Pain relief is a serious topic today because of the current opioid epidemic ravaging cities and towns across the United States. Many doctors and patients are rethinking how to control pain to help reduce the risk of addiction in the future. People that are suffering from chronic pain may be hesitant to consider the use of a product that is derived from what many people consider a mind-altering substance. However, that worry is unfounded in this instance because CBD oil, or Cannabidiol, is not psychoactive. 

How is CBD oil produced?

Hemp comes from the same plant as marijuana and is the least processed form of cannabis. CBD oil is pressed from hemp flowers, stalks and leaves. It does not cause the "high" people think about when cannabis is mentioned because it does not contain Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that recreational users seek. Hemp oil is legally used in many manufactured products including eco-friendly paints, food and personal care products. 

How does it help with pain? 

CBD oil works as an anti-inflammatory that may relieve swelling that helps to reduce joint pain and increase mobility. It may also aid with anxiety issues and this could lead to additional pain relief as people are better able to relax and enjoy more restorative sleep. It is thought that CBD oil works by attaching to receptors in the human body and increases the ability of the body to use more of the cannabinoids it produces naturally. 

Are there risks?

CBD oil is not addictive or mind-altering. It is legal in all 50 states when it is derived from hemp. It is considered a supplement and has not been definitively proven to be a "cure" for anything, so it should not replace prescribed medication or other physician-recommended treatments. Some users have mentioned digestive upset when using CBD oil, but starting with a low dose and not taking the product on an empty stomach will reduce that risk. 

Medical research is still needed to provide a complete picture of how effective cannabis products are in treating pain and disease and exactly how they accomplish these feats. However, many people have offered anecdotal evidence of amazing changes in their own lives. The low cost and availability of the oil make experimenting with it easy to accomplish.

There are multiple ways to use the product, but CBD capsules eliminate the need to smoke and enable people to gauge their consumption easier than tinctures. Anyone currently on prescription medication should speak to their doctor or resources like Phytoptima to confirm there will be no interactions or complications from its use.