Due to recent changes introduced by the Farm Bill of 2018, the regulatory environment for hemp related products is much more friendly, allowing CBD oil and inflammation to be at the forefront of natural Medicine. For fighting pain and inflammation, I have often times recommended turmeric essential oil. This works great, especially after a hard workout or any other type of pain due to inflammation. However, recently my wife and I have tried CBD oils to relieve inflammation and it works extremely well.
In fact, it is one of the major reasons that people become interested in CBD oils to begin with. In this article I will discuss the benefits of CBD oil as it pertains to inflammation and overall pain management. I will also answer the question “does CBD oil help with inflammation”?
CBD Oil and Pain Management
The science of how the mind and body respond to pain has been studied for as long as there has been medicine. We have been relying on serious, and sometimes dangerous drugs to give us relief from pain. 
But a newer development, one that has really only advanced in the past twenty-five years or so, has been in understanding cannabinoid receptors and the “endocannabinoid system” (ECS). It is in this system and the understanding of this system, that helps define CBD oil and pain management.
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) that receives and translates signals from cannabinoids produces some cannabinoids of its own, which are called endocannabinoids. The ECS helps to regulate functions such as sleep, immune-system responses, and helps with pain management.
CBD Oil has been known to affect other compounds in the endocannabinoid system. As an example, CBD oil can stop the absorption of anandamide, which is a compound that is associated with regulating pain. This increased level of anandamide in your system may reduce the amount of pain you feel.
How Does the Endocannabinoid System
(ECS) Work?
Understanding the endocannabinoid system helps us to understand how CBD oil helps with pain due to inflammation as well as providing other health benefits.
The ECS is made of receptors and natural cannabinoids that fit into these receptors much like a key fits a lock. The entire system, when in balance, keeps your body and mind in optimal health. But, if it is deprived or depleted by stress, illness, or any other factor, it needs nourishment. Phytocannabinoids from CBD oil can help. They boost your natural endocannabinoids and help maintain the balance you need.
One way to help understand the ECS System is to see it broken down into 6 basic steps:
- Your ECS provides its own cannabinoids when the system is working optimally
- During periods of mental or physical stress, your ECS is activated
- Endocannabinoids surge to where they are needed most, fitting into specific receptor sites (CB1 and CB2)
- These cannabinoids send signals to the surrounding tissue and the brain, and help stop anxiety, inflammation, and even tumors.
- Your body tries to maintain a balance of cannabinoids- only using them when necessary. However, health challenges can deplete your natural supply.
- Nourishing your ECS is critical if you have concerns with daily energy and stress, physical pain, or any serious health condition.
CBD Oil and Chronic Inflammation
There is evidence that CBD oil helps with chronic inflammation and the pain associated with it. One Report in the Journal of Experimental Medicine supports this claim. This particular research suggests that using CBD oil can reduce pain and inflammation.
One interesting thing to note is that researchers also found that subjects were not likely to build up tolerance to the effects of CBD, so they would not need to increase dose rates like other remedies. So, in general studies show cannabinoids, like CBD oil, could potentially offer very helpful new treatments for individuals with chronic pain.
The thing about chronic inflammation is that people sometimes feel like they are having to take stuff like ibuprofen or prescription medications and would rather have a natural alternative. CBD offers that alternative and doesn’t have the side effects that the other medications do.
Andrew Talansky, a professional triathlete from Napa, California, who, as an elite cyclist, told Runner’s World in April, “I’m always looking for natural alternatives.” His thought process is mirrored by many athletes who are either amateurs, operating in sports where CBD is accepted or among the many who retire from competition to find their bodies constantly in paid from old inflammations.
Talansky went on to tell Runner’s World his sleep improved almost immediately after introducing CBD into his general wellness regimen, followed by a decreased recovery time as he transitioned from professional cycling to triathlons.
Is CBD considered an anti inflammatory?
