How to Use CBD Oil for Pain - April 2024

Guide to Using CBD Oil for Pain

CBD oil for pain management may be administered through the following routes:

• Oral administration: CBD oil is ingested orally and metabolized by the liver before getting absorbed into the bloodstream.

• Sublingual administration: CBD oil administered sublingually or under the tongue bypasses the gastrointestinal tract and goes directly into the bloodstream.

• Topical application: Topical CBD products are applied to the skin for localized pain relief. CBD in topicals is not absorbed into the bloodstream⁽²⁾.

• Inhalation: CBD oil administered through inhalation is absorbed by the body through the lungs.

However, caution is advised when using vapes to administer CBD. Vaping has the potential to induce health risks associated with lung disease⁽³⁾.     

CBD Dosage

There is no standard CBD dosage guide approved by the Food and Drug Administration that may be used for pain relief.

Still, dosing recommendations generally suggest starting low and going slow. This strategy means opting for a low dose when starting with a CBD regimen⁽⁴⁾.

Individuals taking a CBD-dominant product may start with 10 milligrams (mg) per day. If the product contains low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content, the dose may start at 1 to 1.25mg THC.

The Science Behind CBD Oil for Pain

CBD oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. CBD is a major phytocannabinoid (plant-based cannabinoid) that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)⁽⁵⁾.

The ECS contains various cannabinoid receptors, primarily CB1 and CB2 receptors.

CB1 receptors mainly reside in the central nervous system (CNS) and other body parts like the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, bones, and liver⁽⁶⁾. 

CB2 receptors are primarily present in the peripheral nervous and immune systems^(7).

Research suggests that when CBD interacts with these receptors, it produces pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects that may help with pain management⁽⁸⁾.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Pain

A 2019 study evaluated CBD’s effects on opioid use and the quality of life of individuals with chronic pain⁽⁹⁾.

The study showed that CBD-rich hemp extract may help chronic pain patients eliminate or reduce opioid use and improve the quality of their life.

Researchers in a 2018 study examined kidney transplant patients who took CBD for pain management⁽¹⁰⁾.

The study showed that CBD doses of 50 to 150mg twice a day for three weeks may help manage pain in kidney transplant patients with chronic pain.

In another study, topical CBD was given to pediatric patients with epidermolysis bullosa and applied as a cream, oil, or spray⁽¹¹⁾.

Epidermolysis bullosa is a skin condition that causes blistering and skin fragility.

Results of the trial showed that CBD may help reduce blistering and pain and hasten wound healing.

A study showed that CBD may help reduce muscle spasticity, pain, and fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis⁽¹²⁾. Multiple sclerosis affects the spinal cord and brain, causing nerve damage or deterioration.

Meanwhile, research suggests that CBD’s purported anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory properties may help manage symptoms of fibromyalgia⁽¹³⁾.

Fibromyalgia affects bones and muscles and is characterized by widespread pain, soreness, fatigue, and issues with sleep, memory, and mood.

Clinical information suggests CBD may provide therapeutic benefits for certain forms of epilepsy, provide analgesic (pain-relieving) effects in certain conditions, and improve the quality of life⁽¹⁴⁾.

Moreover, studies show that medical cannabis may have a significantly favorable effect on fibromyalgia patients and few adverse effects⁽¹⁵⁾. Like CBD, medical cannabis (also referred to as medical marijuana) is derived from the cannabis plant.

Side Effects of CBD Oil on Pain

The general side effects of CBD may include dry mouth, loss of appetite, drowsiness, fatigue, and diarrhea⁽¹⁶⁾.

A 2018 study noted that kidney transplant patients with chronic pain may experience nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, and intermittent heat episodes when taking CBD⁽¹⁷⁾.

However, currently, scientific data is inconclusive. More studies must be performed to determine whether CBD oil for pain causes adverse effects on humans.

CBD may inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzymes necessary for metabolizing many pharmaceutical drugs in the liver. Inhibiting these enzymes may cause the drugs’ duration of action and effects to increase⁽¹⁸⁾.

Medications affected by this action include antihistamines, antibiotics, antidepressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) warns that CBD products with false, unproven, or misleading claims may cause consumers to forego proper medical diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care⁽¹⁹⁾.

It is essential that individuals consult a doctor for medical advice regarding the proper treatment of diseases or medical conditions before taking CBD.

Does CBD Oil for Pain Make a Person High?

CBD is an essential component found in medical marijuana despite being derived from hemp, a close relative of marijuana. However, by itself, CBD does not cause a high⁽²⁰⁾.

On the other hand, THC is the cannabis component usually associated with being high. Unlike CBD, THC is psychoactive, making a person feel “stoned⁽²¹⁾.”

Tips in Choosing the Best CBD Oil for Pain

Individuals purchasing a high-quality product must consider the extraction methods, forms of CBD products, and personal preferences before purchasing.

CBD extracts are derived from hemp plants. After extraction, CBD oil can be classified as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolates.

Full-spectrum CBD oil has most of the cannabinoids and active ingredients found in the cannabis plant, such as flavonoids, terpenes, and THC.

Flavonoids are plant components containing antioxidative properties, while terpenes are compounds that provide a characteristic aroma in plants.

Broad-spectrum CBD oils contain most cannabinoids that full-spectrum CBD has without the THC.

