CBD Oil for Neuropathic Pain: Guide and Recommendations
Imagine your nerves going haywire and misfiring a deluge of chaotic pain signals to your brain. That’s the definition of neuropathic pain.
Also known as nerve pain, neuropathic pain is an incredibly challenging condition to live with. Though it’s often a result of diabetes, neuropathic pain can also originate from several other conditions causing damage or dysfunction to the nervous system.
As you can imagine, it can be shocking and confusing when spontaneous shooting, burning, electric, stabbing pain or numbness and tingling seeming to arise out of thin air. Other times, individuals with neuropathic pain might experience hypersensitivity or pain from light pressure and changes in temperature.
Where do you even start in treating something so elusive? The key in treatment for neuropathic pain is found in controlling the underlying condition, like diabetes or central nervous system disorders. Pain management options include medications such as anti-seizure drugs, anti-depressants, topical treatments and injections of steroids and/or local anesthetics.
What if there was a gentle, more natural remedy for neuropathic pain with minimal side effects?
CBD has analgesic effects and shows signs of being able to help reduce neuropathic pain. Let’s outline what CBD oil is, how it may relieve nerve pain and its other possible benefits, as well as how to administer it properly.
What are CBD and CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating natural compound found in hemp plants. CBD oil is a medical cannabis product made from the hemp plant once its cultivated and dried, before the CBD is extracted, purified, and sometimes isolated from other compounds.
When someone uses CBD oil, the carrier oil helps deliver CBD to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) through topical application or ingestion. The cannabinoid receptors of the nervous system and immune system then work to process the CBD and help to maintain homeostasis.
This is how CBD’s analgesic effects the body. The immune system may respond by reducing inflammation and the nervous system may respond by lessening pain perception, a process called antinociception. This is why CBD is becoming a popular natural remedy for pain resulting from a wide range of conditions.
How CBD Oil Works Against Neuropathic Pain
Let’s dive more deely into neuropathic pain before exploring how CBD may work to improve it.
What Exactly is Neuropathic or Nerve Pain?
Neuropathic or nerve pain presents itself when damage to the nervous system causes nerve fibers to send faulty pain signals to the pain centers. Though diabetes is the source of about 30% of neuropathic pain, it can be present from other conditions like alcoholism, HIV/AIDS, complex regional pain syndrome, shingles, and more.
The difference between neuropathy and neuropathic pain is that neuropathy concerns the peripheral nerves, those outside the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Peripheral neuropathy from diabetes, metabolic disorders, toxins, and injuries can interfere with muscle movement and cause pain and extreme temperature sensations. Autonomic neuropathy, on the other hand, impacts the internal organs. There’s also mononeuropathy which involves a single nerve, and polyneuropathy which involves multiple peripheral nerves.
Neuropathy can feel like numbness, tingling, sensitivity, chronic pain, or unusual sensations. Both neuropathy and neuropathic pain are difficult to treat and usually progress over time.
How CBD Oil Can Help With Neuropathic Pain
Compared to many of the standard treatment solutions for neuropathic pain, CBD’s side effects are relatively few and mild in nature. Therefore, some people with neuropathic pain may prefer using CBD for nerve pain over pharmaceutical drugs tied to more serious side effects or habit-forming tendencies.
In addition to being tolerated well by the majority of people, CBD has demonstrated an ability to significantly reduce pain in peripheral neuropathy. Numerous studies have shown CBD can offer moderate to substantial relief to those with chronic neuropathic pain paired with minimal adverse events, no additional safety concerns tied to prolonged use, and no apparent necessity to increase dosage over time.
A drug made of THC and CBD for nerve pain is already in production and is approved in several countries for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and cancer.
CBD’s potential to alleviate neuropathic pain is likely due to its calming of the immune and nerve systems while introducing neuroprotective measures. Neuroprotection is defined by the preservation of neurons’ structure and/or function.
Potential Benefits of CBD Oil for Nerve Pain
Here’s an itemized breakdown of CBD oil’s potential benefits for people experiencing nerve pain:
Please add an internal link to the pillar post as soon as it’s published: pros and cons of cbd oil for pain
Analgesic Effects
In randomized, controlled trials, CBD’s ability to cause a reduction in pain and other unwelcome sensations in people with peripheral neuropathy was statistically significant and outperformed the placebo in pain relief.
Options
The many different forms of CBD intake provide options for neuropathic pain patients to decioher which one(s) work best for their unique body and pain type. For example, CBD comes in sprays, topicals, and edibles, in addition to traditional oils.
Safety and Side Effects
Alternately, CBD for nerve pain appears to have minimal and mild side effects. Though research is still incomplete, some individuals reported side effects such as tiredness, upset stomach, and changes in appetite. CBD appears to have a better side effect profile than most drugs, giving sufferers a better chance at improving their quality of life without further disruption from medications.
Neuroprotection
We need more evidence to back up these early claims, But if we can better understand CBD’s neuroprotective qualities in the future, CBD could be discovered to actually treat nerve pain at the source and limit progression.