Among the may health claims made by CBD advocates, the pain and inflammation experienced by athletes, both professional and amateur, active and retired are among the most prevalent. For the active, painful inflammation is one of the biggest setbacks to optimal performance. Luckily, CBD oil does seem to help.
CBD advocates also claim that CBD reduces systemic inflammation throughout the body, and studies like “Cannabiidiol reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular changes and inflammation in the mouse brain: an intravital microscopy study”, which was published in 2011, seem to back that up. In this particular study, mice were injected with CBD for inflammation related to encephalitis and were found to have improved vascular function and decreased inflammation.
So, yes, I do believe CBD is considered an inflammatory.
How Does CBD Oil Work and Help with Inflammation?
As mentioned above, the body produces endocannabinoids, neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. CBD oil can reduce pain by impacting endocannabinooid receptor activity, reducing inflammation and interacting with neurotransmitters.
CBD also replenishes the body when it is in the state of flux because the body naturally sends out the endocannabinoids directly to where it is needed. If the body is under a lot of stress, the levels start to diminish and therefore needs more. This is where CBD oil comes in. It “feeds” the system to generate more of what it needs to fight pain and inflammation.
CBD Oil is Not Marijuana!
I know this may sound obvious to most people, but you would be surprised to know that some people have a difficult time separating the two. What CBD oil and Marijuana have in common is that they originate from Cannabis sativa. But, the plants themselves are different. CBD oil is from industrial hemp plants selected to be low in THC, while medical and recreational marijuana is from plants selected for increased THC content, the compound that causes a “high”. As mentioned in other articles on this blog, by law, hemp derived CBD oil cannot contain any significant amounts of THC.
Another thing to mention here is that CBD oil is not the only component from the hemp plant that is beneficial. It is in the full or broad spectrum that we get the full benefit from CBD itself. So, what is the difference between full spectrum CBD and Broad spectrum CBD, you may have heard of these terms, so I would like to discuss that next.
The Best Products Concerning CBD Oil and Inflammation
As mentioned at the beginning of this post, I have often times recommended turmeric to relieve pain due to inflammation. This is because curcuminoids from turmeric are amazing compounds, and so are CBD oil phytocannabinoids. Pairing them makes a lot of sense. So, one of my recommendation for pain and inflammation is a CBD oil that is combined with turmeric. These types of products normally come in a gel tab form.
This type of treatment is a long term approach to pain management and works like prescription strength allergy medication. In other words, they do not give relief instantly, they accumulate in the body for a period and then take effect the long term. For pain due to inflammation after a workout or a long run, I recommend a good CBD suave or rubbing compound. This type of treatment, typically relieves pain right away. This is an ideal treatment for post workouts or pain stemming from a long run.
If you are an exercise enthusiast you may also want to track your performance by using one of the best fitness devices, such as a fitness tracker along with your exercise routine.
CBD oil also comes in tinctures in a liquid form. The use of tinctures usually involve using a dropper under the tongue for best results.
I have several reviews of these types of products on this website that you can check out in our review category.
Conclusion and Bottom Line
Some of the most exciting developments in the natural remedy and health fields involve CBD oil, making it one of the most intensively sought-after natural remedies on the market. Like all things with a lot of news around it, there is also a lot of confusion surrounding CBD oil and the huge array of products available. That is where this blog comes in. We are here to provide valuable information related to CBD oil and the benefits and truth behind all the related topics associated with CBD and hemp.
Why should you listen to me? To get a full review of my background visit the about page. I do have a unique perspective on CBD oil and consider myself to have an expertise that can help you decide if CBD is for you, and if so, which of the many CBD related products are best to suite your needs.
If you have had any experience using CBD oil and would like to share, or you have a question regarding CBD oil or the Cannabis industry in general please contact us. I would love to share ideas with you. Or, if you would like, feel free to leave a comment below and I will certainly reply right away. Have an awesome day.
Cheers,
Ralph Martin