CBD oil and cream have stood out as some of the best options in the treatment and management of inflammatory conditions. Many diseases are a result of inflammation. When the cells get inflamed, the area in question may experience pain. While there are many products used to treat conditions, many people are turning to CBD.
CBD oil has several cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) itself. For full-spectrum CBD, trace amounts of other cannabinoids and terpenes are present, which coordinate with the body endocannabinoid system to stimulate healing of fractured cells. Anti-inflammatory compounds in CBD creams are also vital in reducing inflammation.
To fully understand how CBD works in healing inflammatory-induced pain, keep on reading.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD works in several ways, depending on the application process. CBD can be applied topically, through tablets, dubbing, vaping, diffusion, and other ways. In most cases, CBD oil for inflammation is applied topically. Whichever the application process, CBD works in three ways.
Here is how CBD works in the human body:
- Cannabidiol and other cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in the human body.
- Cannabinoid receptors send signals to the brain, stimulating brain functions.
- The brain takes actions such as soothing the inflamed area and calming the mind to help patients feel relaxed.
For effective results, the best CBD oil for pain should be used. The best CBD should not contain harmful chemicals and should be tested by third-party labs.
CBD Oil vs CBD Cream
Both CBD oil and cream may be applied for pain. Those who suffer from chronic pain associated with conditions such as arthritis could use both CBD oil and cream. With that said, the functioning and effectiveness of the two alternatives vary.
Differences between CBD oil and CBD cream:
- CBD oil is not designed for treating pain but for general uses while CBD cream is specifically made for treating pain and inflammation.
- The absorption rate for CBD cream is much faster than the absorption rate for CBD oil when applied to the skin.
- CBD cream can only be applied externally while CBD oil can be inhaled to calm some pain.
- CBD cream is enriched with other anti-inflammatory compounds that may also help with the healing process since CBD oil is not.
While both CBD oil and cream may help in treating pain and inflammation, the best option for external applications is CBD cream. If the product has to be applied internally through vaping, the recommended option would be CBD oil.
How CBD Helps with Pain
CBD for pain mainly works by influencing the signals going to the brain. When the cannabinoid links with cannabinoid receptors within the endocannabinoid system, signals are sent to the brain. These signals affect the perception of pain, improve the overall feeling of the CBD user and result in less pain for the patient.
How CBD Helps with Inflammation
CBD for inflammation may work differently from CBD for pain. The best CBD for inflammation is broad-spectrum. This is because broad-spectrum CBD contains other compounds that are helpful in reducing inflammation.
Besides the interaction between cannabidiol with the endocannabinoid system, broad-spectrum CBD also contains anti-inflammatories. The CBD creams used may also contain anti-inflammatories that reduce inflammation. The interaction between endocannabinoids coupled with the anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief.
Which CBD Oil is Good for Inflammation?
While all types of CBD oil can be used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, there is one that has been proven to work better than the rest. The broad-spectrum CBD is the most loaded with compounds that can help reduce inflammation and chronic pain.
Three types of CBD oil:
- Full-spectrum
- Broad Spectrum
- Isolate CBD
Of the three, broad-spectrum CBD is the most effective in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Broad-spectrum is achieved through the refining of full-spectrum CBD. When CBD oil is extracted from hemp, it comes loaded with terpenes, flavonoids, and other cannabinoids including trace amounts of THC, and is referred to as full-spectrum.
To attain broad-spectrum CBD, any trace amounts of THC are removed from the full-spectrum. To isolate CBD, all other compounds present in broad-spectrum CBD are removed to leave behind CBD Isolate. Broad-spectrum oil works the best because of the entourage effect caused by the other compounds present.
Why Do People Use CBD Topicals for Pain?
Most people use topical CBD in the treatment of pain as opposed to using CBD oil. Since CBD oil contains more cannabidiol than topicals, creams and other topicals are specifically made for external application. They do not only contain CBD but are loaded with vitamins that are vital for skin repair and are loaded with anti-inflammatories.
When shopping for CBD oil or cream for pain, it is vital to choose the option that is specifically designed for the intended purpose. For those who wish to vape or dub, the use of CBD oil is recommended. For those who wish to apply on the painful area directly, topicals such as CBD cream are the best choice.