Does CBD Help with Back Pain?
Cannabidiol is one of the many compounds found in the cannabis plant. Over the years, it's become more popular as a therapeutic agent that can potentially benefit persons suffering from particular conditions, from seizures to anxiety. It's known for its cancer-fighting, anti-oxidative, neuroprotective, pain-relieving, and inflammation-relieving properties, among other potential benefits.
While there is still a need for greater research on the efficacy of CBD as a therapeutic agent, current research suggests that it's helpful in treating specific ailments. Does CBD help with back pain?
Types of CBD
Found in the cannabis plant are various compounds called cannabinoids. These include more than 100 terpenes responsible for flavors and aromas that give plants their smell, about 20 flavonoids that exert the plant's therapeutic effects, and CBD and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the two most widely-known cannabinoids.
Full-spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains limited amounts of all cannabinoids, including CBD, and less than 0.03% THC is present. This CBD is more likely to create the entourage effect where the combination of CBD with other cannabinoids results in a more therapeutically potent CBD product.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains most of the cannabinoids and no THC. However, some broad-spectrum products on the market may contain trace amounts of THC, 0.03% or less.
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is pure CBD, lacking any other cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, such as THC.
CBD products fall into several different categories, including:
● Oils
● Edibles
● Balms
● Lotions
● Creams
● Ointments
● Capsules and pills
● Mist sprays
● Vaping liquids
Causes of Back Pain
Back pain affects more than 60 million Americans. The cause of back pain varies from patient to patient, and back pain can either be experienced as acute or chronic. Lower back pain is more common than any other kind of back pain. According to Medical News Today, lower back pain can be caused by several factors, including:
● Fibromyalgia
● Kidney stones
● Problems with the nerves and spinal cord
● Pregnancy
● Spina bifida
● Sprains or other injuries
● Spondylosis
● Tumors
Other causes of lower and upper back pain:
● Accidents
● Age-related changes to the spine
● Heavy lifting
● Posture
● Underlying medical conditions
How CBD Can Help With Back Pain
From the limited research supporting the efficacy of CBD in treating back pain, the findings suggest that CBD oil may help offer pain relief for back-related ailments. CBD helps to reduce back pain by limiting pain signals, stimulating the reuptake of adenosine in the brain, a neurotransmitter, thereby suppressing pain sensations.
Additionally, research indicates that CBD may also block pain signals by binding to TRPV1 protein receptors, reducing pain and inflammation. Previous studies involving animals suggested that the administration of CBD oil for seven days could reduce back pain.
A 2020 study examined the use of CBD in the form of a transdermal cream to alleviate the symptoms of lumbar compression fracture, thoracic discomfort, and dysesthesia and found that CBD exerted provided significant symptomatic and pain relief for pain relief the patients.
While it appears that CBD could help treat different types of back pain, more research is needed to learn more about its efficacy. CBD seems to be effective to a certain degree in reducing pain signals that inhibit pain sensations, thereby offering pain relief. Future studies could provide more information on the extent of the usefulness of CBD in treating back pain.
