It’s normal to have a few bumps and bruises from time to time, but when those bumps become nagging injuries, it can put a serious dent in your quality of life.
Whether it’s a bad back, old injury, or illness-induced pain, it’s all equally hard to deal with when it goes on for more than a few days.
When this happens, it may become what’s known as “chronic pain.” To qualify as chronic pain, it needs to have lasted more than 12 weeks. While it can affect anyone, seniors deal with chronic pain the most.
Chronic pain, chronic problem
According to an Australian study, over 50% of seniors in retirement communities suffer from chronic pain – and that number skyrockets to 80% in nursing homes. This study is what makes finding an effective and safe way to deal with chronic pain so important.
But because chronic pain is such a broad term, it makes it difficult to treat.
Finding something that works for everyone can be nearly impossible since there’s no “right” answer when it comes to proper pain management.
The most common options for chronic pain sufferers are over-the-counter and prescription painkillers. However, those with chronic pain often build up a tolerance to traditional pain medications, putting them at risk for things like liver failure or opiate addiction.
Because of this, safe alternatives for relieving the symptoms of chronic pain are vital.
A different way to deal with pain
Luckily, there is an all-natural way to help fight chronic pain: CBD. And thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, it’s now federally legal in the United States.
Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of more than 116 cannabinoids found in the hemp plant.
Unlike its well-known, infamous cousin, THC, CBD will NOT get you high. Because hemp-derived CBD comes from hemp plants containing less than 0.3% THC (the high-inducing cannabinoid), there is no associated high.
CBD works by activating your endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is responsible for maintaining homeostasis. This network is what helps keep all of the body’s systems, like the nervous, digestive, and circulatory systems, well-balanced and working properly.
The ECS has receptors throughout your body, and in addition to regulating things like sleep and digestion, it also plays a role in how the body responds to pain.
Because of this, CBD can interact with the ECS to help get things back on track and keep chronic pain at bay.
A 2016 study suggests that deficiencies in the ECS may even cause some forms of chronic pain, which shows just how important of a role it plays in our health.
Regularly taking CBD has been linked to reduced inflammation and is an easy way to give your ECS the boost it needs not only to combat pain, but to help relieve things like anxiety, sleeplessness, and digestive issues.
But with so many different ways to take CBD, it can be difficult to decide on the method that’s best for you. That’s why cbdMD is here to help!
How to reap the benefits of CBD
Just like each person is unique, so is each method of getting CBD into your body.
Depending on where you feel pain and what your specific needs are, there are many different options from which to choose.
For those with stiff joints, aching muscles, or inflammation, cbdMD offers two different CBD topicals that are a great way to get fast-acting relief right where you need it most.
The first, CBD Freeze, combines cooling comfort with the feel-good effects of CBD, while our Recover inflammation formula adds CBD to a mixture of arnica for white blood cell stimulation, vitamin B6 for reducing inflammation, and MSM for reinvigorating cell walls.
Another way to melt the stress and pain away is by adding CBD bath bombs to a warm tub.
However, if you’d rather get your CBD in more traditional forms, there are things like tinctures, capsules, and gummies that may perfect for any situation.
CBD oil tinctures are an easy and effective way to get the full-body effects of CBD. They come in a wide range of sizes, strengths, and flavors and can be taken by simply placing a few drops under the tongue, allowing you to vary the dosage to fit your needs easily.
There’s even a CBD PM tincture infused with CBD, melatonin, and other herbal remedies that eases you to sleep while also fighting pain and inflammation.
However, if you’d like to get your CBD in a more familiar form, CBD oil capsules provide the same benefits as tinctures in a recognizable pill that you can easily add to your morning and evening routines.
And for a fun, flavorful twist on capsules, try CBD gummies. They’re made with all-natural ingredients and are perfect whenever you need a potent dose of CBD.
No matter how you choose to take your CBD, it can potentially change the way you view pain management. Because of its important job in supporting the ECS, the possibilities are endless for this once-unknown cannabinoid.
Disclaimer: The cbdMD page contains general information about health, diet, lifestyle, and nutrition. Any information provided should not be considered or treated as medical advice and always consult a medical professional before making any lifestyle changes. Products and information mentioned on the cbdMD blog are not intended to be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment. Any links to third-party websites are provided as a convenience only and cbdMD is not responsible for their content.
Out of the 100 molecular compounds inside cannabis, CBD is the most well-known, non-psychoactive component. In December 2016, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) implemented their rule regarding CBD and cannabis extract under a new drug code. With this ruling, the DEA previously claimed all cannabinoids, including CBD, as illegal Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Many legal advisors and experts found the DEA’s ruling as an incredibly misleading characterization which eventually created a massive demand for a retraction or better clarification.
When CBD is introduced to the body, it links with two of the main cannabinoid receptors found throughout the body, CB1 and CB2. Together, these receptors and