CBD for Pain: How It Works and How Many Drops to Take

CBD for pain: what it does and how to dose it

CBD may help ease pain by acting on the endocannabinoid system, dialing down glutamate signaling and boosting anandamide, though research is still early. Most people take it as an oil or capsule, or rub it in as a cream, starting low (around 5-10 mg a day) and working up gradually; common doses for pain fall somewhere between 10 and 40 mg a day. CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the roughly 545 compounds identified in the cannabis plant so far, and unlike THC it doesn't get you high; it can even take the edge off THC's buzz.

Your brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system are home to CB1 and CB2 receptors, which interact with cannabinoids. That interaction triggers and stimulates the body's natural responses to stress, anxiety and pain. Homeostasis is the body's way of keeping its functions in balance, and research suggests CBD supports that natural process.

For a long time, supply and demand in the cannabis world revolved around high-THC strains, driven by people chasing the plant's psychoactive effects. That's been shifting for a while now: high-THC weed is still everywhere, but the benefits of CBD are getting more and more attention.

CBD has a long list of potential therapeutic uses. Patients report it helps with stress, depression and some mental health conditions. Research suggests it's neuroprotective and a muscle relaxant, which is why professionals sometimes recommend it for seizures and as palliative care for body pain and other kinds of discomfort. 

By some estimates, pain affects more people than cancer, diabetes and heart disease combined. For anyone living with chronic or acute pain, finding a safe, effective way to manage it is a top priority. Common painkillers include acetaminophen and opioids, and many of them come with side effects or can lead to dependence with long-term use.

CBD may ease pain in several ways. It stimulates the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps shape mood, memory and how you experience pain. Studies suggest CBD inhibits glutamate levels in the brain and spinal cord, which may be linked to heightened pain sensation and transmission. CBD also boosts anandamide signaling in the brain. Anandamide is often called the "bliss molecule," and healthy levels are linked to feelings of well-being and happiness.

How do you use CBD for pain?

Research on CBD and pain is still in its early stages, but there's evidence suggesting CBD may help relieve pain in several ways.

CBD comes in lots of forms, including oils, capsules, topical creams, edibles and drinks. How you use it for pain depends on you and the type of pain you're dealing with.

One common way to take CBD for pain is as an oil or capsule. You take these by mouth and they're absorbed through your digestive tract. The right dose varies from person to person and with the type of pain, so follow the product directions and talk to a health professional to figure out what's right for you.

Another option is topical creams and lotions you apply straight to the skin. These can bring fast relief for muscle and joint pain. As with oral products, how much and how often depends on the type of pain and the person.

How many drops of CBD oil should you take for pain?

How many drops of CBD (cannabidiol) you need for pain depends on the product's concentration, on you and on the type of pain you have. There's no single recommended CBD dose, since everybody is different and needs different amounts.

As a rule, start with a low dose and increase it gradually until you find the amount that relieves your pain. Some CBD brands print a dosing guide on the label; if yours doesn't, talk to a health professional to work out the right dose.

Generally speaking, CBD doses for pain tend to fall between 10 and 40 mg a day. That can vary depending on the type of pain and the person. Some people start as low as 5-10 mg and work their way up as needed.

Keep in mind that CBD's effects can take a while to show up and vary from person to person. So be patient and adjust your dose as needed to get the relief you're after.

What conditions do people use CBD for?

• Seizures

• Inflammation

• Pain

• Psychosis and other mental health conditions

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Nausea

• Migraines

• Depression

• Anxiety

You can take CBD by mouth or apply it to your skin, depending on the product. There are tons of options, from oils and softgels marketed for anxiety relief to relaxing bath salts, creams and massage oils. You can smoke it too, of course, but if you're using CBD for therapeutic or medical reasons, it's best to skip combustion and go with a healthier format. 

Several studies have shown that CBD has a strong anticonvulsant effect that works well in some types of epilepsy, and its use has taken off partly because it doesn't get you high.

Thanks to advances in breeding, you can now grow strains that are almost pure CBD, with no need to take in THC, the cannabinoid that does get you high.

Even though CBD doesn't get you high and is considered safe, it can have side effects. CBD side effects include nausea, fatigue and irritability. CBD can also raise blood levels of blood thinners and other medications by competing for the liver enzymes that break them down. "People taking high doses of CBD may show abnormalities in liver-related blood tests," according to Harvard Health Publishing. Plenty of over-the-counter drugs, like acetaminophen, have the same effect.

CBD is the cannabis compound most widely used for medical and therapeutic purposes, and research and patient reports point to promise for a long list of conditions. But as with everything in the cannabis world, there's still a lot left to learn.

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