Like all cannabinoids, CBD has a direct influence on the endo-cannabinoid system that we all have: it allows us to regulate our various key factors, such as temperature or acidity for example, in order to maintain a certain balance, which is called ‘homeostasis’. These cannabinoids act in different ways, and some are used more than others depending on the needs. In this article, you will find the main studies of the action of CBD on pain.
Arthritis pain
A study in the European Journal of Pain used an animal model to see if CBD could help people with arthritis manage their pain. Researchers applied a topical gel containing CBD to rats with arthritis for 4 days. You can of course consult this study by clicking on this link.
The researchers noted a significant decrease in inflammation and pain, with no additional side effects.
People using CBD oil for arthritis may find relief from their pain, but more human studies need to be done to confirm these results.
You can find our article dedicated to the action of CBD on arthritis and osteoarthritis
Pain from multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the whole body through the nerves and brain. Muscle spasms are one of the most common symptoms of MS. These spasms can be so severe that they cause constant pain in some people.
A report (available here) has found that short-term use of CBD oil can reduce the levels of spasticity experienced by a person. The results are modest, but many people have reported a reduction in symptoms. Further human studies are needed to verify these results.
Chronic pain
The same report studied the use of CBD for general chronic pain. The researchers compiled the results of several systematic reviews covering dozens of trials and studies. Their research concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.
Another study in the Journal of Experimental Medicine confirms these results. This research suggests that the use of CBD can reduce pain and inflammation.
The researchers also found that subjects were not likely to develop tolerance to the effects of CBD, so they would not need to continually increase their dose.
They noted that cannabinoids, such as CBD, could offer useful new treatments for people suffering from chronic pain.
Pain of various medical conditions
This study was recently carried out by a team of New Zealand scientists (click here to consult it) from Aukland Medical University. It involved around 400 patients who had recently been prescribed CBD oil for various conditions.
The participants noted an improvement in certain symptoms. Patients with mental health problems saw significant improvements in their symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as reduced levels of pain and an increased ability to carry out their usual activities.
Patients with non-cancerous pain also experienced significant improvements in their pain, anxiety, and ability to carry out usual activities. People with cancer-related symptoms have seen their pain levels improve to a lesser degree.