CBD for Aches & Pains: How Does it Work?

CBD is everywhere, and is often marketed as a cure-all for a variety of ailments. We’re here to tell you that CBD definitely isn’t a cure-all, but it is a legitimate natural alternative for relieving the aches and pains that can negatively impact your quality of life. So what is CBD, and how does it work? 

What is CBD?

CBD is one of almost 150 cannabinoids found in the flowers of the hemp plant, along with THC.¹ When extracted from hemp, CBD is legal to be infused into a variety of products including gummies, tinctures, topicals, and more. As long as the end products contain less than 0.3% THC, they are fully legal under federal law and can be shipped to all 50 states.

How does CBD work?

The phytocannabinoids produced by the hemp plant have varying effects on the human body. By mimicking the endocannabinoids that our body already produces, full spectrum CBD products can have a positive effect on aches and pains. The phytocannabinoids produced by the hemp plant bind with receptors of your endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate balance and homeostasis across the major systems of your body. This includes the central nervous system, which is responsible for feelings of pain and discomfort.

How long does CBD take to relieve aches and pains?

Depending on the source of your pain, it can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks before you will begin to experience relief with CBD. That’s because CBD takes time to build up in the body before it begins to have an impact.² 

For pain relief, give yourself at least two weeks of consistent daily use before evaluating how you feel. Keep a daily journal so that you can remember exactly how you felt each day, and then make a decision on whether to go up or down in dosage at the end of the first two weeks.

How to find the best CBD for pain relief?

It might sound simple, but finding quality CBD that will improve your quality of life can actually be very difficult. That’s because most CBD products aren’t made with quality and efficacy in mind. In fact, most CBD brands are focused on making the cheapest product to sell for the highest price. To be sure you find an authentic CBD product that is worth your money, look for these clear indicators of a quality product:

1. The product is full spectrum, which contains a legal amount of THC along with the CBD. 
2. The product is USDA certified organic. It’s safer and higher quality. 
3. The product is third-party lab tested, with a lab report for every product you purchase. 
4. The company offers a 30-day money back guarantee. 

If all of these conditions have been met, odds are that you found a quality CBD product that is worth your investment. We hope you find relief soon!

SOURCES

1. Citti, C., Linciano, P., Russo, F. et al. A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol. Sci Rep 9, 20335 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56785-1
2. Argueta DA, Ventura CM, Kiven S, Sagi V, Gupta K. A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Apr 30;11:561. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00561. PMID: 32425793; PMCID: PMC7204604. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7204604/