How to Use CBD Oil to Relieve Neuropathic Pain
CBD comes in several forms that can help with neuropathic pain.
- Oromucosal Sprays: work by spraying the CBD product into the mouth.
- Tincture Oil: can be taken after mixing into food or drinks or sublingually by using a medicine dropper to place the CBD directly under the tongue.
- Capsules and Softgels: The simplest way to take CBD – simply swallow the CBD capsule or softgel like any other pill.
- Edibles: CBD can be infused into almost any food. The most common CBD edibles are snacks and sweets, like gummies.
- Topicals: creams and gels that are rubbed into the skin. Always conduct a spot test to rule out allergic reactions to the ingredients before using a pea-sized amount on the skin of the affected area.
What’s the Correct CBD Oil Dose for Neuropathic Pain
CBD may help lessen neuropathic pain with doses as small as 20 mg per day. With CBD, or any cannabinoid, the best practice is to start at a low dose while slowly ramping up over time, if needed.
However, appropriate dosage also depends on a lot of other factors like body size, diet, pain severity, CBD intake method, and potency. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD paired with other cannabinoids and hemp compounds tend to have stronger effects than isolate (‘pure’) CBD.
Three Best CBD Oils for Neuropathic Pain
CBD tincture oils give you the most control over your dose for neuropathic pain since they come with an easy-to-use dropper for precise measurement. Here are some high-quality, research-backed, CBD oils:
1:1 Ratio Full Spectrum CBD Oil (1000mg CBD & CBG) 10x More Pain Relief – Best Selling CBD Oil for Neuropathic Pain
This is the strongest pain relief CBD for nerve pain because it has the full spectrum of hemp compounds working together, especially CBG. CBG is another cannabinoid with therapeutic potential and neuroprotective properties.
1000mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil with CBN & CBG 3:1 Ratio Best Sleep Formula – Top-Rated Neuropathic Pain CBD Oil
Neuropathic pain and other distracting sensations often make it tough to fall and stay asleep. This soothing, full-spectrum CBD oil is available in peppermint and orange flavors and includes CBG and CBN to promote relaxation and deep sleep.
Isolate CBD Oil – Best CBD for Nerve Pain for First-Timers
This is our recommendation if you’re new to CBD oil or living in a state with a zero-tolerance policy on THC. Isolate CBD with no other cannabinoids may have weaker effects on neuropathic pain, but it’s a good start if you’re just trying it out and want to work up to full-spectrum oils at your own pace.
Tips for Those Who Want to Treat Neuropathic Pain with CBD Oil
Here are a few extra pieces of advice to remember before trying CBD oil for neuropathic, or any type of pain.
Check lab results
Spend wisely by shopping reputable companies that use third-party lab testing and transparent labeling. This will ensure predictable results from high-quality CBD oil products that actually contain what the label claims with nothing unexpectedly added.
Consult your doctor
If you are dealing with neuropathic pain, you are likely already working with a doctor to manage the pain and underlying condition. Ask your doctor about using CBD oil so they can help you check products for quality, ensure it’s safe for you specifically, and prevent any negative drug interactions with your current treatment plan and substances.
Buy from a trusted brand
Trusted CBD providers will be open and honest about their products and their contents. Purchase from a vendor who can clarify what type of product you’re looking at and what it contains. Look for FDA-approved facilities, certified practices, and research-backed products.
FAQs About CBD Oil for Neuropathic Pain
Is it legal to use CBD oil for neuropathic pain?
Yes, CBD for nerve pain and other condition is legal in the U.S. as long as its derived from hemp plants with under 0.3% THC. State laws may vary.
Can CBD oil help heal nerve damage in your hand?
It’s possible! There’s not enough scientific evidence, though, to conclusively state that CBD heals nerve damage. But CBD has been shown to have neuroprotective properties.
Will using CBD oil cause me to fail a drug test?
No, taking high-quality isolate CBD oil will not make you fail a drug test. However, be cautious about full-spectrum CBD oil containing THC, especially if you use it regularly.
Has CBD oil been shown effective in reducing chronic nerve pain and long term loss of flexibility in fibromyalgia sufferers?
There is some research on CBD in helping with chronic pain conditions, nerve pain, and fibromyalgia, but there is not much information available specifically on flexibility loss in those with fibromyalgia.
Can marijuana help repair nerve damage?
There is not enough information to say definitively that marijuana helps repair nerve damage, but, as discussed earlier, CBD and other cannabinoids do have neuroprotective activity.
Have you experienced neuropathic pain?
This condition can be confusing, upsetting, and frustrating. In addition, treatment can be hit or miss, and the pain can worsen over time. Fortunately, science has recently made leaps and bounds in researching CBD’s potential for managing chronic pain conditions and nerve pain.
CBD treatment of nerve pain is promising because it calms the nervous and immune systems, relaxes the mind and body and may even protect the neurons. Plus, it might do all of this with less worrisome side effects than standard medications used in this realm.
If you’re fed up with your neuropathic pain, talk to your doctor before knowing where to buy CBD oil products for pain.
Share this article:
Facebook
Twitter
