Do CBD gummies work for pain? Approximately 60% of adults in the U.S. say they use CBD products to help them relieve pain. Though CBD tinctures are popular, CBD gummies are now surpassing them in sales per the CBD market research company Brightfield Group. One reason is the increasing research demonstrating that taking CBD gummies for pain relief may work to ease many types of acute or chronic pain. CBD has been shown to relieve people with muscle pain, neuropathic pain and other types of pain. CBD gummies are convenient, available in different potencies and made with different flavors.
What Are CBD Gummies?
CBD gummies look and taste like candy but contain CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is extracted from the industrial hemp plant and may help manage pain and stress or promote general wellness. Various CBD gummy brands may include:
- Additional cannabinoids besides CBD, like CBG and CBN
- Different spectrums like full spectrum, broad spectrum or isolate CBD gummies
- THC-free and CBD+THC gummies
- Flavonoids and terpenes
- Pectin derived from fruit for vegans or gelatin obtained from animals
- A variety of natural flavors
- Sweeteners like tapioca syrup or corn syrup
- Botanicals like ashwagandha, ginger and turmeric
You will find many CBD product options in gummy form.
How Do CBD Gummies Work For Pain?
CBD interacts with receptors found in the endocannabinoid system, influencing cell signaling. Researchers have found that CBD may increase anandamide, a messenger molecule that plays a role in pain, memory, depression and more. It is an endogenous ligand (cannabinoid) of CB1 receptors and is associated with the effects of THC. When the body experiences pain, anandamides are naturally produced and bind to the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, reducing the pain experienced by blocking the neurons signaling pain.
So, CBD gummies for pain management work primarily by increasing the endocannabinoids in the body that manage pain. CBD is thought to have significant analgesic activities without producing a high. CBD may regulate pain perception also by affecting other non-cannabinoid GPCRs. These are membrane proteins that manage cellular responses to neurotransmitters and hormones.
This is a brief description of the complex activity that CBD originates in the body. Research to date has found that THC may reduce the perception of pain, and CBD may reduce the feeling of pain. THC is a partial agonist of the two primary endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. THC inhibits the release of certain acids and hormones, affecting pain pathways. CBD modulates the CB1 receptors and acts on other receptors like serotonin. As a negative allosteric modulator, CBD weakens pain signals.
CBD may reduce feelings of pain, but the influence on cells is changed when THC is added. Project CBD reports that CBD and THC work together differently than alone. This is commonly called the entourage effect. CBD+THC gummies for pain may deliver more of a unique mix of benefits for chronic pain sufferers. They are made with full spectrum CBD, which contains CBD and THC.
The Time Required to See Results
Each person is different because their systems process nutrients at different rates. However, many people begin to feel the effects of CBD in about 30 minutes. For others, it may take longer, like more than an hour. CBD taken orally typically has a half-life of 1-2 days, which can also be longer. So many factors influence the results of CBD. They include your body composition, the amount of food in the stomach, the CBD potency and how often you take CBD.
How To Use CBD Gummies For Pain?
Through comments made by regular CBD consumers, an excellent way to begin using CBD gummies for pain is to start with no more than 20 or 25 mg of CBD gummies. CBD gummies are made in various potencies, so starting with a low to medium dose is recommended. Since gummies are edible and go through the first-pass metabolism process, you can take CBD gummies as needed. Some CBD does not make it to the bloodstream when taken in edibles because it is metabolized by enzymes in the digestive system, giving CBD edibles a low bioavailability.
You can increase CBD absorption and bioavailability by eating your CBD gummy with a high-fat snack like nuts, avocado or omega-3-rich fish. Also, some people take CBD gummies in the morning to help with pain management. Another option is to eat CBD gummies for sleep at night because it helps people get a better night's sleep by reducing feelings of pain and promoting relaxation. Studies on chronic pain have found that even when CBD did not significantly reduce pain feelings, patients reported consistent improvement in their quality of life and sleep.
Summary
There is now science-backed evidence that CBD may help reduce feelings of pain. This is coupled with an enormous amount of anecdotal evidence given by people regularly taking CBD for pain management. CBD gummies for pain relief are formulated to deliver CBD and other phytocannabinoids and botanicals in a flavorful and convenient way. You can choose the CBD potency, spectrum and flavor and discover if CBD can help you better manage pain.
Originally appeared at CBD.market blog
