CBD for Back Pain: Can CBD Help with Different Types of Back Pain

CBD or cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis with many therapeutic benefits. These include alleviating pain and inflammation, reducing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, acting as an antioxidant, combating tumor and cancer cells, slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, and reducing anxiety. Because CBD relieves the ailments mentioned above, it is becoming a popular supplement for numerous disorders and diseases. Among these are back pain and neck pain.

Ways CBD Treats Back Pain

CBD is known to help with many different aspects of back pain.

#1. Pain Relief

Researchers recently found that cannabinoids such as CBD can specifically bind to nerve receptors in the bladder and may help people with overactive bladders by reducing muscle tension in the bladder. This has potential implications for sufferers of painful bladder syndrome (PBS). The study was published in the October issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

#2. Inflammation

According to a study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology, CBD effectively treats inflammation, which leads to pain. Additionally, other studies have suggested that cannabinoids are anti-inflammatory and work as analgesics (pain relievers). Combining both properties means that it could be beneficial for back pain. Many clients from the CBD company Botanicam also report the same.

#3. Disc Degeneration

CBD has a robust antioxidant profile that can reduce oxidative stress associated with back pain due to disc degeneration. CBD has been found to have neuroprotective qualities that keep neurons healthy and promote the growth of new neural tissues, for example, in the brain, and throughout the spinal cord.

#4. Neuropathic or Spinal Cord Injuries

CBD is a known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which means it could help treat many of the adverse effects of neuropathic pain, such as inflammation and nerve damage. Some research has shown cannabinoids to impact damaged nerves by allowing more sodium into the cell, which reduces the excitability of the surrounding nerves, providing pain relief. One study found that CBD helped treat chronic pain due to sciatic nerve damage by reducing inflammation and lessening nerve pinches.

#5. Fibromyalgia

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was published in 2011 in the Journal of Pain. Its purpose was to review the effects of CBD on fibromyalgia pain. Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic body pain that CBD could help with—especially since it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which would make it an effective treatment for this condition. The study’s findings suggested that CBD for fibromyalgia reduced pain intensity by approximately 30% and provided pain relief for about 40% of participants.

Potential Risks and Side Effects of CBD for Back Pain

Cannabis affects everyone differently, so there are varying degrees of side effects.

#1. Irritability

Some people have reported that after taking CBD, they become irritable and feel anxious, defeating the purpose of treating pain! However, it may be due to a lack of enough CBD being present in the body. A study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology found that CBD had little to no effect on participants’ mental state who were given a small dose of it before they received a low-dose injection of a painkiller.

#2. Gastrointestinal Distress

CBD has been known to cause upset stomachs and diarrhea, but it is usually a sign that you need to take a lower dosage.

#3. Other Potential Side Effects

Other side effects of CBD include nausea, fatigue, and dry mouth.

How to Use CBD for Back Pain

There are many different ways to use CBD, either topically or orally—and quickly absorbed through the skin.

#1. Topical CBD

CBD topical creams, oils, and balms can target different areas of the body that are in pain. These may help reduce inflammation and relieve muscle tension. Using CBD topically, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a cream with healthy ingredients like Shea butter, coconut oil, and grape seed oil.

#2. CBD Oil

CBD oil can be taken orally or added to food or drink—it’s up to you! It has a relatively mild taste that doesn’t leave your mouth feeling like it’s on fire, which is why more people are using it for pain relief. If using CBD oil, make sure to use it sparingly at first. Try taking one drop in the morning and seeing how it makes you feel.

#3. Edibles

CBD edibles are becoming more popular, especially for people who want pain relief but don’t like vaping or smoking cannabis products. You can still get the benefits of CBD through these edibles because CBD is absorbed through the mouth, which means it will make its way to your bloodstream. If making your own, be careful to follow recipes with accurate measurements, so you know how much CBD is being consumed.

Can you use CBD before back surgery?

Some people have been turning to CBD as a way to reduce the pain from surgery or an injury before it has occurred—in other words, as a preemptive option. In one study, researchers found that giving CBD orally before chemotherapy reduced vomiting and nausea in children undergoing cancer treatment. This suggests that CBD is helpful for pain relief even when it comes to severe conditions.

CBD for Back Pain Research (Legal Status & Obstacles)

Many people are turning to CBD oil because of the benefits they’ve seen in friends or family members who were also dealing with back pain. One of the most significant issues with using CBD for back pain is that there are many stories but not lots of hard evidence. This is because cannabis products are still considered illegal at the federal level by the U.S. government—so much so that it’s difficult for researchers to study these products and their effects on pain. However, there have been studies that show CBD has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which means it could be beneficial for pain relief.

CBD for Back Pain: What Is the Bottom Line? CBD oil is becoming more popular as an alternative treatment to help people deal with chronic pain. There are still many unknowns, but it’s helpful to remember that CBD is believed to act on the same brain receptors as some common pain medications, which means it might help reduce pain. However, if you are currently taking other medical treatments for back pain, talk with your doctor before trying CBD oil or other cannabis products.

Conclusion

Overall, CBD has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It reduces pain by acting on the brain receptors involved in pain relief. In addition, it can be used topically or taken orally. As with any treatment for chronic pain, it’s essential to talk with your doctor about trying CBD products, especially if you are taking other medications or treatments.

If you decide to give CBD products a try, make sure they are made with quality ingredients to know what’s being absorbed into your body. Try using CBD topically if that is an option, or use tinctures or capsules orally under the supervision of your doctor.