How Do They Work So Well?

Chronic pain can be caused by different kinds of disease, such as cancer, arthritis, or a physical injury. It is a complex and multifactorial experience, with pain perceptions varying depending on one’s unique biology, mood, and even the unique social environment one lives in. One of the most promising natural treatments is the use of CBD gummies for pain.

So how do CBD gummies reduce pain? And how do you take them?

In this guide, we’ll discuss what CBD gummies for pain are, how it works, how to take them, and what science has to say.

What are CBD Gummies for Pain?

These are basic gummy candies that are infused with CBD, promoting a wide range of health benefits such as reduced anxiety, balancing blood pressure levels, improved sleep, and of course, pain management.

CBD gummies are infused with CBD or cannabidiol, which is an emerging pharmaceutical agent that has shown promising results in the treatment of pain, seizures, inflammation, and anxiety. They’re just like regular gummies but they have potent CBD content, which can provide a host of health benefits.

They’re easy to take and you can carry them with you anywhere – there’s no need to buy a vape, or a need to use a dropper to use this product.

CBD gummies are also safe for kids to eat, which is highly ideal for those who may be suffering from the side effects of chemotherapy as they are known to alleviate nausea and vomiting.

Though there is currently no governing body to regulate CBD products in the market, CBD gummies are legal in all 50 states of the US. However, potency and efficacy may differ, and there can be no way you can determine if a specific product is made for pain management.

If you find CBD gummies that are marketed for pain management, you might need to consider a few things before purchasing the product. The best way to make sure you’re buying a legitimate CBD gummy for pain is to check with your physician before you start taking it.

How CBD Gummies Work for Pain Management

Pain is a subjective experience and no two people feel pain exactly the same way. Some people may experience immediate pain relief, while others won’t. Some may experience significant pain alleviation, while some may only feel a subtle reduction in their pain perceptions.

Though the effects of CBD gummies may differ from one person to the next, it still works in the same way once it is ingested into the body. It must be noted that CBD gummies are not ideal for anyone who is looking for immediate relief from acute pain.

The reason for this is that CBD gummies go through the digestive system before it is released into the bloodstream. The result is slow uptake of CBD in the body. However, because it acts slower than tinctures and vaping CBD, it does stay longer in the body, making it ideal for chronic pain management.

Endocannabinoid System

So how does it work? Experts believe that CBD reduces pain perception by working with the body’s endocannabinoid system, or ECS in short. The ECS is known to influence several systems in the body, such as the immune system, sleep regulation, mood, and inflammation. CBD is believed to alter the way pain is experienced through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

CBD is said to trigger the activity of the ECS, helping to relieve pain through several mechanisms.

When you take CBD gummies, the CBD binds with the CB2 receptor in the ECS, reducing inflammation response in the body. Its anti-inflammatory property is just one aspect of its pain-relieving benefits.

Additional studies of CBD have discovered that it reduces neuropathic pain by blocking the transmission of pain receptors in the spinal cord to the brain. Some experts also believe CBD can promote cell regeneration in the nerves, thereby helping patients who may be suffering from spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. While this sounds cool, I haven’t seen any studies in regards to cell regeneration and CBD.

Another way CBD helps to reduce pain perception is its ability to reduce anxiety. By reducing anxiety, CBD promotes better sleep, calms the muscles, and reduces stress levels. Chronic pain is correlated with sleep issues, mood problems, and increased stress levels.

By helping to make the body more relaxed, CBD is believed to reduce stress by alleviating these peripheral symptoms.

What Does Science Have to Say About CBD Gummies?

Currently, there is no FDA-approved CBD product for pain management in the US. The only CBD FDA-approved medication is for the reduction of seizures caused by a rare type of epilepsy. In Canada, a combination medication that contains a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD was approved for the treatment of pain in multiple sclerosis and certain types of cancer.

Scientific studies have been limited to animal subjects, specifically rats. One study showed that CBD injections helped to reduce pain response to surgical incisions in rats. In another study, oral CBD helped minimize sciatic nerve pain, as well as inflammation.

Newer research involving humans has shown promising results but remains to be limited. One such study was conducted by the researcher, Martin De Vita of the psychology department of Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences.

His group’s data showed that CBD does not appear to reduce experiential pain intensity but it does make pain feel less unpleasant.

How to Take CBD Gummies for Pain

Dosage for CBD gummies differs depending on your needs, your pain tolerance, your health condition, as well as the potency of the gummies. Before you purchase any CBD product, always ensure that you talk to your doctor first if you are currently taking other medications.

The following dosage recommendation is a general suggestion, and should not be regarded as medical advice.

In general, if this is your first time taking CBD gummies, always start with lower, less potent dosages. By doing so, you can gauge how your symptoms of pain will respond to the CBD gummies you’re taking.

Once you get used to taking the gummies, you can safely increase or decrease your dosage. The general recommendation for taking CBD gummies is 1mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., you can take 15mg of CBD gummies per day.

Dosage should always be customized so if you know someone who’s taking 25mg every day to reduce pain, that doesn’t mean you need that much for your case, or you could also need more for intense chronic pain.

Conclusion

CBD gummies are convenient, easy to take, and effective for chronic pain management. Aside from its anti-inflammatory property, CBD gummies can also reduce pain by alleviating symptoms of anxiety, reducing stress levels, and improving sleep.

Though studies have been limited, clinical reports of animal and human studies have been promising, making CBD gummy manufacturers optimistic in terms of marketing their products for pain management.

References

Editorial Staff (Ed.). (2020, May 4). 4 uses of CBD Oil backed by scientific study. Medicalopedia. Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://www.medicalopedia.org/8801/4-uses-of-cbd-oil-backed-by-scientific-study/

Research shows pain relieving effects of CBD. Neuroscience News. (2021, April 25). Retrieved April 28, 2022, from https://neurosciencenews.com/pain-cbd-18281/