Now that CBD oil is becoming so widespread, people are using it for all kinds of benefits. For some, like those reading this article, CBD oil can help provide pain relief. However, since these products are still relatively new, many users have questions. Fortunately, we have answers. If you’re unsure about using CBD for pain relief, let this article be your guide.
How Long Does it Take for CBD Oil to Work for Pain Relief?
There are a few factors that can affect how CBD enters your system and starts providing pain relief. The most crucial element is the application process. Here are some examples:
- Sublingual Application – There is a blood vessel underneath your tongue, meaning that CBD oil applied here will enter your bloodstream much faster. However, CBD can be a bit unpleasant for some, so this strategy may take some getting used to at first.
- Direct Application – Some products allow you to rub CBD into the skin for topical pain relief. For example, if you have muscle pain or arthritis, a topical ointment may be better than rubbing CBD oil. Often, it’s best to use CBD creams and lotions (rather than oil) since they can nourish the skin while relieving pain.
On average, CBD can take up to six hours before you notice a significant difference. If you apply the oil sublingually, it will likely work faster. Other factors that can affect speed include body type, weight, and metabolism.
How Much CBD Oil Should I Take for Pain?
Since CBD oil can work differently for individuals, you may have to adjust your dosage accordingly. Overall, using CBD for pain relief isn’t an exact science (yet), so some guesswork is involved. The best thing to do is start with a relatively small dose and gradually work your way up. Your pain level can also dictate how much oil you should take. For example, if you’re experiencing mild pain, 20 milligrams may be enough. If you have severe pain, you might need to bump that up to 60 milligrams or more.
That said, don’t start with a high amount of CBD oil. While adverse reactions are extremely rare, you don’t know whether the oil can have some unintended side effects. Many people use CBD to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia. So, taking too much could make you more relaxed than you anticipated, which can be a problem if you’re at work or driving.
As you adjust your CBD oil intake, keep notes about when you use the product and how much you’re taking. For some people, pain relief works best when taking CBD oil in the morning, while others may benefit from a nighttime dose. Having these notes will come in handy down the road.
What Pain Does CBD Oil Help?
The primary advantage of CBD is that it helps relieve inflammation in the body, especially around muscles and joints. Because chronic pain can be caused by inflammation, CBD oil can have a lasting healing effect. Simply put, CBD addresses the pain at the source, rather than numbing it or minimizing it for a little while.
One problem, however, is that there is limited research on the types of pain that CBD can treat. For now, preliminary evidence suggests that oils and other CBD products can help to alleviate the following ailments:
Arthritis – People used to use CBD and marijuana for rheumatism (aka arthritis) before cannabis was made illegal in 1937. Since arthritis is caused by joint inflammation, it makes sense that CBD works as pain relief.
Muscle Pain – Muscles can get inflamed for various reasons, such as working out or straining them. Topical CBD products seem to help relieve muscle pain after exercising or when there is a flare-up.
Migraines – So far, the only study related to CBD and migraines also included THC, which gets you high. However, it’s unclear if THC or CBD has the most potent effects, so CBD oil may work for some migraines or headaches.
How to Use CBD Oil for Pain
Overall, the best method for CBD oil application is under the tongue. Since there is a direct connection with blood vessels there, you can get faster and more complete relief. By comparison, if you ingest CBD (i.e., in a gummy), much of the substance gets broken down by your stomach acid.
Fortunately, CBD oil usually comes in a tincture with a dropper tool. So, all you have to do is place a few drops under the tongue, let it sit for a minute or two, then swallow. When you’re first starting, stick to a low dosage until you know how your body will react. As you increase the dose, it’s best to apply the oil in installments. For example, if you’re up to 50 milligrams, don’t put it all in your mouth at once. Otherwise, your saliva could dilute it.
Can I Rub CBD Oil on My Skin for Pain?
Yes, you can. Rubbing CBD oil on the skin works best for topical pain relief, such as arthritis or muscle aches. However, standard CBD oil may not be the best choice since it can dry out your skin. Instead, we recommend mixing the oil with a topical lotion so that you get both pain relief and rejuvenation.
It will take a bit of experimentation to see how much CBD oil to add to the lotion if you decide to go this route. Alternatively, you can just buy CBD-infused creams and ointments so that you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
What is the Strongest CBD Oil You Can Buy?
There are tons of products out there that claim to be uber-potent, so we won’t waste time by listing them all here. Instead, we’ll talk about the difference between CBD isolate and full-spectrum CBD oil.
- Full-Spectrum CBD – We highly recommend buying full-spectrum CBD products because they use the whole cannabis plant. While CBD may be the most beneficial ingredient, evidence suggests that the plant works best as a cohesive unit. Don’t worry about getting high, though, since commercial hemp has 0.3-percent THC or less.
- CBD Isolate – Rather than processing the whole plant, manufacturers isolate the CBD and discard the rest. This method is more time-consuming and can be much more expensive without yielding any significant results.
When buying CBD oil products, pay attention to the type of CBD and make sure that the manufacturer is reputable. Some products will claim to be highly potent while having tons of fillers and ingredients that don’t help with pain relief.
Is it Okay to Take CBD Oil Every Night?
So far, there are no known chronic side effects of CBD oil. So, you can take it every night without any problems. Better yet, high doses of CBD can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, so there’s an added benefit of taking it at night.
Bottom Line: Find What Works Best for You
While CBD oil can be quite effective for pain relief, it doesn’t yield the same results for everyone. Some individuals may report substantial improvements, while others may have a milder reaction. When using CBD oil, keep in mind that you may have to adjust the dosage to suit your needs.
Since CBD works with your body’s endocannabinoid system, there’s a lot of biology at play, so there will be some trial and error. Don’t give up if you don’t notice any relief right away. Instead, experiment a bit to see what works best.
Previous article
Next article
