Hemp oil is a non-conventional and relatively new therapeutic oil that is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. It has a number of therapeutic properties that make it worth being studied by researchers to find more ways in which it can be useful. Hemp oil mainly contains CBD, which is the main compound responsible for its health benefits.
THE CONTROVERSY
Hemp oil is often confused with marijuana and similar products by many people since the source for these two is the same, which is hemp. However, the difference is that marijuana and other drugs that cause the high contain a compound called THC. THC has psychoactive properties. Both THC and CBD are found in hemp and cannabis, but CBD does not have any psychoactive properties like THC. This is why hemp oil derived from hemp is completely safe to consume.
BENEFITS OF HEMP OIL FOR PAIN
As already mentioned, hemp oil contains CBD which has properties that help in managing pain. Moreover, it’s a natural compound that has no harmful side-effects, which makes it safe to consume. Here’s a list of health conditions that are characterized by pain where hemp oil can be useful.
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints from the rubbing of bare bones with one another. This happens when the cartilage wears off as people age. This inflammation is accompanied by pain which makes movement even more difficult. The inflammation is caused because of the formation of cytokines in the body. CBD in hemp oil prevents the formation of cytokines and brings down inflammation. As a result, this greatly reduces pain associated with inflammation in arthritis.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the nervous system as well as the muscular and skeletal system. It’s also characterized by muscle spasms which, in turn, cause stiffness in the muscles and pain in the affected areas. CBD is known to reduce spasm episodes and relax muscles. As the muscles are relaxed, mobility becomes better in patients with significant pain reduction.
CHRONIC PAIN
The number of people who suffer from chronic pain in the back and other parts of the body as they age has only risen. We have a busy life and many of us spend more than 8 hours sitting in the same place and multiple hours driving in the traffic. All of these increase the chances of developing chronic backache, which only makes our daily life difficult. CBD can help in relieving chronic pain since it has painkilling properties.
PAIN FROM CHEMOTHERAPY
We all know that cancer patients go through intolerable pain. The condition in itself is agonizing but undergoing treatment is even more painful. While chemotherapy is an effective solution to deal with cancerous cells and eliminate them from the body, chemotherapy comes with a number of side-effects, like nausea, headache, and even pain. For patients who are going through chemotherapy, administering hemp oil can help in managing the side-effects, especially body ache resulting from chemotherapy. While we still need more research-based evidence, it has also been noticed through various animal-based studies that CBD can reduce the growth of certain cancerous cells.
Besides all the above-mentioned conditions that cause pain, CBD also helps in dealing with pain caused by menstrual cycle and fibromyalgia- a condition that causes pain in the muscles, bones, and is also characterized by headaches. CBD, the compound that hemp oil contains, helps in relaxing the muscles which in turns provides relief from pain. It also impacts certain receptors in ways that it brings down pain perception.
HOW TO USE HEMP OIL
Hemp oil is available in various forms. The best way to administer hemp oil to have the most instant effect is through drops under the tongue. When you take hemp oil by dropping it under the tongue, it gets absorbed into the bloodstream almost instantly, delivering benefits. Besides hemp oil in the crude form of oil for joint pain, you would also find edibles.
Edibles are baked items that contain hemp oil as one of the ingredients in them. Besides brownies, you can also add hemp oil to food items, like cookies or dressing for a salad. However, the only downside to having edibles is that they take some time to act.
Other alternatives for oil for joint pain are capsules, gummies, topical creams and sprays. In fact, one of the best ways of administering hemp oil for joint pain is in the form of topical creams.
