabinoids we mentioned earlier. A cannabinoid is a molecular compound that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. There are around 113 cannabinoids in cannabis, including CBD, CBG and CBN.
Unlike its more famous cousin, THC, CBD is non-psychoactive. That means it won’t get you high. Instead, it imparts a host of other therapeutic benefits in our bodies — benefits that are amplified when working in concert with other cannabinoids to achieve the Entourage Effect, in which multiple ingredients combine synergistically for a greater effect than any would on their own.
How Does CBD Work?
Cannabinoids, like CBD, interact with receptors in our endocannabinoid system. This is a system common to all mammals, including our cats and dogs. The endocannabinoid system is closely integrated with the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as systems in our bodies that regulate digestion, sleep, and more.
There are two types of receptors in our endocannabinoid systems, known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are found in the brain and central nervous system. CB2 receptors show up in peripheral systems and tissues, like our immune and digestive systems.
How a cannabinoid works with a system, like how we might use CBD for pain, depends on which receptors it interacts with. We know from ongoing studies and anecdotal evidence that CBD is used by people everywhere for a host of therapeutic benefits.
Can I Use CBD for Pain?
Yes! CBD is great for minor aches and pains in the muscles and joints.** Let’s look at some of the ways people around the world use CBD for pain relief and management.
CBD Topicals
From athletes to those managing regular pain, people love to use CBD for pain relief and to fight soreness and enhance recovery. There are plenty of reasons to choose a topical when trying CBD for pain relief. CBD creams and topicals are the most popular products for sore muscles and achy joints. Topicals are ideal for musculoskeletal pain, like sore muscles and achy joints, because they provide targeted relief. CBD and the other active ingredients don’t have to be metabolized by the digestive system before they can take effect.**
Choosing a CBD topical brings a variety of options:
CBD Cream for Muscles and Joints is beloved by weightlifters and runners because therapeutic CBD is combined with cooling menthol and soothing white willow bark for a refreshing rub down. It’s available in strengths ranging from 500mg of CBD to 3000mg of CBD for pain relief you can customize to your needs.**
We also have a CBD Muscle and Joint Cream: Heating Formula, which uses camphor to warm the muscles, complementing the white willow bark and other natural pain relievers in our formula.**
CBD Muscle and Joint Balm Stick is another popular topical, and ours is formulated with menthol, wintergreen, and black pepper oil to deliver a cooling, muscle-soothing massage packed with essential oils, plus camphor oil to provide a warming, muscle-loosening boost.**
In addition to our creams and balms, we also offer soothing CBD Bath Bombs designed to help you wind down in the evening or get recharged and ready for the day. And our CBD Massage Oil is a favorite of massage therapists around the US, delivering soothing CBD relief in every drop.
CBD Gummies for Pain
Using CBD gummies is an excellent long-lasting approach to pain.** Not only are these edibles tasty, but their effects last longer in the body than topicals or vape products.
We make a wide array of CBD gummies, making it easy for you to choose the right product for your lifestyle and pain management needs.
CBD Gummies with Turmeric and Spirulina are our go-to for pain and general wellness. Turmeric and spirulina are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory superfoods, and they work in concert with 50mg of broad spectrum CBD per serving.**
CBD Multivitamin Gummies come in versions formulated specifically for both women and men. They impart a daily dose of vitamins and minerals, as well as 50mg of broad spectrum CBD per serving.**
Apple cider vinegar is a popular wellness supplement, beloved by aficionados for heart health, blood sugar management, and much more. We combine it with broad spectrum CBD in our CBD Gummies with Apple Cider Vinegar.**
If you want to try CBD for pain relief in gummy form, and don’t want to mix it with other supplements, our original CBD Gummies are super tasty and very popular.
CBD Tinctures for Pain
A tincture is a fast-acting and long-lasting way to try CBD for pain management.**
Our CBD + CBG Oil Wellness Tincture provides a 2:1 ratio of broad spectrum CBD to CBG, which alone makes it a potent source of cannabinoid goodness. On top of that, we added antioxidant coenzyme Q10 and antioxidant curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) for a health-boosting wellness tincture that addresses inflammation and pain.
What is CBG? It’s sometimes called the “mother cannabinoid,” because it’s the first cannabinoid that takes form before converting into other compounds. CBG appears early in the growth cycle of cannabis, and has to be extracted before it changes, making it hard to come by. Like CBD, CBG is non-psychoactive. When combined with CBD, many find it to have energizing effects.
Another lesser known cannabinoid, CBN, makes an appearance in our CBD + CBN Oil Calming Tincture. CBN is formed when THC ages and begins to break down — but that doesn’t mean it’s psychoactive. Instead, it’s found by many to have very calming effects.
Whether you want to try CBD for pain relief while you get chill or energized, you can find a tincture that works for you.**
CBD for Pain: the Verdict
The scientific studies on the effectiveness of CBD for pain are ongoing, but we know what people have found that works for them for centuries, and we know what our customers say. We work with a team of medical advisors to ensure that our products are safe and effective, and we only use clean, naturally produced CBD that is lab tested by third party laboratories. If you’re ready to try CBD for pain, we’re ready to provide you with safe, effective products to make your life a little easier.
