Are you curious about using CBD for back pain? Read our research, discover how CBD works, and more in our complete guide.
From the simplest strains to serious health issues, back pain can stem from a number of underlying problems. With the spinal column and the tissues surrounding it serving as the central operational point of the entire body, pain in your back can be really hard on you. To make matters worse, back pain is a common issue among adults, with as many as 80 percent of adults having back pain at least once in their lifetime. Could CBD for back pain be a viable option to help? Here is a look at what CBD is, how it may work for back pain, and more.
What is CBD and How Does It Work
Cannabidiol (CBD) is just one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis sativa plant family, including in hemp. In hemp, CBD is actually the most abundant cannabinoid, and unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is not intoxicating. Instead, this interesting cannabinoid is more widely recognized for its therapeutic properties, and back pain relief may be one of them.
The human body is home to a number of important systems that keep it going and keep it healthy. While most are more than familiar with the immune, respiratory, and circulatory systems, many have no idea that we all have what is referred to as an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is thought to have a number of responsibilities and physiological functions, including regulating inflammation, nerve signal responses, and even sleep. The ECS does so by interacting with endocannabinoids produced by the body, enzymes, and phytocannabinoids (or simply cannabinoids) introduced from outside sources.
CBD works by interacting with the ECS—many researchers believe the cannabinoid works as a balancing agent within the ECS. THC actually binds to CB1 and CB2 receptors, which may show why THC has an intoxicating effect. On the contrary, CBD does not bind to those receptors. Instead, scientists believe CBD helps the ECS retain endocannabinoids for longer periods or help the body produce its own endocannabinoids as needed.
Some researchers even suspect CBD may interact with yet-to-be-discovered receptors in the ECS. In any case, CBD may generate a certain level of homeostasis for the body, which may work to help many everyday ailments, including pain, anxiety, poor sleep, and more.
Different Ways CBD May Help with Back Pain
Back pain can stem from a number of root issues, which means most doctors can only do what they can to relieve pain. Instead of simply masking pain, CBD may reduce back pain via several mechanisms of action. While the research into CBD is just starting to blossom, we do know several bits of science behind this cannabinoid and how it acts in the body to possibly relieve pain.
CBD May Reduce Inflammation Related to Back Pain
Most back pain is associated with some form of inflammation. CBD seems to suppress inflammatory pain, even inflammatory pain related to some hard to treat conditions like multiple sclerosis or neuropathic conditions. In a 2017 study, the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD were examined as an aid for inflamed joints related to osteoarthritis. Topical or localized CBD application reduced inflammation and helped with the pain.
CBD Could Enhance Pain Management or Pain Perception
Back pain can be a bit open to perception. Two people may have the same type of pain but one would rate their pain a severe and the other would say they are dealing with mild pain. Early research is showing that by regulating pain signals linked to the ECS, CBD may improve the perception of pain. CBD seems to heighten levels of anandamide, which is a compound known to be linked to the overall mood and the perception of pain.
CBD May Improve Recovery or Support Quicker Recovery for Back Injuries
If you are dealing with back pain due to an injury, CBD may help by encouraging quicker soft tissue recovery. When soft tissues surrounding the spine are injured, they become inflamed. The anti-inflammatory effects of CBD may calm inflamed tissues so they can get on the mend faster. Further, CBD is a known antioxidant, which is also a key player in recovering after an injury.
CBD Could Provide Anti-Degenerative Properties
Degenerative spinal issues, such as degenerative disc disease, can bring on intense bouts of pain, and the condition is most often considered chronic. While only researched in animal studies, CBD has been shown to have an antidegenerative effect in higher doses. CBD seemed to attenuate the painful effects related to disc injuries.
CBD May Support Better Sleep for Less Back Pain
If back pain is interfering with your ability to get a good night of sleep, taking CBD may help. Not only can pain in your back interfere with your sleep, but lack of sleep can oftentimes make pain seem worse. In a more recent study from the Permanente Journal, CBD seemed to help with sleep issues. In addition, researchers have noted that CBD helps to increase the duration of good sleep.