CBD isolates contain pure CBD only. No other compounds or cannabinoids are present in isolates.

Individuals planning to purchase high-quality cannabis products with no psychoactive effects of THC may consider trying CBD isolates or broad-spectrum CBD oil.

What Is CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol or CBD is a hemp plant extract that is increasingly receiving attention due to its purported therapeutic benefits, such as anti-inflammatory properties and pain-relieving effects, without psychoactive effects⁽²²⁾.

Although more human studies are required to understand how CBD works, including which parts help with pain, preliminary evidence suggests that CBD may help manage conditions and types of pain associated with⁽²³⁾ the following:

• Inflammation
• Chronic pain like neuropathic pain or arthritis pain
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Parkinson’s disease
• Type 1 diabetes
• Cancer-related symptoms

Types of CBD Oil Products

Other forms of CBD products include the following:

• Capsules and edibles: These CBD products may be taken orally. Capsules include softgels, and edibles include gummies, candies, and cookies.
• CBD tinctures: These products are usually administered sublingually using droppers or oromucosal sprays.

Tinctures usually contain a carrier oil such as MCT oil and hempseed oil to dilute the CBD concentrate.

• CBD topicals: These products include creams, lotions, balms, or salves. CBD skincare products also fall under this category.
• Vapes: This product type vaporizes CBD oil and delivers CBD by inhalation through vaping.

Comparison Between CBD Oil and CBD Tinctures

Generally, CBD oil consists of only two ingredients: CBD and a carrier oil. On the other hand, CBD tinctures are extracts made by steeping flowers, leaves, and stalks of Cannabis sativa plants in high-proof ethyl alcohol.

CBD oil and CBD tincture may also differ in how they are used or consumed.

CBD oil may be taken using various delivery methods, such as oral, sublingual, topical, or inhalation.

For example, vaping involves CBD oil concentrates vaporized for inhalation and absorbed through the lungs⁽²⁴⁾. Onset time for CBD delivered through this method is around 2 to 15 minutes, and effects may last for two to four hours⁽²⁵⁾.

CBD oil-filled capsules ingested orally pass through the body’s digestive tract. CBD is then modified in the liver before spreading throughout the body⁽²⁶⁾.

Capsules take about 30 to 90 minutes to take effect and may last for six to eight hours⁽²⁷⁾.

There are also various topical products using CBD oil, such as lotions, ointments, sprays, balms, salves, and oils. Topical CBD oil does not get absorbed into the bloodstream⁽²⁸⁾.

Onset times of topicals are around 15 to 30 minutes, and their effects may last for two to four hours⁽²⁹⁾.

Meanwhile, CBD oil tinctures are generally taken sublingually or under the tongue. Tinctures take 15 to 30 minutes to take effect and last for two to four hours⁽³⁰⁾.

CBD Legality

The Farm Bill enacted in 2018 removed hemp and cannabis derivatives containing less than 0.3% THC from the controlled substances list.

However, consumers should note that all 50 states have specific laws regulating the use of CBD. These laws have varying levels of restriction⁽³¹⁾.

Currently, the only FDA-approved CBD product for use as a prescription medication is Epidiolex for the treatment of epilepsy⁽³²⁾.

The FDA warns businesses that marketing CBD as a dietary supplement or food additive is illegal. Individuals must review their state’s laws before using CBD products to determine whether CBD is legal in their area.

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2. page 210 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
3. Can vaping damage your lungs? What we do (and don’t) know https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-vaping-damage-your-lungs-what-we-do-and-dont-know-2019090417734
4. page 218 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
5. page 103 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
6. page 66 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
7. page 45 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
8. CBD oil: What is it and how does it work? https://www.eehealth.org/blog/2019/09/cbd-oil/
9. Evaluation of the effects of CBD hemp extract on opioid use and quality of life indicators in chronic pain patients: a prospective cohort study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31711352/
10. Chronic Pain Treatment With Cannabidiol in Kidney Transplant Patients in Uruguay https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29579828/
11. Cannabinoid Delivery Systems for Pain and Inflammation Treatment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6222489/
12. Cannabidiol to Improve Mobility in People with Multiple Sclerosis https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2018.00183
13. page 154 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
14. A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/
15. Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia https://doi.org/10.1097/RHU.0000000000000702
16. What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700
17. Chronic Pain Treatment With Cannabidiol in Kidney Transplant Patients in Uruguay https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29579828/
18. page 114 to 115 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
19. What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBD https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/what-you-need-know-and-what-were-working-find-out-about-products-containing-cannabis-or-cannabis
20. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
21. CBD & THC: Myths and misconceptions https://www.projectcbd.org/cbd-101/cbd-misconceptions
22. CBD oil: What is it and how does it work? https://www.eehealth.org/blog/2019/09/cbd-oil/
23. Ibid.
24. Best way to take CBD https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/best-way-take-cbd
25. page 190 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
26. Best way to take CBD https://www.projectcbd.org/guidance/best-way-take-cbd
27. page 191 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
28. page 210 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
29. page 193 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
30. page 192 of Healing With CBD https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AGlxnhS2SoFeOXEuysv75bd_C9pEnwsU/view
31. Cannabidiol (CBD)-what we know and what we don’t https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
32. What are the benefits of CBD — and is it safe to use? https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/is-cbd-safe-and-effective/faq-20446700

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