CBD is the hot new health and wellness product lining store shelves and being advertised all over the internet. From relaxing oils and tasty gummies to even supplements for aging dogs, brands are working extra hard to jump on this trend and incorporate CDB into their products.
This is great news if you’re struggling with chronic pain from an injury or surgery, since CBD products are marketed as a natural way to relieve pain. But do products like CBD gummies actually work? And are they really safer alternatives over prescription painkillers? We’ll explore these questions and more in our blog below.
What is CBD?
We should first begin by explaining what CBD even is. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, CBD (short for cannabidiol) is a chemical found in the Cannabis sativa plant, also known as marijuana or hemp. CBD is primarily extracted from the hemp plant for products like oils and gummies that the general public can legally purchase in stores.
How Does CBD Work?
Unlike delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary active ingredient found in marijuana, CBD does not cause a “high” for the user. Instead, CBD calms and relaxes the body and mind by stimulating the endocannabinoid system. But what does that mean?
The endocannabinoid system contains a large network of receptors and neurotransmitters responsible for keeping your body balanced. Its focus is on improving communication between the central and peripheral nervous systems and the immune system, and regulates key body functions like sleep, mood, pain and immune response.
By ingesting CBD gummies or using another product like CBD oil, CBD causes the endocannabinoid system to create more of its own cannabinoids to help ease your mind and relax.
Can CBD Products Relieve Pain?
Besides allowing the endocannabinoid system to more effectively manage biological functions throughout the body, there is additional evidence that CBD can help relieve pain:
• First, research suggests that CBD keeps the body from absorbing a pain-regulation compound called anandamide. The more this compound is found in the bloodstream, the less pain an individual feels.
• Second, CBD also decreases the amount of inflammation in the brain and nervous system, which can help with pain relief.
It’s important to note that while there is some evidence and personal anecdotes about CBD’s effects on pain, more research is still needed. What may be effective for one person may not actually be effective for another, and scientists are still working to better understand how CDB can aid pain management.
Can CBD Replace Painkillers to Prevent Opioid Addiction?
A key reason why there is ongoing research around this topic is because CBD could serve as a healthier alternative to prescription painkillers. In 2018 alone, nearly 70% of the 67,367 overdose deaths in the country included an opioid, stressing the need to curb the opioid epidemic and find a better way to treat people with chronic pain.
In a 2017 study, researchers found that the overwhelming majority of their participants rated cannabis as being just as effective as their prescription painkillers but without the negative side effects. While promising, it’s unclear if CBD can have these same effects or if larger amounts of THC are also needed to help people manage their chronic pain.
Should People in Addiction Recovery Use CDB?
According to the World Health Organization, there isn’t a risk of CBD users abusing or becoming dependent on the chemical. However, there’s little research thus far that can definitively give you an answer one way or another.
If you’re in addiction recovery and interested in using CBD products for pain relief, it’s best to talk with your doctor to determine the healthiest pain-relieving plan for you that won’t increase your risk of relapse.
If you’re currently struggling with opioid addiction and want to end your dependence on painkillers once and for all, your next step should be to seek addiction treatment at a credible rehab center like The Raleigh House.
Get Effective Opioid Addiction Treatment at The Raleigh House
If you’re struggling with chronic pain and are desperately searching for another way to cope without opioids, it’s easy to jump at the chance to try the CDB products available on the market. But switching to CBD oil or gummies won’t end your opioid addiction and trying to withdrawal on your own can be dangerous.
That’s why our team at The Raleigh House is here to help. We have over 10 years of experience helping people just like you detox from opioids and find healthier and more effective ways at coping with chronic pain. We can help you put your drug use behind you and achieve the long-term relief and sobriety you’ve been searching for.
Are you ready to get started? Our admissions team is available to take your call. Fill out our form or contact us today.