5 Common Myths About Using CBD For Pain

Cannabidiol, or CBD in short, is derived from the cannabis plant, which perhaps explains why there many red flags whenever it comes up in a conversation. However, before writing it off or becoming concerned about it, a little education might be helpful. 

The cannabis plant contains more than 400 natural compounds, most of which are similar to other organic materials derived from plants. Cannabinoids, which form 60 of these compounds, are unique to the cannabis plant. The active compound in cannabis called cannabidiol (CBD) is only found in the cannabis plant. 

While CBD has many medical benefits, it’s often derived from a plant with another quite popular cannabinoid, THC. THC is a compound responsible for the psychoactive effects that are associated with the use of marijuana. However, THC and CBD can be derived from cannabis in isolation. This means that patients can enjoy the same health benefits without the side effects that might be perceived as negative by users or those around them. 

Nonetheless, when people think about CBD and marijuana in general, they often think about the side effects and the myths surrounding it. In fact, it’s easy to find yourself convinced that CBD is yet another overhyped load of nonsense lapped up by celebrities and millennials who don’t know any better. 

In this post, we’ll clarify some of the misleading and outright false statements that continue to crop up in the CBD space. Here are the common myths surrounding the use of CBD for pain and other health conditions.

Life-Changing Myths About Using Cannabidiol Oil for Pain

1. CBD Is Not Scientifically Proven To Help with Pain

Many CBD detractors often claim that the compound isn’t proven to help with pain. They often say something vague like there are indications that CBD could be helpful in treating pain, but there’s little solid evidence. However, this is simply untrue. 

Emerging studies have consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of cannabinoid compounds like cannabidiol in pain relief. In 2011, a study based on clinical trials demonstrated that CBD can interact directly with neural pathways that control pain, thereby providing a great alternative course of treatment for anyone looking for non-narcotic pain treatment or for patients that no longer benefit from the traditional treatment options. 

In the next year, researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of CBD in controlling inflammation and pain, which in most cases derive from issues within the immune system, without creating an analgesic tolerance that could cause withdrawal symptoms or difficulties at the completion of the treatment. 

2. CBD Is THC Without The High

Conventionally, especially in our school years, the only cannabinoid that people really cared about was THC – the compound responsible for the mind-altering effects of cannabis. However, as CBD continued to gain recognition in both the medical and wellness communities, it was just too easy to assume that the only difference between CBD and THC has to do with the level of intoxication. However, this is entirely untrue. 

As mentioned earlier, while both are derived from the same plant, they can be obtained in isolation to make two distinct compounds that interact with the body very differently. CBD is inherently non-intoxicating, and we fail to recognize its unique nature if we just assume that it’s just THC without the high. 

3. CBD is Non-Psychoactive

With No. 2 out of the way, it’s important to get a little specific about how CBD actually affects the brain and the body. To be clear, CBD won’t get you stoned or give you a “high”. However, it has some form of effect on the brain, and many CBD experts prefer using the term “non-intoxicating”. Being psychoactive means “affecting mind or behavior” and since CBD is known to have some effects on the brain and is often used to treat pain, anxiety, seizure disorders, PTSD, and depression, it can’t really be described as non-psychoactive in nature. 

4. CBD is Just Another Fad

The wellness industry is notorious for trying to make money with just about anything with some sort of hype, and CBD has not been spared. As a result, CBD is increasingly finding itself unnecessarily in some wellness and cosmetic products. However, some unnecessary applications of CBD don’t mean that all applications of CBD are unnecessary. 

For instance, Tea Tree oil has well documented anti-bacterial properties. If the wellness industry spots enough hype around tea tree oil and starts making products like mascara and eyeliners with tea tree oil, people will start rolling their eyes, believing it’s nothing more than a ploy to charge an extra 10 bucks for the products. While it’s a terrible idea (you probably don’t need it on your eyelashes), it doesn’t change the fact that tea tree oil has antibacterial properties.

In a similar way, CBD doesn’t need to be put in all the products that it’s currently in, however, this doesn’t diminish its legitimate applications. 

5. CBD Is Only For “Alternative” People

Many people still think that CBD is only suitable for crunchy granola people who also brew their own kombucha and lather themselves in Aztec clay. While there’s nothing wrong with kombucha and Aztec clay, some of the biggest pioneers and shakers of the CBD industry have been scientists and educators, most of whom have acknowledged they were previously against cannabis legalization until they experienced the medical benefits of CBD. 

Moreover, the FDA recently approved Epidiolex, which is a CBD based medication meant to treat seizure disorders that have always been difficult to treat. This was the first cannabis-based medication to get approval from the agency since Cannabis was classified as a Schedule 1 drug in 1970. This is quite a monumental development that threw the entire classification of cannabis as a Schedule 1 substance into question. 

Final thoughts

As you dive in the market for CBD for pain solutions, take your time with your due diligence. Test out what works for you and then create your own personal regimen for pain relief.