Mary Jane, weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, hooch, ganja, and choof – marijuana sure comes with many monikers. All around the world, the intoxicating effect of the greenish-grey mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa is well-established. The cannabis community can vouch for this, regardless of the weed-slang they use.
But more than its intoxicating effect, the cannabis plant actually has great medicinal value as it can help with pain management. The world is still coming to terms with this, especially in Australia. It was not until 2016 that medical marijuana became legal in the country.
If you’re wondering how to use cannabis oil for pain relief, continue reading.
Cannabis Oil: What is it?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a type of “cannabinoid,” the chemicals naturally found in marijuana. The main takeaway is that it doesn’t create the “high” feeling or any form of intoxication that’s typically sought out by recreational marijuana users. It’s THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), one of the 113 cannabinoids identified in cannabis, that causes intoxication.
Hemp and marijuana contain different levels of chemical compounds, much like different varieties of cannabis plants. The way people breed Cannabis sativa affects the CBD levels. Most CBD oil products come from industrial hemp containing higher CBD levels than the usual marijuana.
Makers of cannabidiol oil use different methods to extract the CBD compound: steam distillation, extraction by solvent, CO2 extraction, olive oil extraction, among others. The extracted cannabinoids are then added to a carrier oil. This gives you the final CBD oil product.
Potential Cannabis Oil Benefits for Pain Management
Surprisingly, the human body produces endocannabinoids which are similar to cannabinoids in the Cannabis sativa plant. Not everyone knows it, but we all have a cell-signalling system known as the endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoid receptors in our brains and immune systems receive chemical signals from different stimuli and help the cells respond.
This response triggers anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. CBD oil may help people with chronic pain relief, including those with chronic back pain.
Here are some potential medical benefits of using CBD oil.
- Arthritis Pain Relief
In 2016, a study in the European Journal of Pain showed that there was a significant drop in inflammation among rats with arthritis. Researchers applied CBD topical gel to these rats for 4 days and found out that CBD could help relive arthritis pain without side effects.
People with arthritis may find relief from pain with the help of topical CBD gels, but more studies conducted on humans need to be done to confirm these findings.
- Multiple Sclerosis Pain Relief
Autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis affecting the entire body through the nerves and brain may be tough to bear. Muscle spasms can be so strong and cause constant pain. One research found that CBD oil could reduce the levels of muscle spasms a person feels, and many people using CBD products reported a reduction in symptoms.
- Cancer Treatment Relief
The side effects of chemotherapy cause pain in most cancer patients. These effects include pain, vomiting, and loss of appetite. Although more evidence is needed, CBD may be used to manage pain related to cancer and cancer treatment.
CBD Side Effects
CBD doesn’t pose severe side effects for users, whether it be in an oral spray or topical gel form. Certain side effects are still possible which include, but not limited to, the following:
- changes in weight
- changes in appetite
- diarrhea
- fatigue
Types of CBD Oil You Should Know
CBD oil products available today come in many different strengths. If you have tried searching for CBD oils on the internet, you may have already come across terms like isolate, full-spectrum, and broad spectrum. CBD oils can be categorised based on their list of ingredients and their method of usage.
- Full Spectrum
This is one of the more common forms of CBD oil out there. It contains more than just CBD and contains other cannabinoids like CBDA, CBG, and CBA and 0.03% of THC (which is an insufficient amount to produce intoxicating effects). Full-spectrum CBD oil elicits a more pronounced and well-rounded effect as the non-intoxicating cannabinoids work synergistically with the CBD.
- Broad Spectrum
It is similar to full-spectrum ones in that it also contains more cannabinoids than just CBD. The only difference is that the THC has been chemically removed.
- CBD Isolate
This type is pure CBD, making it extremely powerful. It is mostly recommended for those suffering from insomnia.
Where to Get and How to Use Cannabis Oil for Pain Relief
CBS is extracted from Cannabis Sativa in powder or oil form, which can be mixed into topical creams and gels. CBD can also be taken orally when put into capsules and mouth sprays.
CBD is legal in Australia now. You can buy CBD oil products over-the-counter in any pharmacy in the Central Coast of NSW. But then, there are currently no products approved for sale by the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). You can talk to a doctor or visit a medical centre in Erina to discuss where and how you can get access to medical marijuana in the area.
Do not use CBD oil without getting in touch with your trusted Erina Medical Centre.
