CBD Oil For Inflammation

CBD is known to assist with a lot of ailments – from chronic pain to cancer. But one of the best-known uses is CBD oil for inflammation. 

CBD is one of the chemical cannabinoid compounds in a subspecies of the cannabis Sativa plant called hemp. 

Though it is often compared to its cousin cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is primarily produced in the marijuana plant, CBD bears a critical difference. 

THC is a psychoactive compound in weed that is responsible for creating a “high.”

CBD, however, can not get you high and will not produce the same effects. 

Because THC and CBD are both cannabinoids and come from subspecies of the cannabis Sativa plant, there can be traces of crossover. 

Most CBD products containing small amounts of THC will cap their concentration and 0.3 percent and label their products accordingly. 

And although CBD will not get you high, it has its medicinal values. 

What is Inflammation? 

Inflammation is a biological defense mechanism – it’s the body’s way of trying to remove a threat. 

When your body experiences inflammation, it can cause a variety of symptoms. The most common signs are swelling and pain. 

Swelling happens when parts of your body, such as organs, muscles, skin, or bone, enlarge. 

When your body experiences swelling, it can present both internally and externally.  

Swelling can be caused by inflammation and cause further inflammation, so often, swollen areas become tender or painful to the touch. 

This is because swollen tissue can expand and interfere with nerve endings. 

Pain caused by swelling and fluid buildup is just one way in which inflammation can cause pain.

Various kinds and degrees of pain can surface as inflammation changes the position or size of body parts, which, in turn, can affect adjoining areas. 

Some painful areas may also be red or feel hot as blood flow to the inflamed area increases.

Pain might be slight or severe, intermittent or chronic, and can feel sharp or pulsing. 

In more severe cases, mobility may become limited as the inflammation becomes so intense it prevents body parts, such as a joint, from properly functioning. 

Your central nervous system fights to manage this range of symptoms as it’s alerted by the affected nerves. 

Will It Help If I Use CBD Oil For Inflammation?

Praised for its natural healing properties, CBD can provide remedial benefits because of its interaction with our endocannabinoid system (ECS).

The ECS is a biological system that facilitates homeostasis and internal connection throughout your body. 

A large portion of maintaining homeostasis includes regulating inflammation and communication with the Central Nervous system- two functions primarily responsible for inducing the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD. 

How Does the Endocannabinoid System Work?

Understanding how your ECS works is essential for understanding how CBD can assist with inflammation. 

Endocannabinoid molecules are neurotransmitters produced by your body to help prevent system failure. 

These molecules link with endocannabinoid receptors in your nervous system that receives and emit communication signals. 

The endocannabinoid molecules and receptors are broken down by enzymes, which send them into your bloodstream. 

Together, this process creates a communication channel that alerts your body to perform a particular action.  

This same process and communication channel is the interaction that allows CBD to work. 

When CBD interacts with endocannabinoid receptors, it can reduce pain and inflammation by dulling the receptors’ sensitivity, especially those that regulate inflammation.

CBD Works Well For Arthritis, Joint Swelling, and Acne.

Research on rats has shown great potential for CBD-treated arthritis. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints.

The rodent studies found topical or transdermal CBD application to improve inflammation and inflammation-produced pain. 

Direct transdermal CBD application allowed for efficient blood absorption. 

It also avoids digestive and gastrointestinal interactions and metabolic processing, providing a more localized treatment. 

Specific applications of CBD to inflamed joints can elevate concentrations and, thus, effectiveness. 

Other studies have related CBD to inflammatory tumor necrosis factor, a protein used for immune system cell communication.

If an infection is signaled, the tumor necrosis factor protein is released to begin inflammation.

When CBD encounters these inflammatory proteins, it reduces their effects which consequently reduces inflammation.

Yet another study found that CBD could help with other medical and health conditions and arthritis, including multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and type 1 diabetes.  

CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties have even been shown to improve and reduce acne.

One of the causes of acne is underlying inflammation. This underlying inflammation can transcend the dermis and lead to external inflammation and redness.

In addition to aiding sebum reduction (the oil produced by your sebaceous glands that can cause acne), CBD’s anti-inflammation benefits can mitigate acne from forming and prevent the symptoms of already present acne from getting worse. 

Overall, the science behind CBD shows promising potential for treating arthritis and other joint swelling and can moderate inflammation and pain.

How Should I Use CBD Oil for Inflammation?

There are a few ways that you can use CBD oil for inflammation and pain.  

Topical CBD – the best way to target inflammation 

Topical CBD enters your body transdermally and is absorbed into your bloodstream. 

Popular CBD topical products include lotions, relief rubs, balms, creams, salves, chapsticks, and transdermal patches. 

Transdermal patches are applied directly onto your body and release CBD into the bloodstream over extended periods- usually a few hours. 

Transdermal CBD patches are usually preferred by those looking for a more concentrated, consistent form of topical dosing. 

CBD for Pain – Other Ways to Take CBD

Other forms of CBD can further help prevent or mitigate inflammation-induced pain and can offset pain when topical applications are in the process of being absorbed through your skin. 

CBD can be consumed in a few different ways. The most popular and most influential among CBD users is called sublingual absorption. 

When taking CBD sublingually, users are instructed to apply the oil in their mouth and hold it under their tongue for 30 seconds.

This allows for the CBD to enter your bloodstream through the capillaries found in your mouth. Once swallowed, the CBD will be processed through the digestive tract and produce a secondary onset once broken down. 

Another common way to take CBD is by inhaling it. Inhalation is fast and concentrated, so you can feel the effects right away – it just doesn’t last as long as other methods. 

CBD can be inhaled by vaping it or smoking CBD bud. 

The final way to use CBD is by skipping the sublingual absorption and sending it right to the digestive system. 

This digestive ingestion is usually performed by taking CBD capsules or pills or eating CBD edibles, a good choice for users or patients who prefer not to smoke CBD or aren’t fans of the taste. 

Because ingestion takes the longest, digested CBD is best when used proactively. 

To approach both pain and inflammation, it is optimal to use CBD products in tandem. 

Applying a topical form of CBD or a transdermal patch and taking CBD sublingually, for example, would offer instant pain relief and longer-term inflammation care. 

For those looking to prevent pain and inhibit inflammation, talk to your doctor and give CBD treatment a try. 

The time to feel healed is now.