Potential Side Effects of CBD
One of the many reasons people are turning to CBD for back pain is that cannabidiol is considered generally safe, even in high amounts. The World Health Organization touted CBD as “generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”Additionally, side effects tend to be minimal. Some of the most typical side effects experienced include:
- Dry mouth
- Slight dizziness
- Fatigue
- Lowered blood pressure
In extremely rare cases, some individuals may have heightened adverse reactions to CBD products, such as gastrointestinal upset or mental confusion. Of course, these kinds of side effects would be more likely for someone taking excessive doses of a CBD product. As a caveat, do make sure you speak with your doctor about trying CBD for back pain relief if you are currently taking other medications; CBD may interact or counteract certain medications.
Ways to Use CBD for Back Pain
Whether you prefer an ingestible product or something topical, you can find CBD products in a diverse lineup of forms. As products containing the cannabidiol cannabinoid get a strong foothold in the health and wellness arena, new and useful products continually emerge.
While no CBD products are specifically created to target back pain, finding a product with CBD for back pain that fits your needs and lifestyle is easy just the same. And, some people find that combining different hemp-derived CBD products is the most effective way to tackle their problems with back pain. You may try taking a daily CBD oil for chronic back pain and using a topical CBD product for pinpointed pain in between, for example.
CBD Oils
CBD oil, like our Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture, is created by suspending the CBD in a carrier oil for easy dosing. Most people will simply drop the oil on their tongue and swallow, but the oil can also be taken sublingually (under the tongue) so the effects set in quicker. You can find oils with a number of different potencies of CBD, and higher potencies may be more suitable for pain relief purposes. For example, if you suffer from chronic back pain, opting for our 1000mg CBD oil may be more suitable than a 500mg CBD oil.
CBD Creams and Topicals
CBD-infused topical products may come in the form of lotion, cream, gel, and massage oil. These products tend to be a preference for individuals who have targetable back pain or neck pain because they can be applied right to the source of the pain. For example, if you have issues with upper spine pain around your neck, you could apply Nirvana CBD Muscle Recovery Lotion with an RYKR Roll to the area. Likewise, for injured or strained muscles, a topical application of our CBD Muscle Recovery Lotion may help.
CBD Soft Gels
CBD soft gels offer a convenient way to get a precise dose of CBD. These capsules contain a premeasured dosage of CBD oil, and it’s not uncommon to find capsules that contain CBD and supportive ingredients for back pain relief. For instance, Nirvana’s CBD + Turmeric Soft Gels offer 750mg of CBD and 300mg of turmeric oil to curb issues with inflammation and enhance the pain-relieving qualities of the CBD.
CBD Gummies
CBD products in edible form have grown to be quite popular among those looking for back pain relief. For example, CBD gummies are essentially a flavorful gummy with a precisely infused amount of CBD. These gummies give you a perfectly simple way to consume CBD as needed at a more honed dosage for your symptoms. For instance, Nirvana 500mg CBD Gummies deliver 25mg of broad-spectrum CBD in a fruity flavor, so you can take just what you need when you need some relief.
Why Choose Nirvana CBD for Back Pain
Choosing the best CBD products for pain management will make all the difference in your overall experience. With so many products to pick from, having a reliable, high-quality brand to count on means everything. At Nirvana CBD, we take pride in serving up just that—quality and reliability.
Our hemp-derived CBD products are third-party tested, made in the US from only high-quality hemp, and created with cannabinoid-rich broad-spectrum formulas. Additionally, we provide symptom-based formulas with superior ingredients. When you want the best CBD experience, we know you should have highly-rated products at great prices with top-rated support. If you are ready to find out if CBD use helps with your back pain, take a look at our impressive collection of CBD products. Always derived from US-grown hemp, always 0.0% THC, and always formulated for the best end-user experience.
Thank you for reading our latest article about how CBD works for back pain, we hope that it helped to provide you with helpful information about this subject. If you have any questions or comments, please drop us a message in the comments, and be sure to check out our CBD blog for more helpful articles and guides!
The information contained in this article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or guidance from a certified doctor or lawyer. Before trying Cannabidiol (CBD) or purchasing any CBD product, you should always conduct your own research and consult with your doctor. While CBD was classified as “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile” by the World Health Organization (WHO), further research is needed in order to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CBD on a generalized basis.
Nirvana CBD products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
